London Borough of Sutton
Comments on the Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places
by the Acting Returning Officer
This Appendix sets out the suggestions that have been received on a ward by
ward basis together with recommendations on whether they should be
accepted or not. Where no proposals are made in respect of specific wards,
the polling places in that ward have been previously used for elections without
any adverse comment and are wheelchair accessible,
Existing Polling Places and Electorate as at 1 June 2011
Worcester Park Ward
PD Letters
AA
AB
AC
Polling Place
Green Lane Primary School, Green Lane
Christ Church with St Philips (Wesley Hall),
Ruskin Road
Dorchester Primary School, Dorchester Road
Electorate
2334
3475
2566
No proposals
Nonsuch Ward
PD Letters
BA
BB
BC
Polling Place
Cheam Common Infants School, Balmoral Road.
Cuddington Recreation Pavilion, Sandringham
Road
Cheam Leisure Centre, Malden Road
Electorate
2106
2322
3655
No Proposals
Stonecot Ward
PD Letters
CA
CB
CC
Polling Place
Cheam Park Farm Infants School, Molesey Drive
Sutton Life Centre, Alcorn Close
North Cheam Baptist Church
Electorate
4075
1728
2304
Proposals: (i) The Liberal Democrat Party suggest investigating the use of
St Oswald’s Church for CA polling station to avoid closing Cheam Park Farm
Infants School.
ii) The Headteacher at Cheam Park Farm Infants’ School has asked if the
Polling Station could be sited in either Rainbow House or St. Oswald’s Church
Hall.
Response: There are three polling stations located at Cheam Park Farm
Infants’ School. Any alternative premises would have to be able to
accommodate at least two of the three stations. Rainbow House is situated
on the Cheam Park Farm Infants’ School campus. It has its own entrance
and could accommodate one polling station. There is only on street car
parking as at present. Access into the building might be problematical for
wheel chair users as there are small lips across doorways that would have to
be negotiated. There would also be limited space for tellers outside the
building. There is only one toilet, designed for people with a disability.
Contact has been made with the church authorities responsible for St.
Oswald’s Church Hall who are amenable, in principle, to allowing the hall to
be used as a polling station. The Hall is situated in Brocks Drive, just around
the corner from Cheam Park Farm Infants’ School in Molesey Drive. There
are regular hall users that would be prevented from using the hall on polling
day. The hall has been inspected and would be suitable to accommodate
three polling stations. There would be space for tellers just inside the front
door. Access for wheelchair users is not a problem. However, there is no off
street car parking, though that is currently the case at the Infants School.
RECOMMENDATION: That, in future, St. Oswald’s Church Hall is used as a
polling station for CA polling district in place of Cheam Park Farm Infants
School.
Cheam Ward
PD Letters
DA
DB
DC
Polling Place
Cheam Methodist Church Hall
St Dunstan’s C of E School, Anne Boleyn’s Walk
St Andrews Church Hall, Northey Avenue
Electorate
2628
1986
3221
Proposals: The Liberal Democrat Party are of the opinion that the polling
station at St Andrews Church Hall is overstretched. They suggest that the
following roads should be moved from DC Polling District (St. Andrews
Church Hall) to DB Polling District (St. Dunstan’s C of E School): Devon
Road, Meadowside, Manor Road and Burdon Lane up to its junction with
Manor Road.
Response: The proposals from the Liberal Democrat Party would transfer
approximately 350 electors from St. Andrews Church Hall to St. Dunstan’s C
of E Primary school. For some electors this would mean an increased
distance of around half a mile to get to the Primary School. During the
Referendum the Polling Station Inspectors who visited both of these Polling
Stations on a number of occasions throughout the day, did not report any
problems.
RECOMMENDATION: That no changes be made to the Polling Districts in
DB and DC polling districts.
