Issue - meetings

(Transformation Portfolio Holder) To approve the proposals for the Polling Districts, Places and Stations in the Epping Forest District following the recent review.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr C Whitbread, presented a report on the review of the Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations within Epping Forest.

Cllr C Whitbread stated that local authorities were required to review their Polling Districts and Polling Places for UK parliamentary constituencies at least once every five years. In addition to compulsory reviews, local authorities might also conduct additional reviews at other points, depending on local circumstances. Additional local reviews did not affect the timetable for compulsory reviews. The Council’s compulsory five-year review was due to be completed by the end of January 2025, and this report outlined the proposed changes arising from the review.

The Council noted the report had not been considered by a Scrutiny Committee, but that it had been submitted to the Local Councils Liaison Committee on 21 November 2024. Some concern was expressed about the possible disenfranchising of residents who lived in rural communities, and the example of there being no Polling station in Lower Sheering was highlighted with the suggestion that a Polling Station should be sought in nearby Sawbridgeworth. However, it was noted that the Council could not use a location outside of the District, and all residents would be made aware of the location of their Polling station at the next scheduled election(s).

            Resolved:

            (1)        That, following a review, the proposals for Polling Districts, Polling          Places and Polling Stations in the Epping Forest District as set out in     Appendix 1 to this report, be approved;

            (2)        That the proposals be published and copies be made available for    inspection by the public at the Civic Offices, in at least one place in each       Parliamentary Constituency covering the Epping Forest District and on the       Council’s website; and

            (3)        That the intention of the Electoral Registration Officer to reflect any   alterations required, because of the review in the revised Electoral Register to be published on 1 December 2024, be noted.