(1) Elections of all councillors for each ward of the borough of Rochdale are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2022.
(2) The councillors holding office for any ward abolished by article 3(1) immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2022 are to retire on that fourth day and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that fourth day.
(3) Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2022—
(a) one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2023;
(b) one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2024;
(c) one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026.
(4) Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2022—
(a) the first councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes; and
(b) the second councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the next smallest number of votes.
(5) In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any year, the person to retire in that year is to be determined by lot.
(6) If an election of councillors for any ward is not contested, the person to retire in each year is to be determined by lot.
(7) An election to replace a councillor who retires under paragraph (3) is to be held on the ordinary day of election of councillors in the year in which the retirement is due to take place; and the newly elected councillor is to come into office on the fourth day after that day.
(8) Where under this article any question is to be determined by lot, the lot is to be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen and the drawing is to be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting.
