Mr Hughes, Committee Services Manager,
introduced the item during which it was noted that:
The Council was required to
undertake a review of its Parliamentary polling districts and
places between 1 October 2018 and 31 Jan 2020.
Presiding Officers had completed a
review form at the last European elections and the recent
District/Parish elections. The form had been designed by the
Electoral commission to review polling stations.
A proposed list of stations was
created and circulated to over 200 stakeholders including
elected members representing all areas of the Thanet District,
Community organisations, organisations representing disabled
residents and all of the currently used polling stations. The
proposals were also detailed on the councils website, social media
and local news, including BBC South East The consultation was also
open to all members of the public.
20 responses had been received which
were summarised in annex 1 of the report.
There was concern that parking
facilities at St Andrews Church were inadequate, however there was
parking nearby. Amongst others, St Peters House, Cabin
Café and Westover Free Church had been considered as
alternatives, however these venues either did not wish to be used
by the Council or were found to be unsuitable. Hire of a
temporary station would be cost prohibitive at approximately
£3800.00 per day.
Queens Road Baptist Church replaced
Piermont Hall, which was undergoing renovation work. A
re-assessment of Piermont Hall could take place once the
renovations were complete.
The Working Party agreed that, subject a
re-assessment of Piermont Hall as soon as practicable, the
proposals for polling districts, places and stations for future
elections, as attached at Annex 2 to the report, be
recommended to Council.