Decision details

It be RECOMMENDED to Council that:

1          No changes be made to the following Polling Districts and Polling Places which meet the statutory criteria and provide reasonable and accessible facilities;

2          No changes be made to polling districts BB (Binfield) and BL (Harmans Water) which also meet the statutory criteria and provide reasonable and accessible facilities, but that they be kept under review as developments progress;

3          The new Jennett’s Park Community Centre be designated as the Polling Place for BQ (for reasons given in the associated report);

4          No change be made to Polling District BT but that the Kerith Centre buildings be designated as the new Polling Place (for reasons given in the associated report);

5          The Polling Districts and Polling Places for the Borough of Bracknell Forest be approved, as set out at Annex C to the associated report, with effect from 1 December 2011.

The Steering Group considered carefully the present arrangements for polling districts and polling places in the Borough and paid particular attention to representations received, available alternative options and the following issues:

·         Polling districts where polling places were outside the polling district;

·         Schools used as polling places, specifically BW, SO and BJ;

·         Areas where significant development had commenced or was planned and the impact on current arrangements and facilities;

·         Issues brought to light following the May 2011 elections

The Group considered whether the current arrangements met the needs of voters in the area and considered their accessibility particularly for disabled people.  The Group were of the opinion that changes should be made only where absolutely necessary to avoid confusion and disruption and only where this brought a material benefit to voters and disabled voters.  As a result changes to only two polling places are recommended, one as a result of the opening of a new facility within a polling district to replace an existing polling place which was outside the polling district (BQ) and the other to provide improved access and facilities and more sustainable, longer term arrangements for voters (BT).

This review is a statutory requirement.  The Group received and considered a number of representations in addition to the views of the (Acting) Returning Officer, and these are contained at Annex A to this report.

None.

Stakeholders and interested parties consulted via public notice at Easthampstead House, council web site, letters via post and email.