The Head of Democratic and Member Services submitted a report which set out the findings following a review undertaken in respect of the use of polling station venues in two wards which were currently used as polling places for the purposes of Local Authority, Parliamentary and other elections. 

The Electoral Services Manager informed Members that the report provided guidance on selecting polling places and an outline of alternative polling places which had been identified by the Returning Officer.  It was reported that local Ward Members had been consulted in respect of options and costs associated with the hire of alternative venues were detailed within Appendix 2 to the report.

It was reported that a review of two venues which had been used as polling places in May 2022 was commissioned by the Returning Officer as a result of the Elections Office being informed that the venues in question would not be available for the delivery of the May 2023 Local Authority Election and that associated costs and Member views were detailed within Appendix 1 to the report.

The Electoral Services Manager referred to the objective criteria that are used when considering the overall suitability of a polling place or polling station.

Members were advised that it was recommended that the polling station for polling district HE be moved from Bromborough Civic Centre to The Village Hall, St Barnabas Church due to the Civic Centre having been closed since March 2020 with no plans to reopen and that the polling station for polling district VF be moved from Wallasey Village Library to St Hilary’s Church due to the library having to undergo some building work prior to reopening, the dates for which had not been confirmed.

Resolved (by assent) –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the relocation of the two polling places as detailed within the report be agreed in readiness for the May 2023 Local Authority Elections in that the polling station for polling district HE be moved to The Village Hall, St Barnabas Church; and the polling station for polling district VF be moved to St Hilary’s Church.