AGENDA ITEM 5
STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Report to Licensing and Regulatory Committee
26 November 2010
TITLE:
Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places
PORTFOLIO:
N/A
OFFICER:
Executive Director and Monitoring Officer
WARDS:
Alton, Caverswall, Cheadle North East,
Cheadle South East, Cheadle West,
Checkley, Churnet, Forsbrook
Biddulph South, Biddulph West
Brown Edge and Endon, Dane, Hamps Valley,
Horton, Ipstones, Manifold
Appendices Attached - Appendix 1 Cheadle South East Polling District Split
Appendix 2 Timetable for 2011 Review
1.
Reason for the Report:
To conclude the 2010 Polling District Review, implement its findings and
to initiate the 2011 Polling District Review.
2.
Recommendation
2.1
That the polling district EB - Cheadle South East be split into two polling
districts to serve two new polling places.
2.2
That the Bateman Centre, Tunstall Road, Biddulph be designated the
polling place for polling districts UUB Biddulph West and UUC Biddulph
South and it be noted that, as a result, Knypersley First School will no
longer be required for polling station use.
2.2
That the conclusion of the 2010 Polling District Review be noted and that
the next Review commence on 4 January 2011 with any changes taking
effect from the publication of the 2011/2012 Electoral Register on 1
December 2011 and that it be noted that the 2011 Review will also
include the Brown Edge and Endon ward due to the possible availability
of an additional polling station location.
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3.
Executive Summary
3.1
The 2010 Polling District Review has enabled the Returning Officer to
secure two new locations in the Cheadle South East ward. These are
Cheadle Cricket Club and the South Moorlands Leisure Centre which
are available for use as polling stations as an alternative to Cheadle
Primary School which currently houses 3 polling stations but is located
outside of the Cheadle South East ward. In order for this change to take
effect the polling district of EB – Cheadle South East must be split into
two polling districts on the Electoral Register. The recommendation is to
undertake the split as detailed in Appendix 1.
3.2
Investigations undertaken in Forsbrook looked at the potential for using
the Egerton Centre, Uttoxeter Road, to locate all three polling stations in
Forsbrook which are currently housed in The William Amory School in
Stallington Road. The Egerton Centre is located at the junction of
Uttoxeter Road with Cheadle Road and shares a parking area with the
Police Post and Public Library. Due to the limited parking availability at
this very busy location and after consultation with Transport
Development Control at Staffordshire County Council it is concluded that
the current polling place should be maintained.
3.3
Investigations in Alton, Caverswall, Cheadle North East, Cheadle West,
Checkley and Churnet did not result in any submissions at consultation.
The electorate have facilities in these areas to cast their vote. Therefore
there are no recommendations for change in these areas during the
current review.
3.4
Although not included in the 2010 Review, attention has been drawn to a
new location in Biddulph, the Bateman Centre within the grounds of St
John’s Church, Tunstall Road, which is suitable for polling station use.
The Returning Officer considers that this is a viable replacement location
for electors who currently vote at Knypersley First School. Its location is
in close proximity to and, visible from, the current polling place and there
are well located pelican crossings for electors use. However as the
Bateman Centre is just outside the UUB Biddulph West and UUC
Biddulph South polling districts legislation requires the Council to
designate it as the polling place for these two polling districts.
3.5
In accordance with the agreed schedule the wards due for review in
2011 are Dane, Hamps Valley, Horton, Ipstones, and Manifold. The
Returning Officer has been made aware of another potential polling
station location in Brown Edge. Therefore, the Brown Edge and Endon
ward, although not scheduled for review until 2012, should also be
included in the 2011 Review to ensure proper consideration of this new
location. The proposed timetable for the Review is attached at Appendix
2.
2
4.
How this report links to Corporate Priorities
4.1
5.
6.
There are no obvious links between the Polling District Review and the
Corporate Plan.
Options and Analysis
5.1
As detailed, the use of South Moorlands Leisure Centre and Cheadle
Cricket Club as polling station locations mean that, as a result, Cheadle
Primary School is not required by the Returning Officer and therefore will
not close due to polling station use. The two polling stations are located
closer to the main body of electors in Cheadle South East and are well
suited for polling station use.
5.2
In Biddulph, the Bateman Centre at St John’s Church is ideal for housing
two polling stations in separate rooms (one for each separate ward), with
good vehicular access and facilities at the Centre including disabled
access. Currently, the facilities at Knypersley First School mean that two
polling stations are located in the same room potentially causing
problems if an elector posts a ballot paper in the wrong ballot box. The
move to the Bateman Centre will further minimise this risk. Although the
Bateman Centre is just outside the Biddulph West ward it is on the route
to and from town and there are also suitable places for electors who wish
to walk to the polling station to cross both Newpool Road and Tunstall
Road in the form of pelican crossings. Moving the polling station out of
Knypersley First School will enable it to remain open on polling days.
