Verification number for petitions regarding constitutional change

Verification number

Registered electors in Norfolk can petition us to hold a referendum on whether we should change to a different form of governance. This is enabled by the Local Government Act 2000. A petition like this needs to be signed by at least 5% of the local government electors in the county. This figure is known as the verification number. We publish what this figure is as of 15 February each year, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions) (England) Regulations 2011.

Norfolk County Council notice of verification number

The verification number in effect for Norfolk from 15 February 2025 is 35,755.

This verification number will have effect for the purposes of determining the validity of any petitions which are both:

• Presented between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026
• Asking the Council to hold a referendum on change to its governance arrangements

We will publish a new verification number within 14 days of 15 February 2026. If that number is less than 35,755, we will use the lower number:

• For any petition submitted to the Council in the period beginning on the date of publication
• Until 31 March 2026

The verification number has been endorsed by:

Caroline Clarke
County Returning Officer
Norfolk County Council
County Hall
Norwich
NR1 2DH
For more information, email elections@norfolk.gov.uk. Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.

Norfolk district council verification numbers

The verification number for each district council in Norfolk is:

• Breckland: 5,692
• Broadland: 5,341
• Great Yarmouth: 3,688
• King's Lynn and West Norfolk: 5,823
• North Norfolk: 4,240
• Norwich City: 5,250
• South Norfolk: 5,721

For more information, contact the relevant district council.