"The requested postponements have sparked unrest and fierce criticism in some councils, with police being called to a council meeting in Redditch this week after insults were traded and members of the public decried a delay as arrogant. Sixty-three council areas could opt to postpone elections until 2027, after some were already delayed until May 2026, as two-tier authorities are being combined into single unitary councils."
"The government's reorganisation of local government replaces the two-tier system of district and county councils that exists in many parts of England with unitary councils responsible for delivering all councils services in their area, which the government says will be more efficient at delivering services such as social care. It will also introduce six more elected mayors in Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Greater Essex, Hampshire and Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton."
About a third of eligible councils in England have requested postponement of May elections, citing inability to deliver them during an overhaul of local government. Sixty-three council areas could opt to postpone until 2027 after some were already delayed until May 2026. Twenty-three councils have asked for a delay, 33 will not, and seven have yet to confirm. The requests have sparked unrest, including a Redditch meeting where police were called after insults and public condemnations. The reorganisation replaces two-tier district and county councils with unitary councils and will introduce six additional elected mayors. The delay could keep nearly 600 councillors in post for over a year, prompting criticism that it undermines democracy.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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