sign in sign up
<<
Home , Asterleigh, Black Bourton, Cogges, Cornbury and Wychwood, Ducklington, Grafton and Radcot

WEST DISTRICT COUNCIL

Name and date of AUDIT AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE – Committee THURSDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2019

Report Number Agenda Item No. 5

Subject Review of Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places Wards affected All

Accountable officer Keith Butler, Acting Returning Officer and Head of Democratic Services Tel: 01993 861521 Email: [email protected] Summary/Purpose To advise Members of the results of the consultations carried out in connection with the review of the Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places within and to request the Committee to agree the content of the Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places Order, and associated matters. Annexes Annex A – Acting Returning Officer’s Representations (page 7) Annex B – proposed Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places Order (page 21)

Recommendations (a) That the contents of the report be noted; (b) That the Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places Order as set out in Annex B to this report be approved for the reasons set out in the report; (c) That the Committee gives a view on future polling provision for electors in the of Lyneham; (d) That the Head of Democratic Services be authorised to continue investigations into appropriate polling provision for polling district JD2 in the Central Ward, and to make any necessary consequential adjustment to the Order, following consultation with the Ward Councillors and the local political parties; (e) That, as required by the provisions of Section 18(C) of the Representation of the People Act 1983, the minutes of relevant meetings of the Committee and a copy of the order be published; and (f) That in the event of a polling place becoming unavailable for a particular election the Head of Democratic Services be authorised to designate a new polling place, subject if practicable to prior consultation with the Chairman of the Audit and General Purposes Committee, the local member(s) and local political parties.

Corporate priorities1.1. To provide efficient and value for money services. Key Decision 1.2. N/A

Item No. 5, Page 1 of 26 Exempt 1.3. No Consultees/ 1.4. Consultation took place with Councillors; Town and Parish Councils and Consultation Parish Meetings; local political parties, and groups representing the interests of disabled people. Information for residents was available on the Council’s website, and press releases were issued.

Item No. 5, Page 2 of 26 1. BACKGROUND 1.1. Sections 18A and 18B of the Representation of the People Act 1983 require that the Council must (i) divide its area into polling districts for UK Parliamentary elections; (ii) designate a polling place for every polling district; and (iii) keep the polling districts and polling places under review. 1.2. The Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 amended the 1983 Act by the amendment of Section 18C to require that Authorities must complete a review within the period of 16 months from 1 October 2013, and undertake and complete subsequent reviews within the period of 16 months beginning on 1 October of every fifth year after that. The current review must therefore be completed by 31 January 2020. 2. MAIN POINTS 2.1. At its meeting on 25 April 2019, the Committee resolved that the statutorily required review of the Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places within West Oxfordshire be carried out. As required by the legislation, the Acting Returning Officer (ARO) for the Parliamentary Constituency of Witney was requested to submit his representations, and these were subsequently published on 30 May 2019. These representations were supplied to all who were consulted on the review, including all members of this Council and, for ease of reference, a copy is included at Annex A (pages 7 to 20). 2.2. Representations were invited from political parties within the constituency, District Councillors, Town and Parish Councils and Parish Meetings and from persons and groups having particular expertise in relation to access to premises or facilities for persons with varying disabilities. 2.3. In addition, all existing polling station premises were notified of the review and invited to comment both generally, and specifically as to their use and availability in the future, and their accessibility for voters with disabilities or mobility impairment. 3. CONSULTATION RESPONSES 3.1. No responses were received from local political parties, nor from groups or individuals representing disabled people. 3.2. No issues arose from the limited number of responses from Town and Parish Councils or Parish Meetings. 3.3. The overwhelming majority of current polling premises responded, and did not raise any particular issues or concerns, but two main matters did arise:  Tower Hill School in Witney is keen for alternative provision to be found if possible  Several premises indicated that there would be significant refurbishment projects being carried out in the future 3.4. More comment and information about Tower Hill School is included below; and the authority proposed in recommendation (f) above will enable suitable provision to be secured if or when any existing premise is not available because of refurbishment works, or for any other reason. 3.5. Comments and suggestions were received from Councillors Acock, Ashbourne and Coles, and these are addressed in section 5 below.

