Question 1

When is a newspaper notice required for governance changes?

Accepted Answer

Under Section 9KC of the Local Government Act 2000, a local authority that resolves to change its governance arrangements must publish a notice in at least one newspaper circulating in the area. This applies to changes between executive models (leader and cabinet, elected mayor) and the committee system.

Question 2

What types of governance change require a notice?

Accepted Answer

Changes from leader and cabinet to a committee system, from a committee system to leader and cabinet, from an elected mayor and cabinet to leader and cabinet, and from leader and cabinet to an elected mayor and cabinet. Any change to the form of executive or adoption of the committee system requires advertisement. Any other change to governance arrangements may also require advertisement under s.9KC — use the ‘Other change’ option in the form and describe the main features of the change in plain English (per s.9KC(2)(b)(iii)).

Question 3

What information do I need to provide?

Accepted Answer

You will need the authority name, the current and proposed governance arrangements, the date of the resolution, the date the change takes effect, the reason for the change, and whether a referendum is required. If a referendum is required, the date must be included.

Question 4

When is a referendum required?

Accepted Answer

A referendum may be required in certain circumstances — principally where a second governance change is proposed within 5 years of the previous change (LGA 2000 s.9KC(4); see also s.9KA(4) for the 5-year lock definition). A referendum is not required for most first-time governance changes. If a referendum is required for your specific change, include the date in the form.

Question 5

How long must the notice be published for?

Accepted Answer

Section 9KC of the Local Government Act 2000 requires publication ‘as soon as practicable’ after the resolution — there is no statutory requirement for a specific number of consecutive issues. One issue is normally sufficient; some councils choose two for additional public visibility.

Question 6

What is the process?

Accepted Answer

Enter the postcode for the local authority area, provide the required details, we generate notice text for your review, you review and approve, confirm the order online, and your notice is placed in the next available edition.

Governance change newspaper notices

The legal requirement

Key points

What you receive

Proof PDF

Publication certificate

VAT invoice

Frequently asked questions

Ready to place your governance change notice?