Agenda item

REPORT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SERVICES MANAGER/(ACTING) RETURNING OFFICER/ELECTORAL REGISTRATION OFFICER

To outline and report on the outcome of the Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations consultation, following a review and to designate the Polling Districts and Polling Places.

RESOLVED: That Council designated the Polling Districts and Polling Places as per the Returning Officer’s Proposals attached as Appendix A to the submitted report, effective as of 1 December 2023.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)   The Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 introduced a change to the timing of compulsory reviews of UK Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places. The next compulsory review was required to commence and conclude between 1 October 2023 and 31 January 2025 (inclusive).

(2)  However, as the Local Government Boundary Commission for England had implemented new district ward boundary arrangements for elections in May 2024, the Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations needed to reflect these new boundaries in the Register of Electors published annually on 1 December.

Audio recording – 13 minutes 16 seconds

The Electoral Services Manager presented the report ‘Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations’ and advised that:

·       It was legal requirement for the Council to carry out a full review every five years.

·       The Council needed to designate polling districts so all election types could be delivered.

·       The review must account for boundary changes at both parliamentary and local elections.

·       The review must be concluded in time for the publication of revised Register of Local Electors on 1 December 2023, to ensure there are functioning polling districts for the local elections in 2024 and the next General Election.

·       The changes in the Elections Act 2022 had put extra pressure on the elections team.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor David Barnard

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Tamsin Thomas

·       Councillor David Levett

·       Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

·       Councillor Daniel Wright-Mason

In response to questions, the Electoral Services Manager stated that:

·       The elections team had consulted with Ward Councillors in Langley about the relocation of their polling station to a neighbouring parish.

·       Interim reviews could be carried out in between the five-year review in a change of circumstance.

·       Roughly 10% of the electorate of North Herts District would be impacted by polling station changes and these were mainly in urban areas, not rural.

·       Polling cards would have the name and address of the new polling station clearly marked where there had been a change of location.

·       The elections team would use social media and also the website for publicity of changes and they would also send SMS messages if the contact information was held for voters.

·       The elections team would arrange for a notice to be put up on the door of an existing polling station ahead of an election, stating that it was no longer being used and providing details of the change of address.

·       Consideration of residents with mobility needs had been taken in to account when decisions were made to change a polling station.

·       Training would be provided to polling clerks and they would be able to assist voters who turn up at the wrong polling station.

The following Members took part in the debate:

·       Councillor Terry Hone

·       Councillor Nigel Mason

Points raised in the debate included:

·       The Willian Village Hall would be retained as the polling station for Willian.

·       The change of polling station for Oughton Ward and Priory Ward in Hitchin was a good solution which was practical and would work well.

·       This year would see lots of changes with new polling districts and new polling stations for many people, who were now able to vote for 2 or 3 candidates if they wished and also the introduction of the new voter ID requirement.

·       Electoral Services would keep Members informed and would provide any support to Members if required.

Councillor Alistair Willoughby proposed and Councillor Ruth Brown seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Council designated the Polling Districts and Polling Places as per the Returning Officer’s Proposals attached as Appendix A to the submitted report, effective as of 1 December 2023.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)   The Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 introduced a change to the timing of compulsory reviews of UK Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places. The next compulsory review was required to commence and conclude between 1 October 2023 and 31 January 2025 (inclusive).

(2)   However, as the Local Government Boundary Commission for England had implemented new district ward boundary arrangements for elections in May 2024, the Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations needed to reflect these new boundaries in the Register of Electors published annually on 1 December.