Agenda item

Review of Polling Places 2019

Report of the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services

 

Recommendations:-

 

1.    That Cabinet recommend to Council that:

 

a.    approval is granted to undertake a review of polling places in 2019 following the process described in this report.

 

b.    the scope of the review and the proposals for changes be noted.

 

c.    the outline timetable for the review, as set out in Appendix 1, be agreed.

 

d.    power to designate polling places in accordance with section 18B of the Representation of the People Act 1983 is continued to be delegated to the Chief Executive, such power to be exercised only in circumstances where a decision is required at short notice and it is not possible to await a decision of Council. 

 

2.    That following the outcome of the consultation on the review, the Assistant Director of Legal Services report to Cabinet with final review proposals for determination in order for Cabinet to make final recommendations to Council.

 

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval to recommend to Council for the commencement of a statutory review of polling districts and polling places within the borough. 

 

A preliminary review had been undertaken by Council officers to inform the Returning Officer’s initial proposals which were set out in the Consultation Paper attached at Appendix 2.  

 

Some current polling places would not be available in future, and the review also took into account the impact of the ward boundaries which would come into effect at the 2020 elections.  Where possible schools had been removed as polling stations to prevent closures which could impact on education.

 

Cabinet Members welcomed the review and sought assurances that the maps were accurate.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That Council be recommended to:-

 

a.          approve a review of polling places in 2019 following the process described in this report.

 

b.          note the scope of the review and the proposals for changes.

 

c.           agree the outline timetable for the review, as set out in Appendix 1.

 

d.          power to designate polling places in accordance with section 18B of the Representation of the People Act 1983 is continued to be delegated to the Chief Executive, such power to be exercised only in circumstances where a decision is required at short notice and it is not possible to await a decision of Council. 

 

(2)  That following the outcome of the consultation on the review, the Assistant Director of Legal Services report to Cabinet with final review proposals for determination in order for Cabinet to make final recommendations to Council.

Supporting documents: