The Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions and Directions) (England) Regulations 2000
Under Part II of the Local Government Act 2000 (“the Act”), local authorities are able to make arrangements for the discharge of their functions by executives, which must take one of the forms specified in section 11(2) to (4) of the Act or in regulations under section 11(5). Where an authority’s proposals for an executive involve an elected mayor, they are required by section 27 of the Act to hold a referendum before taking steps to implement the proposals.