Sutton North Ward
PD Letter
EA
EB
EC
Polling Place
Holy Family Hall, Stayton Road
Benhilton C of E Primary School, All Saints Road
Westbourne Primary School
Electorate
3235
3520
807
No proposals
Sutton West Ward
PD Letter
FA
FB
FC
Polling Place
St Albans Church Hall, Gander Green Lane
Homefield Preparatory School, Western Road
Overton Road Pavilion
Electorate
2249
4200
1465
No proposals
Sutton Central Ward
PD Letters
GA
GB
GC
Polling Place
Robin Hood Junior School, Thorncroft Road
The Thomas Wall Centre, Benhill Avenue
St Barnabas Church Hall, St Barnabas Road
Electorate
2114
2304
3236
No proposals
Sutton South Ward
PD Letters
HA
HB
HC
Polling Place
Overton Road Pavilion
Devonshire Primary School, Devonshire Avenue
Barrow Hedges School, Harbury Road
Electorate
1808
4771
958
Proposals: The Liberal Democrat Party has drawn attention to the fact that
the current boundary between polling districts HB and HC is the former
constituency boundary and, as such, divides four roads in two. As that
constituency boundary has now been moved, there is no need for the old line
to be maintained. To avoid confusion locally and some administrative
inconvenience, the Group has suggested that the parts of Chalgrove,
Hillcroome and Mayfield Roads that are currently in HC polling district be
transferred to HB polling district and that the part of Ridgway currently in HB
polling district be transferred to HC polling district. They calculate that this
would result in the net transfer of about 125 voters to HB district.
The Party also suggest investigating whether the Community Hall at
Christchurch, in Christchurch Park would be suitable for use as a polling
station in place of Devonshire Primary School.
Response: The suggestion to move properties between one polling district
and another would seem sensible especially if it avoids confusion locally.
The Church Authorities at Christchurch have been contacted. In principle
they are agreeable to the Community Hall being used as a Polling Station.
The premises have been inspected and it would be possible to accommodate
three polling stations on the premises. Car parking is available in the nearby
church car park and wheel chair users could drive around the Church and
park outside the premises. Suitable amenities exist for the polling station staff
though there are limited facilities for tellers.
RECOMMENDATIONS: (i) That properties numbered 1 to 25 (odds) in
Chalgrove Road (37 electors), 1 to 5 (odds) Hillcroome Road (21 electors)
and 1 to 41 (odds) Mayfield Road (54 electors) be transferred from HC polling
district to HB polling district and the polling district boundary amended
accordingly;
(ii) That properties numbered 36 to 56 (evens) The Ridgeway (30 electors) be
transferred from HB polling district to HC polling district.
(iii) That the Community Hall at Christchurch in Christchurch Park be used as
a Polling Station instead of Devonshire Primary School.
Belmont Ward
PD Letters
IA
IB
IC
ID
Polling Place
Overton Road Pavilion
St Johns Church Hall, Northdown Road
Community Centre, Shanklin Village
Chiltern Church, Chiltern Road
Electorate
730
2758
979
3100
Proposals: The Liberal Democrat Party has suggested that the 979 persons
who may vote at the Shanklin Community Hall should instead, vote at Overton
Park Pavilion thus merging polling districts IA and IC. They state that there
are long periods of inactivity at Shanklin Community Centre; that Overton
Park Pavilion is easily walkable through Overton Park and that space, parking
and access at the Pavilion are good.
The Party also suggest that numbers 15 to 21A Holland Avenue would fit
geographically more neatly into polling district IA rather than IB. This would
be a continuation of the polling district dividing line up York Road from its
junction with Grange Road.
Response: Whilst the sentiments behind the proposal to merge polling
districts IA and IC can be understood, it would mean for some electors in IC
polling district a drive of over one mile or a walk across parkland over grass.
With regard to the proposal to move some properties from IB into IA I would
take an alternative view and suggest that Nos 1 to 13 Holland Avenue (9
electors) should be moved from polling district IA into polling district IB. This
would mean that the whole of Holland Avenue was within one polling district.
RECOMMENDATIONS: (i) That no change be made to the polling
arrangements for IA and IC polling districts.
(ii) That Nos 1 to 13 Holland Avenue be moved from polling district IA to
polling district IB and the polling district boundary be amended accordingly.
