Agenda item

The Council received a report from the (Acting) Returning Officer setting out the proposed changes to the polling districts and polling places as required following the recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England for new and revised local government electoral arrangements for the Borough. The new arrangements would come into force in May 2019.  

The Council considered a summary of the changes which had been made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England and, where relevant, how these changes affect polling arrangements.

It was noted that efforts had been made to reduce the use of schools where possible. The revised schedule of polling places would leave 3 schools in use as polling places, although one remained open on polling day. The (Acting) Returning Officer advised that she would work with Windlesham Infant School to attempt to find a solution to enable the school to operate on polling day if possible.

The (Acting) Returning Officer informed Members that the Council would be required to conduct another statutory Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places between October 2018 and January 2020, which would provide an opportunity to review these changes following the elections in May 2019.

RESOLVED to

                             (i)            note the consequences of the Surrey Heath (Electoral Changes) Order 2017, which will be in effect from the local government elections on Thursday 2 May 2019;

                            (ii)            note that the (Acting) Returning Officer will work with the Windlesham Infant School to attempt to find a solution to enable the school to operate on polling day, subject to any arrangements ensuring the children’s safety whilst not impeding the poll; and

                          (iii)            approve the revised schedule of polling districts and polling places from 2 May 2019 onwards, as set out at Annex B to the agenda report.