Public backs change to Plymouth election cycle

Plymouth City Council could hold elections once every four years rather than having a third of council seats decided every year with a year off

Plymouth City Council could shift to holding elections for all of its seats once every four years.

At the moment the council holds elections for a third of its seats every year with a "fallow year" where no elections are held.

More than 7,000 people responded to a public consultation on the issue, with 57% backing the change, 35% opposing it and 8% not having a preference.

The city council said the move could save £1.4m over 10 years and councillors would vote on the issue on 25 November.

The Boundary Commission will carry out an electoral review of Plymouth City Council once the council has made a decision on how often to hold elections.

This means whatever the council decision on the electoral cycle, there will be an election of one third of councillors in May 2026, followed by an election for all seats in May 2027 under the new wards set out by the Boundary Commission.