Part IU.K. Parliamentary and Local Government Franchise and its Exercise

Conduct of local government elections in England and WalesU.K.

37 Ordinary day of local elections in England and Wales.U.K.

[F1(1)]In every year the ordinary day of election of councillors is the same for all local government areas in England and Wales and is—

(a)the first Thursday in May;

(b)such other day as may be fixed by the Secretary of State by order made not later than 1st February in the year preceding [F2the year (or, in the case of an order affecting more than one year, the first year)] in which the order is to take effect.

[F3(2)As respects Authority elections, the power conferred by subsection (1)(b) above shall include power to make an order fixing a day other than the first Thursday in May as the day on which the poll is to be held at an ordinary election other than the first.]

[F4(2A)Subsection (1) is subject to any order under—

(a)section 37A (local government areas in England), or

(b)section 37B (local government areas in Wales).]

[F5(3)]The power to make an order under this section is exercisable by statutory instrument.