Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor M Patel.

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, any relevant personal and prejudicial interests and discloseable pecuniary interests in any matter to be considered at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest received from Members.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 23 February 2017, be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

There were no matters arising.

There were no deputations received.

This report presents the polling station arrangements put in place for the General Election on 8 June 2017.  

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council, asked Thomas Cattermole (Head of Executive and Member Services) to introduce the report outlining the polling station arrangements put in place for the General Election on 8 June 2017. Mr Cattermole explained that the review was originally due to take place in 2018, but as a result of the General Election called on 18 April 2017 and urgent review had to be undertaken.

In response to Members’ questions related to polling stations NAL2 (Alperton ward) and CDU1 (Dudden Hill ward), Mr Cattermole explained that it would be possible to make St. Catherine’s Church, Dudden Hilll lane, NW10 1QB the permanent venue for polling station CDU1, which would save money as the Church would be used for a double station. He said that Brent was still in negotiations regarding parking arrangements near polling station NAL2. Mr Cattermole informed the Committee that he had received two emails expressing concerns about the use of the Pakistan Community Centre as a polling station. He highlighted that the venue had been used since 2014 and no issues had been raised. A possible alternative could be a hut on a nearby road which would be more disruptive to voters and local residents. 

A Member of the Committee asked a question relating to the placing of a polling station at Northwick Park Hospital. Carolyn Downs (Chief Executive) said that the last time this had been done a small number of residents had cast their vote there. In the subsequent discussion, Melanie Adams (Electoral Registration and Services Manager) said that the cost for hiring a venue to be used as a polling station ranged between £100 and £1000. In response, a Member of the Committee suggested that voting by post should be promoted for the next election. Due to the proximity of the General Election and poll cards already sent out, it was decided to monitor turnout at the station in 2017 and include that station in the next review of polling places.

Mr Cattermole drew the Committee’s attention to paragraph 3.6 on page 7 to the Agenda pack. He said that various options had been examined in relation to polling station NKE4 (Kenton ward) and it had been decided that it would be best to use Harrow District Masonic Centre which had allowed Brent Council to set up two temporary stations in their car park free of charge.

RESOLVED that:    

(i)            The polling stations listed below be adopted as temporary polling stations for the General Election on 8 June 2017:

·         NAL2: Alperton Baptist Church Hall be relocated to Alperton Community School, Ealing Road, HA0 4PW.

·         CDU1: Christ Embassy be relocated to St Catherine’s Church, Dudden Hill Lane, NW10 1QB.

·         HKI4: The Royal British Legion be relocated to the OK Club, 45 Denmark Road, NW6 5BP.

·         NKE4: The Haridham Temple be relocated to temporary polling stations in the Harrow District Masonic Centre car park, Northwick Circle, HA3 0EL.

(ii)          All other polling stations remain unchanged for this poll and until and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

There were no appointments made to Sub-Committees and Outside Bodies.

Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Head of Executive and Member Services or his representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 64.

There were no other items of urgent business.