Each year the authority has to publish in a local newspaper a notice giving the number that is equal to five per cent of the number of local government electors shown on the electoral register having effect in the authority's area for the period ending on 15 February in that year.
If a petition is presented to the authority supported by at least that number of local electors the authority can be required to hold a referendum on whether the authority should have a directly elected mayor. Regulations have been made regarding the conduct of any such referendum and the wording to be used.
Other referenda may be held from time to time on such topics as the Government may determine e.g. the European constitution have been discussed in recent times.
The persons entitled to vote in a referendum would be those who are entitled to vote at an election of councillors for the area and who are registered as a local government elector at an address within the authority's area.