Explanatory note

This Order makes minor amendments to the Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2001 (“the 2001 Regulations”) in consequence of the Elections Act 2001 which postpones the ordinary day of election for local government elections from 3rd May 2001 to 7th June 2001.

Regulation 14 of the 2001 Regulations provides for referendums which would be held within a period of 28 days either side of any specified type of election to be combined with the election. Article 2 of these Regulations shortens the period after the election to be held on 7th June 2001 by 14 days.

Article 2 also amends regulation 14 of the 2001 Regulations to provide a further exception to the requirement for the poll at a referendum to be taken together with the poll at specified elections. Where notice of the date of a referendum has been given or the authority has determined to conduct the poll by all-posted ballot before the Elections Act 2001 came into force a local authority is not obliged to combine the poll at that referendum with the poll at the ordinary local government elections which will take place on 7th June 2001.