Daventry District Council Media Release
13 December 2018
Parliamentary Order laid to postpone Northamptonshire elections
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, James Brokenshire, has laid before Parliament an Order under the Local Government Act 2000 to postpone district and parish elections in Northamptonshire due to be held in May 2019.
Following potential changes to local government in Northamptonshire and the potential formation of two new unitary councils, all eight councils in the county expressed concerns that district councillors elected in May 2019 would serve only one year and elections in such circumstances could risk confusing voters.
The order states that changes will come into effect on 14 January 2019 and councillors shall continue in their position until the postponed elections in May 2020.
Councillor Chris Millar, Leader of Daventry District Council said: “Postponing next spring’s elections in Northamptonshire is a sensible move by the Government in the light of the continuing developments towards creating two new unitary authorities by May 2020.
“This will not only avoid any confusion and unnecessary election costs for our taxpayers but enable us to focus our minds on preparing for changes ahead of us in Northamptonshire.
In May 2019 Daventry District Council was scheduled to hold elections for one-third of its seats, along with elections for 20 parish councils. District councillors that were due for re-election in spring will continue their position the extra year and parish councils will instead have their elections in May 2020.
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For further information please contact:
Ian O’Pray, Media Officer at Daventry District Council, on 01327 302310 or email iopray@daventrydc.gov.uk