Referendums - General Information
There are a number of different Referendums that can take
place.
UK-wide, National and Regional Referendums
The
Political
Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) establishes
a fixed legal framework for the conduct of any referendum held
across the UK, or a referendum held in Scotland, Wales, England or
Northern Ireland. It also applies to regional referendums within
England.
Mayoral Referendums
The Local Government Act 2000 set out a major change in the way
Local Authorities in England and Wales are run. Most Local
Authorities, except some of the smaller district councils in the
area of a County Council, operate “executive arrangements”. There
are three types of executive arrangement set out in the Act, two of
which involve a directly elected Mayor: Mayor and Cabinet, and
Mayor and Council Manager. The other involves a Leader (who is
elected by Councillors) and Cabinet. (Wyre Forest District Council,
after consultation with residents, opted for this third style of
arrangement.)
Local Authorities consult on which arrangements local people want.
If there is a proposal to have a Mayor, the Local Authority must
hold a binding referendum. Many Councils in England have already
conducted consultations with local people on this issue. Local
residents can also require a Mayoral Referendum by organising a
petition signed by 5% of local electors or more.
Visit the Electoral Commission website for more information on
Mayoral Referendums
View
notice of petitions for elected mayoral referendums - February
2011 
(12K)
Other Referendums
Referendums can be used by Local Authorities to test public opinion
on local issues. These referendums are not regulated by law and we
have no responsibility for the conduct or other aspects of such
referendums.