Election Print Contract Procurement

REPORT TO; Assistant Director, Legal

DECISION DATE: 23^rd April 2026

PROPOSED RECOMMENDATION

To award the Election printing contract to provide printed election materials (ballot papers, postal vote packs and poll cards) for scheduled elections, by-elections and other polls such as Neighbourhood Plan Referendums and Parish Polls and for electoral registration printing to Paragon Customer Communications (London) Limited.

BACKGROUND TO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATION

A specialist election print supplier is required for the production of ballot papers, poll cards and postal vote packs for scheduled elections and unscheduled by-elections. North Yorkshire Council does not have the ability to produce these materials in house. The current contract ended on 31^st March 2026.

The new election printing contract will commence from May 2026.

LEGAL AND GOVERNANCE COMPLIANCE

A procurement exercise has been undertaken by the Council’s Procurement and Contract Management Service, with Gateway reporting considered in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules. Paragon were the highest scoring bidder.

This is a key decision.  The election print contract was entered on the forward plan in April 2025.

RECOMMENDATION

To procure a contract for election printing.

Ben Nattrass

27/4/2026