Peterborough City Council leader 'accepts' PM's local elections U-turn but warns of challenges ahead
The leader of Peterborough City Council has spoken of the challenges of tackling local government reform and providing services after the Prime Minister’s local elections U-turn.
Council leader Labour Councillor Shabina Qayyum said that while she accepted the Prime Minister’s change of heart over the spring ballot, Peterborough councillors had opted to postpone the local elections to deliver ‘significant’ changes to local government.
She said: “We accept the decision by the Government to reinstate elections which means local elections will take place in Peterborough on May 7. "We put forward our view at the request of the Secretary of State, with the knowledge that their decision may not go ahead, and therefore preparations for the elections have continued.
"We didn’t vote to cancel elections as was being stated, we put forward the view that a postponement would help with addressing the significant challenges associated with delivering Local Government Reorganisation for our city.
Cllr Qayyum said: “Now that elections are going ahead, the huge pressures associated with local government reorganisation and how we deliver the greatest reform of local government in a generation remain.
"Therefore I welcome the Government's decision to provide funding to support additional capacity to meet the requirements of this significant change.
She added: "However, I am still very conscious of how we will meet a challenging LGR timeline whilst continuing to providing vital services for residents.
"We will continue to work hard to deliver for the people of Peterborough."
Conservative Cllr Alex Rafiq said: “It is great news that the elections will be going this May.”
Independent Cllr Julie Stevenson stated on X: “This whole debacle has caused so much stress and distress to residents, to councillors, to council candidates and to council staff. I feel for all of them.”
And Independent Cllr Mark Ormston added: “Across the 30 Councils, the Council Officers and Leaders will have to rapidly shift resources and relook at budgets (many of which would have just been finalised).
"I am delighted that the elections are going ahead, but what a shambles!”
Peterborough councillors due to be up for election in 2026
Scott Warren (Conservative, Bretton)
Alison Jones (Labour, Central)
Dennis Jones (Independent, Dogsthorpe)
Samantha Hemraj (Labour, East)
Rylan Ray (Independent, Eye, Thorney and Newborough)
Christian Hogg (Lib Dem, Fletton and Stanground)
Andrew Bond (Lib Dem, Gunthorpe)
Marco Cereste (Conservative, Hampton Vale)
Mohammed Farooq (Peterborough First, Hargate and Hempsted)
Noreen Bi (Labour, North)
Michael Perkins (Conservative, Orton Longueville)
Julie Stevenson (Independent, Orton Waterville)
Mohammed Sabir (Labour, Park)
Asif Shaheed (Lib Dem, Paston and Walton)
Mohammed Rangzeb (Green, Ravensthorpe)
Ray Bisby (Peterborough First, Stanground South)
Sarah Hillier (Peterborough First, Werrington)
Political breakdown:
Conservative 3, Labour 4, Independent 3, Lib Dem 3, Peterborough First 3, Green 1
The balance of power on Peterborough City Council:
The make up of the city council is currently as follows:
Labour: 13 councillors
Independent 11 councillors
Conservative: 10 councillors
Peterborough First: 10 councillors
Liberal Democrat: 8 councillors
Green Party: 5 councillors
Reform 1: councillor
Not specified: 1 councillor
One seat in Fletton and Woodston is currently vacant following the death of cllr Alan Dowson