DOCSLIB.ORG

Local Election Results 2008 - LGIU Page 1 of 11

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Local Election Results 2008 - LGIU Page 1 of 11 Local Election Results 2008 - LGIU Page 1 of 11 LGIU Local Government Information Unit Independent Intelligent Information Local Election Results 2008 (LGiU) 6/5/2008 Author: Tracy Gardiner Reference No: PB 1831/08L This covers: England Overview An analysis of the local government elections in England and Wales shows that Labour has lost control of nine councils mainly in Wales, but also in England. Net gains were made by the Conservatives to take 12 councils. Turnout remains an issue for local government elections. Briefing in full Voters in 159 local authorities went to the polls on Thursday 1 May 2008 to cast their democratic choice in 137 English and 22 Welsh local authorities, as well as across London for both Mayor and the city's Assembly. These elections included votes at: z 19 English unitary councils: all elected by thirds Blackburn with Darwen, Derby, Halton, Hartlepool, Kingston upon Hull, Milton Keynes, North East Lincolnshire, Peterborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Reading, Slough, Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, Stoke-on-Trent, Swindon, Thurrock, Warrington, Wokingham z Elections were held in three of the current non-metropolitan counties of Cheshire, County Durham and Northumberland for four new unitary authorities to be established in 2009. These councils will be "shadow councils" until then: full council elections Chester City & Cheshire West, Durham, East Cheshire, Northumberland z 36 English metropolitan councils: all elected by thirds Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Calderdale, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Kirklees, Knowsley, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield, Solihull, South Tyneside, St Helens, Stockport, Sunderland, Tameside, Trafford, Wakefield, Walsall, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton z 78 English non-metropolitan councils: 67 elected by thirds, 7 elected by halves, 4 full council Adur, Amber Valley, Barrow-in-Furness, Basildon, Basingstoke and Deane, Bassetlaw, Brentwood, Broxbourne, Burnley, Cambridge, Cannock Chase, Carlisle, Castle Point, Cheltenham, Cherwell, Chorley, Colchester, Craven, Crawley, Daventry, Eastleigh, http://www.lgiu.gov.uk/briefing-detail.jsp?&id=1831&md=0&section=briefing 04/06/2009 Local Election Results 2008 - LGIU Page 2 of 11 Elmbridge, Epping Forest, Exeter, Fareham, Gloucester, Gosport, Great Yarmouth, Harlow, Harrogate, Hart, Hastings, Havant, Hertsmere, Huntingdonshire, Hyndburn, Ipswich, Lincoln, Maidstone, Mole Valley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, North Hertfordshire, Norwich, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Oxford, Pendle, Preston, Purbeck, Redditch, Reigate and Banstead, Rochford, Rossendale, Rugby, Runnymede, Rushmoor, South Cambridgeshire, South Lakeland, St Albans, Stevenage, Stratford-on-Avon, Stroud, Swale, Tamworth, Tandridge, Three Rivers, Tunbridge Wells, Watford, Waveney, Welwyn Hatfield, West Lancashire, West Lindsey, West Oxfordshire, Weymouth and Portland, Winchester, Woking, Worcester, Worthing, Wyre Forest z 22 Welsh councils: all full council Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Bridgend County Borough Council, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cardiff County Council, Carmarthenshire County Council, Ceredigion County Council, Conwy County Borough Council, Denbighshire County Council, Flintshire County Council, Gwynedd County Council, Isle of Anglesey County Council, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Monmouthshire County Council, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Newport City Council, Pembrokeshire County Council, Powys County Council, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council, Swansea City and County Council, Torfaen County Borough Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Wrexham County Borough Council There were boundary changes at Barrow-in-Furness, Basingstoke & Deane, South Lakeland and Welwyn Hatfield. Scheduled elections for Penwith in Cornwall, Shrewsbury & Atcham in Shropshire, Bedford and South Bedfordshire in Bedfordshire and five district