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 2023.
The 5% figure for Medway this year is 10,020 signatures. Since this figure is less than the figure published in 2022 (10,042), the new figure of 10,020 will apply from 15 February 2023 until 31 March 2024.
A new figure will be published in February 2024 and if the new figure is less than 10,020, the new figure will apply from the date it's published.