POTENTIAL delays to local elections have been criticised by the acting leader of Staffordshire County Council.
The Government is offering areas impacted by the move to a unitary authority model as part of local government reorganisation the chance to delay votes.
But Cllr Martin Murray, who stepped into the leader’s role after Cllr Ian Cooper stepped back after having his membership revoked by Reform UK, said such delays would harm the democratic process for local communities.
“It is hugely disappointing that, instead of a conversation around genuine devolution and the benefits that could bring to the county, the Government are more interested in a conversation around delaying local democracy.
“There was no public mandate for local government reorganisation and there is definitely no public mandate to cancel what would be our last ever district and borough elections.
“Any delay is not just for one year. With the added transition year into a new unitary authority, it will be another two years with no elections. As a result, some councillors will have served a six-year term.
“With a new electoral and local government system on the horizon, it is imperative that people have a vote on who they choose to lead this change.”