councils in Cheshire were cancelled, due to the up-coming unitary authorities being established in those counties Local Election results Of the 159 declared results, the Conservative Party gained control of 12 councils, Labour lost control of nine, Plaid Cymru lost one council and the Liberal Democrats retained their position. Councillors Councils Party +/- Total +/- Total CON 256 3154 12 65 LAB -331 2368 -9 18 LD 34 1805 1 12 PC 33 207 -1 0 OTH 5 893 0 0 NOC - - -3 64 Source: BBC news elections coverage Welsh Local Election results In Wales, of the 22 councils declared the Labour Party lost six of its councils, Plaid Cymru also lost one, while the Conservative Party gained one and the remainder have no overall http://www.lgiu.gov.uk/briefing-detail.jsp?&id=1831&md=0&section=briefing 04/06/2009 Local Election Results 2008 - LGIU Page 3 of 11 control. Party +/- Total +/- Total LAB -122 344 -6 2 CON 62 173 1 2 PC 33 207 -1 0 LD 21 162 0 0 OTH 6 378 0 0 NOC - - 6 18 Source: BBC news elections coverage London election results London voters use a form of proportional representation that balances constituency results with each party's overall tally in the capital and elected 14 of the London Assembly members directly, with the remaining 11 divided between the parties in proportion to London-wide votes. London Mayoral results Overall results Name Party Votes Johnson CON 1,168,738 Livingstone LAB 1,028,966 Paddick LD 878,097 Berry GRN 409,101 London Assembly results Overall results Party Constituency Top-up Total seats CON 8 3 11 LAB 6 2 8 LD 0 3 3 GRN 0 2 2 BNP 0 1 1 For a more detailed analysis of the changes in each authority click here. http://www.lgiu.gov.uk/briefing-detail.jsp?&id=1831&md=0&section=briefing 04/06/2009 Local Election Results 2008 - LGIU Page 4 of 11 Turnout General turnout for the local elections appears to be about 35%, similar to last year. However, turnout in London was up from previous years at 45% compared to 34% in 2000, and 37% in 2004. This 45% turnout was far less than the 61% of Londoners registered to vote and who told Ipsos MORI's interviewers last week that they were "absolutely certain to vote". Of the 2.4m Londoners voted who voted, taking both first and second preference votes into account, the winner only won the active support of 21.5% of the total electorate. Comment Analysis has shown that the Labour Party suffered its worst electoral performance for at least 40 years in the English and Welsh local elections. Labour had a net loss of 331 seats and their share of the vote at 24% was the lowest recorded and left them in third place. The Liberal Democrats were in second place with 25% of the vote and made a net gain of 34 councillors, but their share of the vote was down 1% on 2007, when Sir Menzies Campbell was leader, and 4% down on when these seats were fought in 2004. The Conservatives increased their share of the vote at 44% and they gained 256 more councillors. The smaller parties also recorded some gains and losses. The Greens became the second largest party in Norwich. However, the Greens are performing less well nationally than they did in 2004, their average vote is 8% and is down by a half point on average where they also fought the ward last year. Among the other small parties, the BNP also performed roughly the same as it did in 2007 - averaging 11% in contested wards - but again performed less well than in 2004. Richard Barnbrook, who is BNP leader on Barking and Dagenham Council and who came fifth in the mayoral contest, will take up one of the 25 assembly seats because he passed the critical 5% mark required for a seat from the city-wide list, with 5.3% (representing 69,000 votes). The party's tally of councillors has reached a psychological barrier of 100 - but those councillors represent less than 1% of all those elected in the UK and gains on the night, beyond the headline-grabbing result in London, were short of some expectations. Meanwhile, votes for UKIP are well down on 2004, but up slightly on 2007. The party averaged 7% in wards they fought. In Wales Labour lost control of six Welsh councils. All other big parties made gains, and the Conservatives now have majorities on two Welsh councils - the same number as Labour. Other councils are likely to be run by coalitions of the other parties. In Gwynedd Plaid