The Committee considered a report by the Elections Officer regarding the Polling District and Places Review 2023 (circulated previously).

The Head of Governance advised the Committee that the requirement to begin the review on 2^nd October 2023 was timed to enable the review to be completed prior to the revised register of electors in February 2024 and the next scheduled elections.

In response to questions from the committee, the Head of Governance advised that:

·         This was not a Community Governance Review, which was a separate process.

·         Paragraph 2.5 was to make clear the delegated power for urgent changes to polling places.

The Chief Executive confirmed that decisions would have to be made at short notice when there was insufficient time to take a decision to Full Council. 

RESOLVED;

(a)  that the compulsory polling district and places review commence on Monday 2 October 2023

(b)  that the outline timetable for the review be approved

(c)  that approval be granted to follow the review process described in this report

(d)  that the Electoral Registration Officer be authorised to take the necessary measures to give effect to any new or amended polling districts on completion of the polling district review, ensuring that the register reflected existing boundaries where appropriate.

RECOMMENDED;

(e)  that a recommendation be made to Full Council to amend the Constitution to add a new delegated power to the Chief Executive in Annexe 2 to Part 3 of the Constitution as follows: To designate polling places in accordance with section 18 and 18B of the Representation of the People Act 1983, such power to be exercised only where a decision was required at short notice and it is not possible to await a decision of Council.