Jim Fitzpatrick - Standards and Privileges Committee Contents


3.  Letter to all Members from the Director of Operations, Department of Resources, 15 December 2009

I wrote to you about the Members Estimate Committee decisions on 23 November in respect of the Communications Expenditure. You will recall the context was the forthcoming implementation of Section 21 of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009. The MEC has now finalised important changes to the Communications Expenditure which have immediate consequences for your offices.

From the 1 January 2010 the Communications Expenditure will be suspended for the majority of costs normally incurred. No claims for expenditure incurred on or after 1 January 2010 will be paid from the Communications Expenditure except when used to pay for the following:

  • Surgery posters or small advertisements in local and regional newspapers; these must not include party colours, logos or slogans and should not include other extraneous material.
  • Contractual agreements associated with the maintenance or lease of equipment entered into on or before the 23 November 2009.
  • Cancellation fees for any goods or services entered into on or before the 23 November 2009, if the goods or services cannot be provided by 31 December 2009.

You cannot therefore use the Communications Expenditure or utilise resources acquired from the Communications Expenditure from 1 January 2010 for:

  • The production and distribution of newsletters, Parliamentary reports, targeted letters, petitions and surveys.
  • The production and distribution of surgery leaflets and flyers (in other words a ban on anything that can be put through the letter box).
  • The purchase of office and other equipment.
  • Services associated with website maintenance, development or updating (this includes automatic feeds which update websites).

I attach a guidance note with Q and A which explains the position in more detail. You are strongly advised to take advice from the Department of Resources before committing to any expenditure from the Communications Expenditure.

If you would like further advice on this matter, or if you have any other questions about the Communications Expenditure, please phone the Department of Resources on 020 7219 4757.

15 December 2010


 
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