Cymru lost control as rival party Llais Gwynedd (Gwynedd Voice) - set up as a result of disputed plans to reorganise primary education in the county - won 12 seats. Turnout in local elections has been consistently low over recent years and despite the high profile London mayoral election played out in the local and national media the result reaching 45% does little to restore confidence in a change in this trend. Turnout remains a live issue. Returning real power to local authorities is vital to authorities encouraging significant public engagement. Increasing public participation is related to the return of powers and responsibility for policing, healthcare and local sustainability to elected local councillors. Next month's draft Queen's speech will be an opportunity for the government to set out fresh policies to reform public services, welfare and the constitution http://www.lgiu.gov.uk/briefing-detail.jsp?&id=1831&md=0&section=briefing 04/06/2009 Local Election Results 2008 - LGIU Page 5 of 11 and local authorities will be looking to see if the government will pay heed to this call. Local authority officers involved in the planning and preparation for elections need to be prepared to adapt not only to any political change but also to the change that results in new councillors or councillors taking up new posts. The change can be time-consuming and can be a steep learning curve for both members and officers requiring significant development of the core relationship between officers and members. Getting the balance right between continuity and change and ensuring there is adequate support for both new and retiring members to support this core relationship is essential in developing strong relationships, especially in a times of change of control.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Leaders Statement
    Ipswich Borough Council COUNCIL TAX INFORMATION 2020/21 Message from Councillor David Ellesmere, Leader, Ipswich Borough Council: Ipswich Borough Council will continue to provide a wide range of quality services to the people of Ipswich despite the threat of major cuts in government funding. We are currently predicting that the Government will cut the amount of money it gives to Ipswich by £6m over the next four years. If the Government continues to cut the council’s funding at this rate it will be impossible to protect all council services in the future. However, due to our approach of finding innovative ways of making savings and increasing income – for example by investing in commercial property – we do not anticipate the need to make any significant cuts to frontline services over the coming year. This means that brown bin collections will remain free of charge unlike everywhere else in Suffolk. We will keep the free summer iCard for young people and continue to support bus services in Ipswich. We will maintain our ambitious council house building programme and we will not cut funding to community organisations such as Citizens Advice. We will continue to provide events in Ipswich such as Music Day and the Maritime Festival. The council’s skills in putting on these large scale events enabled us to bring the Ed Sheeran concerts to Chantry Park and ensure they ran smoothly. We also plan to make a number of investments over the coming year in new electric vehicles, home insulation and solar panels which will both save money and reduce carbon emissions.
    [Show full text]
  • Holstein Junior Heifer - Born on Or After March 1St, 2014
    Holstein Junior Heifer - born on or after March 1st, 2014 # NAME COUNTY CALF REG # BORN SIRE 1 CURTIS JACKSON LAMBTON BRUSHDALE ATWOOD BOBBIE 12027522 2014-03-20 MAPLE-DOWNS-I G W ATWOOD 2 TAYLOR NELSON SOUTH SIMCOE CENTURY STAR DAMION LIBERTY 11869703 2014-03-19 ERBACRES DAMION 3 ALICIA WANK BRANT EMCREST ESTELLE VLADIMIR 11065903 2014-03-18 CHARPENTIER VLADIMIR RED 4 BRIANNA QUINN DURHAM EAST FRICOSONS UNO ELYSIUM 12036931 2014-03-16 AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO ET 5 MÉLISSA BRISSON RUSSELL SILDAJAK BARBWIRE SPARKLE 11483373 2014-03-10 HYLITE BARBWIRE 6 ALEX KENNEDY N.S. LINDENRIGHT MCCUTCHEN LUCRA 11915789 2014-03-08 DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET 7 MATTHEW ROSZELL NIAGARA SOUTH MOTTLE LAVANGUARD MONA 11905110 2014-03-07 COMESTAR LAVANGUARD 8 CALLY FINLEY