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Rother District Council Agenda Item: 10Report to - Council

Date - 19 December 2011

Report of - Licensing and General Purposes Committee

Subject - Reference from Licensing and General Purposes Committee

The Council is asked to consider the recommendation arising from the Licensing and General purposes Committee meeting held on 10 November as set out below.

LICENSING AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE – 10 NOVEMBER 2011 LG11/13. REVIEW OF POLLING PLACES AND POLLING STATIONS

Members gave consideration to the report of the Director of Resources on the second statutory review of polling districts and polling places which was required every 4 years under The Electoral Administration Act 2006 (EAA2006). The scope of the review did not cover Parliamentary, Local Government, electoral Divisional or Ward boundaries or the naming of electoral areas; these were subject to a separate review process under the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

The Electoral Commission had issued guidelines for polling stations but had no role in the review process itself. However, it could make recommendations if direct representations from voters were received and it believed that voters’ requirements had not been met.

The polling stations were surveyed using the Electoral Commission suggested form. Feedback from Presiding Officers and Polling Station Inspectors from the last District and Parish elections in May 2011, the results of a questionnaire that was available at polling stations at the May 2011 elections and to members of the Rother Citizens Panel were also incorporated in the review. The polling districts all met the current criteria set by the Electoral Commission.

The Council was also responsible for designating polling places within a polling district, with the Acting Returning Officer (ARO) having responsibility for which polling station within a polling place would be used for an election. ARO’s views were sought covering all parts of Parliamentary Constituencies falling within the RDC Boundary. The following changes were put forward for consideration:

Bexhill St Michaels BH001 – Changed from St. Mary Magdalene School to Dance Studio at Bexhill College.Watch Oak BAJ – Changed from Battle and Langton School to Battle Baptist ChurchBurwash Weald BO – Changed from the Wheel Inn to Pavilion.

c111219 – L&GP Reference 1

Rye HI001 – Changed from Doctors Surgery to Tiling Green Community Centre.

Members questioned whether education at Bexhill College would be affected and asked officers to try to relocate the one remaining polling station at Netherfield Primary School and try to make it the Council’s aspiration not to use schools in future. Members were reassured that the part of Bexhill College being used as a polling station could be used without having to disrupt any classes and that the Council tried to avoid using schools where possible.

Concern was also raised about access to polling stations by those who had a disability. Members were reassured that all Presiding Officers were trained in assisting those voters who had a disability and that this was a factor when selecting polling stations.

RECOMMENDED: That the Polling Places Scheme as at Appendix A be approved.

(Licensing and General Purposes Committee Agenda Item 5.1)

Councillor R.H. PattenChairman, Licensing and General Purposes Committee


Appendix A

ARO Bexhill and BattleROTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL POLLING DISTRICT AND POLLING PLACES SCHEMEWard Alpha

CodePolling District name

Polling Place Stations

electorate

ARO report and comments

Representations

Recommended Changes and comments

Bexhill Central

BC001 BEXHILL CENTRAL

BEULAH BAPTIST CHURCH

1 1934 Venue is large enough to accommodate further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed.

Bexhill & Battle Conservatives Party are satisfied with current arrangements

No Change

BC002 BEXHILL CENTRAL

ST ANDREWS CHURCH HALL

1 2178 No issues identified/No changes proposed


No Change

Bexhill Collington

BD001 BEXHILL COLLINGTON

ST AUGUSTINES CHURCH HALL


Bexhill & Battle Conservatives are satisfied with current arrangements. Additionally, Cllr Mansi and Cllr Lee expressed

No Change


support with current venue


COODEN BEACH SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB

1 1019 Dual station with BG002 Venue is large enough to accommodate further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed

Bexhill & Battle Conservatives are satisfied with current arrangements. Additionally, Cllr Mansi and Cllr Lee expressed support with current venue

No Change


BEXHILL AMATEUR ATHLETICS CLUB

1 1269 Dual station with KEW01. Venue is large enough to accommodate further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed

Bexhill & Battle Conservatives are satisfied with current arrangements. Additionally, Cllr Mansi and Cllr Lee expressed support with current venue

No Change

Bexhill Old Town

BE001 BEXHILL OLD TOWN

ST PETERS COMMUNITY CENTRE

1 1456 Venue is large enough to accommodate further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed


No Change


BE002 BEXHILL OLD TOWN

SPRINGFIELD ROAD METHODIST CHURCH HALL

1 1545 Dual station with BI002. Venue is large enough to accommodate further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed


No Change

Bexhill Sackville

BF BEXHILL SACKVILLE

ST MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH HALL



No Change

Bexhill St Marks

BG001 BEXHILL ST MARKS

ST MARKS CHURCH HALL

2 2632 Venue is capable of accommodating further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed


No Change


COODEN BEACH SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB

1 1087 Dual station with BD002. Venue is large enough to accommodate further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed


No Change



NORMANS BAY CARAVAN PARK

1 137 Venue is large enough to accommodate further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed


No Change

Bexhill St Michaels

BH001 BEXHILL ST MICHAELS

ST MARY MAGDALENE PRIMARY SCHOOL

1 1387 Request from school to find alternative venue. St Michaels' Church Hall and the Dance Studio at Bexhill College have been identified as suitable replacements. Recommend that polling station is moved to Bexhill College.

