Electing the £70,000 a year mayor of a devolved Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is estimated at nearly £1 million.

A report to the new combined authority shadow committee also recommends appointing East Cambs District Council John Hill as returning officer for the May 4 poll.

Each district will conduct its own count but Mr Hill will preside over the closing stages and final declarations – as he has twice done for the election of a police and crime commissioner.

The report says Mr Hill has significant experience in relation to UK Parliamentary, European and local government elections over a 16 year period.

“Taking this experience into account, it is recommended that John Hill is appointed,” says a recommendation to the shadow authority.

The costs of the mayoral elections will be funded from what the report describes as the “the gain share” received by the combined authority.

“Specific costs such as the candidate address booklet, ballot papers and fees and charges will be wholly borne by the combined authority,” says the report..

“Other costs combined with the county council elections will be shared equally. The total costs of the mayoral elections are estimated at £980,000.”