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Council - 8 December 2021

Briefing note - Notice of Motion - Whole Council Elections

 

“That Maidstone Borough Council hereby adopts a scheme of whole council elections, meaning an electoral cycle of one election every four years with all councillors being elected, with the first such election being in 2024.”

 

1.   Following this matter being considered on 29 September 2021, it is being reconsidered by Council by virtue of Part 3.1, Rule 21.2 of the Constitution that requires at least one thirds of the whole number of the Council Members to sign a motion for it to be reconsidered within six months.  This motion has more than the necessary number of signatories.

D&GP Reference to Council (Link for online use only)

 

2.   The legislation governing the move to whole council elections is the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 as amended by the Localism Act 2011. The Acts give Councils the power to decide whether to move to whole council elections, elections by halves or elections by thirds.

 

3.   The legislation to move to whole council elections includes certain actions that must be taken during the process. One requirement is to have carried out a consultation on the proposal. This was undertaken in July/August 2021 and the result was in favour of whole council elections being adopted.

 

D&GP – 8 September Report (Link for online use only)

 

4.   When the resolution is passed Council must specify the year in which the first ordinary election of the Council at which all Councillors are to be elected will take place. This may not be a county council elections year. This has been incorporated into the motion.

 

5.   A vote in favour of whole Council elections must be by a two thirds majority of those voting.

 

6.   Lastly, whilst whole council elections has been considered numerous times the most recent summary of factors to consider is included in the report to Democracy and General Purposes in June 2021.

 

D&GP June 2021 – Appendix 1 Whole Council Elections Analysis (Link for online use only)