Item No. 5, Page 3 of 26 4. USE OF SCHOOL PREMISES FOR POLLING 4.1. Before looking at specific polling provision, it is worth making general comment about the use of school premises for polling, the following being some key points:  There is an obvious tension between the fact that electoral law allows for schools to be requisitioned for use for polling, with no hire charge, only charges for heating, lighting and caretaking, and the obvious inconvenience for schools, parents and pupils, as well as safeguarding issues. Additionally, schools are always well-known in the community  It is a decision for a school as to whether it chooses to close on the day of a poll. Most choose to do so at a parliamentary election, but not at others  Notwithstanding the positives of using a school from an electoral point of view, it has long been the policy to use alternatives where they are available, convenient to the electorate, accessible and at a reasonable charge. Arising from that, the number of schools used has reduced over many years, and currently there are only four used, all in Witney: Tower Hill, Hailey Road, Blakes, and Wood Green. Of these, Wood Green does not need to consider closing. 4.2. There is no obvious reason to change this approach, although it also has to be stressed that in a situation where a regular polling premise was not available there would be a strong possibility of needing to use a school which is not generally used for polling. This is a general risk, and a much more specific one where an election is called at very short notice. 5. SPECIFIC ISSUES 5.1. The following paragraphs summarise the main considerations arising from the review. Lyneham 5.2. In relation to the parish of Lyneham, Councillor Acock responded that people in Lyneham “do not like” voting in Shipton, stating that they are over a mile and a half from the polling station. Councillor Acock asked whether the Golf Club in Lyneham could be considered. 5.3. This raises a number of questions of general interest in relation to many very small : (1) the very low number of electors makes the provision of a polling station very expensive on a pro-rata basis; (2) there are few if any local facilities in the parish, meaning that residents are presumably used to having to acquire their services elsewhere; and (3) any registered elector may apply to vote by post. 5.4. Lyneham Parish Meeting did not respond to the review, and nor have I ever received representations from voters in the parish. 5.5. Accordingly, the views of the Committee are requested. Tower Hill School, Witney 5.6. As mentioned above, the school is keen for alternative provision to be identified, and Councillors Ashbourne and Coles have both expressed sympathy for that position. A number of possibilities have been raised: (1) Creating one polling station Davenport Road Methodist Church for some residents in the Ward, with the remainder voting at the Corn Exchange (2) Using a room(s) at the Fire Station in Welch Way (3) Considering whether a room at Riverside Gardens could be used 5.7. None of these would be ideal. Davenport Road was considered and rejected a number of years ago, primarily because it was not as central in the Ward. That

Item No. 5, Page 4 of 26 would of course be offset if there was a secondary venue elsewhere, but I would not be keen to introduce a third polling station to the two which already exist at the Corn Exchange, for reason of space and congestion and the fact that the third polling station would be for a different Ward. 5.8. The Fire Station is not in Witney Central Ward. Also, whilst we would obviously wish to seek to be satisfied that an emergency situation would not prejudice polling, I would be nervous about the unexpected. 5.9. Riverside Gardens would potentially be available, but is not very conveniently located for a lot of residents of the Ward, and has less than ideal pedestrian access along Road and Mill Street, and would not have sufficient car parking. 5.10. I should emphasise that the options have not been fully explored, hence recommendation (d) above. 5.11. It should also be noted that if two different polling locations were to be provided, it would necessitate the future creation of a new polling district (JD3). Woodstock Town Hall/Blenheim Estate Office 5.12. Woodstock Town Hall was not available for polling use at the European Parliamentary election in May 2019, and the Blenheim Estate Office was used. This proved popular with voters, and the local District Councillors also commented favourably. 5.13. Whilst no representations were received on this point, it is suggested that the Estate Office should be used in future if and where possible, but that the Town Hall be included in the Order as the alternative. This is reflected in the proposed Order included in Annex B. Carterton Town Hall 5.14. Two polling stations are currently provided at the Town Hall, which serve the Carterton South Ward of the District, which comprises the Gateway and Milestone Wards of the Town. No representations or comments were received in relation to the current polling arrangements. 5.15. The internal access to the room used for polling is via a comparatively narrow hallway, which can become extremely congested at busy times. Accordingly, the proposed Order included in Annex B allows for the use of either the Town Hall or Brownes Hall for each of polling districts FN, FN2 and FN3, and the situation will be further assessed, in conjunction with local Councillors. 6. CONCLUSIONS 6.1. The recommendations on the covering page are hopefully self-explanatory. 6.2. Because it has not been possible fully and finally to explore the options for the Witney Central Ward, the applicable recommendation is intended to enable further investigations to take place. It should be noted that the polling district which currently votes at the school (reference JD2) cannot be split without further future consideration, so any immediate change will need to ensure that all electors on the JD2 register vote at the same polling premise. 7. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 7.1. There are no financial implications arising directly from this report. 8. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS 8.1. None

