Elections of the council of the district of Welwyn Hatfield4
1
Elections of all councillors of each ward of the district of Welwyn Hatfield are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016.
2
The councillors holding office for any ward abolished by article 3(1) immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2016 are to retire on that fourth day and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that fourth day.
3
Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2016, one shall retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2018, one on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2019 and one on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2020.
4
Of the councillors elected in 2016, subject to paragraphs (5) and (6)—
a
the first to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes; and
b
the second to retire is to be the councillor elected by the next smallest number of votes.
5
In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any year, the person to retire in that year is to be determined by lot.
6
If an election of councillors for any ward is not contested, the person to retire in each year is to be determined by lot.
7
An election to replace a councillor who retires under paragraph (3) is to be held on the ordinary day of election of councillors in the year in which the retirement took place and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on the fourth day after that day.
8
Where under this article any question is to be determined by lot, the lot is to be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen and the drawing is to be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting.