Agenda item

REPORT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

To outline and report on the outcome of the Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations consultation following a review required by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That Polling Places, as illustrated in the Returning Officer’s Proposals set out in Appendices A and C be designated;

(2)       That the Returning Officer be requested to keep the Polling Place and Stations at Whitehill School under review;

REASON FOR DECISIONS: 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 compulsory review must commence and conclude between 1 October 2018 and 31 January 2020 (inclusive).

Audio Recording – 1 hour 38 minutes 38 seconds

The Democratic Services Manager and the Electoral Services Manager presented the report entitled Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations and drew attention to the following:

·                It was a legal requirement for the Council to conduct a full review every 5 years of UK Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places.

·                The current review must conclude by 31 January 2020;

·                Appendix A  identified the polling districts, polling places and polling stations for the entire District, along with justification  for any proposed changes.  .

·                Appendix B  gave details of the consultation responses, of the which 6 were in relation to Hitchin;

·                Four expressed support for the proposals and 2 offered comments.

The following Councillors asked questions and took part in the debate:

·                Councillor Ian Albert;

·                Councillor Simon Harwood;

·                Councillor Richard Thake.

In response to questions the Democratic Services Manager advised that:

·               Some information had been received regarding a boundary review, although no date had yet been advised;

·               The Head of Whitehill School had been consulted and confirmed that he programmed the school’s use as a polling station into their schedule.

The Electoral Services Manager advised that:

·               Highbury Community Centre was too small to accommodate 3 polling stations;

·               Schools could be commandeered for use as a polling station, but were unable to require closure of the school.

RESOLVED:

(1)    That Polling Places, as illustrated in the Returning Officer’s Proposals set out in Appendices A and C be designated;

(2)    That the Returning Officer be requested to keep the Polling Place and Stations at Whitehill School under review.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: 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 compulsory review must commence and conclude between 1 October 2018 and 31 January 2020 (inclusive).