Council To Request Government Postpones May’s Election

Last night Redditch Borough Council decided to submit a request to Government that May’s elections be postponed.

It follows a letter from Government sent to the 63 Councils, including Redditch, which were facing elections in May, asking them to submit their views with Local Government Reorganisation in mind.

The Borough Council elects Councillors in thirds and so the elections in May will affect nine seats, with new councillors potentially only serving part of their elected term 

At a meeting of the full Council, Leader Sharon Harvey said: “We are the only Council in Worcestershire to elect our Members in thirds.

“The election to a council which will no longer exist in two years, will cost £192,000, money which will be ploughed back into our Borough. But it’s not just about the money, not holding the elections will allow us to get on with Transforming Worcestershire.

“That is why we are asking the Secretary of State to consider the postponement of May’s elections so we can deliver our part in securing an effective and efficient unitary Council for our residents.

“The final decision will be made by the Government.”

The Council is now submitting its request to Government in order to meet their deadline of midnight on Jan 15, which is why the Extraordinary Meeting was called.

Redditch Borough Council’s proposals for LGR were submitted to MHCLG on November 27.

The Council has chosen to support the north and south Local Government Reorganisation Proposal for Worcestershire which would see the establishment of two unitary authorities, one in the North covering Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest, and one in the South covering Malvern Hills, Worcester City and Wychavon.

An alternative proposal that has been put forward by Worcestershire County Council and Wyre Forest District Council is that there should be one County wide unitary authority for the whole of Worcestershire.