A report by the Director of Governance and Assurance and Monitoring Officer provided details of a petition, signed by 100 people who live in the Borough requesting that the Committee review the provision and distribution of a polling station for Holmlands Estate, Oxton.

Members were advised that the Council has a statutory duty to ensure that there is a polling place accessible to all Electors in each of its polling districts. The report set out the petition, supporting information and recommendations on the Petition and also provided supporting information and comments from Councillors.

The Electoral Services Manager addressed the Committee to inform Members that the petition stated that the location of the polling station at Oxton St Saviours CE Primary School does not reflect the geographical distribution of the electorate. It was reported that the current polling station is located at the extreme boundary of the District served, surrounded on three sides by open spaces and playing fields. Members heard how it is acknowledged that the cost of providing and staffing an additional Polling Station to serve the Holmlands Estate may be considered an unreasonable expense. Other possible venues were set out within the report and included Townfield Primary School and Bethany Chapel. 

The Electoral Services Manager informed Members that following the elections in May 2019 a statutory review of polling districts and polling places would be undertaken and this district would be included.

A Ward Councillor addressed the Committee to support the recommendation that the status quo remain in relation to the designated polling place for polling district DB, Oxton St Saviours C of E Primary School (Holm Lane).

On a motion by Councillor D Mitchell and seconded by Councillor I Lewis it was -

Resolved (8:0) -

(1)  That the petition be considered.

(2)  That the boundary between polling district DA and DB be reviewed as part of the statutory Polling Districts and Polling Place Review being undertaken after the May 2019 elections.

(3)  That the status quo remain in relation to the designated polling place for polling district DB which is Oxton St Saviours C of E Primary School (Holm Lane).