Elections Schedule Consultation
A consultation to decide on the elections schedule.
Basildon Borough Council is considering a change to its election cycle, moving from elections by thirds (held three years out of every four) to whole-Council elections (where all councillors are elected at the same time, every four years). This proposal follows a recommendation made during the Basildon Borough 2023 Boundary Review to move to whole council elections and aligns with the election cycles of other local authorities such as Essex County Council, Chelmsford City Council, Castle Point Council, and Thurrock Council. The Council is committed to engaging with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders to gather views on this important decision. The results of this consultation will help shape the Council's approach and inform the decision-making process.
Background
- Current System: The Council operates elections by thirds, meaning one-third of councillors are elected each year for three years, with no elections in the fourth year.
- Proposed Change: Move to whole-Council elections, where all councillors are elected simultaneously every four years. ยท
- Legislative Context: Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, councils can resolve to change their electoral cycle following a public consultation and a two-thirds majority vote by councillors.
Reasons in support of each option
| Why Consider Whole-Council Elections? | Reasons to Keep Elections by Thirds |
|---|---|
| Time to Deliver Promises: Electing all Councillors at once every four years gives the Council more time to deliver on its plans and promises, without the distraction of annual elections. | Frequent Voting Opportunities:Elections three years out of every four, gives residents more regular opportunities to vote and influence the Council's direction, providing more immediate accountability. |
| Cost Savings: Holding one election every four years is significantly cheaper than running elections three out of every four years, saving money that could be used for other services. | Continuity of Councillors:Electing by thirds ensures a mix of experienced councillors remains on the Council, avoiding the possibility of losing all of the experienced councillors. |
| Easier for Voters: Whole-Council elections are straightforward, with all councillors elected at the same time. This simplicity may encourage more people to vote. | Familiarity with the Process:Residents in the borough are familiar with voting for one councillor at a time under elections by thirds. Voting for three councillors at once under whole-Council elections could be confusing. |
| Clear Accountability: Voting for the entire Council every four years gives residents a clear opportunity to reshape its political direction if they wish. | Fresh Ideas:Elections by thirds provide a steady influx of newly elected councillors who can bring new perspectives and ideas to the Council |
The Elections Schedule Consultation will open on Monday 27 January 2025 and will close on Sunday 9 March 2025. The Consultation is open to all residents (aged 18+), businesses, groups, organisations and elected persons of the Basildon Borough.
The Elections Schedule Consultation can be found here: https://forms.office.com/e/iN19rftQ2v