Under the Local Government Act 2000, each year we let people know about their right to ask for a referendum on changing the council’s governance arrangements, such as wanting to move to an elected mayor and cabinet or a committee system arrangement to manage the council.
A referendum would be held if at least 5% of local government electors petitioned the council for a referendum on whether the council should operate executive arrangements which involve an elected Mayor or committee system.
The council must publish the number of electors that is equal to 5% of the number registered to vote at a local government election in Medway as shown on the Electoral Register on 15 February 2025.
The 5% figure for Medway this year is 10,301 signatures. This figure will apply to any petition submitted to the council before 1 April 2026.
A new figure will be published in February 2026 and if the new figure is less than 10,301, the new figure will apply from the date it's published.