Issue - meetings

To agree the changes to the polling places for the Polling Districts CRD2 and SMK2 (report of the Acting Returning Officer enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Acting Returning Officer, to consider proposed changes to the polling places for the Polling Districts CRD2 and SMK2.

The report was presented by the Portfolio Holder for People, Places and Corporate.

·         Councillor Astill commented that he and the other Crowland Ward councillors (Councillors Alcock and Pepper) had been consulted on the proposals with regard to designating the Snowden Pavilion in Crowland as a Polling Place.  He requested that for future designations, consideration be given in particular to the continued expansion of the town.   

o   The Portfolio Holder agreed that it was important that ward members were always consulted with regard to the location of Polling Places.  He also stated that if Ward members had alternative suggestions for more appropriate venues that they liaise with the Elections team.

·         Councillor Alcock agreed with the point raised by Councillor Astill, and commented that it was not satisfactory that the proposed Polling Place was not located within the appropriate ward, but he understood the difficulty in identifying a suitable venue.  Should a suitable place within the ward be identified in the future, consideration should be given to using it as a Polling Place. 

·         Councillor Newton commented on the poor state of the area around the proposed Polling Place at Monkshouse Scout Hut, and raised concerns with regard to people accessing the Polling Station.

o   The Democratic Services Manager advised that an officer was currently  looking into the state of the land surrounding the Scout Hut and that they would shortly be in contact with Councillor Newton regarding this.

DECISION:

a)    That the Snowden Pavilion in Crowland be designated as the Polling Place for Polling District CRD2;

b)    That Monkshouse Scout Hut, Spalding be designated as the Polling Place for Polling District SMK2; and

c)      That authority be delegated to the (Acting) Returning Officer, Rob Walker in consultation with the relevant Ward Members to approve any amendments to polling places prior to the next compulsory review.