St Helier Ward
PD Letters
JA
JB
JC
JD
Polling Place
Glastonbury Centre, Hartland Road
Hill House, Bishopsford Road
Sutton Arena, Middleton Road
Carshalton Sports College, Winchcombe Road
Electorate
1914
1347
1293
3433
Proposals: The Sutton Liberal Democrat Party has suggested that, as Hill
House and Sutton Arena are very close together and each station has
relatively small numbers, they should be merged with voting taking place at
St. Helier Arena. This would require a larger area than that currently
provided.
They have also highlighted the fact that Glastonbury Primary School is due to
close and suggest that Abbey Primary School would be an alternative venue,
Response: Investigations have taken place with the Council’s Leisure
Contractor to see if a larger space could be made available at Sutton Arena.
It would be possible to use an alternative room there which could
accommodate both Polling Stations, thought it is slightly further away from the
entrance to the arena than the existing facilities. An alternative would be to
use Hill House for both polling districts instead. The existing accommodation
at Hill House would be able to accommodate a second polling station.
However, it would be further to travel for electors living south of Sutton Arena.
With regard to the use of Abbey Primary School, talks have already taken
place with the Headteacher concerning this matter. It is understood that an
area of the school has been identified which could be used as a polling station
without the school having to close.
RECOMMENDATIONS: (i) That Sutton Arena is used as a Polling Station for
the JB and JC Polling Districts;
(ii) That arrangements be confirmed with the Headteacher at Abbey Primary
School for part of that school to be used as a polling station in place of the
Glastonbury Centre.
Wandle Valley Ward
PD Letters
KA
KB
KC
KD
Polling Place
The Quad Youth Centre, Green Wrythe Lane
Middleton Library, Green Wrythe Lane
Wandle Valley School, Welbeck Road
All Saints Church Centre, New Road
Electorate
1102
1773
2182
2830
Proposal: The Sutton Liberal Democrat party have suggested that, as The
Quad Youth Centre (KA Polling District) and Middleton Circle Library (KB
polling district) are relatively close together, the two polling districts should be
merged with polling taking place at Middleton Circle Library.
A letter has also been received from the headteacher of Green Wrythe
Primary School asking if that school could be considered for use as a polling
station.
Response: Merging KA and KB polling districts would make a large polling
district. At the Referendum the Electoral Commission issued guidance on the
maximum number of electors at each polling station. Merging the two polling
districts would exceed that number. Furthermore, it is felt that Middleton
Circle Library is not large enough to accommodate two polling stations.
Green Wrythe Primary School has been visited and would be a possible
location. The polling stations would be situated in the newly refurbished
School Hall. When the headteacher was asked if they realised that the school
would have to be closed whilst polling was taking place the answer that came
back was that the Governors were aware of that but they wanted to invite the
community into the school to see the school’s achievements. This was one
way of achieving that aim.
The Quad Youth Centre would also be able to accommodate two Polling
Stations.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Quad Youth Centre be used as the polling
place for KA and KB polling districts.
The Wrythe Ward
PD Letters
LA
LB
LC
Polling Place
Pavilion, Royston Park
Muschamp Primary School, Muschamp Road
Victor Seymour Infants School, Denmark Road
Electorate
1839
2967
2914
Proposals: The Liberal Democrat Party has highlighted the problems that
were experienced with the physical environment at Royston Park Pavilion.
On the eve of the Referendum there was a flood of hot water overnight which
rendered the building unusable and polling had to be transferred to another
polling station outside the ward. The Party are concerned to prevent a
repetition of this but are of the opinion that there is no alternative site that is
convenient for the electorate in that Polling District. They have suggested that
the Council consider an accessible vehicle based back-up facility that could
be taken to Royston Park in an emergency.
In a personal note, Councillor Roger Thistle suggests that either a suitable
vehicle be used that could act as a polling station in an emergency or that the
Polling District boundary be redrawn so that Rushy Meadow Primary School
was used instead.
The Headteacher of Muschamp Junior School has also asked that, in future,
the polling stations be situated in the nursery at the school so that the rest of
the school can remain open. The Headteacher is concerned that the pupils
do not loose a further day’s education.
