Petitions for a referendum

The Local Government Act 2000 provides that electors can petition the council in their area to hold a referendum on whether the council should change to a different form of governance. 

Such a petition must be signed by at least 5% of the local government electors in the local authority's area. 

Every year the Monitoring Officer publishes the figure that represents 5% of the number of local government electors in the area. This is referred to as the Verification Number.

The Verification Number is published each year during February and is applicable between 1 April and 31 March following publication.

However, in any given year, there is a short period of time when one of two figures can be used. This is between publication of the number and 31 March that same year. 

During that time, the alternative number that can be used is the one that was published the previous February. Councils must use the lower of these two numbers as the Verification Number for any petition submitted during that period.

Calling a referendum

For information about how to call a referendum, see The Local Authorities (Referendums)(Petitions)(England) Regulations 2011.

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 15 February 2026 is:

15350

This figure will have effect for the purposes of determining the validity of Petitions presented from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.

The number equal to 5% of the local government electors for 2027 will be published within 14 days of 15 February 2027. If this number is less than 15350, 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 March 2027 shall also be that lower number.

Martin Henry
Electoral Registration Officer
West Northamptonshire Council
One Angel Square
Angel Street
NN1 1ED

Last updated 16 February 2026