Peers move to limit ministerial powers over elections

Peers are to launch an attempt to rein in ministerial powers over local elections.

Following the controversial postponement of 30 council elections by local government secretary Steve Reed, the Conservatives are seeking to limit ‘funny business’ in the future.

Future delays would be restricted to ‘cases of national emergency’ and require a six-month timeframe, including consultation with the areas affected and Parliament under an amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

It will be tabled by former District Councils’ Network chairman Lord John Fuller next month.

Lord Fuller, who was also previously leader of South Norfolk DC, told The MJ: ‘Elections are part of the democratic fabric for our nation. There will always be exceptional national emergencies that require unusual decisions, but the way this Government has played fast and loose with this spring’s elections must never be allowed to happen again.

‘My amendment will prevent future funny business that denies people the right to hire and fire those people who seek to represent them.

Announcing the postponements in 29 areas last week, Reed said it would ‘release essential capacity’ for reorganisation and avoid the cost of elections to ‘bodies that will soon cease to exist’.

He wrote to Pendle BC on Thursday to inform them their elections would be postponed.

Essex CC was also reportedly set to be added to the list this week, only for leader Kevin Bentley to rebut the prospect of a delay.

He said: ‘Essex CC will have elections in May and that is clear.

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