Cycle of elections

Woking Borough Council is reviewing the existing cycle of Borough elections.  We are looking at the advantages and disadvantages of the current pattern of partial elections (‘elections by thirds’) compared with ‘whole council elections’ held once every four years.  The Council would like to find out your views on the potential change and accordingly has drawn up the accompanying questionnaire.

This note is intended to give you background information and a summary of the issues involved.

Background to the review

Woking Borough Council has 36 Councillors who represent 17 divisions or ‘Wards’ of the Borough.  Each Ward has from one to three Councillors depending on the number of voters.  Local Councillors are elected for four year terms of office.

Currently in Woking we elect a third of Councillors at each yearly election, with no Borough Election held in the fourth year (unless a Councillor chooses to step down and a by-election is called).  The County Council elections are held every fourth year, when there are no Borough elections.

Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, the Council has the power to change its electoral cycle from ‘elections by thirds’ to ‘whole Council elections’.  In whole Council elections, all of the seats on the Council would be up for election at the same time, once every four years.

The Council is seeking, through this consultation, the views of a wide spectrum of potentially interested parties, ranging from local residents/electors and political parties, special interest and community groups to relevant statutory bodies and other identified stakeholders in order to inform a decision on whether to change to whole Council elections.  That decision will be made by a Special Meeting of the Full Council to be held on a date to be agreed early in the new year.

The advantages and disadvantages

The Council is keen to have your views on the two options.  The following summary of the perceived advantages and disadvantages may help as a guide to some of the issues.  The summary is not intended to be comprehensive and is not listed in any order of importance.

Elections by thirds

• Encourages people into the habit of voting in May every year.
• A Council can be judged on its performance annually, rather than every four years.
• The electorate can react more quickly to local circumstances and Council decisions.
• The Council better reflects public opinion locally.
• Political parties have fewer candidates to find at any one time.
• There are more frequent opportunities for potential candidates to stand.
• Disruption to ongoing policies etc. is less significant.
• Elections staff maintain their expertise because of frequency of elections.
• Counts are easier to organise for a single Councillor per ward.
• Less likely for local situation to be influenced by national situation politically (i.e. whole Council election can be heavily influenced by low point in party fortunes nationally).
• More difficult to change political balance of authority (although it may change more frequently if evenly balanced politically).
• Creates greater continuity/stability.
• Less likely that controversial decisions will be delayed because of election.
• With the trend towards parliamentary election on same day as local election, result less likely to be influenced by voting on national issues.
• 18 year olds do not have to wait so long before they can vote.
• In moving to whole Council elections, some Councillors will only serve one year before having to stand again for election.

Whole council elections

• A Council has a clear mandate from the electorate for 4 years.
• An elector can vote for the whole Council as well as a Councillor.
• Creates greater stability over the 4 year period with no chance (subject to by-elections) of a change in political control.
• Greater propensity for change in political control.
• Avoids situation where political control of Council can change in election by thirds when some electors in single member wards have no opportunity to vote.
• All electors get an equal opportunity to vote and vote together (currently some only vote once or twice in the three yearly cycle if they live in a one or two member Ward).
• Greater publicity for whole Council election may generate higher turnout.
• Evidence suggests (according to Electoral Commission) that there is slightly higher turn out in whole Council elections.
• Evidence suggests (according to Electoral Commission) that electorate associates more clearly with whole Council elections.
• Reduced expenditure for Council because of fewer elections.
• Reduced expenditure by political parties because of fewer elections.
• Less campaigning needed by parties.

It is worth noting that some arguments can be used both for and against whole Council elections or elections by thirds.

If you have any questions relating to this information please do not hesitate to contact Member Services on 01483 743863 or email memberservices@woking.gov.uk