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

This requires 5 per cent of the registered electors within a local authority's area. The Verification Number is published every year in February and is valid from the following year, effective 1 April to 31 March.

Publication of Verification Number

In accordance with Regulation 4(1) of the Local Government Act 2000 the number that is equal to 5 per cent of the number of local government electors shown in the register of electors.

The Verification Number in effect on 15 February 2023 is:

• 14812

This figure will have effect on petitions for referendums made during 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.