Referendums
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. There are several types of referendums; UK-wide, national and regional referendums.
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) establishes a fixed legal framework for the conduct of any referendum held across the UK, or a referendum held in Scotland, Wales, England or Northern Ireland. It also applies to regional referendums within England.
The first UK-wide referendum took place on Thursday 5 May 2011. The referendum was on the voting system used for elections to the UK Parliament. The question put to voters was: "The UK uses the 'first past the post' system to elect MP's to the House of Commons. Should the 'alternative vote' system be used instead?" The voting public voted 'No'.
The referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union took place on Thursday 23 June 2016. Find out more
Mayoral referendums
The Local Government Act 2000 set out a major change in the way local authorities in England and Wales are run. Most local authorities, except some of the smaller district councils in the area of a county council, operate 'executive arrangements'. There are three types of executive arrangement set out in the Act, two of which involve a directly elected mayor: mayor and cabinet, and mayor and council manager. The other involves a leader (who is elected by councillors) and Executive, and this is the system operated at South Kesteven.
Local residents can also require a mayoral referendum by organising a petition signed by 5% of local electors or more.
Publication of verification number
South Kesteven District Council
The Local Authority (Referendums) (Petitions & Directions) (England) Regulations 2000
Publication of Verification Number
In accordance with Regulation 4(1) of the above regulations the number that is equal to 5% of the number of local government electors shown in the revised register of electors having effect on the 15th February 2024 is: 5460.
This figure will have effect for the purposes of determining the validity of Petitions presented from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
The number equal to 5% of the local government electors for 2025 will be published within 14 days of the 15 February 2025. If this number is less than 5460, the number to be used for verification purposes in relation to any petition submitted for the period beginning on the date of publication of the lower number until 31 March 2025 shall also be that lower number.
Karen Bradford
Electoral Registration Officer
South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, The Picture House, St Catherine's Road, Grantham, NG31 6TT
15 February 2024