Decision details

1.   To postpone all scheduled (non-regulatory) meetings of Council, Cabinet, Committees and Sub-Committees during the pre-election period of the General Election 2024.

2.   Meetings of the Council’s Regulatory Committees namely Appeals Committee, Licensing Committee, Western Planning Committee and Eastern Planning Committee will continue as scheduled

3.   Eastern Planning Committee scheduled for 4 July 2024, will be cancelled due to this falling on Polling Day.

On 22 May 2024, the Prime Minister announced a General Election will now take place with Polling Day on 4 July 2024.

The Council will enter pre election period on 4 June 2024 when the Notice of Election is pubished.  The Pre Election period will expire at close of poll (10pm) on 4 July 2024.

During this sensitive period, the Council must take steps to comply with the restrictions governed by Local Government Act 2986 (as amended in 1988) in that the Council should not publish any material which, in whole or in part, appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party. 

The same legislation requires the Council to have regard to the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity 2011.

There is a concern that to continue with the scheduled meetings will put BCP Council at risk of breaching the legislation.

To continue with all scheduled meetings however this would conflict with national Pre Election period guidance.  This option is not recommended.