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Local Government: Elections

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 9 February 2026UIN 110704

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether local authorities will have discretion following the implementation of electoral boundary changes to determine whether elections are held by thirds, halves, or all-out elections without further primary or secondary legislation.

Answered by Alison McGovern

The legislation governing councils’ power to choose its own scheme of elections is set out in Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. The legislation permits non-metropolitan district councils to choose to move to electing by thirds or halves where they have previously held elections by thirds or halves.

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