Item No. 5, Page 5 of 26 9. RISK ASSESSMENT 9.1. Not applicable. 10. EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS 10.1. It is obviously important that polling stations are accessible to voters. 10.2. No issues have been raised in this regard, but should any accessibility matters be drawn to our attention, we will seek to address them. 11. ALTERNATIVES/OPTIONS 11.1. None applicable. 12. BACKGROUND PAPERS 12.1. None

Item No. 5, Page 6 of 26 Annex A West Oxfordshire District Council Representation of the People Act 1983 – Section 18(C) – Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places 2019 Representations of the Acting Returning Officer for the Parliamentary Constituency of Witney NOTES: 1. A Polling District is a geographical sub-division of an electoral area, i.e. a UK Parliamentary Constituency, a European Parliamentary electoral region, a ward of an electoral division. In each parish is to be a separate polling district. Where a Tow n/Parish council is split into Wards, Polling Districts are situated within the Ward. The District Council is responsible for designating Polling Districts. 2. A Polling Place is the building or area in which polling stations will be located. The Polling Place for a Polling District must be in an area of that district except where special circumstances make it desirable to designate an area outside that district. The Polling Pl ace must constitute a small enough area so that electors will not have difficulty finding the polling station. Although there is no legal definition of what a polling place is and the Act states that where no polling place is designated the polling district becomes the polling place, the Electoral Commission recommends that Polling Places always be defined and for that reason it is recommended that the previous policy of designating the polling district as the polling place is changed and the polling places have therefore been designated in the table below in line with the Electoral Commission recommendation. The District Council is responsible for designating Polling Places. 3. A Polling Station is the actual area where the process of voting takes place, and must be located within the Polling Place designated for the particular Polling District. It should be noted that in unforeseen circumstances it may be necessary to change the location of a polling station and the polling place. The Returning Officer is responsible for designating Polling Stations. Electoral Commission guidance states that no polling station should have more than 2,500 electors allocated to it. In West Oxfordshire many of the polling stations have less than 1,000 electors and no polling station has more than 2,100 electors. 4. The representations set out in the following table give details of the existing Polling Districts and Polling Places together with the proposed designated Polling Places together with details of existing polling stations together with any alternatives that have been identified and other comments. Polling Station Owners have been asked for confirmation of availability for the foreseeable future &and possible problems have been highlighted in the table.

Item No. 5, Page 7 of 26 (Annex A)

Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) (FA) Alvescot Village Hall, The Village Hall, The Walk, Entrance has a small 2 inch step. There used to be a Walk, Alvescot Alvescot ramp for wheelchair access but this appears to have disappeared some years ago. It is a quiet station and there have been no reports that the lack of a ramp had caused any problems. Members may consider that a replacement ramp should be purchased. Ascott-under- Ascott-under- Tiddy Hall, Shipton Tiddy Hall, Shipton Road, Has suitable access for disabled persons. Wychwood Road, Ascott-u- Ascott-u-Wychwood (FB) Wychwood Asthal (FC) Asthal Memorial Hall, Memorial Hall, Minster There is separate wheelchair access via wide doors Minster Road, Road, Asthall Leigh There are also toilet facilities for disabled people. Leigh Aston (FD) Aston, Cote, New Village Hall, New Village Hall, Cote Has suitable access for disabled persons. & Cote Road, Aston Road, Aston Chimney Bampton (FE) Bampton Village Hall, Market Village Hall, Market Has suitable access for disabled persons Square, Bampton Square, Bampton Black Bourton St Mary the Virgin St Mary the Virgin Church, The Church has been used as the polling station since (FF) Church, Burford Burford Road, Black 2012 when the previous polling station in a private Road, Black Bourton Bourton house ceased to be available. No other suitable locations within the Parish have been identified. (FG) Bladon Church Room, Church Room, Church Access has been improved such that this premise is Church Street, Street, Bladon now fully accessible. Bladon Blenheim (FH) Blenheim and Town Hall, Market Town Hall, Market Place, Access for disabled persons is via a ramp kept at the Woodstock Place, Woodstock Woodstock hall. Consideration is currently being given to the future use of the Blenheim Estate Office, which is in the parish of Blenheim, just across the boundary, and which provides good access and easier car parking for voters.