The Primary School has requested that an alternative venue is found

The Dance Studio at Bexhill College considered the most convenient and suitable venue to be used for future elections.

BH002 BEXHILL ST MICHAELS

PEBSHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE



No Change

Bexhill St Stephens

BI001 BEXHILL ST STEPHENS

ST STEPHENS CHURCH HALL

1 2693 Dual station with KEW02. Whilst comments have been made with

Bexhill & Battle Conservatives Party are

The number of electors voting at this station is close to


regards to access this venue is still considered to the best one to service the electors. No change proposed.

satisfied with current arrangements

recommendations set by the Electoral Commission. Keep under review

BI002 BEXHILL ST STEPHENS

SPRINGFIELD ROAD METHODISTCHURCH HALL

1 1084 Dual station with BE002. Venue is large enough to accommodate further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed


No Change

Bexhill Sidley

BJ001 BEXHILL SIDLEY OUR LADY'S CHURCH HALL



No Change

BJ002 BEXHILL SIDLEY SIDLEY BAPTIST CHURCH HALL

1 1527 Venue is capable of accommodating further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed


No Change

Bexhill Kewhurst

KEW01 BEXHILL KEWHURST

BEXHILL AMATEUR ATHLETICS CLUB

1 1621 Dual station with BD003. Venue is large enough to

Bexhill & Battle Conservatives

No Change


accommodate further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed

Party are satisfied with current arrangements


ST STEPHENS CHURCH HALL

1 1070 Dual station with BI002. Keep KEW02 at this station if proposed move of BI002 is agreed


No Change


ST MARTHAS CHURCH HALL



No Change

Battle Town

BX MARLEY ST MARYS CHURCH HALL, BATTLE



No Change

BAJ WATCHOAK BATTLE AND LANGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

2 2358 New venue for 5 May 2011. Previous venue too small to accommodate 2 busy stations. Whilst the school

Cllr Field supports the ARO suggestion of moving the polling station to the Baptist

The Battle Baptist Church will be used for future elections.


provided a good venue it is recognised that the use of schools is not ideal. The Battle Baptist Church has been identified as a suitable venue and would be able to accommodate further polling station should the need arise. Recommend change to this venue.

Church

Crowhurst BA ASHBURNHAM ASHBURNHAM VILLAGE HALL

1 277 Joint with BAP. Venue large enough to accommodate further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed


No Change

BAP PENHURST ASHBURNHAM VILLAGE HALL

33 Joint with Ashburnham


No Change

BP CATSFIELD HERMON 1 661 Venue large Bexhill & No Change


COTTAGE, CATSFIELD

enough to accommodate further polling station should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed

Battle Conservatives Party are satisfied with current arrangements

BQ CROWHURST CROWHURST VILLAGE HALL

1 659 Venue large enough to accommodate further polling station should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed

Crowhurst Parish Council have no further comments

No Change

BAG TELHAM WILMOTHS GARAGE,TELHAM



No Change

Darwell BM BRIGHTLING BRIGHTLING VILLAGE HALL



No Change

BN BURWASH BURWASH VILLAGE HALL


Bexhill & Battle Conservatives Party are

No Change


satisfied with current arrangements

BO BURWASH WEALD

THE WHEEL INN, BURWASH WEALD

1 744 New purpose built Pavilion open offering a more suitable venue for elections. The pavilion could accommodate multiple polling stations. Recommended change to this venue.

The Pavilion will be used for future elections

BR DALLINGTON DALLINGTON VILLAGE HALL



No Change

BY MOUNTFIELD MOUNTFIELD VILLAGE HALL



No Change

BZ NETHERFIELD NETHERFIELD C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL

1 615 Venue large enough to accommodate further polling stations should the need arise.

Bexhill & Battle Conservatives Party are satisfied with current

No Change


No issues identified/No changes proposed

arrangements

BAM WHATLINGTON WHATLINGTON VILLAGE HALL

1 277 Venue large enough to accommodate further polling stations should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed


No Change

Ewhurst & Sedlescombe

BT EWHURST THE WHITE DOG INN, EWHURST


Bexhill & Battle Conservatives are satisfied with current arrangements. Additionally, Cllr Ganly has no further comments

No Change

BAD SEDLESCOMBE SEDLESCOMBE VILLAGE HALL


Bexhill & Battle Conservatives are satisfied with current arrangements. Additionally, Cllr Ganly has no further comments

No Change

BAE STAPLECROSS STAPLECROSS VILLAGE HALL

1 678 Venue large enough to accommodate

Bexhill & Battle Conservatives

No Change


further polling station should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed

are satisfied with current arrangements. Additionally, Cllr Ganly has no further comments

