Somerset district councillors are being asked to back recommendations to give the people of Somerset a vote on how local councils are organised.
A proposal to hold a local referendum on the two options for local government reform in Somerset will be discussed at council meetings in each of the four district councils.
All electors across Somerset would be given the chance to vote for either Stronger Somerset, proposed by the four district councils, or One Somerset, the county council’s alternative.
Voting in the referendum would be online or by post. The poll would provide supporting evidence to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on top of that being collected during its current consultation.
Leader of Mendip District Council, cllr Ros Wyke, said, “This is a crucial decision with far-reaching consequences. People have asked me why the views of those most affected – namely the people of Somerset – are not being actively sought. This referendum will put that right.”
The proposal before councillors is that the local referendum would open on 7th May and close on 28th May. Voting would be by post or online and the poll would be run independent of the local councils by Civica Electoral Services (formerly Electoral Reform Services).
This would mean that the result of the poll would be available to the MHCLG before the decision is due as in June or July.
