UK-wide, national and regional referendums
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 establishes a fixed legal framework for the conduct of any referendum held across the UK, or a referendum held in Scotland, Wales, England or Northern Ireland. It also applies to regional referendums within England.
Mayoral referendums
The Local Government Act 2000 provides that electors in the council's area can petition the council to hold a referendum on whether a local authority should change to a different form of governance. A petition must be signed by at least 5% of the local government electors for the borough.
The statutory notice below states the current number of electors needed for verification purposes in relation to any petition presented to the authority.
The Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions) (England) Regulations 2011
Publication of Verification Number
In accordance with Regulation 4(1) of the above regulations the number that is equal to 5% of the number of local government electors shown in the revised register of electors having effect on the 15th February 2023 is:
12206
This figure will have effect for the purposes of determining the validity of Petitions presented from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024.
The number equal to 5% of the local government electors for 2024 will be published within 14 days of the 15th February 2024. If this number is less than 12092, the number to be used for verification purposes in relation to any petition submitted for the period beginning on the date of publication of the lower number until 31st March 2024 shall also be that lower number.
More information on referendums is available from the Electoral Commission.