PART 1A

Arrangements with respect to local authority governance in England
CHAPTER 4

Changing governance arrangements

Referendums

Voting in and conduct of referendums
9MG
1
The persons entitled to vote in a referendum held by a local authority under this Chapter are those who on the day of the referendum—
a
would be entitled to vote as electors at an election of councillors for an electoral area which is situated within the authority's area, and
b
are registered in the register of local government electors at an address within the authority's area.
2
The Secretary of State
... may by regulations make provision as to the conduct of referendums under this Chapter.
3
The Secretary of State
... may by regulations make provision for the combination of polls at referendums under this Chapter with polls at any elections.
4
Regulations under subsection (2) or (3) may apply or incorporate, with or without modifications or exceptions, any provision of any enactment (whenever passed or made) relating to elections or referendums.
5
Regulations under subsection (2) may, in particular, include provision—
a
as to the question to be asked in a referendum,
b
as to the publicity to be given in connection with a referendum (including the publicity to be given with respect to the consequences of the referendum),
c
about the limitation of expenditure in connection with a referendum (and the creation of criminal offences in connection with the limitation of such expenditure),
d
as to the conduct of the authority, members of the authority and officers of the authority in relation to a referendum,
e
as to when, where and how voting in a referendum is to take place,
f
as to how the votes cast in a referendum are to be counted, and
g
for disregarding alterations in a register of electors.
6
Before making any regulations under this section that include provision as to the question to be asked in a referendum, the Secretary of State
... must consult the Electoral Commission.
Pt. 1A modified (1.4.2013) by The Isles of Scilly (Functions) (Review and Scrutiny) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/643), arts. 1(1), 2
Pt. 1A modified by S.I. 2008/2113, reg. 10 (as substituted (5.9.2018) by The Local Government (Structural Changes) (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/930), regs. 1, 3(3))
Pt. 1A modified (26.5.2018) by The Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (Structural Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/648), arts. 1, 12(5)-(8)
Pt. 1A modified (26.11.2018) by The Local Government (Boundary Changes) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1128), regs. 1(1), 15 (with reg. 1(2)(3))
Pt. 1A modified in part (23.5.2019) by The Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/957), arts. 1, 6(17)
Pt. 1A modified (26.5.2018) by The Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (Structural Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/648), arts. 1, 27(8)
Pt. 1A modified in part (25.5.2018) by The West Suffolk (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/639), arts. 1, 8(7)
Words in s. 9MG(2) omitted (8.12.2021) by virtue of The Transfer of Functions (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1265), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 13(2)(b) (with art. 12)
Pt. 1A modified in part (25.5.2018) by The East Suffolk (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/640), arts. 1, 8(7)
Pt. 1A modified in part (26.5.2018) by The Somerset West and Taunton (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/649), arts. 1, 8(7)
Words in s. 9MG(3) omitted (8.12.2021) by virtue of The Transfer of Functions (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1265), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 13(2)(b) (with art. 12)
Words in s. 9MG(6) omitted (8.12.2021) by virtue of The Transfer of Functions (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1265), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 13(2)(b) (with art. 12)
S. 9MG functions made excercisable concurrently (6.11.2013) by The Transfer of Functions (Elections and Referendums) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2597), arts. 1(2), 2(c) (with art. 3)
Pt. 1A inserted (3.12.2011 for specified purposes, 15.1.2012 for the insertion of Pt. 1A Ch. 4 so far as not already in force and ss. 9B, 9C and 9R for specified purposes, 9.3.2012 for the insertion of ss. 9H-9HE in so far as not already in force and s. 9R for specified purposes, 4.5.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 2 para. 1; S.I. 2011/2896, art. 2(e); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(b) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11); S.I. 2012/628, art. 2(a); S.I. 2012/1008, art. 4(b)
Pt. 1A modified in part (14.2.2020) by S.I. 2020/156, art. 7 (as substituted (8.5.2020) by The Local Government (Coronavirus) (Structural Changes) (Consequential Amendments) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/426), regs. 1(2), 12)
Pt. 1A modified in part (18.3.2022) by The Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/331), arts. 1(1), 7(2)