Key information
Request reference number: MGLA030125-7397
Date of response:
Summary of request
Request:
Find below a Freedom of Information request relating to the cost of local authority elections. Please provide between January 2021- December 2024:
- How often local election cycles are held excluding by-elections. For example, the full council is elected every four years or a third of councillors are elected every year except the county council year.
- The year or years local elections took place in the latest cycle since 2021 excluding by-elections. For example, if there is one local election where all councillors are elected once every four years then provide the year in which that election was held. If councillors are elected by thirds over a four year period then provide all years within the time period that these elections took place in the latest cycle to elect all councillors.
- The total cost of each local council election held excluding by-elections broken down by election. For example, if there is one election where all councillors are elected once every four years then provide the cost of running that election. If councillors are elected by thirds over a four year period then provide the costs for each of those three elections in the latest cycle.
Response:
I can confirm that the GLA holds information within the scope of your request.
Please note for context - The GLA is London's strategic government and does not operate in the same way as London’s local councils. The information that the GLA holds relates to the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections.
The GLA Act states that the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections should take place the first Thursday in May from every 4 years from the year 2000.
The GLA’s most recent elections took place in May 2021 (in lieu of May 2020, postponed due to the pandemic) and in May 2024.
- The costs of the 2021 Mayor of London and London Assembly elections were examined in a report by the London Assembly - A review of London's 2021 elections
- The GLA does not hold a final cost for the 2024 Mayor of London and London Assembly elections yet, as London’s boroughs are in the process of submitting their expenses, which we will review before paying.
- You can find further information and cost estimates for 2024 at Elections Review Working Group | London City Hall and London's elections in 2024