Response: The concerns about Royston Park Pavilion are shared. There
have been problems at this Polling Station on the last two occasions that it
has been used. The proposal to provide an alternative vehicle based back up
facility is being investigated. The challenge will be to find something that is
suitable as a Polling Station and will meet the needs of polling station staff
who will be there for up to sixteen hours on the day.
An alternative to using Royston Park Pavilion would be to use either Rushey
Meadow or Muschamp Junior Schools as the polling station for LA polling
district. Both of these schools are outside the LA polling district and are at
least half a mile away from Royston Pavilion. This proposal has not been
discussed with the headteacher at Rushey Meadow School, which would
probably have to close for the day.
Muschamp Junior School is already a polling place with two polling stations.
Whilst the nursery at the school was used for the referendum, the
accommodation for two polling stations was cramped. It would not be suitable
for an election with a large turnout. However, the hall in the main school is
large enough to accommodate a third polling station if it was decided to
relocate the polling station from Royston Park.
A further alternative would be to locate a temporary building at Royston Park
just for the election together with appropriate staff facilities.
RECOMMENDATIONS: (i) That investigations be made into whether the
authority has suitable mobile accommodation that could be used in an
emergency as a Polling Station at Royston Park;
(ii) That if a suitable vehicle is not available and the pavilion cannot be used,
then the polling station be relocated to Muschamp Junior School;
(iii) That the Headteacher of Muschamp Junior School be informed that
whilst the Council has every sympathy with her desire that the pupils should
not loose a day’s education because of an election, due to the lack of suitable
alternative premises in the vicinity Muschamp Junior School will continue to
be used as a polling station and that the main hall will be required, in case
Royston Park Pavilion becomes unavailable at short notice.
Carshalton Central Ward
PD Letters
MA
MB
MC
Polling Place
The Scout Hall, Westmead Road
Highfield Hall, Carshalton Road
All Saints C of E Primary School, Rotherfield
Road
Electorate
2945
2138
2499
No proposals
Carshalton South and Clockhouse Ward
PD Letters
NA
NB
NC
ND
Polling Places
Barrow Hedges Primary School, Harbury Road
Stanley Park Junior School, Stanley Park Road
The Café, The Oaks, Croydon Lane
Hillcrest Hall, The Mount, Coulsdon
Electorate
2560
3319
236
1278
Proposals: The Liberal Democrat Group have suggested that as polling
district NC is so small, it should be merged with polling district NA with
electors voting at Barrow Hedgers Primary School. They suggest that, if
adopted, the electors in that ward should be written to with an explanation for
the change and it be suggested to them that they apply for a postal vote.
The Electoral Services Officer has also received a request from Whitethorn
Methodist Church in Whitethorn Avenue that their premises be considered for
use as a polling station.
Response: I can appreciate the reasoning behind the proposals to merge
polling district NC with polling district NA. However, if that was adopted,
voters would be faced with a journey of over a mile and a half to reach Barrow
Hedges Primary School. The Polling Place at Wallington High School for
Girls would be marginally closer. Whilst the sentiments behind encouraging
people to apply for a postal vote are also appreciated, electors should have a
choice of how they vote – either by turning up in person or by post.
The room at Whitethorn Methodist Church has been inspected. The
accommodation there would be adequate with space for one polling station.
Wheelchair access from the car park would be via the pavement and along a
slightly graded slope into the building. However, the existing accommodation
at Hillcrest Hall has been used for a number of years. It is close to the local
amenities and local people are used to going there to vote.
RECOMMENDATIONS: (i) That Polling District NC be retained and voters
continue to vote at The Oaks Park Café;
(ii) That Hillcrest Hall continue to be used as a polling station for NC Polling
District.
