An Extraordinary Cabinet meeting will take place on Monday (12 January 2026) for members to consider the council’s response to a Government letter inviting views on postponing the May local elections.
Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, Alison McGovern MP, wrote to Council Leader, Councillor Shabina Qayyum, on 18 December, inviting her to set out the council’s views on the potential for the postponement of the local elections in May for one year and if it was considered this could release essential capacity to deliver Local Government Reorganisation in our area.
Other councils which are also going through the process of Local Government Reorganisation and have elections scheduled in May also received the Government letter.
The council has until midnight on Thursday 15 January to respond to the letter and set out its views on the postponement of local elections until May 2027.
The Secretary of State will then decide whether to make an order to postpone elections for one year for those councils who raise capacity concerns. Town and Parish council elections would continue as normal.
The report to Cabinet on Monday asks members to decide whether the response to Government should indicate a preference for a postponement of the elections, or for them to take place as planned.
The report asks members to consider the following points when making their decision:
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The cost of holding elections when those members elected would serve for just under two years, with anticipated costs of £303,000. If they wanted to stand for the new local authority anticipated as a result of LGR, these elections would be held in May 2027 under current timelines.
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Officer time to manage the election process, at the same time as implementing a complex LGR programme. Running an election requires staff from many areas of the council to be involved, from supporting with the postal vote process to managing polling stations and the count.
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The need to ensure a smooth transfer from existing council arrangements to a new system of councils by April 2028.
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Elections should not be delayed lightly and adhering to scheduled elections is crucial for upholding democratic principles.
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That postponing elections could attract significant public dissatisfaction, particularly given the shift in the national political picture since those members were last elected.
Councillor Shabina Qayyum, leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “Elections are an essential part of the democratic process as they give residents a direct voice in shaping decisions that are made.
“It is for that reason that the Cabinet will not take lightly the question we have been asked to consider by Government.
“At the meeting next week we must weigh up our desire, and that of many councillors and residents, to see the election cycle proceed as planned, with an awareness of the cost of running such elections when all out elections will follow a year later for a new council or councils, and the time that is involved for council officers in running the elections when they are already being asked to manage a complex local government reorganisation programme which must be delivered in just over two years.
“I am grateful to officers for presenting the facts in the report to Cabinet, which residents can also read on the council’s website. We have sought the views of other members and on Monday a decision will be made on the council's response.
“We must also remember that it is ultimately the Secretary of State’s decision on whether the elections in May proceed as planned or not.”
The agenda for the meeting on Monday is available to view.
