Plymouth considering change to election cycle

Residents in Plymouth currently vote for a third of council seats in three out of every four years, with no elections in the fourth year

Plymouth City Council is looking at the possibility of switching to local elections for the whole council every four years.

At the moment residents elect a third of councillors in three out of every four years, with no elections taking place in the fourth year.

The council is asking residents to take part in a consultation on the possible overhaul.

The local authority has put together arguments for and against the move, and wants as many people as possible to have their say.

Plymouth City Council is asking the public for their views on changing the electoral cycle

Sarah Allen, chairwoman of the audit and governance committee, said: “The process has to be thorough and fair so that we end up with the right system for Plymouth."

People can take part in the consultation online or by using forms available in libraries.

The deadline for the public consultation is 22 September.

All councillors will meet in November to consider all the feedback received and decide on whether or not to change the cycle.