Local Council Elections Consultation

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Consultation has concluded

Hartlepool Borough Council is interested in your views on whether we should change to 'whole council' elections or continue with the current system of ‘elections by thirds’.

The change to 'whole council' elections would mean the whole council would be elected at the same time once every four years.

Following a recommendation of the Constitution Committee, approved by Full Council on 16 December 2021, Members voted to hold a public consultation process to seek the views of the public on moving to ‘whole council’ elections in 2024. Below is some background information to help give you an informed view on the issue.

The consultation will run from 20th December 2021 until 27th February 2022.

Background

Hartlepool Borough Council has 36 councillors in 12 electoral wards. Each ward is represented by three councillors.

The councillors represent their ward as well as making decisions on the running of council.

The current process – 'elections by thirds'

Residents have three ward councillors for the area they live. The council currently uses a ‘by thirds’ electoral system. This means that over four years, elections are held in years one, two and three for one of the three councillors in each ward. In the fourth year there are no elections.

Benefits of this system:

  • New councillors can be elected more frequently.
  • Voters are able to react sooner to local circumstances, providing more immediate political accountability.
  • Residents are familiar with this electoral system.

The alternative - ‘whole council’ election

This process would see all councillors up for election at the same time once every four years.

Benefits of this system:

  • Provide stability for the council to adopt a more strategic, long-term approach to policy and decision making.
  • Reduced costs. By reducing the number of elections held from three to one this would save approximately £40,000 per year over the four-year cycle.
  • Greater opportunity for residents to influence overall political control of the council, which may encourage more people to vote.

Infographic

The following infographic demonstrates how the system could change:


This consultation relates only to Hartlepool Borough Council local elections. No other elections will be affected by any future change in Hartlepool Borough Council’s electoral cycle. Parish, parliamentary elections, Police and Crime Commissioner and Combined Authority Mayoral elections will continue on their normal electoral cycle.

Under the Local Government and Public Involvement Health Act 2007, amended by the Localism Act 2011, the council has the power to change its electoral arrangements to ‘whole council’ elections. This allows the council itself to decide whether to move to whole council elections, or back to elections by thirds. Following consultation, a special meeting of Full Council will be held in March 2022 for Members to consider the consultation and make the final resolution. If a change to ‘whole council’ elections is approved, it cannot be changed again until a period of five years has passed.

To provide your feedback, please answer the question in the poll (on the right if viewing on a laptop or PC or below on a mobile).

Hartlepool Borough Council is interested in your views on whether we should change to 'whole council' elections or continue with the current system of ‘elections by thirds’.

The change to 'whole council' elections would mean the whole council would be elected at the same time once every four years.

Following a recommendation of the Constitution Committee, approved by Full Council on 16 December 2021, Members voted to hold a public consultation process to seek the views of the public on moving to ‘whole council’ elections in 2024. Below is some background information to help give you an informed view on the issue.

The consultation will run from 20th December 2021 until 27th February 2022.

Background

Hartlepool Borough Council has 36 councillors in 12 electoral wards. Each ward is represented by three councillors.

The councillors represent their ward as well as making decisions on the running of council.

The current process – 'elections by thirds'

Residents have three ward councillors for the area they live. The council currently uses a ‘by thirds’ electoral system. This means that over four years, elections are held in years one, two and three for one of the three councillors in each ward. In the fourth year there are no elections.

Benefits of this system:

  • New councillors can be elected more frequently.
  • Voters are able to react sooner to local circumstances, providing more immediate political accountability.
  • Residents are familiar with this electoral system.

The alternative - ‘whole council’ election

This process would see all councillors up for election at the same time once every four years.

Benefits of this system:

  • Provide stability for the council to adopt a more strategic, long-term approach to policy and decision making.
  • Reduced costs. By reducing the number of elections held from three to one this would save approximately £40,000 per year over the four-year cycle.
  • Greater opportunity for residents to influence overall political control of the council, which may encourage more people to vote.

Infographic

The following infographic demonstrates how the system could change:


This consultation relates only to Hartlepool Borough Council local elections. No other elections will be affected by any future change in Hartlepool Borough Council’s electoral cycle. Parish, parliamentary elections, Police and Crime Commissioner and Combined Authority Mayoral elections will continue on their normal electoral cycle.

Under the Local Government and Public Involvement Health Act 2007, amended by the Localism Act 2011, the council has the power to change its electoral arrangements to ‘whole council’ elections. This allows the council itself to decide whether to move to whole council elections, or back to elections by thirds. Following consultation, a special meeting of Full Council will be held in March 2022 for Members to consider the consultation and make the final resolution. If a change to ‘whole council’ elections is approved, it cannot be changed again until a period of five years has passed.

To provide your feedback, please answer the question in the poll (on the right if viewing on a laptop or PC or below on a mobile).