Decision
Analysis
outcome: The Chief Executive of Southend on Sea Council will be the appointed Combined County Authority Returning Officer (CCARO) for the election, with costs initially covered by Southend on Sea City Council, Thurrock Council, and Essex County Council.
summary: The decision at stake is the procurement for printing and distributing 1.4m Election Address booklets for the Mayoral election in 2026.
topline: The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Law and Governance has decided to commence the procurement process for printing and distributing 1.4m Election Address booklets for the Mayoral election in 2026.
reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves significant costs and coordination among multiple councils in the Greater Essex area.
affected_stakeholders: ["Southend on Sea City Council", "Thurrock Council", "Essex County Council", "Greater Essex Combined County Authority (GECCA)"]
contentiousness_score: 6
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://democracy.southend.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1506
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Law and Governance
Outcome:
Is Key Decision?: Yes
Is Callable In?: Yes
Purpose: The Chief Executive of Southend on Sea Council is to be the appointed Combined County Authority Returning Officer (CCARO) for the Mayoral election in 2026. One of the statutory duties of the CCARO is to produce and distribute a booklet, known as the Election Address, to be sent to each registered elector. Within the Greater Essex area this amounts to circa 1.4m people. This report seeks approval to commence the procurement for the printing and distribution of this booklet. The costs in relation to the production and distribution of the booklet will initially be met by Southend on Sea City Council, Thurrock Council and Essex County Council, and subsequently claimed back from the Greater Essex Combined County Authority (GECCA) once established.
Content: The Chief Executive of Southend on Sea Council is to be the appointed Combined County Authority Returning Officer (CCARO) for the Mayoral election in 2026. One of the statutory duties of the CCARO is to produce and distribute a booklet, known as the Election Address, to be sent to each registered elector. Within the Greater Essex area this amounts to circa 1.4m people. This report seeks approval to commence the procurement for the printing and distribution of this booklet. The costs in relation to the production and distribution of the booklet will initially be met by Southend on Sea City Council, Thurrock Council and Essex County Council, and subsequently claimed back from the Greater Essex Combined County Authority (GECCA) once established. 1. Approve the commencement of a competitive tender process for printing and distribution of circa 1.4m Election Address booklets. 2. Delegate authority to the Director Law and Governance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Law and Governance, to award the contract to the successful provider based upon the outcome of that process. The requirement for the Election Address booklets to be produced and distributed by the CCARO is set out in The Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) Order 2017. Commencing the procurement activity at the earliest possible opportunity ensures a robust and well-planned process can be followed and ensures that the statutory requirement can be met.
Date of Decision: August 19, 2025