The Chief Officer Customer & Resources introduced the Electoral Services Manager and the Electoral Consultant Richard Beesley who presented the report on a statutory consultation regarding the polling districts and polling places within the District. The report made recommendations to confirm the location of every polling place throughout the district, and requested that a minor change to one existing polling district be implemented.

In response to a Member’s concerns that the response to the consultation comment with regards to St John’s Church Hall causing lower turnout due to the disadvantage experienced by voters from the Hillingdon (BV) end of the ward, the reasoning set out at paragraph 18 of the report was reiterated.  Whilst the current venue was not ideal for all electors it still represented the best location that could currently be provided, and there would always be some electors who would need to travel further than others.  The promotion of postal voting was suggested by other Members.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Council that

a)    the minor adjustment the boundary between polling districts BZ (Lower St. John’s) and CC (Upper St. John’s) be agreed, such that all properties are included in the same polling district;

b)   all other polling district boundaries be retained and unchanged; and

c)    the proposed polling places as set out in Appendix C to the report, be agreed.