Wallington North Ward
PD Letters
OA
OB
OC
Polling Place
Elm Grove Hall, Butter Hill
Holy Trinity Church Hall, Manor Road
Holy Trinity C of E School, Bute Road
Electorate
2633
3440
1759
No proposals
Wallington South Ward
PD Letters
PA
PB
PC
PD
Polling Place
United Reformed Church Hall, Holmwood
Gardens
Wallington Public Hall, Stafford Road
St Michael's Church Centre, Milton Road
St Patrick's Church Hall, Park Hill Road
Electorate
2092
1577
1924
2205
Proposals: The Liberal Democrat Party has suggested that there are parking
problems at St Michaels and All Angels Church Hall. Apparently the entrance
is often difficult to turn into due to on street parking and there is no a barrier to
the car park. They suggest that electors in PC polling district vote at Bandon
Hill Primary School in Sandy Lane South instead. They state that the venue is
already used as a Polling Station by electors in Beddington South Ward and
that many of the voters in the PC polling district would be familiar with this
Polling Station as they used it until the 2002 Boundary Review.
Response: I am not aware of any parking problems at St. Michael’s Church
Centre which has a small car park. The Polling Station Inspector who visited
the premises on a number of occasions during the recent referendum did not
encounter any problems. Arrangements can be made to ensure that the
barrier is lifted on election day. Bandon Hill Primary School has no off-street
car parking.
RECOMMENDATION: That St. Michael’s Church Centre continue to be used
as a Polling Station.
Beddington North Ward
PD Letters
QA
QB
QC
QD
Polling Place
Portable Building, 152 Beddington Lane
Beddington Primary School, Derry Road
Beddington Infants School, Croydon Road
High View Primary School, The Chase
Electorate
271
2555
1884
2961
Proposals: The Liberal Democrat party has suggested that as the electorate
in QA polling district is so small, that polling district should be merged into the
existing QB polling district. They state that most of the electors, in The Meads
are relatively near Beddington Park Primary School and that there are about
50 households on the Herbs estate for whom no polling station – including the
current portable building – is particularly convenient. It is suggested that
electoral services write to the residents explaining why the polling station has
been moved and encourage them to apply for a postal vote.
Response: This is a similar situation to that in NC polling district and the
Oaks Park Café. Whilst the reasoning behind the proposals to merge polling
district QA with polling district QB can be appreciated, some voters would be
faced with a journey of over a mile to reach Beddington Park Primary School
in Derry Road. Whilst the sentiments behind encouraging people to apply for
a postal vote are also appreciated, electors should have a choice of how they
vote – either by turning up in person or by post
RECOMMENDATION: That polling district QA is retained.
Beddington South Ward
PD Letters
RA
RB
RC
RD
Polling Place
Bandon Hill Primary School, Sandy Lane
South
Phoenix Centre, Mollison Road
Wallington Girls School, Woodcote Road
St Marks Church Hall, Church Road
Electorate
1783
3121
1692
1366
Proposal: The Liberal Democrat Party has suggested that Beddington South
Ward be reduced to three polling districts by abolishing RD polling district and
rebalancing the other three districts. They suggest that this is done as follows
- roads in the north of Woodcote (The Newlands, Ingleby and Oaklands Way
etc) go to Bandon Hill Primary School rather than the Phoenix Centre; that
roads in south east Woodcote (Great Woodcote Park, Ambrey Way etc) go to
Phoenix Centre and that roads in south west Woodcote (Buckingham Way,
The Ridge, Lordsbury Fields etc) go to Wallington High School for Girls.
Response: St. Mark’s Church Hall is situated just outside the borough. On
Polling Day, the premises are shared with the London Borough of Croydon.
Whilst the sentiments behind the proposals to reduce costs are appreciated, I
am not sure that any real savings would be achieved in this instance. The
Phoenix Centre (RB polling district) already has over 3,000 electors voting at
two polling stations. There is little scope for relocating some roads in that
district to RA polling district so that the electors vote at Bandon Hill Primary
School. Abolishing the RD polling district would inevitably mean that some
roads would transfer to The Phoenix Centre with possibly over 800 additional
electors. To ensure that the election process is dealt with efficiently, it would
be necessary to provide an additional polling station and staff at The Phoenix
Centre, thus partially negating the savings made by not using St. Mark’s
Church Hall. A further 500 electors could be transferred to Wallington High
School for Girls though that is less problematic in terms of numbers.
RECOMMENDATION: That no changes be made to the Polling Districts in
Beddington South Ward.