OFFICER DECISION

Brighton & Hove City Council

           

This record relates to urgent decisions taken by Chief Officers under the Scheme of Delegation to Officers Paragraph 7(2).

 

RECORD OF URGENT DECISION

TAKEN BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE

 

SUBJECT:

Review of Polling Districts 2023/24

CONTACT OFFICER:

Michael Appleford

michael.appleford@brighton-hove.gov.uk

REASONS FOR URGENCY AND WHY NOT PRACTICABLE TO HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING OR URGENCY SUB-COMMITTEE:

The register of electors must be re-published in December and the need for a by-election, combined with the timing of the Neighbourhood Planning Referendum, affects the timing of this. If the publication of the register is delayed until after the SFCR Committee on 7th December, it will mean that poll cards for the by-election will not be able to be sent out in sufficient time. A Special Meeting or Urgency Sub Committee would not be practicable because of the number of meetings that are already scheduled during this period, making a further additional meeting very difficult to schedule.

DETAILS AND OUTCOME OF CONSULTATION WITH THE CHAIR/DEPUTY CHAIR OF RELEVANT COMMITTEE:

The Chair of the SFCR Committee has been consulted and has acknowledged the need for an urgent officer decision in relation to the Polling District Review and noted that this will be reported to the SFCR Committee for noting on 7th December. The Chair has also noted that ward Councillors have all been consulted in relation to the recommendations in the review.

DATE OF CONSULTATION WITH CHAIR/DEPUTY CHAIR AND OPPOSITION SPOKES:

23/11/23

THE DECISION:

1. To agree the polling district scheme attached at Annex 1.

2. To authorise the Executive Lead for Governance, People & Resources to take all measures as are necessary or incidental, as required by law, to implement the changes indicated at 1 above.

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The reasons for the decision are attached at Annex 1.

 

DETAILS OF ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

Detail any other options considered are attached at Annex 1.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:

 

Under sections 18A to 18E of the Representation of the People Act 1983 as amended by the Electoral Registration Act 2006, local councils are required to keep the designation of polling districts under review.

Lawyer Consulted: Elizabeth Culbert   Date: 23/11/2023

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

 

There are no material financial implications arising from the boundaries of polling districts. Any costs arising would be related to polling places/stations and would be expected to be met within existing resources.

 

Finance Office Consulted: Ishemupenyu Chagonda       Date: 23/11/2023

 

DATE OF NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING TO WHICH THE DECISION WILL BE REPORTED:

 

Strategy, Finance & City Regeneration Committee: 7th December 2023

 

Date:

 

Signed:

<Chief Officer title>

 

 

 

Logged by Democratic Services Officer for Annual Report:

Name:

 

 

 

Date: