Greater than half of the county councils in England with elections scheduled for this yr might search to have the votes postponed, the PJ can reveal.
At the least 12 out of 21 county councils on account of maintain elections in Could are poised to ask ministers to delay the ballots to discover choices set out in a major redesign of local government introduced in December.
The federal government has set Friday because the deadline for areas to point out curiosity within the first tranche of devolution plans.
However a delay in elections would see tens of millions of voters “disadvantaged of their native democracy,” based on the District Councils Community, which represents smaller native authorities.
The federal government mentioned no selections had been taken.
Elections are on account of happen in 21 county council areas in England in Could, in addition to some unitary authorities and elections for some regional mayors.
When it introduced its devolution plans in December, the federal government steered a few of these elections, particularly in county councils, could possibly be delayed by a yr or extra. Scheduled mayoral elections won’t be affected.
Under the plans, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, smaller district councils and bigger county councils could possibly be merged to create single councils to deal with all providers.
Ministers see the reorganisation of native authorities as a key a part of their plan to devolve powers out of Westminster to native communities.
Native authorities minister Jim McMahon wrote to councils in affected areas asking them to specific their curiosity in collaborating.
A number of councils are holding pressing conferences this week to resolve whether or not to press forward.
County councils which have indicated they’re and will see elections postponed embrace:
- Devon
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Hampshire
- Kent
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- Warwickshire
- West Sussex
- Worcestershire
Ministers will make the ultimate selections on whether or not native elections are postponed.
Cllr Kevin Bentley, the Conservative chief of Essex County Council, mentioned it was a “as soon as in a lifetime likelihood to enhance outcomes for Essex”.
Cllr Tim Oliver, the Conservative chief of Surrey County Council, mentioned: “We owe it to Surrey’s residents to get the most effective devolution deal doable for our county.”
The elections in Could are set to be the primary electoral take a look at for Labour because the occasion took energy at Westminster in July final yr, and an essential measure of the general public temper.
Reform UK Chairman Zia Yusuf criticised the potential delay, saying: “Labour and the Tories are so scared of Reform’s rise that they’re colluding to rob the British folks of their democratic rights.”
Rayner advised a choose committee this week it will be “ludicrous” for councils to carry elections in the event that they have been planning to reorganise their buildings.
However mentioned the federal government was not “dictating” what ought to occur in council areas.
In 2021 the earlier Conservative authorities delayed native elections in North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Somerset when councils in these areas have been present process reorganisation.
However the present plans have prompted a backlash from some native leaders.
The District Councils Community claimed ministers had “rushed” the proposals to reorganise native authorities and have been depriving residents of getting a say.
The organisation’s chairman Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen mentioned: “The cancellation of the native elections comes after the federal government’s basic election manifesto uncared for to say that it sought to take energy away from communities by changing district councils with mega councils.
“Democracy is being side-lined with the native voters being disadvantaged of any democratic alternative to provide their verdict on a serious reorganisation that may have far-reaching repercussions for the future of hundreds of English cities and villages.”
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Native Authorities spokesperson mentioned: “No selections have been taken on suspending elections.
“We are going to solely think about suspending elections for areas the place the council involved have requested it and the place it helps an space to ship reorganisation and devolution to probably the most bold timeline.”
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, 2025-01-09 01:25:00
