Mayoral referendum notice

Declaration of verification number

Under the Local Government Act 2000, we are required to let you know about your right to ask for a referendum on changing our governance arrangements, if you’d like to move to a mayor and cabinet arrangement to manage the Council. We are also required to tell you the numbers needed for a valid petition.

Regulations under the Act provide for a referendum to be held where a minimum of 5 percent of local government electors petition the Council for a referendum on whether the Council should operate executive arrangements which involve an elected Mayor.

We are required to publish the number of electors that is equal to 5 percent of the number registered to vote at a local government election as shown on the Electoral Register on 15 February every year. This number will be published within 14 days of 15 February each year.

Reading Borough Council
The Local Authority (Referendums)
(Petitions & Directions)
(England) Regulations 2000

Publication of Verification Number

In accordance with Regulation 4(1) of the above regulations the number that is equal to 5% of the number of local government electors shown in the revised register of electors having effect on the 15^th February 2025 is:

5907

This figure will have effect for the purposes of determining the validity of Petitions presented from 1^st April 2025 to 31^st March 2026.

The number equal to 5% of the local government electors for 2026 will be published within 14 days of the 15^th February 2026.  If this number is less than 5907, the number to be used for verification purposes in relation to any petition submitted for the period beginning on the date of publication of the lower number until 31^st March 2026 shall also be that lower number.

Michael Graham
Electoral Registration Officer
Reading Borough Council
Civic Offices
Bridge Street
Reading
RG1 2LU

Monday, 10 February 2025