Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

After a request by The Chair it was

RESOLVED that

 the start time for future meetings be 6.30 p.m.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Electoral Services Manager introduced the report and explained that legislation required a formal review of Polling Districts, Places and Stations be completed every five years, with the next review to be completed by January 2020.

The following areas were highlighted during the presentation of the report:

• The review would cover Polling Districts (geographical areas), Polling Places (buildings or areas where Polling Stations would be located) and Polling Stations (where polling would take place).
• The Committee would decide on Polling Districts and Polling Places and the (Acting) Returning Officer would decide on the amount of polling stations within the polling place.
• This form of review would not cover Parish or Ward boundaries.
• Stakeholders would have the chance to make initial comments and to comment on proposals before the conclusion of the review.
• Although the review would need to be completed by January 2020, the Committee were advised that 29 November 2019 would be an ideal completion date to align with the printing of the revised Electoral Register on 1 December 2019.

Following the presentation, Members asked for clarification in respect of:

·         Any submissions would also be sent to the relevant Ward Member for comment.

• County Councillors would be part of the stakeholders and asked for their comments.
• Comments in regard of schools and portable buildings would be welcomed but should include alternative venues if suggesting closure.

There were no further discussions, the Committee

RESOLVED that

(a)  the timetable as set out in appendix 2 for the review be agreed; and

(b)  that the review would commence on 17 July 2019.