Section 35 Notice - Change to whole-council elections
CASTLE POINT BOROUGH COUNCIL
CHANGING TO WHOLE-COUNCIL ELECTIONS
EXPLANATORY DOCUMENT
(Published in accordance with Section 35 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007)
Decision to adopt a new scheme for whole- council elections
At a Special Meeting of the Castle Point Borough Council on Wednesday 31 January 2024 Castle Point Borough Council decided to change to a scheme for whole- council elections, under Section of the 34 Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (the Act).
This means that, on 2 May 2024, and every fourth year afterwards, electors in Castle Point will vote to elect all 39 borough councillors simultaneously.*
This decision was made by the Councillors of Castle Point Borough Council, in accordance with section 33 of the Act, which required a majority of at least two thirds of the Councillors voting on it.
View the Council report, the appendix summarising the findings of the public consultation, and the YouTube recording of the meeting on our website.
Background
Before this decision was taken, Castle Point Borough Council’s electoral arrangements have been that Councillors are elected ‘by thirds’, in that a third of the seats are up for election each year for three consecutive years, before one year in which no borough council elections are held.
The law makes it clear that it is for a local council to decide whether to keep or change its electoral arrangements as set out in legislation, but that before voting to change its electoral arrangements, the Council should take reasonable steps to consult such persons as it thinks appropriate on the proposed change.
*(The Local Government Boundary Commission completed a review of the Council’s Electoral arrangements in 2023 as a result the number of councillors has reduced to 39 from 41 with 13 Electoral wards reduced from 14 wards. These new arrangements are to come into effect following the whole-council election on 2 May 2024.)
At the Ordinary Council meeting held on 11 October 2023 Council resolved to commence a consultation process on whether to change the Council’s electoral cycle to whole council elections or stay with elections by thirds, which was the existing arrangement.
The Council undertook a public consultation between Monday 16 October and Monday 18 December 2023. (The period was extended for period of two weeks from Monday 27 November to give additional time to respond). The consultation was publicised using press releases, social media campaigns and via the Council’s website. Political parties were informed. Hard copies of the consultation were available at the Council offices Kiln Road, Canvey Island Town Council both council leisure centres at Runnymede and Waterside Farm and all the Borough’s public libraries at Tarpots, Benfleet, Hadleigh and Canvey Island.
The Council’s Scrutiny Committee reviewed the consultation responses at a meeting on 10 January 2024 and the outcome of the review and a summary of the consultation responses is available in the report in an appendix to the Council meeting.
The Councillors debated arguments for and against the current arrangements. These are set out in the report to the meeting.
The Council resolved to move to elections every four years.The first year of the new arrangements is 2 May 2024.
Contact Details
In accordance with section 35 of the Act this explanatory document is available for public inspection at the Council’s Offices at all reasonable times and available to the public on our website.
The Council’s principal office address is Castle Point Borough Council, Kiln Road, Thundersley, Benfleet, SS7 1TF
For more information please email elections@castlepoint.gov.uk