Referendum figure for elected mayor

Declaration of verification number

Under the Local Government Act 2000, we have to let you know about your right to ask for a referendum on changing our governance arrangements, if you'd like to move to a mayor and cabinet arrangement to manage the Council. We also have to tell you the numbers needed for a valid petition.

Regulations under the Act provide for a referendum to be held where a minimum of 5 percent of local government electors petition the Council for a referendum on whether the Council should operate executive arrangements which involve an elected Mayor.

We are required to publish the number of electors that is equal to 5 percent of the number registered to vote at a local government election as shown on the Electoral Register on 15 February every year. This number will be published within 14 days of 15 February each year.

In any year, there is a short period of time when there is one of two figures that can be used. This is between publication of the number and 31 March that same year. During that time the alternative number that can be used is the one that was published the previous year. Councils must use the lower of these two numbers as the verification number for any petition submitted during that period.

From 15 February 2024, the number that is equal to 5 percent of the number of local government electors shown in the revised register of electors is: 6706

This figure will determine the validity of petitions presented from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Andrew Moulton
Electoral Registration Officer
Wokingham Borough Council
Civic Offices
Shute End
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 1WH