Issue - meetings

Lyn Davey, Electoral Services Assistant introduced the report which summarised the work to date on the review of polling districts and polling places 2011.

It had been suggested at the previous meeting that ‘Global Generation Centre’ within the Westwood Industrial Estate be visited to assess its viability as a polling station.

Officers visited the ‘Global Generation Centre’ and although it was established that the facilities were suitable it would be necessary to provide clear signposting to the site. Signage from the Hornby traffic lights would need to be clear and poll cards would also need to show the change of polling station.

The use of the St. Gregory’s School had been considered but a number of complaints had previously been received as voters had to walk passed Salmestone School to get to St. Gregory’s.

Moved by Councillor Gideon and seconded by Councillor Poole that:

“Salmestone School be used as the polling station for the MP1 Salmestone (Yoakley) district and Global Generation Centre be used as the polling station for MP2 Salmestone (Westwood) district”

AGREED.

Protocols on advising stakeholders on replacement polling station

Members agreed the protocols within the report.

To consider the briefing paper on the review of polling districts and polling places 2011, that has also been circulated to all Members of the Council.

Any representations received during phase two of the public consultation will be made available to Members via email on Monday 5 August 2011.

The Electoral Services Officer introduced the briefing paper which summarises the work undertaken by the Democratic Services Department on the review of polling districts and polling places 2011. The briefing paper includes representations that were received during the public consultation and seeks Members views in respect of further action. 

The revised polling district and polling places scheduled (Annex 4) to the report was agreed, but the following discussion took place on the proposed changes to the Salmestone Ward.

Members had concerns regarding the use of Salmestone Primary School as the polling station for both MP1 (Yoakley) and MP2 (Westwood) polling districts. It was considered by Members that the ingress/egress onto Tivoli Road was not safe and therefore the use of St Gregorys RC School was recommended as an appropriate alternative for the MP1 (Yoakley) district.

Views were sought on an alternative polling station for MP2 (Westwood).

It was agreed that the Chairman and Officers are to visit the Westwood area to locate a polling station for the MP2 (Westwood) polling district. Members suggested the use of Global Generation Centre within the Westwood Industrial Estate as a suitable polling station.