Issue - meetings

The Director of Law & Governance (DL&G) presented a report from the Chief Executive, in his capacity as Acting Returning Officer, on the outcome of a statutory review of Polling Districts (areas within ward boundaries) and associated Polling Places (stations).

It was noted that, with regard to the type of buildings used as polling stations, every effort had been made to reduce the reliance on school buildings to avoid disruption to pupils. However, given the lack of suitable alternative premises in some polling districts it was still necessary to use some school sites.

The proposals had been the subject of a public consultation which ran between 8 April and 28 June 2019 and the views of those with an expertise in access to premises and facilities for people with disabilities were sought as part of that process.  Appendix A to the report set out the details of the proposals together with a summary of representations made on a ward-by-ward basis.

The DL&G explained that there are no changes to the existing arrangements in 13 of the 17 wards, with those wards directly affected being Abbey, Goresbrook, Longbridge and Thames.  It was noted that a number of the changes in those wards had already been implemented since the last review in 2014.

The Assembly agreed to:

(i)  Approve for publication the final proposals arising from the review of polling districts and associated polling places as detailed in Appendix A, and in so doing allowing for public representations objecting to any of the proposals with reasons to the Electoral Commission within a six-week period. The EC will then consider any representations and where appropriate will direct the Council to consider alterations to polling places that they deem necessary under the review, and

(ii)  Authorise the Chief Executive in his capacity as the ARO to agree any permanent or temporary arrangements that are deemed appropriate until the commencement of the next statutory review in respect of alternative polling stations and/or reconfiguration of polling districts, subject to consultation with relevant ward councillors.