DURHAM WEST FARROW S VICTORIAS SECRET 11728081 2014-03-07 OUROWN GOLDWYN SYLVESTOR 9 REBECCA FRANKEN HURON FRANLEA BRADNICK FANCY 9594926 2014-03-06 REGANCREST-GV S BRADNICK-ET 10 MIKAYLA VERSPEEK DUNDAS VERSPEEK LAVANGUARD MOONDANCE 11712967 2014-03-05 COMESTAR LAVANGUARD 11 ASHLEY HARVEY SOUTH SIMCOE JALINE STEADY BETHANY 11746339 2014-03-05 STANTONS STEADY 12 IRIS WOLFENSBERGER STORMONT DELCREEK YIPPEE KI YAY 11988531 2014-03-04 CRACKHOLM FEVER 13 JOE BARNES LAMBTON BARCREST LAVANGUARD ACHEW 12027521 2014-03-04 COMESTAR LAVANGUARD 14 SIERRA MCMORROW KAWARTHA LAKES KAWARTHA LUMI TARYN 11543344 2014-03-04 DONNANDALE LUMI 15 CASSIE CARR NORTHUMBERLAND SEAVALLEY ATWOOD YANTZYS PRIDE 11845325 2014-03-03 MAPLE-DOWNS-I G W ATWOOD 16 RYAN SILLS HASTINGS SILLSWAY MAROOK MANGO 11838656 2014-03-03 THH
    [Show full text]
  • Local Government Primer
    LOCAL GOVERNMENT PRIMER Alaska Municipal League Alaskan Local Government Primer Alaska Municipal League The Alaska Municipal League (AML) is a voluntary, Table of Contents nonprofit, nonpartisan, statewide organization of 163 cities, boroughs, and unified municipalities, Purpose of Primer............ Page 3 representing over 97 percent of Alaska's residents. Originally organized in 1950, the League of Alaska Cities............................Pages 4-5 Cities became the Alaska Municipal League in 1962 when boroughs joined the League. Boroughs......................Pages 6-9 The mission of the Alaska Municipal League is to: Senior Tax Exemption......Page 10 1. Represent the unified voice of Alaska's local Revenue Sharing.............Page 11 governments to successfully influence state and federal decision making. 2. Build consensus and partnerships to address Alaska's Challenges, and Important Local Government Facts: 3. Provide training and joint services to strengthen ♦ Mill rates are calculated by directing the Alaska's local governments. governing body to determine the budget requirements and identifying all revenue sources. Alaska Conference of Mayors After the budget amount is reduced by subtracting revenue sources, the residual is the amount ACoM is the parent organization of the Alaska Mu- required to be raised by the property tax.That nicipal League. The ACoM and AML work together amount is divided by the total assessed value and to form a municipal consensus on statewide and the result is identified as a “mill rate”. A “mill” is federal issues facing Alaskan local governments. 1/1000 of a dollar, so the mill rate simply states the amount of tax to be charged per $1,000 of The purpose of the Alaska Conference of Mayors assessed value.
    [Show full text]
  • The Labour Party WHO’S WHO in the EAST
    The Labour Party WHO’S WHO IN THE EAST NOT AN OFFICIAL LABOUR PARTY DOCUMENT Stephen Thomas| 12th April 20 0 https://socialistandtradeunionism.org/ Forward The first steps into socialist politics can be a minefield. Like many organisations the membership has different views but has one socialist theme on how we should represent the people, take the Party forward and lead the Country. We have recently lost yet another General Election. Labour’s, some would say, knee jerk reaction, has led to a swing to the right after several years to the socialist left under Jeremy Corbyn. Whichever way you look at it, it is the members of the party that choose the policies and it is the Leaders responsibility to deliver on them. The choice of the leader is how to implement them and ignite the country so once again they too can believe in our socialist values. At the time of writing, the world is going through a Pandemic, with tens of thousands of people dying. The Conservative Party is in power with a massive majority and are at their most popular, mainly through implementing Labour’s socialist policies. Now collectively known as frontline staff, the country has come to recognize the worth and value of our NHS, careers and cleaning staff. Political theories have entwined with each other and some would fear it has now become more difficult to distinguish between the political Parties. Once the survivors return to a normal way of life, where we can once again visit our family and friends, go to work, walk in the countryside and visit the seaside, then please don’t let the country return to the old Conservative ways of doing things.