Item No. 5, Page 8 of 26 (Annex A) Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) Brize Norton Elder Bank Hall, Elder Bank Hall, Station Has suitable access for disabled persons. (FI) Station Road, Brize Road, Brize Norton Norton Broadwell (FJ) Broadwell Village Hall Kencot Village Hall This previously replaced the Old School at Broadwell and is a suitable venue. There were no objections to the change from the parish meetings, and no representations have been received from the electorate. (FK) Bruern and Village Hall, Shipton Village Hall, Shipton Road, Access for disabled persons via a ramp stored at the Milton-under- Road, Milton-u- Milton-u-Wychwood hall. No suitable venue has been identified within Wychwood Wychwood Bruern Parish. Burford (FL) Burford Warwick Hall, Warwick Hall, Church During the renovation of Warwick Hall, the Church Church Green, Green, Burford was used as the polling station. Following the Burford. completion of the renovation works Warwick Hall has reverted to being the polling station. Carterton Carterton Methodist Hall, Methodist Hall, Burford Suitable access for disabled persons at main entrance. North West Burford Road, Road, Carterton This replaced the previous polling station at the Social No.1 (FM) Carterton Centre, Brownes Lane in 2012 Carterton Carterton Army Cadet Force Army Cadet Force Hut, Has a level access suitable for wheelchairs North West Hut, Swinbrook Road, No.2 (FM2) Road, Carterton Carterton Carterton Carterton Methodist Hall, Methodist Hall, Burford Has a level access suitable for wheelchairs North East Burford Road, Road, Carterton No.1 (FM3) Carterton Carterton Carterton Carterton The Small Hall, Carterton Has a level access suitable for wheelchairs North East Community Centre, Community Centre, No.2 (FM4) Shilton Park, Shilton Park, Carterton Carterton

Item No. 5, Page 9 of 26 (Annex A) Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) Carterton Carterton Town Hall, Alvescot Town Hall, Alvescot Road, Brownes Hall was for very many years used as the South No. 1 Road, Carterton or Carterton polling station for all of Carterton until the current (FN) Brownes Hall, arrangements came into force. As the electorate in the Alvescot Road, South Ward has increased the Town Hall has become Carterton more crowded and moving one of the polling stations from the Town Hall back to Brownes Hall is suggested to relieve this pressure Carterton Carterton Town Hall, Alvescot Town Hall, Alvescot Road, Brownes Hall was for very many years used as the South No. 2 Road, Carterton or Carterton polling station for all of Carterton until the current (FN2) Brownes Hall, arrangements came into force. As the electorate in the Alvescot Road, South Ward has increased the Town Hall has become Carterton more crowded and moving one of the polling stations from the Town Hall back to Brownes Hall is suggested to relieve this pressure Carterton Carterton Town Hall, Alvescot Town Hall, Alvescot Road, Brownes Hall was for very many years used as the South No. 3 Road, Carterton or Carterton polling station for all of Carterton until the current (FN3) Brownes Hall, arrangements came into force. As the electorate in the Alvescot Road, South Ward has increased the Town Hall has become Carterton more crowded and moving one of the polling stations from the Town Hall back to Brownes Hall is suggested to relieve this pressure Cassington New Village Hall, The New Village Hall, The Has suitable access for disabled persons (FO) Green, Cassington Green, Cassington Chadlington Memorial Hall, Memorial Hall, Chapel Has separate access for disabled persons (FP) Chapel Road, Road, Chadlington Chadlington (FQ) Charlbury War Memorial Hall, War Memorial Hall, Has a slightly sloped access suitable for wheelchairs Browns Lane, Browns Lane, Charlbury Charlbury (FR) Chastleton and Village Hall, West Village Hall, West Street, Access for disabled persons via ramp. No suitable Street, Kingham Kingham venue has been identified within Chastleton Parish

