The picture for this May’s local elections in England is more complicated than usual. With ongoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and fast-track devolution, councils with these areas have been given the option to postpone elections — and the results are split.
Postponed or Proceeding?
Across the country, 30 councils have opted to postpone elections, while 33 will go ahead as planned. Most of these are lower-tier boroughs and districts, many of which have long followed a system of electing by thirds.
For councillors in postponed areas, this means those due to re-stand or retire may now serve until the new unitary councils are established in April 2028. In effect, some councillors will serve six-year terms instead of the usual four.
Counties and Extended Terms
County Councils participating in the Devolution Priority Programme were also invited to postpone elections for a second consecutive year. This could see some councillors serving seven-year terms by the time LGR is completed. Four counties — East and West Sussex, Norfolk, and Suffolk — decided to postpone again. It remains unclear whether a third postponement could occur next year.
Meanwhile, Hampshire and Essex, both Conservative-run counties, chose not to postpone. This decision is likely to cost the Conservatives overall control, aligning with the party’s national stance against delayed elections.
Political Implications
Labour-run councils are more likely to request delays, especially with challenging polls and the rise of newer parties like Reform UK. Predictably, Reform UK has criticized these delays as a “denial of democracy” and is pursuing a High Court challenge. The Liberal Democrats have also argued that voters are being denied their say while incumbents are protected from accountability.
Surrey: A Unique Transition
Surrey presents a different scenario. Elections will go ahead to elect members of two new East and West Surrey unitary authorities, creating shadow councils ahead of full implementation in April 2027 — a year earlier than the rest of the LGR process. This means new political leadership emerging for the East and West Surrey Councils, alongside a challenging 12-month transition for the Conservative-run County Council and the 11 boroughs and districts, none of which have Conservative majorities anymore. Already the Joint Committees formed to steer the early arrangements for East and West Surrey are dominated by non-Conservative rainbow coalition majorities from among the District leaders – a sign of things to come as this transition progresses.
Key Takeaways
Local government is in a period of significant transition. The last rounds of two-tier elections are underway, and we await government decisions in March regarding new unitary councils across much of southern England.
Understanding these changes over the next two years is crucial for planning and development. Cavendish can guide you through this complex period, helping you navigate the evolving local government landscape.