PART 1ELECTIONS
Voting systems for elections to principal councils
8Power to change the voting system
(1)
A principal council may change the voting system that applies to the election of councillors of the council, subject to the requirements of this section and section 9.
(2)
If the voting system that applies to a council for the time being is the simple majority system provided for by local elections rules, the council may change it to the single transferable vote system provided for by those rules.
(3)
If the voting system that applies to a council for the time being is the single transferable vote system provided for by local elections rules, the council may change it to the simple majority system provided for by those rules.
(4)
The power to change the voting system under this section—
(a)
is not to be the responsibility of an executive of the council under executive arrangements (within the meaning of section 10 of the 2000 Act);
(b)
is not a function to which section 101 of the 1972 Act (arrangements for discharge of functions by local authorities) applies.
(5)
Before a principal council exercises its power to change its voting system it must consult—
(a)
the persons entitled to vote as electors at a local government election in its area;
(b)
each community council in its area;
(c)
such other persons as it considers appropriate.