Councils face 'uphill struggle' to be ready for local elections

"Local election administrators have warned that councils face "an uphill struggle" to be ready in time for the May local elections after the government reversed its plan to delay some votes. Local Government Secretary Steve Reed had initially approved delays in 30 council elections in England until 2027. But the government abandoned plans to postpone ballots after advice was given that the move could be unlawful."

"It followed a legal challenge brought by Reform UK. A group that represents electoral officials in the UK said the teams who help to run elections had lost months of preparation time and would struggle to be ready. The government argued that some councils were worried about the cost of running elections for authorities which are due to be abolished in a major reorganisation of local government."

"Local elections in Norfolk, Suffolk, Blackburn, Lincoln, Thurrock and two dozen more parts of England, will now take place on 7 May, and about 63 million will be made available to local authorities who are undergoing changes. Some organisers said they were still preparing anyway, aware there was a legal challenge to the government's decision to postpone votes in their areas, which was due to be heard in the High Court on Thursday."

The government reversed plans to delay 30 council elections in England after advice indicated the postponements could be unlawful following a legal challenge by Reform UK. Local elections in Norfolk, Suffolk, Blackburn, Lincoln, Thurrock and about two dozen other areas will now be held on 7 May. About 63 million will be made available to affected local authorities undergoing reorganisations. Electoral officials reported losing months of essential planning time and warned returning officers, electoral registration officers, and administrative teams face an uphill struggle to catch up. Some councils had continued preparations ahead of a High Court hearing. Councils also expressed concern over shifting government decisions and costs tied to reorganisations.

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