Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendations following the review of Polling Districts and Polling Places within the South Holland District area (report of the (Acting) Returning Officer and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the (Acting) Returning Officer and Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate Development, which asked Council to consider the recommendations following the review of Polling Districts and Polling Places within the South Holland District area.

The Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) introduced the report, which included at Appendix 1 the (Acting) Returning Officer’s Proposals of polling districts and polling places for South Holland.

The following issues were raised:

·       Councillor Astill commented that following feedback from himself and County Councillor Pepper, it was encouraging to note that the Polling Station for the west of Crowland was in the west of the town.  What was not so positive however was that residents in Tongue End still needed to travel a significant distance to vote.  He and the Elections Team would endeavour to seek a solution to this and he also suggested that ward members collectively write to the electorate there to encourage them to apply for a postal vote.

·       Councillor Alcock supported what Councillor Astill had said.  He commented that in the past there had been polling stations in Tongue End and suggestions going forward were required.

DECISION:

1)    To adopt the polling districts and polling places as listed in Appendix 1 to this report which include the following changes:

a.     To relocate the following streets in Pinchbeck from Polling District PS2 to PS1 – Rotten Row, Primrose Crescent, The Chase, Fennell Road, Wayet Road, Brayfields and odd numbers of Rose Lane to accommodate growing electorate numbers.

b.     To relocate the Polling Place for Polling District CRD1 from Crowland Parish Rooms to Snowden Pavilion, off Thorney Road, Crowland.

c.     To relocate the Polling Place for Polling District CRD2 from Snowden Pavilion to Crowland Community Hall, Broadway, Crowland.

d.     To relocate the Polling Place for Polling Districts CRD4 and CRD5 from Deeping St Nicholas Primary School to Deeping St Nicholas Church.

e.     To relocate the Polling Place for Polling District PS2 from Pinchbeck Village Hall to Pinchbeck Church Hall on Rose Lane.

f.      To confirm Monkshouse Scout Hut as the Polling Place for Polling District SMK4.

g.     To confirm Bromley Hall as the Polling Place for Polling District SMK5.

h.     To merge Polling Districts SC1 and SC2.

i.       To merge Polling Districts SSJ3 and SSJ4.

2)    That the (Acting) Returning Officer be granted delegated authority for keeping polling districts and polling places under review and amending any such arrangements (following consultation with local Ward Member(s)) where there is an operational need, prior to the next compulsory District wide review.