Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: Online Virtual Meeting
Contact: Rashella Rapley, Governance Officer - 020 8937 3051
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Apologies for absence and clarification of alternate members Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Colwill, with Councillor Kansagra attending as a substitute member and also from Carolyn Downs (Chief Executive) with Peter Gadsdon (Strategic Director Customer & Digital Services) attending as her representative. |
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Declarations of interests Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate. Minutes: There were no declarations of interests made by Members.
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Deputations (if any) To hear any deputations received from members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 67. Minutes: There were no deputations received.
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Minutes of the previous meeting PDF 83 KB To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 7 December 2020 as a correct record. Minutes: RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 7 December 2020, be approved as an accurate record.
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Matters arising (if any) To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting. Minutes: There were no matters arising.
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Review of Polling Places 2021 PDF 82 KB To consider a report from the Chief Executive detailing the results of a review of polling places undertaken prior to the rescheduled GLA election in May 2021. Additional documents: Minutes: Sean O’Sullivan, Acting Electoral Registration & Service Manager introduced the report detailing the requirement on all local authorities to undertake a review of their UK Parliamentary polling districts and places at least once every five years. The last review of polling places took place in 2018 and came into force in February 2019.
Members were informed that prior to any election, it was normal practice to carry out an informal review of polling places across the borough looking at the experiences from previous elections and the availability of premises for the forthcoming election. Since the 2019 review two national polls had taken place, but as both had been called at very short notice it had not been possible to undertake informal reviews for either election. A review was undertaken prior to the 2020 Mayoral and London Assembly elections being postponed, which was reported to Committee in February 2020.
Members noted the outcome of the Poling District review as detailed in section 3 of the report. In addition to the previous change identified in relation to Alperton ward (NAL4 Abbey Estate Community Centre) two further changes had been identified for consideration as a result of the current review relating to the non availability of polling places in Northwick Park and Kilburn wards.
The following comments were raised in response to the outcome of the review:
(a) Looking beyond the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections in May 2021 members were advised that a full review would be required prior to the 2022 Local Borough Elections, as a result of the new boundaries coming into effect following the Local Government Boundary Review. Queries highlighted at the meeting in relation to Queens Park and Kenton wards would therefore need to be considered as part of that process on which a further update would be provided for the Committee later in the year as the work to finalise polling districts and places was progressed.
(b) An update was also sought on the arrangements being made to deliver the May elections taking account of the restrictions in place as a result of the Covid pandemic. The challenges in delivering a safe election during the pandemic taking account of the social distancing restrictions were recognised by members who, in response were advised of the planning being undertaken on a London wide basis. Whilst the use of postal voting would be encouraged, it had been agreed that the elections would be conducted as a standard poll, including the use of physically voting at polling stations. Although plans remained under review, it was confirmed the Brent & Harrow Constituency count was scheduled to take place at Alexandra Palace, as originally planned and would be conducted as an e-Count.
Members thanked the Elections Team for the work undertaken to complete the review and following on from the discussion and advice provided during the meeting it was RESOLVED:
(1) That the polling stations listed below be adopted for the Greater London Authority elections on 6 May 2021:
a) NAL4: Abbey Estate ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Appointments to Sub-Committees / Outside Bodies To consider any appointments needing to be made in relation to the Sub Committees appointed by the General Purposes Committee. Minutes: None |
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Exclusion of Press and Public There are currently items on the agenda that will require the exclusion of the press or public. Minutes: There were no items that required the exclusion of the press or public. |
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Any other urgent business Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Head of Executive and Member Services or her representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60. Minutes: None. |