Item No. 5, Page 10 of 26 (Annex A) Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) (FS) Chilson and Memorial Hall, Memorial Hall, Chapel Has separate access for disabled persons. No suitable Chadlington Chapel Road, Road, Chadlington venue has been identified within Chilson Parish Chadlington Chipping Chipping Town Hall, Chipping Town Hall, Chipping Access for disabled persons is via a ramp leading to Norton (FT) Norton Norton Norton main entrance Churchill (FU) Churchill Committee Room, Committee Room, Village Suitable access for disabled persons Village Hall, Church Hall, Church Road, Road, Churchill Churchill Clanfield (FV) Clanfield Carter Institute, The Carter Institute, The Access for disabled persons via small folding ramp kept Green, Clanfield Green, Clanfield at the Hall Combe (FW) Combe The Reading Room, The Reading Room, The Very small step at entrance and a wedge type ramp The Green, Combe Green, Combe kept at the Hall is used for wheelchair access Cornbury & Cornbury & Memorial Hall, Memorial Hall, Chapel Has separate access for disabled persons. No suitable Wychwood Wychwood Chapel Road, Road, Chadlington venue has been identified within Cornbury & (FX) and Chadlington Wychwood Parish Chadlington Cornwell (FY) Cornwell and Village Hall, West Village Hall, West Street, Access for disabled persons via ramp. No suitable Kingham Street, Kingham Kingham venue has been identified within Cornwell Parish Crawley (FZ) Crawley and Village Hall, Village Hall, Middletown, Access via wide doorway. No suitable venue has been Hailey Middletown, Hailey Hailey identified within Crawley Parish Curbridge (GA) Curbridge Parish Hall, Main Parish Hall, Main Road, Access for disabled persons via ramp fixed at side Road, Curbridge Curbridge entrance Ducklington Village Hall, Village Hall, Standlake Has suitable access for disabled persons (GC) Road, Ducklington Road, Ducklington (GD) Enstone The Parish Hall, The The Parish Hall, The Suitable access for disabled persons. The New Parish Paddocks, Enstone Paddocks, Enstone Hall has replaced the School Hall which had been used as the polling station for many years. The change to the New Parish Hall avoids the necessity of the school closing on polling day which is in line with the Council’ policy. (GE) Eynsham Eynsham Village Hall, Eynsham Village Hall, Back Suitable access for disabled persons Back Lane, Eynsham Lane, Eynsham

Item No. 5, Page 11 of 26 (Annex A) Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) (GF) Fawler and The Village Hall, Well The Village Hall, Well Hill, The Polling Station for Fawler used to be in a private Hill, Finstock Finstock house in the village which is no longer available. No suitable property in the village has been identified and resulted in using the Village Hall, Finstock as the new polling station. Fawler Parish Meeting was content with this change, and no adverse representations have been received. Fifield (GG) Fifield Village Hall, High Village Hall, High Street, Access to the hall is via a flight of steps which is Street, Fifield Fifield unsuitable for a ramp. No other suitable venue has been identified within the Parish (GH) Filkins & Carter Institute, Carter Institute, Filkins Access suitable for disabled persons Broughton Filkins Poggs Finstock (GI) Finstock Village Hall, Well Hill, Village Hall, Well Hill, Access for disabled persons is via ramps fixed at side Finstock Finstock entrance Freeland (GJ) Freeland Village Hall, Wroslyn Village Hall, Wroslyn Road, This is a new building with suitable access for disabled Road, Freeland Freeland people Fulbrook (GK) Fulbrook and Warwick Hall, Warwick Hall, Church St James Church, Fulbrook had been suggested Burford Church Green, Green, Burford previously as a polling station, but had unsatisfactory Burford parking and access. No other suitable venue has been identified within Fulbrook Parish (GL) Glympton and Village Hall, Wootton Village Hall, Wootton Access suitable for disabled persons. Consideration Wootton has in the past been given to the use of Glympton Village Hall but this does not have a suitable access for disabled persons. No other suitable venue has been identified within Glympton Parish Grafton & Grafton & Village Hall, Filkins Village Hall, Filkins Road, Sloped access suitable for wheelchairs leading from the Radcot (GM) Radcot and Road, Langford Langford roadside to the entrance. No suitable venue has been Langford identified within Grafton & Radcot Parish Great Tew The Tew Centre, The Tew Centre, Ledwell Disabled access & plenty of parking available (GN) Ledwell Road, Great Road, Great Tew Tew

