Public Affairs I. Powerpoint 6 - Local Elections

Public Affairs Part I Local Elections

Local Government Constituencies 

Councillors elected in the UK must be at least 18 years of age, following a change to the law as of June 2007. They are elected for terms of exactly four years – unless voted in at a by-election between normal council election cycles. Local council “constituencies” take the following forms:

  (a) Electoral divisions – the constituencies in county and unitary elections

  (b) Wards - the constituencies in which you vote in district council elections 

Local Council Election ‘Cycles’ • The precise election cycles followed by the various types of local authority vary in the following ways:   • County councils – counties are split into electoral divisions, which each return one councillor, and elections are held every four years, with the whole council retiring at the same time, in 1993, 1997, 2001, etc •

Local Council Election ‘Cycles’  District/borough councils in twotier areas – elections held EITHER for whole council at the same time OR in three out of every four years, with one third of the council retiring each time (one councillor from each ward). Elections never take place in these areas in the same year as county council elections are held. Elections held in 1998, 1999, 2000 and then again in 2002, 2003, 2004, etc

Local Council Election ‘Cycles’ • Unitary authorities (e.g. Brighton and Hove City Council) – follow the same pattern as district/borough councils, but special arrangements are made in areas where there is a hybrid system (i.e. one or more unitary authorities and a smaller residual county council). When a new unitary authority is created by amalgamating a pre-existing district council and county council, a statutory order may be passed stating that the new unitary authority will sit for a period

Local Council Election ‘Cycles’  Metropolitan boroughs – elections held in three out of every four years. Elections never take place in these areas in the same year as, in other parts of the country, county council elections are held. Elections held in 1998, 1999, 2000 and then again in 2002, 2003, 2004, etc (with none in 1997, 2001, 2005 and so on) 

 London borough councils – elections held every four years, again with whole councils retiring at the same time. Boroughs split into wards, each of which returns between one and three councillors depending on pop size. Elections in 1994

Who Can Stand as a Councillor? • They are a British, Commonwealth, Republic of Ireland or other EU state citizen and • Have followed the proper nomination process and • Are at least 18 years old (since June 2007) and • They are not disqualified from standing as a councillor (i.e. not bankrupt; have not in the previous five years been ordered by a court to repay £2,000 or more in respect of any loss or deficiency; have received a prison sentence of three months or more in the five years before the election without the option of a fine; etc)

Who Can Stand as a Councillor?  Can prove one of the following specified connections with the area:  (a) They are an elector in the local authority area  (b) They have, for the whole of the preceding year, occupied as owner or tenant land or other premises in that area  (c) They have, for the whole of the preceding year, had their principal or only place of work in that area  (d) They have, for the whole of the preceding year, lived in that area or (if they are a parish or community councillor) lived

Who Cannot be on Electoral Register?  Foreign nationals (other than those entitled to be registered)  Some patients detained under mental health legislation  Convicted people detained in prison or in a mental institution (this does not include people on remand or bail)  Anyone convicted within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal election practices  Many British citizens who live abroad as ex-patriots (if abroad for more than 15 years)

Who Can Be on Electoral Register?    Local resident who is at least 18 years old or will attain that age during the 12-month period covered by the register (provided this is by the date of the poll itself) and 

  A UK, Commonwealth, Irish Republic or other EU citizen and

  Has a qualification based on normal residence, service in the Armed Forces or as a merchant seaman, or is a voluntary mental patient

Some Other Terms • Electoral registration officer – officer required to keep and annually update the electoral register/electoral roll listing everyone entitled to vote in the local authority area • • Returning officer – a senior local authority official whose job it is to oversee the election night count, announcement of winners, etc. This is usually the chief executive of the council • • Rolling registration – new system of registering to vote introduced in 2000, whereby someone moving to a new area may add their name to the local electoral roll at the beginning of any given month (used to be only one opportunity