Agenda item

John Bailey, Head of Electoral Services, presented the report.

Proposals were put forth on behalf of the Returning Officer (RO) in relation to 10 wards, each of which was discussed in turn:

Burnt Oak Ward

A new polling place was introduced at Burnt Oak Leisure Centre, creating the new polling district (BOD).

It was proposed that the current polling place in district BOB be moved to North Road Community Centre.

Childs Hill

It was proposed that polling district CHA be moved from the Greek Orthodox Church to the Golders Green Chabad.

East Finchley

St Marys Catholic Church could no longer be used as a polling place. Therefore, slight changes were made to the boundary of polling district EFB as a single polling station and the polling place would be moved back to Martin Primary School.

Members highlighted that schools should no longer be used as polling places. It was noted that schools were allowed to be used in line with the regulations unlike other establishments that required permission. Arrangements are able to be put in place to ensure that Martin Primary school can remain open on election day.

Edgwarebury

It was proposed that the polling place be moved from St Andrews Church to Rosh Pinah Primary School and the slight changes to polling districts EWA, EWD and EWE would help even out the number of electors.

Members suggested an alternative proposal as detailed in appendix A which would prevent school closure, be a cost benefit. as well as satisfy religious requirements raised in a number of representations received.

Officers said that in order to achieve the proposal to reduce from three polling districts to two-polling districts in the east of this ward, approximately 300 additional electors would need to be allocated to the Scout Hut Edgware Synagogue and approximately 1800 additional electors would need be allocated to Broadfields School. This would keep the number of electors allocated to the Scout Hut polling station (which needs to be a ‘single’ polling station) in line with guidelines of the Electoral Commission. 

It was noted that St Andrews Church previously received the highest turnout in Edgwarebury Ward, hence the preferred polling place arising out of the consultation.

Officers suggested that authority be delegated to the RO (in consultation with the committee’s chair) to agree the new polling district boundaries to rebalance electors as outlined above.

In response to Members, John Bailey said that an analysis would be carried out on the GIS system to map electors in relation to polling stations to ensure optimum clarity of boundaries for electors.  It was noted that a balance of interest had to be taken into account between the needs of electors in relation to suitability of facilities and the potential disruption caused to residents and pupils.

Following a discussion, Councillor Rich moved a motion seconded by Councillor Farrier, to amend the Officer’s recommendation by delegating authority to the RO to establish the new polling district boundaries in Edgwarebury Ward in consultation with the Chair.

The Committee then voted on the motion which was recorded as follows: 

For: (approval) 7

Against: (approval) 4

The motion was carried.

Hendon

It was proposed that the polling place HED be moved to Hendon Library in line with a proposal received within the representations to the review,

Cllr Prager highlighted that some of the polling district boundaries could cause confusion amongst residents living along particular roads at the boundary of HAC and HCC.

Golders Green

It was proposed that the polling place be moved from St Edward the Confessor Church to the London Jewish Family Centre on St Georges Road to rebalance the polling district and to provide a more central location for electors in GGB.

Mill Hill

It was proposed that the polling place from Canada Villa be moved to Mill Hill Rugby Club which would benefit electors in the new polling district boundaries of MHD.

West Hendon

It was proposed that new polling places be introduced at St Matthias Church Hall and at the West Hendon Community Hub. These two new polling places will benefit many electors living close to the A5 and improve voter access to polling stations for approximately 3000 electors. 

Colindale South

It was proposed that polling district CSB be moved to the Hybrid Meeting rooms without changes to the boundaries. CSE would be a new polling district, with a polling place at St Matthias Church Hall in the south of the ward to reduce pressure on the United Reform Church Hall.

In North East of the Ward, subject to acceptance of the Colindale Gardens function room, the Returning Officer proposed to introduce a new CSC polling district which would be available to the Colindale Gardens electors – the number of electors here being anticipated to rise sharply in coming years.

In the new boundaries of CSA polling district, the Beaufort Park Estate Management Office is proposed as the polling place, subject to agreement with the venues management.

Officers requested that the proposals for CSA and CSC be accepted in principle by the Committee, subject to satisfactory assessments of the proposed polling venues and suitable agreement being reached with the respective management of the two locations.   Should it not be possible to use the proposed polling places for CSA and CSC, the existing CSA polling district would be retained with the polling place at the Council Offices on 2 Bristol Avenue.

High Barnet

It was proposed that polling districts HBC and HBD be changed to North/South moving the polling place from St Peter’s Church Hall to Whitings Hill School, which has stated that it would be closed on polling day.

Members raised an anomaly between HBB and HBC on the north side of Barnet Road which needed to be addressed and to reduce pressure on the polling place at Chipping Barnet library.

Therefore, Members proposed an amendment as detailed in appendix K; That the boundary north of Barnet Road between HBB and HBC remain the same in line with the current map but the rest of the RO’s proposal be adopted.

Following a discussion, the Chair moved a motion seconded by Councillor Ambe, to amend the Officer’s recommendation to delegate authority to the RO to amend the proposed changes to the polling districts in High Barnet Ward in consultation with the Chair.

The Committee voted unanimously in favour of the motion.

RESOLVED that the Committee

1.     Note the Representations received during the public consultation period of the Polling District and Polling Place review and the Returning Officer’s responses, as detailed in Appendix A.

2.    Approve the proposed new arrangements for polling districts and polling places that are contained within Appendices B – I as Amended.

3.    Approve the proposed arrangements for the Colindale South polling districts and polling places, as contained within Appendix J - subject to confirmation of suitability, availability and acceptance of use by the polling venue proposed in Colindale Gardens.

4.    Approve the proposed arrangements as Amended for the High Barnet polling districts and polling places, as contained within Appendix K.