Whole-Council elections

We've started moves that could lead to the end of annual elections in Stoke-on-Trent. A package of public consultation measures is being carried out.

We've sent letters to local organisations seeking their views, but everyone is welcome to contribute, using the links from this page.

Electing the whole Council every four years was one of the key improvement recommendations made by the Governance Commission earlier this year.

At present there are 60 councillors, all of whom serve for a term of four years. Twenty of these are elected at annual elections held during three consecutive years, followed by a year when no election is held. This is known as ‘election by thirds’.
 
Formal moves to introduce ‘whole-council’ elections can only start following this public consultation and a vote in favour by the full council. The meeting at which this vote will take place will be held on 22 January 2009. Councillors will consider the results of this consultation in forming their views.

Other Governance Commission improvement proposals, such as having only one councillor per ward and having a larger number of wards to better reflect local neighbourhoods, can only take place after the Council has agreed to start ‘whole-council’ elections.

Whole-council elections were favoured by the majority of people who gave evidence to the Governance Commission as they believed this change would help secure stability and policy direction for the Council.

The commission concluded that elections every four years could “remove the annual turbulence and period of policy paralysis which precedes annual elections. Meaningful manifestos, policy and budget policies could be promoted within the life of each council and medium term strategies to be developed. It would stabilise the council and build up councillor expertise and experience. Increase voter interest and enable more effective engagement with local people and remove the confusion that currently exists with annual elections”. You can access the full text of the report and other relevant information through the links from this page.

If you want to find out more please call 01782 232485.