Your April Compliance Update | | 25% of annual accounts are overdue, the deadline for which was over a fortnight ago. If this applies to you, please submit yours as soon as possible to stop any sanctions from the Electoral Commission.
The Compliance Team are obliged to send annual accounts information to 2025 and 2026 Chairpersons and Treasurers since they have shared responsibility for this | |
 March PPERA Return
The March donation report is due by 10th April (including nil returns). If you haven’t submitted your report yet, please do so urgently.
Donation queries: Lighthouse help: |  2025 Annual Accounts
Many thanks for the 75% of year-end reports received; unfortunately, 100 sets of accounts remain outstanding.
IMPORTANT: The deadline was 15 March - late submissions could incur fines / sanctions for the party / group and its treasurer. | NOTE: Before emailing us your accounts or queries, please read the accounts guide as it covers common issues - this saves time and avoids preventable delays due to incomplete submissions. | | | | Minimum needed for submission: | - Exec approval of the accounts (over 50%) - can be via email / WhatsApp to avoid delay
- Completed Excel spreadsheet template
- Scan / photo of declaration page with Treasurer’s “wet” signature
| | If you’re yet to submit your accounts / need help, please email compliance@libdems.org.uk urgently. | |
 Corporation Tax We have updated our guidance which can be found here:
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 Treasurers and Elections Treasurers have a key role during elections.
Here’s our recent presentation on this, which we hope you will find useful. | | | |
| The close of nominations in England and Wales is at 4pm on 9th April. They have now closed for the Scottish General Election, where a full slate of Liberal Democrats are standing.
Putting up candidates is the way to get more people into the habit of regularly voting for the Liberal Democrats and helping the Party grow.
Anything you can do to support agents and candidates in making sure they get on the ballot paper in these crucial last few days will make a real difference. As ever, if you have any questions about the electoral law around this process, get in touch with us via: compliance@libdems.org.uk |
 Ballot Paper Logos Don’t forget the recent changes to the artwork for the Party's logo that appears on ballot papers.
This is to make them as visible as possible in the small amount of space available.
Currently, in the Electoral Commission’s system they are: - emblem 1 (emblem id: 9111)
- emblem 2 (emblem id 9112) - the Welsh Party logo
- emblem 3 (emblem id: 9113) - Scottish Liberal Democrat logo
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 Our drop-ins and training sessions continue - here's the link to all recordings and slides so far, plus other resources: | | NOTE: you need to be signed up to the Campaign Hub in order to access these (using the email address your membership is registered to). Join here if you haven't already: | | | Agent Drop-Ins | | The Compliance Team are on hand through to 5th May to assist with any queries: - Tuesdays - 6-7pm
- Thursdays - 11am-noon
- Saturdays - 12:30-1:30pm
No need to register, here’s a single Zoom link for all drop-ins: | | | |
Agent Training: The Count | | Sun 3 May, 8pm
Elections are won and lost at the count. Every year there are Liberal Democrats whose fate is sealed by just a handful of votes. Make sure you and your team are ready to win.
This session is for election agents and also anyone going to the count as part of their local Lib Dem team. | | | |
Agent Training: How to Complete Your Election Expenses | | Mon 11 May, 8pm
The final module in the 2026 agent training series takes you through the process of completing your expenses return.
Email compliance@libdems.org.uk to register for the Zoom link. | |
 | Data Protection Reminder | | The increase in campaigning activity ahead of the May elections brings with it a rise in individuals wanting to exercise their data rights.
Don’t forget to forward the following to data.protection@libdems.org.uk so we can process them within the mandatory 30-day deadline: - Right to Erasure / Right to be Forgotten requests (RTBF)
- Opt Outs / Do Not Contacts (beyond local level)
- Subject Access Requests (SARs)
Data Breaches - Please report to data.protection@libdems.org.uk within 24 hours.
One of the most common data breaches is the incorrect use of CC/BCC. The ICO has published that this is still one of the top 10 breach types reported to them!
Only use approved bulk email providers for emails to large numbers of people.
All data protection requests / queries / complaints should be sent to the Data Protection Team at LDHQ, so you can focus on your campaigns.
Thank you for your help with this. | |
Compliance Clinic Mon 20th April, 6 - 7pm
Join us every third Monday of the month to discuss Compliance / Data Protection matters.
Email compliance@libdems.org.uk for the Zoom link or a one-to-one appointment. | |
 | Your Resources | |
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Simon Drage
Deputy Head of Technology and Compliance
Liberal Democrats
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