Issue - items at meetings - Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places

Report of the Chief Executive (copy attached).

RESOLVED:

(1)               That the proposals for polling districts and places be as outlined in Appendix 1 to this report.  In particular:

(2)               That the polling place for AU, Rottingdean Coastal ward, be changed from Saltdean Primary School to St Nicholas Church Hall, Saltdean Vale.

(3)               That the polling place for EY, Queens Park ward, be changed from Carlton Hill Primary School to Millwood Community Centre, Nelson Row.

(4)               That the polling place for FW, Hanover & Elm Grove ward, be changed from Fairlight Primary School to the Children’s Centre, St Leonards Road.

(5)               That the polling place for HZ, Patcham ward, be changed from Hollingbury Methodist Church Hall to Hollingbury Library, County Oak Avenue.

(6)               That the polling place for IY, Withdean ward, be changed from Dorothy Stringer High School to the Cassidy Centre, St Mary’s Church.

(7)               That the polling place for KS, St Peters & North Laine ward, be changed from the Clarendon Centre to the BMECP Centre, Fleet Street.

(8)               That the polling place for NV, Goldsmid ward, be changed from Somerhill Junior School to the Ajex Hall, Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Eaton Road.

(9)               That Cottesmore St Mary’s RC School be retained as the polling place for NY (Goldsmid ward) and OZ (Hove Park ward).

(10)          That the Pavilion in Wish Road be used as a double polling place for SW and SX polling districts in Wish ward.

(11)          That the Electoral Services & Local Land Charges 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.

(12)          That the Committee delegates to the Returning Officer 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.

109.1    The Chief Executive introduced the report that related to the Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places and stated that the principles of the review were clearly set out in the report and sought to minimise the use of and disruption to schools.

109.2    Councillor G. Theobald referenced the possibility of merging some of the stations in the Patcham Ward; in response the Elections and Land Charges Manager explained that the review had not sought to look at reducing the number of stations, but instead to address less suitable stations.

109.3    Councillor Peltzer Dunn referenced a polling station at Aldrington Recreation Ground Pavilion in the Wish Ward and noted that it was no longer possible to use a site that had now been let as a nursery, and as such two polling were operated from the site. He stated that this situation had been acceptable for the Police & Crime Commissioner elections in 2012 and would also be acceptable for the European Elections in May 2014 due to the lower turnout. He went on to express concern that in May 2015, when the General Election and Local Elections were on the same day, the site would be inadequate and have problems with large queues, and asked if this could be reviewed for 2015.

109.4    The Elections & Land Charges Manager explained that the locations of polling stations was constantly under review and she would look at alternative solutions such as seeking to use the nursery, but added it could be difficult to provide a portacabin at this location due to the suspension of parking bays and some of the practical issues.

109.5    Councillor Hamilton stated that if Portslade Town Hall were used as a Polling Station this year during the proposed construction works then adequate signage would need to be provided to ensure voters were properly directed to the side entrance of the building.

109.6    Councillor A. Norman stated that she and Councillor K. Norman supported the proposed changes in the Withdean, particularly providing an alternative location to Dorothy Stronger School.

109.7    Councillor Shanks stated that she felt schools should not be closed during elections, and the Elections and Land Charges Manager agreed to forward on information in relation to the number of schools used and the number that needed to be closed.

109.8    The Chief Executive stated that she felt strongly, in her role as Returning Officer, that the closure of schools should be avoided and work would continue to seek alterative venues.

109.9    RESOLVED:

(1)         That the proposals for polling districts and places be as outlined in Appendix 1 to this report.  In particular:

(2)         That the polling place for AU, Rottingdean Coastal ward, be changed from Saltdean Primary School to St Nicholas Church Hall, Saltdean Vale.

(3)         That the polling place for EY, Queens Park ward, be changed from Carlton Hill Primary School to Millwood Community Centre, Nelson Row.

(4)         That the polling place for FW, Hanover & Elm Grove ward, be changed from Fairlight Primary School to the Children’s Centre, St Leonards Road.

(5)         That the polling place for HZ, Patcham ward, be changed from Hollingbury Methodist Church Hall to Hollingbury Library, County Oak Avenue.

(6)         That the polling place for IY, Withdean ward, be changed from Dorothy Stringer High School to the Cassidy Centre, St Mary’s Church.

(7)         That the polling place for KS, St Peters & North Laine ward, be changed from the Clarendon Centre to the BMECP Centre, Fleet Street.

(8)         That the polling place for NV, Goldsmid ward, be changed from Somerhill Junior School to the Ajex Hall, Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue, Eaton Road.

(9)         That Cottesmore St Mary’s RC School be retained as the polling place for NY (Goldsmid ward) and OZ (Hove Park ward).

(10)    That the Pavilion in Wish Road be used as a double polling place for SW and SX polling districts in Wish ward.

(11)    That the Electoral Services & Local Land Charges 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.

(12)    That the Committee delegates to the Returning Officer 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.