Published in accordance with s35 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 on 20th March 2024, Rossendale 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 2nd May 2024, and every fourth year afterwards, electors in Rossendale will vote to elect all 30 borough councillors simultaneously.
It was further decided that an order would be made to alter the years of the ordinary elections of the Whitworth Town Council so that they coincide with the date of whole-council elections.
This decision was made by the councillors in accordance with section 33 of the Act, which required a majority of at least two thirds of the councillors voting on it.
The Council report, supporting documentation and minutes of the meeting can be found on our website using the following link. 20th March 2024: Council
Background
Before this decision was taken, Rossendale 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 and as a result the number of councillors has reduced to 30 from 36 with 10 electoral wards reduced from 14 wards. The Rossendale (Electoral Changes) Order 2024 was made on 4th January 2024 meaning that these new
arrangements are to come into effect following the whole-council election on 2nd May 2024.
On 22nd January 2024 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.
Further, in order to avoid incurring the cost of standalone town council elections, consultation included that the Council would seek an order that aligns the Whitworth Town Council election with the whole-election date in the event that the electoral cycle changed to whole-council elections.
The Council undertook a public consultation between 23rd January 2024 and 5th March 2024. The consultation was publicised in a number of ways including using press releases, social media campaigns, community newsletters and via the Council’s website. Residents, political parties, MPs, business leaders, community groups, the Town and County Councils, Leisure Trust and various other relevant stakeholders were informed. Hard copies of the consultation were available at the Council offices and distributed upon request.
In total, 155 people responded with 52.3% indicating a preference to move to whole-council elections.
At the Special meeting on 20th March 2024, the councillors debated arguments for and against the current arrangements. These are set out in the report and minutes to the meeting.
The Council resolved:
1. That Council agrees to adopt a scheme of whole-council elections, meaning an electoral cycle of one election every four years with all councillors being elected, with the first such election being held in May 2024.
2. That Council agrees to make an order to alter the years of the ordinary elections of the Whitworth Town Council so that they coincide with the date of whole-council elections.
3. The Constitution will be amended to reflect the required changes.
Contact Details
In accordance with section 35 of the Act this explanatory document is available for public inspection at the Council’s office at The Business Centre, Futures Park, Bacup OL13 0BB during opening hours and available to the public on our website. For more information please email elections@rossendalebc.gov.uk