Agenda item

Council is asked to consider proposals and recommendations for polling districts and polling places in the area arising from a review.

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Sykes SECONED a report of Chief Executive /(Acting) Returning Officer, Director of Legal and Head of Elections and Land Charges, which asked Council to consider proposals and recommendations for polling districts and polling places in the area arising from a review.

The Boundary Commission for England had concluded the 2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies in England and submitted a final report and recommendations. The legislative Order became effective on 29^th November 2023, meaning the new constituencies will be used for the next Parliamentary election. Based on this, there have been some changes to our Parliamentary boundaries and as such the Council have undertaken a polling districts and places review.

As required by the Electoral Administration and Registration Act 2013, compulsory reviews of parliamentary polling districts and polling places must take place every 5 years. The Council undertook its last compulsory review in 2019.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Council approves the adoption of parliamentary polling districts and parliamentary polling places, as set out in the scheme contained in Appendix 1 and in the maps found in Appendix 2.

2.    That Council approves that the scheme, contained in Appendix 1, be adopted in relation to both Parliamentary and Local Government Elections held in the borough.

3.    Council approves that the Electoral Registration Officer makes the necessary amendments to polling districts for the 1 February 2024 electoral register.

4.    Council approves that authority to be delegated to the Chief Executive to make, where necessary, alterations to the designation of any polling place where a polling place becomes unavailable prior to the next full review in consultation with ward councillors and group leaders.