Issue - items at meetings - Polling Place Review

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources (copy attached)

70.1The committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Resources on Polling Place Review. Following the City Council elections in May 2011, issues had arisen about six of the Council’s designated polling stations. The report set out proposals for those polling stations and outlined the consultation which would take place.

70.2 Councillor Cox was concerned that the Pavilion at Aldrington Recreation Ground would no longer be available as a poling station as the building had been leased to a private playgroup, and asked why that was not addressed in the terms of the lease. The officer presenting the report, Ms C Wardle, said that there had been a new lease issued and she would get more information on the matter and provide a written response.

70.3 Councillor A Norman said that other councillors had raised the same concerns as Councillor Cox and asked what the cost implications would be of using a temporary portacabin for the day. Ms Wardle said that the information would be provided. Councillor Norman noted that Dorothy Stringer had agreed for the polling station to be held at the school, but was concerned that it would be a long walk up Loder Road for some members of the public.

70.4 Councillor Theobald was concerned that Goldsmid Ward residents had to go out of their ward to vote, but accepted that as it was a mainly residential area, there were no appropriate sites for the polling station.

RESOLVED

(1) That the committee approved the consultation document and consultation process as outlined in the report.

(2) That on completion of the consultation exercise, officers would bring a report to the relevant council committee for the approval of recommendations for alternative poling places in the affected wards.

70.1 The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director, Resources on Polling Place Review. Following the City Council elections in May 2011 a number of issues had arisen about six of the designated polling stations. The report set out suggestions for possible alternative locations and set out the consultation which would be undertaken to review those locations.

70.2 Councillor Cox noted that the Pavilion in Saxon Road was no longer available as it had been leased to a private playgroup, and asked why the use of a polling station was not covered in the lease. Councillor Cox was told that further information would be obtained and provided to the committee members.

70.3 Councillor Norman said that Councillor Peltzer Dunn had had similar concerns about the polling station in Saxon Road, and suggested that a portacabin be used and asked what the costs implications would be. Councillor Norman was pleased that Dorothy Stringer School was able to accommodate the polling station, but had some concerns that the Loder Road may be too long and steep for some people. It was confirmed that the committee would be advised on the cost of using a portacabin.

70.4 Councillor Morgan had some concerns that Manor Gym be used as the road outside was susceptible to flooding.

70.5 Councillor Theobald was concerned that Goldsmid Ward would have to travel out of the ward to vote, but accepted that as it was mainly a residential area that there was nowhere for a polling station.

RESOLVED

(1) That the Governance Committee approved the consultation document and consultation process as outlined in the report.

(2) That on completion of the consultation exercise officers would bring a report to the relevant council committee for the approval of recommendations for alternative poling places in the affected wards.