Item No. 5, Page 12 of 26 (Annex A) Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) Hailey (GO) Hailey Village Hall, Village Hall, Middletown, Access via a wide doorway Middletown, Hailey Hailey Hanborough The Pavilion, Playing The Pavilion, Playing Field, Suitable access for disabled persons (GP) Field, Roosevelt Roosevelt Road, Long Road, Hanborough Hardwick with Hardwick with Village Hall, Rack End, Village Hall, Rack End, Suitable access for disabled persons. No suitable venue (GQ) Yelford and Standlake Standlake has been identified within Hardwick with Yelford Standlake Parish (GR) Heythrop and Village Hall, Village Hall, Choicehall This has been the polling station for the Parish since Choicehall Road, Road, Over Norton the previous polling station (which was in a private Over Norton house) ceased to be available in 2011. The Parish Meeting supported the use of this village hall and no other suitable venue has been identified in the Parish despite extensive investigations. No representations have been received from electors. Holwell (GS) Holwell and The Conservatory, 5 The Conservatory, 5 The polling station is in a private house and has level Westwell Mitford Cottages, Mitford Cottages, access suitable for disabled persons. No other suitable Westwell Westwell venue has been identified within Holwell Parish (GT) Idbury and Village Hall, High Village Hall, High Street, Access to the hall is via a flight of steps which is Fifield Street, Fifield Fifield unsuitable for a ramp. No other suitable venue has been identified within Idbury Parish (GU) Kelmscott Morris Memorial Morris Memorial Hall, Suitable access for disabled people Hall, Kelmscott Kelmscott Kencot (GV) Kencot and Kencot Village Hall Kencot Village Hall This previously replaced the Old School at Broadwell Broadwell and is a suitable venue. There were no objections to the change from the parish meetings, and no representations have been received from the electorate.

Item No. 5, Page 13 of 26 (Annex A) Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) - Kiddington Village Hall, Wootton Village Hall, Wootton Access suitable for disabled persons. The possible use with- with Asterleigh of Kiddington School was previously suggested but it (GW) and Wootton was not available and is not the type of school that the Returning Officer can require to be made available for use as a polling station. No other venue has been identified with Kiddington with Asterleigh Parish. Kingham (GX) Kingham Village Hall, West Village Hall, West Street, Access for disabled persons via ramp Street, Kingham Kingham Langford (GY) Langford Village Hall, Filkins Village Hall, Filkins Road, Sloped access suitable for wheelchairs leading from the Road, Langford Langford roadside to the entrance. (GZ) Leafield New Village Hall, New Village Hall, Lower Suitable access for disabled persons Lower End, Leafield End, Leafield Lew (HA) Lew and Parish Hall, Main Parish Hall, Main Road, Access for disabled persons via ramp fixed at side Curbridge Road, Curbridge Curbridge entrance. No suitable venue has been identified within Lew Parish Little Village Hall, Filkins Village Hall, Filkins Road, Sloped access suitable for wheelchairs leading from the (HB) Faringdon and Road, Langford Langford roadside to the entrance. No suitable venue has been Langford identified within Little Faringdon Parish (HC) Little Tew and The Tew Centre, The Tew Centre, Ledwell Disabled access and plenty of parking available. No Great Tew Ledwell Road, Great Road, Great Tew suitable venue has been identified in Little Tew Parish. Tew Lyneham (HD) Lyneham and Beaconsfield Hall, Beaconsfield Hall, Shipton- Access suitable for disabled persons. No suitable Shipton-under- Shipton-u- u-Wychwood venue has been identified within Lyneham Parish Wychwood Wychwood Milton-under- Milton-under- Village Hall, Shipton Village Hall, Shipton Road, Access for disabled persons via a ramp stored at the Wychwood Wychwood Road, Milton-u- Milton-u-Wychwood hall (HE) Wychwood Minster Lovell St Kenelms Hall, St Kenelms Hall, Brize Access suitable for disabled persons (HF) Brize Norton Road, Norton Road, Minster Minster Lovell Lovell North Leigh Memorial Hall, Park Memorial Hall, Park Lane, Access suitable for disabled persons (HG) Lane, North Leigh North Leigh

