Citation, commencement, savings, extent and interpretation

1.—(1) These Rules may be cited as the Local Elections (Principal Areas) (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Rules 2022.

(2) These Rules come into force on 9th November 2022 but have no effect in relation to any election in respect of which the date of the poll specified in the notice of election is on or before 3rd May 2023.

(3) These rules extend to England and Wales.

(4) In these Rules “ the 2006 Rules” means the Local Elections (Principal Areas) (England and Wales) Rules 2006( 3).

Amendment of the 2006 Rules

2.—(1) Schedule 2 to the 2006 Rules (rules for conduct of an election of councillors of a principal area where poll is not taken together with poll at another election) is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 6 (subscription of nomination paper)—

(a) in paragraph (1), omit from “, and by” to the end;

(b) in paragraph (2)—

(i) for “, seconding or assenting to” substitute “or seconding”;

(ii) omit “or signatures (up to the required number)”.

(3) In Part 7 (appendix of forms), for the Form of Nomination Paper( 4) substitute the form in Schedule 1 to these Rules.

3.—(1) Schedule 3 to the 2006 Rules (rules for conduct of an election of councillors of a principal area where the poll is taken together with the poll at a relevant election or referendum) is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 6 (subscription of nomination paper)—

(a) in paragraph (1), omit from “, and by” to the end;

(b) in paragraph (2)—

(i) for “, seconding or assenting to” substitute “or seconding”;

(ii) omit “or signatures (up to the required number)”.

(3) In Part 7 (appendix of forms), for the Form of Nomination Paper( 5) substitute the form in Schedule 2 to these Rules.

Rule 2(3)

SCHEDULE 1 Amended form of nomination paper for use at an election of councillors of a principal area where poll is not taken together with poll at another election

Rule 3(3)

SCHEDULE 2 Amended form of nomination paper for use at an election of councillors of a principal area where the poll is taken together with the poll at a relevant election or referendum

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules amend the Local Elections (Principal Areas) (England and Wales) Rules 2006 ( S.I. 2006/3304). The amendments in Rules 2 and 3 reduce the number of subscribing electors that are required on a candidate nomination paper for elections of councillors of a principal area in England from ten to two, and substitute new forms reflecting this change.

Rule 1 provides for the coming into force of these Rules on 9th November 2022, except that the amendments will not have effect in respect of an election where the poll for that election (if contested) will take place on or before 3rd May 2023.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on business, charities or the public or voluntary sector is foreseen.