The measure in the Localism Bill which required local authorities to hold a local referendum (on any issue) if a petition on the issue received signatures from five percent of the local government voters in the area has been removed from the final Localism Act. After undergoing several Amendments to address concerns over the cost to local authorities of holding referenda, it was decided in the House of Lords to remove the measure altogether.

Council tax referenda, which must be held if the local authority wishes to raise council tax above a certain amount, do remain in the final Act.