Local Government: Elections and Boundaries

Part 2 of how local government works in England, focusing on elections and the changing structure of councils. We'll explore the First Past the Post electoral system used in wards, how boundaries are set by the LGBCE, and different election cycles like electing "by thirds". Discover the ongoing trend towards creating unitary authorities and merging councils, aimed at larger administrative units. Learn about the voting process, historical turnout trends, and the procedures behind these significant structural and boundary changes.

Key Takeaways:

• Local elections in England typically use the First Past the Post system.
• Councils are divided into areas called wards, which elect councillors.
• The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) reviews and sets ward boundaries.
• Ward boundaries are reviewed based on factors like electoral inequality or lack of recent review.
• Some councils elect all councillors every four years, while others elect "by thirds" or "by halves".
• Voting is open to UK, Irish, Commonwealth, and EU citizens aged 18+ residing in the UK.
• Local election turnout is historically lower than general elections.
• There's a trend towards creating unitary authorities and merging councils for larger administrative units.
• Creating unitary authorities involves specific legal procedures and requires government and parliamentary approval.
• New unitary authorities are suggested to generally have a population of 500,000 or more.
• Minor boundary adjustments (PABRs) are also possible but have been rare.

Important Definitions & Concepts:

• Ward: An electoral area within a local authority that elects one or more councillors.
• First Past the Post: The electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in a ward wins. In multi-member wards, voters have multiple votes.
• Unitary Authority: A single local council responsible for all local government functions in its area, contrasting with a two-tier system.

Source: Local government in England: structures
Research Briefing
Published Tuesday, 22 April, 2025

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