Issue - meetings
Frequency of Elections in West Oxfordshire
Meeting: 29/01/2025 - Council (Item 228)
228 Frequency of Elections in West Oxfordshire 
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Purpose
To invite Council to take a formal decision to change the electoral cycle to whole-Council elections every four years from May 2027 (which will require a 2/3 majority at this specially convened meeting), following the in principle decision taken unanimously at the 27 November 2024 full Council meeting.
Recommendation
That Council resolves to:
1. Agree to change the cycle for electing councillors to West Oxfordshire District Council from elections by thirds to whole-Council elections, to commence in May 2027.
Minutes:
The purpose of the item was to invite Council to take a formal decision to change the electoral cycle to whole-Council elections every four years from May 2027 (which would require a 2/3 majority at the specially convened meeting), following the in-principle decision taken unanimously at the 27 November 2024 full Council meeting.
Councillor Alaric Smith, the Chair of the Constitution Working Group, proposed accepting the recommendations. The Executive Member explained that the Council had agreed to retain the size of 49 members, which required the Council to amend its electoral cycle to all out elections every four years. Councillor Smith explained that the recommendation was being amended in response to the English Devolution White Paper, which included plans to replace district and county councils in two-tier areas with new unitary authorities. The recommendation would now be subject to the electoral review of West Oxfordshire going ahead.
Councillor Andy Graham seconded the recommendations.
In discussing the item, it was raised that the Council may cease to exist by 2027, which would make the resolutions unnecessary. The resolutions were being considered on the basis that the Boundary Commission had advised the Council to submit its proposals regardless of the English Devolution White paper.
The recommendation was put to a vote and was agreed unanimously by Council, satisfying the requirement for a 2/3 majority.
Resolved that Council:
- Agree to change the cycle for electing councillors to West Oxfordshire District Council from elections by thirds to whole-Council elections, to commence in May 2027, if the Local Government Boundary Commission’s Electoral Review of West Oxfordshire goes ahead.
Voting record – For 44, against 0, abstentions 0, did not vote 0