Publication of verification number

The Local Government Act 2000 provides that electors in the council's area can petition the council to hold a referendum on whether a local authority should change to a different form of governance.

Such a petition must be signed by at least five per cent of the local government electors in the local authority's area. 

It is a legal requirement for the proper officer for each local authority area to publish the figure which represents five per cent of the number of local government electors in the area. This is referred to as the verification number.

In accordance with Regulation 4(1) of the Local Authority (Referendums) (Petitions & Directions) (England) Regulations 2000, as amended by The Local Authorities (Referendums)(Petitions)(England) Regulations 2011, the number that is equal to 5 per cent of the number of local government electors shown in the revised register of electors having effect on the 15 February 2024 is:

10,316

This figure will have effect for the purposes of determining the validity of Petitions presented from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.