URL: https://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5514

Decision Maker: Chief Executive (CEx)

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: Decision to change the date of the election to be held inof Birchington Parish South and Birchington Parish North by two weeks in accordance with the following revised timetable:   Publication of Notice of Election - Thursday 5 February 2026 Day of Poll  - Thursday 12 March 2026 This decision is being made further to my published decision made on the 19 November. This decision set out the reasons for the Council exercising its discretion under section 39 (4) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 to call an election in Birchington Parish North and Birchington Parish South.   In accordance with statutory provisions the decision was made to call the election as soon as practicable. The date initially set took account of the significance of the Parish’s budget setting process and the date of election was set for the 26 February 2026 with the notice of election being published on 22 January 2026. Subsequent to this I was asked to consider a request made by the Chair of the Parish Council to delay the election by a further period of two weeks to allow for consideration of a potentially controversial decision to be made that might otherwise have presented difficulties as a result of the pre-election period. I gave careful consideration to this request and took into account the fact that whilst the issue to be decided was business as usual it had the potential to interfere with the Parish Council’s discussion on the matter to be decided. I also considered the fact that there was a deadline for the Parish Council to make the decision referred to. Accordingly, I took the decision to agree to the changed date in accordance with the timetable set out above. Consideration was given to leaving the election timetable to that originally decided. It was accepted that this could cause difficulties for the Parish Council in respect of a potentially controversial decision that had to be made within what would have been the pre-election period under the initial timetable proposed.

Date of Decision: January 21, 2026