Local Government Act 1972

County and district councillors E+W

2 Elections of councillors of the new principal councils shall be held on dates in 1973 fixed by the Secretary of State by order and the persons elected at these elections shall come into office on the fourth day after the day of election.

3 (1) For the purpose of any election of such councillors before the relevant year of election each county or district shall be divided into such electoral areas as may be specified in an order made by the Secretary of State after carrying out either before or after the passing of this Act such consultations as he thinks appropriate. E+W

(2) An order under this paragraph for any area shall specify the number of councillors to be returned for each electoral area and there shall be a separate election of councillors for each electoral area; and section 6(2)(a) above shall not apply to any such election.

(3) An order under this paragraph may contain such incidental, consequential, transitional or supplementary provision as may appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or proper.

4 (1) Of the district councillors elected under paragraph 2 above for any ward of a metropolitan district—

(a) one-third shall retire in 1975, being, subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) below, those elected by the smallest numbers of votes;

(b) one-third shall retire in 1976, being, subject as aforesaid, those elected by the next smallest numbers of votes; and

(c) the remainder shall retire in 1978;

in each case on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of such councillors in the year of retirement.

(2) In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any such year, the person or persons to retire in that year shall be determined by lot.

(3) If an election of district councillors under paragraph 2 above for any ward of a metropolitan district is not contested, the person or persons to retire in each such year shall be determined by lot.

(4) Where under this paragraph any question is to be determined by lot, the lot shall be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen, and the drawing shall be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting.