The Local Government Act 2000 (“the 2000 Act”) provides that a local authority may, or may be required to, hold a referendum on the question of whether it should adopt a mayor and cabinet executive. Where the referendum approves the proposals for such arrangements, a first election for the return of an elected mayor is required.

These Regulations amend the Local Authorities (Elected Mayors) (Elections, Terms of Office and Casual Vacancies) (England) Regulations 2012 (“the 2012 Regulations”) in relation to the date on which the first election for an elected mayor may be held following a petition under section 9MC of the 2000 Act.

These Regulations enable the first election of a mayor to take place on the same date as the first local elections (defined in the 2012 Regulations as “the ordinary day of election”), which occur after the end of a period of three months after a referendum which took place following a petition and which approved the adoption of a mayor and cabinet executive. In such circumstances the first election could take place on the ordinary day of election where, prior to giving notice of the referendum, a local authority so resolves following a request from the petition organiser for the election to take place on this date.

In respect of referendums following a petition which were held on the ordinary day of election in 2014, 22nd May 2014, and approved the adoption of a mayor and cabinet executive, these Regulations also provide a transitional provision to allow for the first election to be held on the ordinary day of election in 2015, 7th May 2015.

An Impact Assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.