Implications
6.1
Community Safety - (Crime and Disorder Act 1998) - No implications
6.2
Workforce -No implications
6.3
Equality and Diversity/Equality Impact Assessment
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Council's Diversity
and Equality Policies.
6.4
Financial Considerations -No implications
6.5
Legal
The local authority must perform its duties as contained in legislation.
6.6
Sustainability - No implications
6.7
Internal and External Consultation - No implications
6.8
Risk Assessment - No implications
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7.
Background and Detail
7.1 Cheadle South East
7.2
7.1.1
The investigations in Cheadle South East have enabled the
Returning Officer to secure two alternative locations, Cheadle
Cricket Club and South Moorlands Leisure Centre, for use as
polling stations.
7.1.2
Currently three polling stations are located in Cheadle Primary
School. As a result of this, the Headmaster feels that it is
necessary to close the school on Election Day. Under this
recommendation the Returning Officer would no longer require
use of Cheadle Primary School.
7.1.3
One polling station will now be located in Cheadle Cricket Club
and one polling station will be located at South Moorlands
Leisure Centre.
7.1.4
In order for this change to take effect the polling district of EB –
Cheadle South East must be split into two polling districts on the
Electoral Register. The recommendation of the review is to
undertake the split as detailed in Appendix 1. The split will take
effect from the publication of the 2011 Electoral Register on 1
December 2010 and will replace the current polling district EB –
Cheadle South East with two polling districts; EBA – Cheadle
South East and EBB – Cheadle South East.
7.1.5
Electors residing within EBA – Cheadle South East will, from 1
December 2010, be registered to vote at South Moorlands
Leisure Centre. Electors residing within EBB – Cheadle South
East will be registered to vote at Cheadle Cricket Club.
7.1.6
Consultation has been undertaken with Transport Development
Control at Staffordshire County Council and the local Police. The
response from Transport Development Control was as follows:
“All (locations) have parking facilities and reasonable access to
the highway network. In my opinion the sites would be adequate
for the purpose.” The local Police said that they can see no
reason why these locations would not be suitable for use as
polling stations.
7.1.7
The electors that are affected by this change in polling station will
be informed through the voter information card which will be
distributed prior to the local elections in the spring.
Forsbrook
7.2.1
Investigations undertaken in Forsbrook looked at the potential for
using the Egerton Centre, Uttoxeter Road, to locate three polling
4
stations. This followed a submission which suggested looking at
using this location instead of the William Amory Primary School.
7.3
7.2.2
Whilst the facilities inside the building would adequately
accommodate two, or possibily three, polling stations there are
concerns surrounding the parking facilities at the site and the
additional traffic this would generate. This busy focal point in the
village has the library, police point, post office and a small
number of local shops located within a small compass. The
potential for over 2,800 electors to attend this location, many at
peak commuter times, would give the parking facilities an
increased burden on top of the normal day to day activities.
7.2.3
Consultation was undertaken with Transport Development
Control at Staffordshire County Council who indicated that due to
exclusive parking at the William Amory Primary School, this site
is best suited to accommodate the extra traffic generated by our
use.
7.2.4
Due to the lack of parking facilitates at the Egerton Centre, the
large number of electors in this polling district and the potential
problems that may result from this, the recommendation is that
there be no changes in Forsbrook.
Biddulph South and Biddulph West
7.3.1
Although Biddulph is not included in the 2010 Review, attention
had been drawn to a new building, the Bateman Centre, located
at St John’s Church on Tunstall Road which could potentially be
used for polling.
7.3.2
Investigations were undertaken as to the feasibility of moving the
polling stations that are located at Knypersley First School into
the Bateman Centre. As a result of these investigations the
Returning Officer has been able to secure the use of the
Bateman Centre for polling station use.
7.3.3
The change is straight forward as the electors who were
previously registered to vote at Knypersley First School will now
be registered to vote at the Bateman Centre. This means that the
school will no longer be required on polling day and therefore will
not close due to accommodating polling stations.
7.3.4
The Bateman Centre is located just outside Biddulph West and
Biddulph South wards. However, it is on the route to and from the
town centre and there are suitable places for electors to cross
both Newpool Road and Tunstall Road in the form of pelican
crossings. Its site is close to and visible from the existing polling
place.
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7.4
7.3.5
The new voting arrangements will come into effect from the
publication of the 2010/11 Electoral Register on 1 December
2010.
7.3.6
The electors that are affected by this change will be informed
through the voter information card which will be distributed prior
to the local elections in the spring.
2011 Review
7.4.1
In accordance with the agreed schedule the areas for review in
2011 are Dane, Hamps Valley, Horton, Ipstones, and Manifold.