Item No. 5, Page 14 of 26 (Annex A) Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) Northmoor Northmoor Village Hall, Village Hall, Northmoor Suitable access for disabled persons (HH) Northmoor Over Norton Over Norton Village Hall, Village Hall, Choicehill Suitable access for wheelchairs (HI) Choicehall Road, Road, Over Norton Over Norton Ramsden (HJ) Ramsden Memorial Hall, High Memorial Hall, High Street, Access suitable for disabled persons Street, Ramsden Ramsden (HK) Rollright Village Hall, Great Village Hall, Access suitable for disabled persons Rollright (HL) Rousham and Village Hall, Medcroft Village Hall, Medcroft Access suitable for disabled persons. No suitable Road, Tackley Road, Tackley venue has been identified within Rousham Parish Salford (HM) Salford Village Hall, Salford Village Hall, Salford Ramp access suitable for disabled persons Sandford St. Sandford St Parish Hall, Sandford Parish Hall, Sandford St. Access suitable for disabled persons Martin (HN) Martin St. Martin Martin (HO) Sarsden and Village Hall, Church Committee Room, Village Suitable access for disabled persons. No suitable venue Churchill Road, Churchill Hall, Church Road, has been identified within Sarsden Parish Churchill Shilton (HP) Shilton The Old School, The Old School, Church Access for disabled persons via a ramp kept at Hall Church Lane, Shilton Lane, Shilton Shipton-under- Shipton-under- Beaconsfield Hall, Beaconsfield Hall, Shipton- Access suitable for disabled persons Wychwood Wychwood Shipton-u- u-Wychwood (HQ) Wychwood South Leigh Village Hall, Church Village Hall, Church End, Newly renovated Village Hall with suitable disabled (HR) End, South Leigh South Leigh access (HS) Spelsbury War Memorial Hall, War Memorial Hall, Ramp access for disabled persons Charlbury Road, Charlbury Road, Spelsbury Spelsbury Standlake (HT) Standlake Village Hall, Rack End, Village Hall, Rack End, Access suitable for disabled persons Standlake Standlake Stanton Stanton Millennium and Millennium and Memorial Access suitable for disabled persons Harcourt (HU) Harcourt Memorial Hall, Hall, Stanton Harcourt

Item No. 5, Page 15 of 26 (Annex A) Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) Steeple Barton Barton Memorial Barton Memorial Sports & Access suitable for disabled persons (HV) Sports & Social Club, Social Club, Worton Road, Worton Road, Middle Barton Middle Barton Stonesfield Village Hall, Field Village Hall, Field Close, Access suitable for disabled persons (HW) Close, Stonesfield Stonesfield (HX) Swerford Village Hall, Swerford Village Hall, Swerford Ramped access suitable for disabled persons Swinbrook Swinbrook Village Hall, Village Hall, Swinbrook There is a sloped access suitable for wheelchairs (HY) Swinbrook Tackley (HZ) Tackley Village Hall, Medcroft Village Hall, Medcroft Access suitable for disabled persons Road, Tackley Road, Tackley Taynton (JA) Taynton Village Hall, Taynton Village Hall, Taynton Access suitable for disabled persons Westcot Westcot Barton Memorial Barton Memorial Sports & Access suitable for disabled persons. No suitable Barton (JB) Barton and Sports & Social Club, Social Club, Worton Road, venue has been identified within Westcot Barton Steeple Barton Worton Road, Middle Barton Parish Middle Barton Westwell (JC) Westwell The Conservatory, 5 The Conservatory, 5 The polling station is in a private house and has level Mitford Cottages, Mitford Cottages, access suitable for disabled persons Westwell Westwell Witney Central Witney Ceewood Hall, Ceewood Hall, Fettiplace Access suitable for disabled persons No 1 (JD) Fettiplace Road, Road, Witney Witney Witney Central Witney Tower Hill School, Tower Hill School, Moor Access suitable for disabled persons. The school is No 2 (JD2) Moor Avenue, Avenue, Witney keen for an alternative location to be used, and Witney Davenport Road Methodist Church and the Elms Centre in Moorland Road and the Congregational Church have been suggested. Investigations are on- going, and views welcome Witney East No Witney Wood Green School, Wood Green School, Access suitable for disabled persons 1 (JE) Woodstock Road, Woodstock Road, Witney Witney

