Harlow Council is asking residents for their views on how often council elections should be held.
Currently in Harlow one third of the council is re-elected every year, except for years in which Essex County Council elections take place.
However, over two thirds of councils in the country hold 4-yearly elections. Harlow Council is consulting on proposals which could see it also hold elections in this way.
The advantages of moving to 4-yearly elections include:
- Four-year mandates and less focus on yearly campaigning.
- Lower election running costs as elections would not take place every year.
- Allows for a complete change in councillors once every four years.
- Fewer elections may reduce fatigue which may increase voter turnout
Public consultation on the proposal runs until 18 September 2023. Paper copies of the consultation are available from the Harlow Civic Centre and Latton Bush Centre.
Due to ward boundary changes the whole council will be up for election in May 2024.
Councillor James Leppard, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance, said:
“We are determined to improve council services, but at present nearly one-year in every four is lost to local elections. We believe that time should be spent serving residents and not playing politics. Over two-thirds of councils in England hold their elections every four years rather than every year and this would mean hundreds of thousands of pounds more that could be spent on improving council services, rather than on political elections.
“It would also mean your vote in 2024 would determine who runs the council for four years and I strongly encourage all residents to have their say on how often Harlow Council should hold elections.
“This is about improving council services and delivering what matters for you and stopping time and money being wasted every year on political wrangling.”