This section includes details of when different types of authorities are due to hold local elections and guidance on the pre-election period.
The pre-election period for local authorities will start from the publication of a notice of election, this will be no later than Monday 30 March. The pre-election period is the time between an election is announced and the date the election is held.
Local government sometimes views this period as a time when communications have to shut down completely. This is not the case, and the ordinary functions of councils can continue – such as factual information about elections – but some restrictions may be imposed by law. This guidance sets out what this means in practice.
Scheduled elections are being held on Thursday 7 May 2026.
Per the Institute for Government’s summary: All seats will be contested in:
- 32 London boroughs
- Six county councils
- Six unitary authorities, including the newly-created East Surrey and West Surrey
- 16 metropolitan districts
- Three district councils
A half of seats will be contested in:
- Seven district councils
A third of seats will be contested in:
- 12 unitary authorities
- 16 metropolitan districts
- 38 district councils
In six local areas, including five London boroughs and Watford, voters will directly elect their council leaders, who are also known as local authority mayors (not to be confused with regional or metro mayors who hold a wider set of devolved functions).
Many areas across England will also be electing parish and town councillors.
Useful resources
Central and local government are subject to certain restrictions on political activity during the run up to an election. See our short guide to publicity during the pre-election period or visit our dedicated section: what the pre-election period means in practice.
The LGA is not subject to the same restrictions. Paragraph 40 of the LGA’s Governance Framework sets out our media and public statements protocols during this period.
Local election results impact on the LGA
The outcome of the English and Welsh local elections each year determines:
- who is eligible to sit on the LGA’s political governance structures;
- the LGA’s political balance for the new political year
- the LGA’s Political Group Office’s appointments to our governance structures for the new political year.
Find out more about the LGA's political balance and political group appointments.
