Mark Pack

Even if Gordon Brown calls the general election for Thursday 6 May, the date on which local elections are also due to be held, that won’t be the only round of elections this spring.

That’s because the holding of the general election on the same day as local elections means any contested parish and community elections due on 6 May will be postponed by three weeks.

Uncontested elections will still be concluded on 6 May, with people taking office subsequently in the usual way (i.e. on the fourth day after the election). Where there are delayed contested elections, the date of of the annual parish or town council meeting will also be postponed, having to take place within 14 days of 27 May rather than 6 May.

(To see a full timetable for May elections see here.)