    [Show full text]
  • Council-Manager Form of Government
    OVERVIEW OF CITY ORGANIZATION COUNCIL-MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT Dallas’ government has changed and grown - from a mayor and six aldermen, to a commission with a mayor and four commissioners elected at-large, to the present council-manager system that has been in place since 1931. Originally, the council was composed of nine members and the mayor, who was elected by council vote. In 1951, the eight council members and mayor were all elected at- large. The structure changed again in 1968 to 10 council members and the mayor, who were all elected at-large, but eight council members represented specific districts. Later, in 1979, eight council members were elected from single-member districts with two council members and the mayor elected at-large. Our current system began in 1991 with 14 council members elected from single-member districts and a mayor elected at-large. The mayor is elected for four years, and council members are elected for two-year terms. Council members can serve up to four consecutive two-year terms. A mayor’s term is limited to two consecutive four-year terms. Council-manager government combines citizen input-through elected council members- with the professional training and experience of a city manager. The City’s organization under this plan is similar to that of a corporation. The mayor and city council serve as the equivalent of a board of directors. They set the public agenda, adopt policy and laws and appoint the city manager, city auditor, city attorney, and city secretary. In Dallas, the manager oversees City operations with an executive team of assistant city managers, each responsible for various departments.
    [Show full text]
  • The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 10, Number 4, February 2006
    ISSN 1206-4394 The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley Volume 10, number 4, February 2006 Table of Contents Trent Valley Archives .......................................................................................................... 2 President’s Report ........................................................................... ................. John Marsh 2 Miracle on Elm Street: The True Gift of Christmas ................................................ Gina Martin 3 Christmases Past ................................................................................................................. 6 Santa Claus Parade 1939; Christmas Trees 1938; Spirit of Christmas 1938 Valentines Past ................................................................................................................... 7 St Valentine’s Day 1881; Ladies Entertained 1904; Should a Man Marry 1906 Peter Hamilton Manufacturing Company, Peterborough ................................ Barb van Vierzen 9 ‘Number Please’ To Be Heard No More in Millbrook, Ida, Cavan ................ Doris Ingham, 1963 11 History of Nexicom Coming .................................................................................................. 12 Peter Robinson and the Press ................................................................................................ 12 Robert Weir (1832- 1905) ........................................................................ Patty McCormick 13 Queries .........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Christmas SEE PAGE 12 for DETAILS
    Council builds new homes for Christmas SEE PAGE 12 FOR DETAILS News for tenants of Ipswich Borough Council - Winter 2014 tTwiteter @InpswichaGov n facteboosk/Ip’swi chGtov i mwww.ipsweich.gos v.uk 2 e g a housing matters P Health and Wellbeing - There is much talk at This is why I welcome a Housing and Health present of the challenges faced by the NHS in Charter being pioneered in Suffolk. It is early days meeting increased demands on the service. but we are keen to ensure Housing is fully Some of the discussion surrounds benefits that involved in efforts to achieve a more joined-up could be achieved through more integrated and effective service. working between the NHS and Social Care . This, clearly, makes a lot of sense. Housing, too, is part Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our of the picture. tenants. Those with a special reason to have a good Christmas are those