Councillor G Watt declared a non pecuniary interest in respect of Polling District QC (see minute 6 above).

The Principal Electoral Services Officer provided an update on the polling station for polling district YC and requested that Members determine the polling station for polling district QC.

Moreton West and Saughall Massie Ward

Polling District YC

Members were advised that the current polling place for polling district YC was Foxfields School but that this may be sold for redevelopment in the future and it had been determined by this Committee that the status quo continue for the Combined European Parliamentary and Local Government elections held on 22 May 2014 but that this be reviewed for future elections.  It was reported that this had now been reviewed and Members were advised that should the site be sold prior to the Combined Parliamentary and Local Government elections to be held on 7 May 2015, the site would be kept available for use as a polling station.

The Principal Electoral Services Officer recommended that the status quo continue for the Combined Parliamentary and Local Government elections to be held on 7 May 2015 but that this be reviewed for future elections.

Councillor S Williams clarified that Foxfield was being relocated rather than closed.  He advised that he would be in agreement with the proposed recommendation, however, he raised concerns regarding the future arrangements for this polling station and requested that this be reviewed imminently.

Resolved - That the status quo continue for the Combined Parliamentary and Local Government elections to be held on 7 May 2015 but that this be reviewed for future elections.

West Kirby and Thurstaston Ward

Polling District QC

The Principal Electoral Services Officer reported that the current polling place for polling district QC was St Bridget’s C of E Primary School, St Bridget’s Lane.  She advised that a Council Member, in agreement with Wirral West Conservative Association, had requested that St Bridget’s Centre be used as an alternative venue as he had concerns regarding access to the current polling place.

It had been proposed at the meeting of this Committee on 22 January 2014 that St Bridget’s Centre be used as an alternative venue, however, Members had been advised there would be cost implications and therefore determined that the status quo continue for the elections held on 22 May 2014 but that this be reviewed for future elections.

The Principal Electoral Services Officer advised that the cost for using St Bridget’s Centre, St Bridget’s Lane, as a polling place in 2015 would be £272 and recommended that the status quo should continue as no complaints had been received from constituents regarding access to the current venue.

Councillor G Watt circulated a letter from the Headteacher of St Bridget’s C of E Primary School who advised that the governors of the school supported the use of St Bridget’s Centre as an alternative venue as they had concerns regarding the access to the school and the effect on the organisation and pressure on the school caused by the disruption.  Councillor Watt expressed further concerns regarding the access to the current venue.

The Principal Electoral Services Officer recommended that the current polling place for polling district QC should remain as St Bridget’s C of E Primary School, St Bridget’s Lane as no complaints had ever been received from constituents regarding the access to the current venue.

It was moved by Councillor G Watt and seconded by Councillor A Hodson that –

“St Bridget’s Centre, St Bridget’s Lane, be used as the polling place for district QC”.

Resolved - That St Bridget’s Centre, St Bridget’s Lane, be used as the polling place for district QC.