Agenda item

To receive a report from Jeremy Chambers, Director of Law and Governance.

Received report from Jeremy Chambers, Director of Law and Governance on the Council’s draft proposals for the statutory review of polling districts and polling places.

The following key points were highlighted:

·         Considered the new ward boundaries in May 2022 and revising the electoral register in readiness for May.

·         Highlighted Appendix 5 – Summary of representations received in the polling district and polling place review consultation

·         Recommendations set out in Appendix 1 – Final proposals for polling districts and polling places to go to the next Council meeting on Wednesday 17 November 2021.

·         Committee asked to note submissions, polls proposed and recommend that the report proposals are sent to Council.  JC stressed that any recommendations regarding polling districts should be minor amendments only.

Cllr comments/remarks

·         Councillors raised concerns about the use of a care home as a polling station, the number of people who would be attending the care home to vote and the safety concerns this would impose for both the residents and public.  Officers explained that each polling station is risk assessed however, they will take this point into consideration and review later.

·         Officers confirmed that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England Order has been formally agreed and will be effective from May 2022.

·         Councillors queried the use of the Jolly Farmers Public House as a polling station and whether alternative venues were being investigated.  Officers explained that they had considered shops and green space but felt that both were unsuitable.  As such the Jolly Farmers was being considered as a fall-back option.

·         Councillors further expressed their concern of Jolly Farmers as a venue as some voters might object to the venue on religious grounds or because they might be recovering alcoholics.  Councillors felt it would be best to look elsewhere before settling on Jolly Farmers.

·         Councillors wanted to know why there was a need for an additional polling station in the Ridgeway district

Submissions were noted and agreed and the report would be presented to Full Council and recommendations adopted.