moving into their new It has long been acknowledged that housing homes as the first Bader Close houses conditions are a major factor affecting public are completed. health and the physical and mental health of individuals. Taking steps to help people remain in Councillor John Mowles their own homes can often free up a hospital bed: Housing Portfolio Holder making very good sense. Housing matters 2 Tenants’ Questions and Answers 12 Tenant Scrutiny Panel 3 Play bus Maggi 13 Tenant Conference 3 Drug-related Litter 14 Holiday Bin Collections 4 Don’t Let Thieves Spoil Christmas 15 Community Speedwatch 16 Celebrating with tenants 5 Empty Homes policy 17 At your service
    [Show full text]
  • Capital City Downtown Community Revitalization Levy – Revised Boundary and Revenue Forecasts
    6. 2. That Mayor S. Mandel, on behalf of Capital City City Council, make an application to 2 the Provincial Government Downtown requesting designation of the Capital City Downtown Community Community Revitalization Levy in a regulation. Revitalization Levy Report Revised Boundary and Revenue Forecasts On October 17, 2012, Administration provided a Downtown Arena Update to City Council that included information Recommendations: clarifying the application of a Community Revitalization Levy to fund specific City- 1. That the revised proposed boundary led Catalyst Projects, including the of the Capital City Downtown arena and related infrastructure. Community Revitalization Levy area as shown in Attachment 1 of the Administration indicated that it was not March 5, 2013, Sustainable the intent to dedicate any increase in Development report 2013SHE012, municipal and education property tax be approved. revenue that would accrue naturally 2. That Mayor S. Mandel, on behalf of through the appreciation of already City Council, send a revised existing fully developed property to pay application to the Provincial for Catalyst projects. The presentation Government requesting designation pointed out that the increase in revenue of the Capital City Downtown that is generated by the inflationary Community Revitalization Levy by appreciation of existing properties is way of regulation. essential to the City’s ability to continue to deliver programs and services to the Report Summary entire City. This report provides an update on progress towards completion of the Administration has been engaged in Capital City Downtown Community discussions with the Province about the Revitalization Levy and provides proposed Capital City Downtown direction on the next steps.
    [Show full text]
  • M E M O R a N D
    M EMORANDUM To: City Council; City Manager From: Mary A. Winters, City Attorney; Elizabeth Oshel, Associate City Attorney Re: Drawing Voting Districts Date: June 6, 2017 QUESTION What are the legal requirements for drawing voting districts in the city of Bend? ANSWER The City is bound by the U.S. Constitution, federal Voting Rights Act, and Oregon law in determining how to draw any wards or districts for election of city councilors. Cities may set their own rules for electing their city councils, and drawing districts, because Art. XI, § 2 of the Oregon constitution gives the legal voters of every city power to enact and adopt their own charters, through the home rule provisions of the Oregon Constitution. The City must follow the Oregon Secretary of State’s directive in creating or redrawing voting districts. Traditional principles of districting such as equal population, compactness, and contiguity should be the primary considerations. The racial composition of districts should be considered only if necessary to comply with the Voting Rights Act. 1. Principles of Districting and Oregon State Law Traditional districting principles should be used to draw voting districts. First, districts must be drawn with the goal of equal population. An equal population goal “is a background rule” underlying all other considerations in drawing electoral maps. ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE Page | 1 Alabama Legislative Black Caucus v. Alabama, __ US __, 125 SCt 1257, 1271 (2015). In addition to equal population, traditional principles of districting include: Compactness, contiguity, respect for political subdivisions or communities defined by actual shared interests, incumbency protection, and political affiliation.
