Local Council Election Delays Impact Millions
Harry FarleyPolitical correspondent
Getty ImagesMore than a third of eligible councils in England have asked to postpone their elections due in May, affecting more than 2.5 million voters.
The goverment is carrying out a major overhaul of local government structures.
Twenty-three councils want to postpone their ballots to help deliver that reorganisation – but opposition parties say Labor is “running scared” of voters.
Most wanting a delay are Labour-led,but two are Conservative-led and one is Liberal Democrat. Some of the councils that have asked for a delay are run by more than one party, or independents.
Last month ministers told 63 local authorities they would authorise delays to the polls if there were “genuine concerns” about delivering them alongside the government’s overhaul of local government.
So far, 23 have requested a delay, 33 have not and seven are yet to confirm their position.
Elections would be postponed for a year with the expectation they would take place in 2027.
Ministers are expected to approve the requests in the coming days.
The BBC contacted the 63 councils who could request a delay to their May elections to ask for their decision.
The government’s rejig of local government will replace the two-tier system of district and county councils that exists in many parts of England with new ‘unitary’ councils responsible for delivering all councils services in their area.
it means some of the councils up for election this year will be folded into new unitary councils in 2027 or 2028, so councillors could onyl be in office for a year.
Ministers say their reorganisation of local council will be the biggest in a generation, removing duplication and simplifying local government.
Writing for The Times, Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said: “Running a series of elections for short-lived zombie councils will be costly, time consuming and will take scarce resources away from front-line services like fixing pot holes and social care.”
The Conservatives and the Lib Dems have both criticised Labour’s decision to allow elections to be postponed, whilst Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice told the BBC that authorities wanting a delay were “terrified” his party would win.
Conservative shadow local government secretary accused Labour of “running scared of voters,” with the government struggling in the polls.
“We are clear that these elections should go ahead. Ministers should treat voters with respect instead of disdain, stop undermining our democratic system and let the people of this country make their own decisions,” he added.
Table of Contents
As of January 15,2026,England is comprised of numerous local authorities responsible for delivering public services at a regional level. These councils vary in size and scope, from unitary authorities to district and borough councils.
England’s local government system is complex, featuring different types of councils with varying responsibilities. Unitary authorities have the broadest powers, handling everything from education and social care to planning and waste management. District and borough councils typically focus on more specific services, such as local planning, housing, and environmental health, operating within a county-level structure.
Examples of Borough Councils
A selection of borough councils currently operating in England includes Adur Borough Council, Basildon Borough Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council, Burnley Borough Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, Chorley Borough Council, and Crawley Borough Council. These councils each serve distinct geographical areas and populations.
Council Responsibilities
Local authorities are responsible for a wide range of services that directly impact residents’ daily lives. According to the Local Government Association, these include collecting council tax, providing social services, maintaining local roads, managing parks and open spaces, and ensuring local businesses comply with regulations. in 2023, total expenditure by local authorities in England was estimated at £99.8 billion (Local Government Association, 2023 Annual Report).