An example might be a campaign on an issue which has been subject of local political debate and/or disagreement. UKG Ministers will continue to carry out their functions in the usual way. The essential points from the code are: Publicity is defined as any communication, in whatever form, addressed to the public at large or to a section of the public. Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme, Statistical and social research activities, Non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) and other arms-length bodies (ALBs), Annex A: List of elections taking place in May 2022, nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3, principles set out at the beginning of this note, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/recommended-code-of-practice-for-local-authority-publicity. Obviously, this needs to be balanced carefully against any implication that deferral itself could influence the political outcome. BeeCollins#ProEU #PPR #FBPA on - Twitter The term'heightened sensitivity is also used. There are strict rules governing civil servants and local government staff in pre-election period, usually known as purdah (a term from the Persian for curtain or veil). Individual councillors can issue their own statements, write letters to the local newspaper(s) for publication, contact the media directly or say what they like in a personal capacity, but must not use council resources to do so. Section 39 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 inserted sections 4A and 4B into the Local Government Act 1986 which provide powers for the Secretary of State to issue a notice to comply or explain, followed after non-compliance, by a direction; and to issue a more general Order if approved by Parliament across multiple authorities to comply in some respects with provisions of the recommendatory, good practice, code. [18] This was controversial, and was seen by many[who?] Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. Undertake any activity that could be considered politically controversial or influential, or could give rise to criticism that public resources are being used for party political/campaigning purposes. You are allowed to publish factual information which identifies the names, constituencies and parties of candidates at elections. 33. They had been required to do so following an earlier court judgement. Purdah does not apply to candidates for political office. Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation Darren Hughes responds to the latest NHS performance statistics in Wales. It will only move the next ordinary local government elections by one year from May 2021 to May 2022. Pre-Election Period 2022 - FAQs Hints and tips for communications activity over the pre-election period. The most frequently asked questions about the pre-election period. Its a double-edged sword: some favoured projects will get kicked into the long grass, never to see the light of day again. For civil servants, purdah begins on 13 April. This guide provides advice and guidance on the publicity restrictions that should be observed by local authorities during the pre-election period. But with a wide range of issues facing councils across Scotland and priorities differing from ward to ward, heres what you need to know about the Scottish council elections, when they will take place in 2022 and how they work. Local government (Public Leaders Network). For the 8 June 2017 United Kingdom general election, the pre election period began on 22 April,[13] and for the 12 December 2019 United Kingdom general election, the pre-election period commenced on 6 November. You have accepted additional cookies. However, you should always think carefully if a campaign could be deemed likely to influence the outcome of the election. WebPurdah/pre-election period. ", He flagged up the fact purdah rules preclude public bodies from publishing any material which, in whole, or in part, appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party.. Although NHS staff are not generally regarded as civil servants, pre-election periods are increasingly enforced on NHS bodies. These elections will take place on Thursday 4 May 2023. Councils cannot make any decisions which could influence or prejudice the outcome of either their own elections or others taking place at the same time. You can think of it as local government 'screening itself' from controversy, by not taking certain decisions or publishing statements which could influence voters. Sponsor departments should be consulted by the NDPB/ALB in cases of doubt. In relation to decision making within the council, the position remains that it is business as usual unless there are very good reasons why this should not be the case. What is purdah? The last Scottish council elections were held in 2017 on Thursday May 4, with all 32 of Scotlands local authorities in play. WebThe next full local elections in East Suffolk will be held on Thursday 4 May 2023. Put your knowledge to the test in our quiz, If you consider yourself a 'proper Geordie' then see if you can answer these questions correctly, Sunderland must repeat last season's final day heroics to reach play-offs, says Patrick Roberts, Patrick Roberts scored a stunning equaliser against Watford at the weekend, but Sunderland have work to do if they are to make this season's Championship play-offs, Newcastle mum inspired by Dame Deborah James to tackle bowel cancer after being diagnosed aged 36, Emma Campbell, of Forest Hall, was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 36 after ordering a bowel cancer screening kit she'd seen on Facebook. Address: 157-197 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9SP, Registered Charity 1140900 | Registered in England No 07525114, Providers deliver: resilient and resourceful through COVID-19, Digital Boards: Building and enabling digital teams, Securing the right support for ambulance services, Letter to Jeremy Hunt MP on the white paper on health and social care. Council Elections 2022: When are the Scottish Council Government communicators should apply the principles set out above when planning and delivering communications activities that will take place during the election periods. Local authorities, defined in section 6(2) of the 1986 Act, are required by section 4(1) of the 1986 Act to have regard to the Publicity Code in coming to any decision on publicity. A breach of purdah before the 2022 local elections? It is for individual public bodies to apply this pre-election guidance within their own organisations, but in doing so they should not go beyond the principles set out in this guidance. Where it is decided to agree to such visits, the key principle is that the same facilities should be available to all candidates, and that there is no disruption to services. This is not the case, and the ordinary functions of councils can continue, but some restrictions may be imposed by law. Each case should be considered on its merits. This three-week period began on 14th April 2022 and follows the same fundamental principles as General Election Purdah. If a consultation is ongoing during this period, it should continue as normal. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. Follow us on Twitter via @Guardianpublic, Labour chooses first female candidates for mayoral elections, General election purdah looms for 400,000 civil servants, Purdah period set to silence officials on EU referendum from Friday, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. 21 Apr 2023 17:58:12 The Publicity Code is issued under powers conferred on the Secretary of State under section 4(1) of the Local Government Act 1986 (the 1986 Act). If you do, remember to keep your policy around visits consistent and impartial. David Camerons government lost by 27 votes to the MPs who argued that Downing Street was trying to unduly influence the result in favour of staying in the EU. A short guide to purdah ahead of the May local and mayoral Pre-election period | Local Government Association Find out which areas have local elections this May . to a number of local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales, including a number of directly elected Mayors. Local Elections Deadline emergency proxy vote applications. This guidance provides advice on the publicity restrictions that should be observed during the pre-election period. The principles set out here are not about restricting commentary from independent sources, for example academics who may also hold public appointments or non-executive roles in government departments or public bodies. is issued with care during periods of heightened sensitivity. The publication of press notices and information regarding the holding of polls are exempt from these restrictions as is providing factual responses to specific requests for information, for example, information about how people can register to vote. When does purdah kick in ahead of the May elections? All rights reserved. For local elections in England and Wales, the activities of local authorities in the pre-election period are governed by the Recommended code of practice for local authority publicity, Circular 01/2011, issued as part of the provisions of the Local Government Act 1986. [citation needed]. Elections Campaigning efforts are already underway across many local authorities in Scotland, with purdah starting roughly three weeks before local elections and from This also applies to requests from mayoral candidates. Any enquiries from the media should be handled by Departmental Press Officers. Our tips for NHS organisations' activities over the pre-election period ahead of elections across the UK in May 2022. for both elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly and elections to local authorities (including mayoralties) in England, Wales and Scotland local authority and mayoral elections in England. Su. They include: You can find out what elections are taking place in your area here and the date the pre-election period commences as follows: The pre-election period has implications for NHS organisations, including the arm's-length bodies. [15], At the national level, major decisions on policy are postponed until after the pre-election period, unless it is in the national interest to proceed, or a delay would waste public money. There should be even-handedness in meeting information requests from the different political parties and campaigning groups. Use of council facilities and resources; the members code of conduct, developing new policies and holding of events - including some meetings - featuring elected officials should all be carefully considered during a period of heightened sensitivity.

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