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 2025 is:
12440
This figure will have effect for the purposes of determining the validity of Petitions presented from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.
Where the verification number published in 2026 is less than the number published in 2025, the number to be used for verification purposes, in relation to any petition presented in the period beginning on the date of publication of the lower number and ending immediately before 1 April 2026, shall also be that lower number.
More information on referendums is available from the Electoral Commission.