    [Show full text]
  • Member Directory
    2017 MEMBER DIRECTORY “Our business is supporting your business” 1 Helping Senis Stay Open-Enrolment Whe They Are Happiest. Programs SPRING 2017 Follow us online! Respite Care L ight Housek eeping Professional Management P erso na l Care GROCERY & M e a l P repa r at io n Co mpa n ionship Professional Communication Co mmunity Activities DA I LY Remind erS & Social Gatheri ngs Management Contact us if you have any questions or would like to schedule a complementary in-home consultation today! Not-for-Profit Leadership 905.419.3403 | [email protected] www.nplhcompanioncare.com Digital Marketing & Social Media Professional Sales LEAN Training BDO PROUDLY benefits by solution, size and service SERVES OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES Customized programs also available mdc.uoit.ca [email protected] SM People 905.721.8668who know, ext. 2822 know / 3290 BDO. Assurance | Accounting | Tax | Advisory 502 – 419 King St W Oshawa ON 905 576 3430 Debbie McNamara www.bdo.ca Benefits Consultant 905.668.3572 www.hmabenefits.ca [email protected] Customized & Op en-Enrolment University Programs Division Director mdc.uoit.ca [email protected] 905.721.8668 ext. 2822 / 3290 2 “Our business is supporting your business” Drop into our office anytime; we look forward to talking with you about your business! COURTICE • BOWMANVILLE • NEWCASTLE • ORONO And rural communities “Our business is supporting your business” 3 Accusets A Francis Williams 335 West Scugog Lane Bowmanville, ON L1C 0A3 368 Durham 416-427-8881 Brian Rutherford www.accusets.com 54 King St. East, #209 Fixed asset management & valuations Bowmanville, ON L1C 1N3 647-215-9408 www.368durham.com Adecco Employment Services Ltd.
    [Show full text]
  • So You Want to Be an Elected Official
    So you want to be an elected official... Practical information for people running for office in Washington’s cities and towns Introduction Why are you running for election to a local office? This is a question that every candidate will be asked – and a question that every candidate must carefully consider. Most often, people run for office because they are deeply committed to their city or town and want to influence the community’s direction. At times, people run because they are passionate about a single issue or problem. A single controversy – such as a land use or zoning decision – could dominate an entire election campaign. But once the election is over, things change. Candidates who have won an election based on their position on a single issue soon discover that they are responsible for a much broader array of challenges. The platform they ran on may not even be on the council’s agenda. Getting it placed there will only be possible if they are willing and able to work cooperatively with other members of the council, many of whom will have their own issues to champion. In order to be effective, elected officials must work as part of a team to establish a shared vision for the future, develop goals and plans that make that future possible, and work with their colleagues and constituents to enact the local policies and laws that will ultimately lead to accomplishment. Holding a public office is an act of service to the public – that is, service to all the residents of a city or town, not just those who share your views or those who voted for you.
    [Show full text]
  • Charter and Related Laws
    CHARTER AND RELATED LAWS PART A - CHARTER LAWS CHARTER OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA ARTICLE 5. - THE COUNCIL Section 5.01. - Council membership, residence areas and districts. The council shall consist of 19 members and there shall be 14 council districts and 5 at-large residence areas. Each council district shall elect one council member. The council districts are described in appendix 1 to this charter. Five council members shall be elected at large. One at- large council member shall reside in each at-large residence area. The initial at-large residence areas are described in Appendix 1-A to this charter. (Ord. 91-1356-600, § 1; Laws of Fla., Ch. 92-341, § 1; Ord. 92-1982- 1455, § 2) Section 5.02. - Redistricting of council districts and residence areas. (a) Within 8 months after publication of each official federal census of the City of Jacksonville (Duval County), the council shall redistrict the 14 council districts and 5 at-large residence areas so that all districts and at-large residence areas are as nearly equal in population and are arranged in a logical and compact geographic pattern to the extent possible. If the council shall be unable to complete the redistricting of the council districts within 8 months after the official publication of the census, the general counsel shall petition the circuit court for the fourth judicial circuit to make such redistricting. Any redistricting of the council districts or at-large residence areas made pursuant to this section shall not affect any term of office in existence at the date of such redistricting, but shall be applicable beginning with the next succeeding general consolidated government election which occurs at least 9 months after the effective date of the redistricting.
    [Show full text]