Agenda item

The Council considered a report on a number of recommendations arising from the recent review of polling districts and polling places undertaken by the Electoral Services Manager.  This statutory review, which was based on polling districts and polling places for parliamentary elections, had to be carried out during the 16-month period commencing 1 October 2013 and every fifth year thereafter. 

The consultation period commenced on 14 January and ended on 5 April 2019.  A screening Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) had been carried out but a full EIA was not considered to be appropriate.

Although no changes had been recommended to any of the polling districts, a number of changes had been proposed in respect of designated polling places, as described in the report.

Upon the motion of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Caroline Reeves, seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Fiona White, the Council

RESOLVED:

(1)     That no changes be made to polling districts, and that, subject to the changes set out in paragraphs (2) to (9) below, no changes be made to existing designated polling places.

(2)     That the designated polling place in polling district B1 Christchurch (North) within the Christchurch Ward be changed from Burchatts Farm Barn to the Urban Saints building, Stoke Park, London Road, Guildford.

(3)         That the designated polling place in polling districts C3 Friary (West) & C4 Friary (East) within the Friary & St Nicolas Ward be changed from Sandfield Primary School to the Salvation Army Hall, Woodbridge Road, Guildford.

(4)         That the designated polling place in polling district D3 Holy Trinity (North) within the Holy Trinity Ward, be changed from The Spike to St Joseph’s Church Hall, Eastgate Gardens, Guildford.

(5)         That the designated polling place in polling district H2 (Artington) within the Shalford Ward be changed from St Francis’ Church to Compton Village Hall, The Street, Compton in polling district H1.

(6)         That the designated polling place in polling district I1 Stoke (South-West) within the Stoke Ward, be changed from The Waterside Centre to The New Hope Church, Larch Avenue, Guildford.

(7)         That the designated polling place in polling district M4East Horsley (Central) within the Clandon & Horsley Ward be changed from Horsley Library to East Horsley Village Hall, Kingston Avenue, East Horsley.

(8)         That the designated polling place in polling district Q1 St Martha within the Tillingbourne Ward be changed from Chilworth Infant School to Chilworth Village Hall, New Road, Chilworth.

(9)         That, in relation to the following polling places within the Ash Wharf Ward:

(a)     the designated polling place in polling district T1 Ash (Shawfields) be changed from Shawfield County Primary School to Primrose Hall, Church View, Ash; and

(b)     the designated polling place in polling district T2 Ash (Ranges) be changed from The Ash Centre to Victoria Hall, Ash Hill Road, Ash.

Reason:

As a result of this statutory review, the new designated polling places will improve elector polling experience and further reduce the necessity for schools to close on polling days.