Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of Operations

The Group Director of Operations submitted a report (previously circulated) to give consideration to the outcome of the recent Interim Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations, ahead of the Local Government (Borough Council) Elections in 2023.

The submitted report stated that Members had previously agreed that an interim review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations should be conducted at the Ordinary Meeting of the Council on 14 July 2022. It was highlighted that the interim review has been subject to consultation; that the suitability of Polling Places has been considered in light of the steer from Central Government to avoid, where possible, the use of schools as Polling Places; and also from the perspective of the new duties contained within the Elections Act 2022.

RESOLVED - (a) That the consultation responses received be noted.

(b) That the changes proposed to the existing Polling Places and Polling Stations ahead of the Local Government Elections in May 2023, be approved, as follows:

(i)                  That the polling place in Cockerton Ward (Polling Districts CKA) is changed to Cockerton Library, Woodland Road, Darlington (in place of Holy Family R.C. Primary School);

(ii)                That the polling place in College Ward (Polling Districts COA, COB and COC) is changed to the Sports Pavilion, Abbey Road Sports Field, Abbey Road, Darlington (in place of the classrooms in the main Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College);

(iii)              That the polling place in Hummersknott Ward (Polling Districts HKA and HKB) is changed to Salutation Hall, Salutation Road, Darlington (in place of John Caden Hall at Carmel College);

(iv)              That the polling place in Sadberge and Middleton St. George Ward (Polling Districts SMA and SMC) is Bishopton Village Hall, Church View, Bishopton (as Great Stainton Church Hall has ceased to be available); and

(v)                That the polling place in Sadberge and Middleton St George Ward (Polling Districts SMI and SMJ) be changed to Middleton St. George Community Centre, Station Road, Middleton St. George (in place of Middleton St. George Women’s Institute Hall).

(c) That the publication of the proposals for Polling Places, as set out in Appendix C of the submitted report, be authorised.

REASONS - (a)To ensure that polling places and polling stations are accessible to voters and have reasonable facilities for voting.

(b) To comply with the requirements of the Representation of the People Act 1983, the Equality Act 2010 and the Elections Act 2022.

(c) To enable the decisions to be made, publicised and implemented in good time for the elections scheduled for May 2023.