Power of district councils to change to whole-council elections
Section 32: Resolution for whole-council elections
116.This section enables a district council that is subject to a scheme for elections by halves or elections by thirds to resolve to be subject instead to a scheme for whole-council elections.
Section 33: Resolution for whole-council elections: requirements
117.Section 33 sets out the requirements for passing a resolution for whole-council elections. The resolution can only be passed during a specified period. This period differs according to whether the council is a metropolitan district council or a non-metropolitan one. The resolution must be passed by a majority of at least two-thirds of members voting at a specially convened meeting of which notice of the object has been given. Section 33(7) enables the Secretary of State to extend the period during which the decision must be taken.
Section 34: Scheme for whole-council elections
118.This section is concerned with how a scheme for whole-council elections will operate. It requires ordinary elections to be held in particular years. For metropolitan district councils, these are 2010 and every four years after. For non-metropolitan district councils, the years are 2011 and every four years after. This follows the pattern that has been established for non-metropolitan district councils that are already subject to a scheme for whole-council elections. No metropolitan district councils are currently subject to whole council elections.
Sections 35 and 36: Publicity and Notice to the Electoral Commission
119.As soon as possible after the resolution to move to a scheme for whole-council elections has been passed, the council must publicise the fact that it has become subject to the new scheme and produce an explanatory document. It must also notify the Electoral Commission of the resolution.
