Last chance to have your say on how your council is elected

A consultation asking residents how often they want to vote for their local councillors in the future closes at 5pm on Monday (15 January).

The text Election cycle consultation, we want your views is accompanied by a hand dropping a voting slip into a ballot box.

A boundary review is due to take place in 2024. This review could change the make-up of wards, the number of councillors within each ward and the total number of councillors elected. No elections will take place in 2025. This means all councillors will be up for election in 2026.

The election cycle survey asks whether residents want to continue electing councillors every four years (known as all-out elections) or go back to the system of voting for a third of councillors every year (electing in thirds). This system means there are local elections three out of every four years. The survey provides additional information including arguments in support of both options and is open until 5pm on Monday 15 January 2024. Residents will be asked to provide the first three digits of their postcode.

Cllr James Moyies, cabinet member with responsibility for constitutional affairs, says: “This is a really important decision that the council needs to take, and it is vital that we get the views of residents.

"We have had a good response so far, but we want as many people to have their say as possible so I would urge residents to get involved in the survey by 5pm on Monday 15th January. It is just two simple questions and a free text box, so should take less than a couple of minutes. So, please have your say on how your council is elected.”

No other elections will be affected by any future change to Southend-on-Sea City Council's electoral cycle. Parliamentary; Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner; Leigh Town Council elections will continue with their normal electoral cycle.

How to take part

You can give us your views by completing an online survey or a paper survey in one of Southend's libraries, by Monday 15 January 2024.

Other ways to take part:

Published: 12th January 2024

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