Agenda and minutes

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The Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013) introduced a The Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013) introduced a compulsory duty for all parliamentary polling districts and polling places to be reviewed every five years.  Such a compulsory review in North Tyneside fell due to take place in a period commencing not earlier than 1 October 2023, and public notice of the review was therefore published on 3 October 2023.

This report sets out the Returning Officer’s final proposals for polling districts and polling places arising from the compulsory review having considered all responses received during consultation undertaken during the review process.

Council were presented with a report confirming the position with regards to the Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places.  Since 2013 all local authorities must review their polling districts and polling places every 5 years.  This review is compulsory, and is legally required to take place within set timeframes.

North Tyneside Council’s latest review became due to begin in October 2023.  Since that time a comprehensive review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations has taken place. Members are familiar with the reviews undertaken by the Boundary Commission for England and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England over the last two years.  These reviews have changed the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies covering North Tyneside and also the internal ward boundaries in the borough of North Tyneside itself. The review of polling districts and polling places has been important to reflect these changes, and to make sure we can administer all elections correctly with regard to the new boundaries.  This includes the forthcoming local elections which will take place on 2 May 2024 and the next Parliamentary election to take place, whenever that may be called.

During the review of our polling districts, polling places and polling stations, views have been invited from a wide variety of stakeholders.  This has included our residents, elected members, Members of Parliament, and all political parties which are known to be active in North Tyneside.  Very importantly, the views of North Tyneside Disability Forum have been sought.  Acting Returning Officers from neighbouring local authorities have also been asked for their views, which is a legal requirement. 

Comments received from polling station and elections staff when we have held elections in the past have been weighed when evaluating our polling place and polling station arrangements.  The Acting Returning Officer has sought to gather all relevant evidence to make informed recommendations to Council.

Council would like to thank, in particular, all those who have taken the time to give their views during the consultation.  Council  would also like to thank the officers, throughout the Authority, who have worked hard on the boundary review and on this polling district and polling place review.  Thanks were also expressed to the councillors drawn from all groups on the Council who have taken part in the cross-party Elected Member Boundary Review Group over the last two years.  This informal working group of members has worked hard, and very effectively, to deliver all of the tasks required on the boundary review and the polling district and polling place review.

Having carefully considered all comments received during the review, and all available evidence, the Acting Returning Officer’s proposals for our future polling districts, polling places and polling stations are set out in the report before Council this evening.  Council is required to consider these proposals and to make a decision on the arrangements for North Tyneside.  We need to be ready with new arrangements as we approach our next elections.

Council RESOLVED: that 1) the outcome of the review of  ...  view the full minutes text for item C82/23