Issue - items at meetings - Polling Station Review

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources (copy attached).

RESOLVED - That the Governance Committee approves the following:

(i)           That the proposals for polling districts and places be as outlined in Appendix 1 to this reportand any further suggested amendments that may be proposed.  In particular that:

(a)     the polling station for CV, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean Ward, be changed from Bevendean Primary School to the Church Hall, Norwich Drive.

(b)     that Hertford Infant School be retained as the polling station for GZ, Hollingdean & Stanmer Ward, in the absence of any support for changing this polling station.

(c)     that the polling arrangements within Patcham Ward remain unchanged, following a wider consultation.

(d)     that the temporary building (portacabin) be retained as the polling station for JW, Preston Park Ward, in the absence of any support for changing this polling station.

(e)     that the Friends Centre, Brighton Junction, Stroudley Road, be designated as the polling station for KS, St Peter’s & North Laine Ward, as an alternative to St Bartholomew’s CE Primary School.

(f)       that the Aldrington Recreation Ground Pavilion, Wish Road, be retained as the polling station for SX, Wish Ward, in the absence of alternatives.

(ii)         That the Electoral Services Manager, on behalf of the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer, be authorised to take the measures, as required by law, to bring the changes into effect.

(iii)       That in the event that any recommendations cannot be implemented in time for the City Council elections on 5 May 2011, any outstanding issues be resolved by the publication of the electoral register on 1 December 2011.

(iv)        That the Committee delegates to the Returning Officer (the Chief Executive), following consultation with the Group Leaders and respective ward councillors, the designation of alternative polling places in the event of any polling place not being available at any particular election.

59.1         The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Resources concerning the statutory review of polling districts and polling places provided for elections within the city.

59.2         The Head of City Services advised that the report gave details of the statutory review of polling stations and explained that, in addition, the council continuously reviewed polling stations and considered ways of improving access. Extensive consultation had taken place between 25 March and 31 December 2010 and the review had been completed ahead of schedule. The changes identified in the report would be implemented from 1 March 2011, in time for the local elections in May.

59.3         Councillor Mears thanked the Electoral Services Team for their work on the review.

59.4         Councillor Morgan commented that it now appeared unlikely that the Boundary Committee would periodically review ward boundaries.

59.5         Councillor Elgood thanked the Electoral Services Team for their ongoing commitment to reviewing polling stations in light of access issues.

59.6         In response to a question from Councillor Elgood regarding the Disability Discrimination Act, the Electoral Services Manager reported that a number of polling stations were yet to be visited to determine whether ramps could safely be fitted; where this was not possible, alternative ways of voting would be identified. In response to a further question regarding the polling station at St Patrick’s Church and the merging of two polling districts, the Electoral Services Manager agreed to provide Councillor Elgood with a written response.

59.7         In response to a question from Councillor Davey regarding the polling stations at Downs Infant School, the Electoral Services Manager confirmed that, for the local elections, two separate polling stations would continue to be housed in the same building.

59.8         Following a question from the Chairman, the Electoral Services Manager confirmed that ward councillors had been notified of any proposed changes within their ward.

59.9         RESOLVED - That the Governance Committee approves:

(i)           That the proposals for polling districts and places be as outlined in Appendix 1 to this reportand any further suggested amendments that may be proposed.  In particular that:

(a)         the polling station for CV, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean Ward, be changed from Bevendean Primary School to the Church Hall, Norwich Drive.

(b)         that Hertford Infant School be retained as the polling station for GZ, Hollingdean & Stanmer Ward, in the absence of any support for changing this polling station.

(c)         that the polling arrangements within Patcham Ward remain unchanged, following a wider consultation.

(d)         that the temporary building (portacabin) be retained as the polling station for JW, Preston Park Ward, in the absence of any support for changing this polling station.

(e)         that the Friends Centre, Brighton Junction, Stroudley Road, be designated as the polling station for KS, St Peter’s & North Laine Ward, as an alternative to St Bartholomew’s CE Primary School.

(f)           that the Aldrington Recreation Ground Pavilion, Wish Road, be retained as the polling station for SX, Wish Ward, in the absence of alternatives.

(ii)         That the Electoral Services Manager, on behalf of the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer, be authorised to take the measures, as required by law, to bring the changes into effect.

(iii)       That in the event that any recommendations cannot be implemented in time for the City Council elections on 5 May 2011, any outstanding issues be resolved by the publication of the electoral register on 1 December 2011.

(iv)        That the Committee delegates to the Returning Officer (the Chief Executive), following consultation with the Group Leaders and respective ward councillors, the designation of alternative polling places in the event of any polling place not being available at any particular election.