Referendums

A referendum is when voters decide on a single issue rather than on a representative for their area. Usually, it poses a question for which you can choose ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
 
Referendums are usually on local issues, but they can also be national. The last national referendum that was held in the borough was the referendum on the UK membership of the European Union, which took place on 23 June 2016. 

Neighbourhood planning referendums

A neighbourhood planning referendum is the last stage before a neighbourhood development plan is ‘made’. Find out more about neighbourhood development plans

At the referendum, electors who are registered to vote in the proposed neighbourhood plan area will be asked if they want the proposed plan to be used when planning applications are decided.

If a majority of voters vote in favour of the neighbourhood development plan, then the plan must be ‘made’ within eight weeks of the referendum.

Parish polls

A parish poll is a referendum that can be called on any question arising at a parish meeting. 

The poll must be demanded by at least ten or one third of the electors present at the meeting, whichever figure is the lesser.

The question must be appropriate for the parish to consider, meaning it should be on a local issue which affects that parish specifically, not a matter that affects all parishes in the country equally. 

The parish poll takes place no earlier than 14 days and no later than 25 days after the poll was demanded (excluding weekends and bank holidays).

The conduct of a parish poll is very different to normal elections and referendums. There is no provision for poll cards or postal votes, so all voting is done in the polling station. The hours of poll are between 4pm and 9pm, which is shorter than the usual polling day. The form of the ballot paper is also prescribed, so it looks different and must be stamped with a special instrument before it is issued.

The outcome of a parish poll is not legally binding; therefore the result is an expression of views of the voters only. 

Referendum notice

As per the Local Government Act 2000, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council is required to publish the minimum number of signatures that would be needed to support a valid petition presented to the authority in the period of 12 months beginning with 1 April 2023. 

The minimum number of signatures (equivalent to 5% of the Borough’s local government electorate) is 4401.

Last updated: 02/06/2023 14:36