Attention has been drawn to a potential polling station in Brown
Edge, which is not scheduled to be under review until 2012. As a
result of this Brown Edge and Endon should be included in the
2011 Review in order to ensure proper consideration of this new
location as soon as possible. The proposed timetable for the
2011 Review is attached at Appendix 2. Due to the resources
required by the May 2011 elections the 2011 Review will take
some time longer to perform but it should be possible to
complete by the publication of the Electoral Register on 1
December 2011.
J M Trillo
Executive Director and Monitoring Officer
Web Links and
Background Papers
Location
Contact details
Electoral Administration Act 2006
Electoral Services
Jonathan Evans, Head of Legal
and Democratic Services
Review of Polling Districts and
Polling Places (Parliamentary
Elections) Regulations 2006
www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/polling
Carole Wedgwood, Electoral
Services Manager
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Appendix 1
Cheadle South East
Below is the street index to be used to split the polling district of EB – Cheadle South
East in order to facilitate a move in polling stations from Cheadle Primary School to
Cheadle Cricket Club and South Moorlands Leisure Centre.
Streets to be located in the polling district EBA. Polling station to be situated at
South Moorlands Leisure Centre.
Street
Allen Street
Arundel Drive
Ash Close
Ashbourne Road
Baddeley Street
Beech Close
Bittern Lane
Cedar Close
Chapel Lane
Counslow
Dale Close
Elm Drive
Greendale
Greendale Lane
Hares Lane
Hawfinch Road
High Shutt
Keeling Road
Kestrel Lane
Kingfisher Crescent
Maple Close
Oakamoor Road
Plant Street
Queen Street
Robina Drive
Rockingham Drive
Stokesay Drive
Sun Street
Sunwell Gardens
Tape Street
Thorley Drive
Threapwood
Well Street
Young Street
Total
Electorate
8
34
12
163
24
37
4
26
14
1
23
35
11
2
2
32
11
81
20
95
19
10
62
1
130
66
95
10
5
44
152
1
73
8
1311
Properties
6
20
6
95
14
16
2
17
8
1
12
20
4
1
1
21
4
55
8
50
12
6
40
5
80
31
40
9
4
38
81
1
46
8
762
Figures accurate July 2010.
7
Absent Votes
2
8
0
15
2
1
0
6
3
0
3
0
5
0
0
5
0
8
0
2
2
1
5
0
22
7
10
0
1
3
10
0
15
2
138
Streets to be located in the polling district EBB. Polling station to be situated at
Cheadle Cricket Club.
Street
Avon Grove
Barley Croft
Bramley Close
Bramshaws Acre
Cheadle Road Teanford
Churnet Grove
Conway Grove
Dane Grove
Darley Grove
Dart Grove
Derwent Drive
Eaves Lane
Eden Grove
Freehay Road
Huntley
Mackenzie Crescent
Manifold Drive
Mansion Close
Mill Grove
Mill Road
Millbrook Way
Millers View
Millhouse Drive
Millstream Close
Millwaters
Mobberley
Moss Lane
Park Avenue
Rakeway Road
Rakeway Road
Smithy Lane
Stanfield Crescent
Tamar Grove
Tean Road
Teanford
Tenford Lane
Thames Drive
Trent Close
Wye Close
Total
Electorate
23
46
52
31
2
19
34
82
19
34
38
30
8
4
3
113
11
16
46
118
41
42
60
45
15
6
18
65
19
54
3
25
41
83
8
5
74
44
13
1390
Properties
13
26
36
20
3
10
20
43
12
19
22
16
6
2
1
62
5
12
24
68
21
22
32
19
7
6
7
32
1
30
2
17
16
46
3
2
32
23
6
744
Figures accurate July 2010.
8
Absent Votes
5
5
12
1
0
2
0
4
6
1
7
2
0
0
0
8
0
1
2
6
2
6
10
2
4
0
2
3
3
13
0
1
5
11
2
0
2
4
2
134
Appendix 2
Timetable for 2011 Review
Action
Date
Report to Licensing and Regulatory
Committee starting review
Notice to begin Review
Contact consultees – Returning Officer,
Political Parties, District Council Political
Groups, Ward Members, County Councillors,
Parish Councils, Member of Parliament,
Access groups
Elector consultation
End of consultation period
Invite respondents to comment on Returning
Officers comments
Review to be suspended during the 2011
election period
Arrange any site visits
Report to Licensing and Regulatory
Committee on completion of the review and
recommendations if polling district split
required
9
19 November 2010
4 January 2011
W/c 4 January 2011
W/c 4 January 2011
11 March 2011
By 11 March 2011
March – June 2011
June – July 2011
November 2011