Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Hornus.

Officers:   Mark Avis – Senior Electoral Services Officer

  Lyn Davey – Electoral Services Assistant

To elect a Chairman for the Electoral Matters Working Party.

  Proposed by Councillor King and seconded by Councillor Roberts that:

“Councillor Mrs Johnston be elected as Chairman of the Electoral Matters Working Party”

MOTION ADOPTED.

The attached is background information for Members on the Polling Districts and Polling Places Review.

The Electoral Services Officer introduced the report which gives background information on the Electoral Commissions requirement for a review of Polling Districts and Polling Places (The Electoral Administration Act 2006).

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.

The Electoral Services Officer outlined the supplementary briefing paper which highlights any representations received during the second phase of the public consultation and seeks Members views.

Members had no further comments to make on the supplementary briefing paper and therefore agreed to the proposed changes.

AGREED.