Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Executive – report circulated

The Head of Corporate Customer Services presented the report setting out proposals for new polling districts and polling places arrangements recommended as a result of the Council’s responsibilities under the Electoral Administration Act 2006. He advised Members of the proposals for St Loyes, Topsham and Whipton Barton Wards.

Councillor R Hannaford attended the meeting and spoke on this item having given notice under Standing Order No. 44. He raised the following points:-

• Emmanuel Hall should be used instead of Montgomery Primary School
• concerns that the paving area outside Exeter Karate Centre was unsafe
• it was difficult for the disabled and infirm to access West Exe Children’s Centre as the gate was difficult to open
• Exwick Community Centre was in an area of anti social behaviour which intimidated residents and could deter electors from voting.

The Head of Corporate Customer Services advised that the Police were made aware of the locations of the polling stations and that Presiding Officers were all given contact details for the Police in case of an emergency. He would investigate the position with regard to safety and access at Exeter Karate Centre and at West Exe Children’s Centre and although the use of any school was not ideal, the use of Emmanuel Hall had been looked into but considered unsuitable being on the opposite side of Okehampton Road from the majority of the electors in that polling district.

In response to Members’ concerns, the Head of Corporate Customer Services clarified the position with regards to the use of Stoke Hill Infant School and the difficulties with using either Toronto Hall or St James Church. He would approach St Luke’s College to see if rooms could be made available on the Magdalen Road side of the college.

The Chief Executive stated that whilst the use of schools was the least preferable option, in some locations there were no alternative suitable venues. In Whipton Barton Ward the railway line provided a natural boundary and electors in that area had been used to accessing a polling station in the Vaughan Road area for a significant period of time.  Any change from this may cause confusion for electors.  He also reminded Members that, as Returning Officer, he had to take the ultimate responsibility for the location of polling stations,  taking all relevant issues and views into account, including the availability (or otherwise) of possible suitable alternative venues.

The Scrutiny Committee – Resources noted the report and recommended Council approve:-

(1)        the adoption of the proposals, as detailed in 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 of the report, for implementation as part of a revised register of electors to be published on 1 December 2011;

(2)        the publication of its final report on the Review of Parliamentary Polling Districts and Places within the Exeter Constituency on 18 October 2011, as required by the Electoral Administration Act 2006; and

(3)        the completion of a further review by 18 October 2015, as required by the Electoral Administration Act 2006 or as otherwise required under any subsequent legislation.

(Report circulated)