A referendum is a general vote by the electorate on a single question or set of questions which has been referred to them for a direct decision.
The Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions & Directions) (England) Regulations 2011
The Local Government Act 2011, Regulation 4(1) provides that electors in the council's area can petition the council to hold a referendum on whether a local authority should change to a different form of governance. A petition must be signed by at least 5% of the local government electors for the borough.
Verification number
In accordance with 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 15 February 2024 is:
4,816
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 4799, 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.
Petition to hold a referendum on an Elected Mayor
To hold a petition for a referendum on an elected Mayor, you need to ensure you get more signatures on your petition than Waverley's verification number for 2024/25, which is 4816.
Robin Taylor, Electoral Registration Officer, Waverley Borough Council, Council Offices, The Burys, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1HR
Thursday 15 February 2024