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 Members agreed to draw electorate attention when out canvassing to any change in Polling Station location.

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

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 – Start of Item – 1 Hour 18 Seconds

The Democratic Services Manager and The Electoral Services Manager presented the report on the Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations Consultation.

The following appendices accompanied the report:

Appendix A – Polling District Schedule - identified the polling districts, polling places and polling stations for the entire District, along with justification as to any proposed changes.

Appendix B – Consultation Responses

Appendix C – Maps (including District Boundaries)

The Democratic Services Manager explained to the Committee that it was a legal requirement for the Council to conduct a full review every 5 years of UK Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places and that the current review must conclude by 31 January 2020.  She further explained that the review was of polling districts and polling places, however, it was accepted that polling stations were linked and therefore the review had incorporated the stations.

It was reported that 6 consultation responses had been received in relation to Letchworth.

The Democratic Services Manager informed of a change of Polling Station Place in relation to Lordship Farm School, which had served two wards.  Whilst various alternatives had been investigated, Cloisters Hall had been selected as the most suitable relocation.

The Democratic Services Manager referred Members to Appendix C of the report explaining district boundary changes.

The following Members asked questions and took part in discussion:

Councillor Kate Aspinwall;

Councillor David Levett; and

Councillor Mike Rice.

The Electoral Manager informed that requests had been made from the electorate to remove Lordship Farm School as a Polling Station due to an essential school closure on polling days, which was wholly unsatisfactory.

Both The Democratic Services Manager and Electoral Manager confirmed that when Polling Cards were distributed, it would be clearly and boldly marked on the card that there had been a change of Polling Station and where the new Polling Station was located.

A Member of the Committee suggested that, to be entirely sure that all voters who may be affected in respect of a Polling Station change of place, that a sign be put on the door of the Polling Station used previously directing people to the new location.

The Chairman thanked The Democratic Services Manager and The Electoral Services Manager for their presentation.

RESOLVED: 

(1)  That Members agreed to draw electorate attention when out canvassing to any change in Polling Station location.

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

REASON FOR DECISION:  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).