Plymouth City Council elections

Local elections take place on the first Thursday in May every year with a third of the Plymouth City Council seats due for election, except in 2009 and every four years afterwards when no elections are scheduled.

In the United Kingdom the term local elections refers to county, unitary authority, borough, district, city, town and parish elections.

Local authorities consist of elected councillors, who are voted for in a way broadly similar to that for elections of Members of Parliament.

To stand for election, candidates must either be registered as an elector or have some other close connection within the electoral area of their candidature, such as their principal place of employment.

Councillors are paid a basic allowance, but may also be entitled to additional allowances and expenses for attending meetings or for taking on special responsibilities.

Councillors generally sit for four years. The number of independent (non-party) councillors has declined over the past forty years - nowadays the overwhelming majority of local councillors belong to one of the major parties.

In years with a general election it is usual practice to hold both general and local elections on the same day. In 2004, for the first time, local elections were held on the same day as European elections, and London Mayoral and Assembly elections.

The next elections to Plymouth City Council are due to take place on Thursday 6 May 2010.

See the election results 2008 page for the latest results.