Agenda item
Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations
In accordance with the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended by the Electoral Administration Act 2006) and the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, this report sets out the outcome of a review of the local authority’s polling districts and polling places.
(Agenda republished on 3 November 21 to include updated versions of the cover report and maps included within Appendix E of the report)
Minutes:
Carolyn Downs, Chief Executive and (Acting Returning Officer) introduced a report detailing the review of the local authority polling districts and polling places as required under the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended by the Electoral Administration Act 2006) and the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013. The review had been designed to reflect the changes in electoral ward boundaries introduced as a result of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England review of electoral wards in Brent, with the new arrangements due to come into effect for the local government elections in May 2022.
In considering the report, members noted the focus of the review only on internal polling district boundaries and extensive nature of the consultation which had been undertaken on the proposed arrangements, as detailed within section 5 and Appendix B of the report.
Prior to considering the proposed changes in electoral arrangements Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Chair, invited Councillor Kennelly to address the meeting whom he advised had requested to speak in relation to the proposed changes within Preston Ward.
Councillor Kennelly advised that whilst supportive of the proposals relating to polling stations PR1 and PR3 he had concerns relating the proposed use of the Century Bowling & Social Club Logan Road as polling station PR2. The concerns related to safety and accessibility of the location, with Wembley Primary School suggested as a possible alternative. In response, it was confirmed that additional legal advice may need to be sought in relation to the suitability of the suggested alternative site given it fell just outside of the Polling District and there was a requirement to ensure there were no other suitable venues within the District.
In addition, members noted the additional public representations which had been submitted in writing by Paul Lorber and circulated in advance of the meeting. These related to the proposed changes within Sudbury ward. The additional submission had asked members to consider an increase in the number of polling stations to four based on a revised division of polling districts. Members noted that development of the proposals within the report had already been subject to extensive research and consultation, with the proposed arrangements having been amended and designed to reflect the outcome of that process in order to maintain strong and identifiable boundaries wherever possible. Members were keen to avoid further changes that would result in boundaries between polling stations and their districts being split and on this basis advised they were minded to accept the proposed changes as detailed within the report rather than the alternative proposals submitted within the additional representations considered at the meeting.
Councillor Muhammed Butt as Chair then invited Katie Smith, Head of Executive & Member Services, to provide a brief summary of the proposed changes in electoral arrangements, as set out in detail within section 6 and the individual ward maps included as Appendix A of the report. Members noted the outline and summary of the proposed changes, which included:
· Changes to polling district boundaries in all 22 wards;
· A reduction in the overall number of polling places under the new arrangements in 2022 from 103 to 95 (compared to the GLA election) which reflected the boundary changes and move to wards with fewer polling districts;
· No changes being made to 81 polling places, with 14 new places being recommended.
Members were advised that the proposals to change polling places reflected comments received as part of the consultation, particularly in relation to reducing the use and reliance on schools and need to ensure that the new polling districts were served by polling stations that were accessible. As a result, 21 existing polling stations had not been identified for future use, including nine schools and five temporary buildings (portacabins), which the Committee fully supported.
In considering the proposed changes outlined within the detailed proposals in section 4 and Appendix A of the report, members highlighted the following comments:
· Kenton Ward (Polling Station KE6) – Concerns expressed regarding suitability of the continued use of Preston & Mall Youth and Community Centre, given its road access. Whilst noting the comments raised, the Committee again recognised the extensive nature of the review undertaken, accessibility of the venue by pedestrians and previous use of the venue as a polling station. It was therefore agreed to support its recommended inclusion as an existing polling station.
· Members advised that subject to the final changes agreed, they would be keen to ensure that a clear communications strategy and signage was in place on the day of the election to re-direct electors to any new polling stations where there had been changes from the previous arrangements. It was noted this would be in addition to notice of any changes being provided within the Household Notification Letters and Poll Cards.
· Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Chair, advised that in addition to the representations considered earlier in the meeting he had also received a request to speak from Councillor Georgiou in relation to the arrangements within Alperton ward. Whilst Councillor Georgiou had been unable to attend the meeting due to illness, members were advised that the proposals within the ward had included replacing Abbey Estate Community Centre and the Nursery Building at Lyon Park Primary School as polling places with St George Grand Union which would serve both the AL3 and AL4 polling districts. This was in view of the continued unsuitability of the Community Centre for use as a polling station and more accessible nature and space available within the Grand Union building.
As no further issues were raised members thanked all those who had engaged in the consultation process on the new arrangements and officers within Executive & Member Services and the Elections Team for their effort and work in preparing the detailed proposals.
Having considered the report it was RESOLVED:
(1) Having considered the additional representations made in respect of Preston, Sudbury and Kenton wards, to agree the proposals in relation to these wards subject to the Chief Executive as (Acting) Returning Officer undertaking a further review in relation to the Preston ward to consider whether alternative recommendations needed to be made.
Post Meeting Update: Following the meetinga further site visit has been undertaken to the Century Bowling & SportsSocial Club and since access to the polling place can be secured from both the north and south of the site, the issues relating to safety and accessibility of the location were deemed to be mitigated. Highly visible signage will also be provided.
(2) Subject to (1) above, to approve the changes to polling district boundaries and location of polling places as set out in Section 6 and Appendix A of the report.
(3) To delegate authority to the (Acting) Returning Officer to approve any alternative polling place in the event that any polling place becomes unavailable or is found to be unsuitable in the run up to the election and to make this change on a permanent basis following the election.
Supporting documents:
- 06. Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places & Stations, item 6. PDF 189 KB
- Item 6a. Appendix A - (Acting) Returning Officer Recommendations, item 6. PDF 165 KB
- Item 6b. Appendix B - Comments Received in Response to the Consultation, item 6. PDF 136 KB
- Item 6c. Appendix C - Demographics of Consultees, item 6. PDF 128 KB
- Item 6d. Appendix D - Ward Representation Outlined by the LGBCE, item 6. PDF 183 KB
- Item 6e. Appendix E - Maps Outlining Existing and Proposed Arrangements.docx, item 6. PDF 4 MB