Rother Levels

BB BECKLEY BECKLEY VILLAGE CENTRE


Bexhill & Battle Conservatives are satisfied with the current arrangements. Additionally, Cllr Mooney has no further comments

No Change

BAA NORTHIAM NORTHIAM VILLAGE HALL



No Change

BAB PEASMARSH PEASMARSH MEMORIAL HALL


Bexhill & Battle Conservatives are satisfied with the current

No Change


arrangements. Additionally, Cllr Mooney has no further comments

HHB RYE FOREIGN PLAYDEN W.I. HALL

279 Joint with HHA (Playden). No issues identified/No changes proposed


No Change

Salehurst BK BODIAM BODIAM PARISH ROOM

1 293 Venue considered large enough to accommodate further polling station should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed

Bexhill & Battle Conservatives are satisfied with the current arrangements. Additionally, Cllr Mrs Prochak has no further comments

No Change

BVA HURST GREEN HURST GREEN VILLAGE HALL

1 1192 Venue large enough to accommodate further polling station should the need arise. No issues

Bexhill & Battle Conservatives are satisfied with the current arrangements.

No Change


identified/No changes proposed

Additionally, Cllr Mrs Prochak has no further comments

BAC ROBERTSBRIDGE ROBERTSBRIDGE VILLAGE HALL



No Change

BVB SALEHURST ROBERTSBRIDGE VILLAGE HALL

55 Joint with Robertsbridge


No Change

Etchingham & Ticehurst

BS ETCHINGHAM ETCHINGHAM VILLAGE HALL

1 617 Venue has facility to accommodate further polling station should the need arise. No issues

Bexhill & Battle Conservatives Party are satisfied with current

No Change



arrangements

BU FLIMWELL FLIMWELL PLAYING FIELD PAVILION



No Change

BAF STONEGATE STONEGATE VILLAGE HALL



No Change

BAH TICEHURST TICEHURST VILLAGE HALL



No Change

ARO Hastings and RyeROTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL POLLING DISTRICT AND POLLING PLACES SCHEMEWard Alpha

CodePolling District name

Polling Place Stations

Electorate

ARO Representations

Representations

Recommended Changes and


and Comments commentsBrede Valley

HBL BREDE BREDE VILLAGE HALL


No Change

HBW KENT STREET SEDLESCOMBE GOLF CLUB HOUSE

1 224 Replaced Porta-cabin at Carpenters Barn in 2010. Venue large enough to accommodate further polling stations should the need arise. Recommended to continue to use this venue. No issues identified/No changes proposed

No Change

HAI UDIMORE UDIMORE VILLAGE HALL

1 297 Newly built and opened village hall was used for the 5 May elections 2011. Recommended to continue to use this venue. Venue large enough to accommodate

No Change


further polling station should the need arise. No issues identified/No changes proposed.

HAK WESTFIELD WESTFIELD PARISH HALL

1 1614 New venue for 2010 when old venue unable to accommodate the elections. Recommend to continue to use this venue. Joint with Westfield Lane (HAL). No issues identified/No changes proposed

No Change

HAL WESTFIELD LANE WESTFIELD PARISH HALL

334 Joint with Westfield (HAK)

No Change

Eastern Rother

HA CAMBER CAMBER MEMORIAL HALL


No Change

HB EASTGULDEFORD HALF ACRE FARM, EAST GULDEFORD


No Change


HE ICKLESHAM ICKLESHAM MEMORIAL HALL


No Change

HF IDEN IDEN VILLAGE HALL


No Change

HHA PLAYDEN PLAYDEN W.I. HALL

1 239 Joint with Rye Foreign (BHB). No issues identified/No changes proposed

Playden Parish Council have no further comments

No Change

HJ RYE HARBOUR RYE HARBOUR VILLAGE HALL


No Change

HL WINCHELSEA WINCHELSEA NEW HALL


No Change

HM WINCHELSEA BEACH

WINCHELSEA BEACH COMMUNITY HALL


No Change

Marsham HC FAIRLIGHT FAIRLIGHT VILLAGE HALL

1 1514 Venue large enough to accommodate further polling station should the need arise. No issues

No Change



HD GUESTLING GUESTLING VILLAGE HALL


Cllr Patten and Guestling Parish Council raised concerns regarding the location of Guestling Village Hall

Further investigation and dialogue with Guestling Parish Council has established that whilst not ideally situated this is the most suitable venue. No change proposed

HG PETT PETT VILLAGE HALL


No Change

HK THREE OAKS THREE OAKS VILLAGE HALL


No Change


Rye HI001 RYE FERRY ROAD MEDICAL CENTRE

1 1388 Venue busy with the daily doctor’s surgery. Suggested move to recently opened Tilling Green Community Centre. This new venue is large enough to accommodate further polling station should the need arise.

Cllr Souster and Rye Town Council support the move of venue to Tilling Green Community Centre

Tilling Green Community Centre will be used for future elections

HI002 RYE RYE COMMUNITY CENTRE


Cllr Souster expressed support with the use of this venue

No Change


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