Holding a local re-set referendum
Enabling the re-set constitutional conventions
The 1972 Local Government Act already makes allowances for the holding of local referenda in the United Kingdom. It is relatively easy for ordinary voters to set up a local referendum, although at present the result is only to be advisory to other authorities. However, the proposed re-set referendum process can enable constitutional conventions which do not need any authority’s approval.
The law which entitles local communities to a referendum is part 3, schedule 12, paragraph 18, sub-paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Local Government Act of 1972. In Wales, the reference is part 5, paragraph 34, sub-paragraphs 4 and 5. You have to live in a Civic Parish Council in England or a Community Council in Wales. These are mainly in rural areas, but if you are in any doubt then check with your local council.
The re-set website (
www.thereset.org) system links you to your own local area. As sufficient numbers join we will send you more details on the actual re-set referendum to be used, but here is the process. We will provide the referendum format, so please don’t rush out and do this until everything
is prepared. For this to work there are very precise details that need to be included.
Initially you should make sure you can vote and are on the Electoral Register for you Parish in England (or Community Council in Wales).
The boundaries of “your area” are those governed by your local Parish Council (England), or Community Council (Wales). Unfortunately provisions do not exist for cities in England or similar procedures in Scotland or Ulster and we will enable those areas differently.
Six voters on the Electoral Register for that Parish (available for viewing at local Post Office) now need to sign a piece of paper calling for a Public Parish meeting on a specified date more than seven clear working days hence. This ‘notice of meeting’ should specify date, time (after 6.00pm), venue, the names of the six, and the business to be transacted at the meeting (i.e. to call for a re- set referendum). As a minimum the notice should be pinned up at one prominent site in the area but ideally you will promote it wider, supported by
www.thereset.org.
Notify the Parish Council and the Chairman of the District Council as to what you are doing. Tell them that you are acting under Part 3, schedule 12, paragraph 18, subparagraphs 4 and 5 of the Local Government Act 1972. You may well find that if your chosen issue arouses strong feelings locally, the Parish Council will come on board to help with the organisation of the meeting.
For the meeting to be valid, you will need at least ten local voters present. The meeting may be chaired by the Chairman of the Parish council if willing, but anyone chosen by the meeting can chair it. Whatever else happens at the meeting, you will need to propose a motion calling for the re-set referendum (Parish Poll). If one third of those voters present, or ten of those present, whichever figure is smaller, call for a referendum, then your District Council is obliged by law to hold one. Note this means that it is actually possible to lose a vote at the meeting since Local Referenda are Direct Democracy based, but still satisfy the requirements for calling a referendum. Go to your District Council and tell them the outcome of the vote at the meeting. Quote the relevant legislation again. They now have between 14 and 25 days to hold the referendum.