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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 14 January 2026 to Question 102816 on Local Government: Elections, on what dates the Electoral Commission was informed of his Department's (a) decision to postpone the 2026 mayoral elections and (b) consultation on postponing the council elections scheduled for May 2026.

Strategic authorities are established by secondary legislation, which requires the consent of the constituent councils. Whilst there is no requirement to consult the Electoral Commission on the establishment of strategic authorities, including on the timing of their inaugural mayoral elections, the Department remains in contact with the Electoral Commission where appropriate.

The government wrote to the Electoral Commission on 18 December and considered their representations ahead of the decisions about the potential postponement of local elections in 2026.