Agenda item

[To recommend to Council approval for the outcomes from the statutory quinquennial review of polling places and districts]

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE presented the report on the outcomes from the statutory quinquennial review of polling places and districts.

Responding to questions, Martyn Sargeant, Head of Governance confirmed that ward councillors had been contacted requesting their views on the proposals. He also explained the priorities for the review and the process followed in formulating the proposals as contained in the report. The Head of Governance also undertook to include in future reports on reviews of polling places and districts, a summary of feedback received from Councillors during the consultations.

Councillor Stephen Simkins registered his objection to the proposals for changes to the polling districts and places in Bilston East and the proposal to change the polling station for district HNA to Rainbow Street Community Centre, which was outside the City of Wolverhampton. He felt that the proposals would disenfranchise the electorate within Bilston East ward.

Other members of the Committee expressed their support for the proposals in so far as they related to the ward they represent.

The Head of Governance also reported that following publication of the report, ward councillors for East Park had contacted him to register their objection to the proposals to merge district KLA with KHB and to move the polling station location so that it was more central to these districts, at Mount Shiloh Apostle Church, Hickman Avenue.  The ward councillors supported the proposed merger of the two districts but objected to the proposed location for the polling station. They preferred retaining the polling station at East Park Library and Neighbourhood Centre, Hurstbourne Crescent.  For some of the electorate in district KLA, the East Park Library location would be over the recommended guidance of approximately one mile maximum distance residents should travel to a station. For that reason, the Head of Governance reported that he could not support the suggestion put forward by the ward councillors. In light of their feedback he recommended to the Committee that no change be made to polling districts KLA and KHB and their respective polling places.

Resolved:

1.     That Council be recommended to approve the designation of polling places and districts for 2020-2025 with the following amendment:

‘That no change be made to the existing polling districts KHB and KLA in East Park and their respective polling places of East Park Library and Neighbourhood Centre, Hurstbourne Crescent and All Saints Community Centre, All Saints Road.’

2.     That Council be recommended to delegate authority to the Returning Officer, following consultation with the Leader of the Council and Leader of the Opposition, to designate such alternative polling stations or arrangements as may be required for operational reasons.

3.     That future reports on the outcomes from the statutory review of polling places and districts include a summary of feedback received from Councillors.

4.     That it be noted that this review is separate to the work being carried out by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, although these arrangements will have to be reviewed in the context of any changes the Commission may require in 2021.