Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the letter from the Minister for Local Government and Homelessness to Leaders of councils with elections in May 2026 where proposals for reorganisation have been submitted and decisions not yet taken, dated 18 December 2025, whether a request from council leaders to postpone their local election can be nullified by (a) a vote at a full council, or (b) a letter signed by a majority of councillors.

We have been clear that how local councils respond is up to them to decide locally with a view to their local processes and governance. The Secretary of State will consider all views provided, together with any other representations received, before final decisions are made.

Where an election is postponed for one year, provision to extend existing councillors’ terms of office would be made. The Government has no plans to amend governance requirements for these councils.