# The Local Elections (Ordinary Day of Elections in 2014) Order 2013, Note: Explanatory note


(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order changes the date of local elections in England in 2014, so that it is the same as the date of the European Parliamentary elections in that year, and deals with a number of incidental, supplementary and consequential matters.
The ordinary day for local elections in England is usually the first Thursday in May in each year by virtue of section 37(1)(a) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (“the Act”). However, that provision is subject to any order, such as this one, made under section 37A of the Act. Article 2 provides that the ordinary day of elections shall be changed to be the same as the date of the poll for the European Parliamentary elections. By virtue of section 15 of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c.50), where the polls at an ordinary local government election and a European Parliamentary election are held on the same day they shall be taken together.
Article 3 provides that the retirement date of any councillors due to retire in 2014 shall be determined in accordance with the ordinary day as moved under article 2, while that of any councillors coming into office in 2014 shall be unaffected by the change of ordinary day. The term of office of a councillor due to retire in 2014 will consequently be longer, and that of a councillor coming into office in 2014 will be shorter, than would otherwise be the case.
Article 4 extends, in relation to local elections in England, the period during which it is not necessary to hold a by-election prior to the ordinary day of elections, so that in relation to elections in 2014, this period will last for the six months immediately before the date of the poll at the European Parliamentary general election held in 2014.
Article 5 extends the date by which joint authorities in England must hold their annual meetings until 31st August, so that they can be held after any elections which may affect their composition. It also extends the date by which annual parish meetings in parishes which are having ordinary elections to the parish council in 2014 must take place to 31st July, so that they can be held after any such elections.
Article 6 extends the date by which the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority must hold their annual meetings until 31st August, so that it can be held after any election which may affect its composition.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen and the impact on the public sector is minimal.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2013/9780111100479/note (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/draft-local-elections-ordinary-day-of-elections-in-2014-order-2013/note
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.