The Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026

Cancellation of elections to West Surrey councils

48.—(1) Notwithstanding section 7(8) and (9) of the 1972 Act (elections of councillors)—

(a) ordinary elections are not to be held in 2026 for the return of councillors to the West Surrey councils;

(b) the term of office of councillors serving as councillors of any of those councils ends on 1st April 2027.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), nothing in section 89 of the 1972 Act (filling of casual vacancies in case of councillors) authorises the holding of an election to fill a casual vacancy in the office of councillor of any of the West Surrey councils where that vacancy arises after 30th September 2026 and before 1st April 2027.

(3) Where, on the occurrence of a vacancy mentioned in paragraph (2), or the occurrence of a number of simultaneous such vacancies, the total number of unfilled vacancies in the membership of one of the West Surrey councils exceeds one third of the whole number of members of that council, an election to fill such vacancy or vacancies must be held in accordance with section 89 of the 1972 Act.

(4) Where, in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (3), the declaration mentioned in section 89(1)(a) of the 1972 Act is made, or the notice in writing mentioned in section 89(1)(b) of the 1972 Act is given, within the period of thirty-five days ending with 1st April 2027, computed in accordance with section 243(4) of the 1972 Act, an election must not be held and any proceedings required by the Local Elections (Principal Areas) (England and Wales) Rules 2006(1) must not be commenced.

(1)

S.I. 2006/3304.