Yinnon Ezra: Local elections will go ahead this May

What it seemed the media failed to point out was that councils – with a variety of political complexions - were asked in the first place if they wanted to postpone this May’s elections - hence it was their choice not to go with it.

In the event, having taken legal advice, HMG changed their minds.

In Hampshire, we are due to have the county council elections in May - and some districts - then next May the shadow elections for the new unitary councils with them coming into being the year after – also in May – and at the same time we are asked to elect a mayor for Hampshire and the Solent.

So, sharpen the black pencil as we are going to need it on a regular basis.

But, as I have mentioned before, with so many elections the turnout may shrink proportionately.

Local Government does NOT get the heart racing with only between 40 per cent to 30 per cent of voters coming out.

Maybe with all the publicity about postponement these figures may increase.

Traditionally these elections don’t seem to be about how our local areas are governed but are used as an opportunity for voters to express their views about the performance of the Government of the day.

The setting up of these new all-purpose councils which will be with us for the foreseeable future is a really important event.

What we need is to be confident that the people we elect have a coherent set of policies.

They must be able to explain how they will tackle everything from potholes, the rising cost of social care, though that also needs national action, to stopping the constant cuts to so many important services like libraries, the arts, footpaths, support to all those essential voluntary groups that do so much for all of us: etc. etc.

But most importantly they need to be clear and upfront about how and where they want to build new houses – though to complicate this further “strategic planning” will be one of the functions of the new mayor.

So how they will work together will be worth knowing early on.

There is much hanging on the outcome of all these elections and as usual it will depend on the quality of the people we elect.

We all need to be satisfied that the individuals we elect have the experience and ability to manage what in effect is the future.

They need to be people with vision but balance that with the ability to look afresh at how services are organised and delivered.

This is a once in a generation opportunity!

They will find council staff concerned about where they fit in – “do I still have a job” - this will need to be answered quickly.

They will need encouragement, support and engagement.

Some councillors will be veterans, others come with different experiences - others brand new.

There is a real opportunity to establish quick and constructive relationships with staff.

All working together to shape a new organisation which can be exciting, challenging and rewarding.

Let’s hope that the national political noise on the postponement may jolt some to go to the polls.

We should also hear quite soon from HMG what their proposals are for the new councils across our homeland.

This could not come soon enough as there is much to do.

By Yinnon Ezra