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The Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020
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- UK Statutory Instruments
- 2020 No. 395
- Explanatory Note
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There are currently no known outstanding effects for The Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.
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Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations postpone the days on which certain by-elections and local referendums are to be held during the period from 16th March 2020 to 5th May 2021 (“the relevant period”).
Regulation 5 postpones to the 6th May 2021 (“the ordinary day of election in 2021”) any by-elections which would be held to fill vacancies in the office of councillor in any county, district or London Borough Council in England. Regulation 6 postpones parish council elections during the relevant period to the ordinary day of election in 2021. Regulations 7 and 8 postpone by-elections due to be held in that period for a local authority directly elected mayor and a combined authority mayor to 2021. Regulation 9 likewise postpones by-elections for the Mayor of London or constituency member of the Greater London Assembly. Regulation 10 postpones Police and Crime Commissioner by-elections.
Regulation 11 provides for a local advisory poll called during the relevant period to be conducted on the ordinary day of election in 2021. Regulation 12 provides for postponement of any referendum on a local authority change of governance and extends the period for collation of signatures on a referendum petition. Regulation 13 postpones neighbourhood planning referendums held in accordance with Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8).
Regulation 14 makes supplementary provision to ensure that transitional election cycles to a local authority which have been specifically provided for in orders made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (or a principal council in respect of one of its parish councils) or in structural change orders made by the Secretary of State are preserved.
Regulation 15 makes provision to relieve returning officers and others of liability under certain provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1983 in relation to polls which were required to be held, but were not held, in the period after 24th April 2020.
A full regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared as this instrument will have no impact on the costs of business and the voluntary sector.
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