In accordance with Section 4 of the Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions) (England) Regulations 2011, notice is hereby given that the verification number that is equal to 5% of the number of local government electors for the area of Portsmouth City Council as shown in the electoral register having effect on 15 February 2026 is 7,437.
This verification number will have effect for the purposes of determining the validity of any petitions which are presented after 31 March 2026 and before 1 April 2027 asking the council to hold a referendum on the question of whether it should change to operate an elected mayor and cabinet executive or the committee system, instead of the current arrangements.
Where the number published in any year is less than the number published in the preceding year, the number to be used for verification purposes, in relation to any petition submitted to the respective authority in the period beginning on the date of publication of the lesser number and ending immediately before 1 April 2026, shall be the lesser number.
Dated 16 February 2026
Natalie Brahma-Pearl
Chief Executive and Electoral Registration Officer
Civic Offices
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
PO1 2AL