Local Government: Elections
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many councillors’ terms will be extended as a result of the postponement of the elections in May 2026.
Answered by Alison McGovern
There are approximately 650 councillors whose terms will be extended as a result of local election postponements. This does not take into account any by-elections. The exact length of the term of the office will vary, including depending on the election cycle in each local authority and whether elections in 2025 were postponed.
In areas with two-tier local government, there is money wasted on duplication and it is confusing about who does what and who is responsible. Through local government reorganisation, we will remove the patchwork of local elections and voters will be able to cast their ballot in a single set of local elections where one council is responsible for all local services.
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