Item No. 5, Page 16 of 26 (Annex A) Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) Witney East No Witney Blake CE School, Early Years Classroom, Level access suitable for disabled persons although the 2 (JE2) Hill Road, Blake CE School, Cogges room is rather cramped for two polling stations. Witney Hill Road, Witney Previous attempts to find alternative venue have been unsuccessful. At Parliamentary Elections the main hall is used (and the school is closed) Witney East No Witney Blake CE School, Early Years Classroom, Level access suitable for disabled persons although the 3 (JF) Cogges Hill Road, Blake CE School, Cogges room is rather cramped for two polling stations. Witney Hill Road, Witney Previous attempts to find alternative venue have been unsuccessful. At Parliamentary Elections the main hall is used (and the school is closed) Witney East No Witney Hall, Madley Park Hall, Replaced the previous polling station in Madley Brook 4 (JF2) Northfield Farm Northfield Farm Lane, School in 2011 and has suitable access for disabled Lane, Witney Witney people Witney North Witney Committee Room 1, Committee Room 1, Level access suitable for wheelchairs No 1 (JG) WODC Offices, WODC Offices, Woodgreen, Witney Woodgreen, Witney Witney North Witney Witney CP School, Witney CP School, Hailey Access suitable for disabled persons. No 2 (JH) Hailey Road, Witney Road, Witney Witney South Witney Burwell Hall, Burwell Hall, Thorney Access suitable for disabled persons. This building is No 1 (JI) Thorney Leys, Leys, Witney used as polling stations for parts of Witney South and Witney West Wards as well as three Town Council Wards. Previously the use of Queens Dyke School to avoid any confusion for electors was investigated. However as it would not be beneficial to the majority of electors and would be contrary to the policy of the Council to only use schools where no suitable alternative exists, no further action was taken. It should be noted that the governors of the school were strongly opposed to its use. Witney South Witney The Corn Exchange, The Corn Exchange, Access is suitable for disabled persons No 2 (JJ) Market Square, Market Square, Witney Witney

Item No. 5, Page 17 of 26 (Annex A) Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) Witney South Witney Burwell Hall, Burwell Hall, Thorney Access suitable for disabled persons. This building is No 3 (JK) Thorney Leys, Leys, Witney used as polling stations for parts of Witney South and Witney West Wards as well as three Town Council Wards. Previously the use of Queens Dyke School to avoid any confusion for electors was investigated. However as it would not be beneficial to the majority of electors and would be contrary to the policy of the Council to only use schools where no suitable alternative exists, no further action was taken. It should be noted that the governors of the school were strongly opposed to its use. Witney West Witney Burwell Hall, Burwell Hall, Thorney Access suitable for disabled persons. This building is No 1 (JL) Thorney Leys, Leys, Witney used as polling stations for parts of Witney South and Witney West Wards as well as three Town Council Wards. Previously the use of Queens Dyke School to avoid any confusion for electors was investigated. However as it would not be beneficial to the majority of electors and would be contrary to the policy of the Council to only use schools where no suitable alternative exists, no further action was taken. It should be noted that the governors of the school were strongly opposed to its use. Witney West Witney The Joint Cadet The Joint Cadet Centre, Access suitable for disabled persons. This has replaced No 2 (JM) Centre, Edington Edington Square, Witney the use of West Witney Primary School in line with Square, Witney Council policy not to use schools when suitable alternative provision is available. The premises were used at both elections in May 2019 and no adverse comments were received from the electorate

Item No. 5, Page 18 of 26 (Annex A) Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) Witney West Witney The Joint Cadet The Joint Cadet Centre, Access suitable for disabled persons. This has replaced No 3 (JM2) Centre, Edington Edington Square, Witney the use of West Witney Primary School in line with Square, Witney Council policy not to use schools when suitable alternative provision is available. The premises were used at both elections in May 2019 and no adverse comments were received from the electorate Woodstock Woodstock Town Hall, Market Town Hall, Market Place, Access for disabled persons is via a ramp kept at the (JN) Place, Woodstock Woodstock hall. Consideration is currently being given to the future use of the Blenheim Estate Office, which is in the parish of Blenheim, just across the boundary, and which provides good access and easier car parking for voters. Woodstock Woodstock The Common Room, The Common Room, Level access suitable for disabled persons. The polling (JO) Ryegrass, Woodstock Ryegrass, Woodstock station is in an elderly persons complex. A suggestion had been previously made that the Community Centre, New Road be considered as an alternative. As the proposal did not receive support from political parties or Local Members no further action was taken. Woodstock (JP) Woodstock Town Hall, Market Town Hall, Market Place. Access for disabled persons is via a ramp kept at the Place. Woodstock Woodstock hall. Consideration is currently being given to the future use of the Blenheim Estate Office, which is in the parish of Blenheim, just across the boundary, and which provides good access and easier car parking for voters. Woodstock Woodstock The Common Room, The Common Room, Level access suitable for disabled persons. The polling (JQ) Ryegrass, Woodstock Ryegrass, Woodstock station is in an elderly persons complex. A suggestion had been previously made that the Community Centre, New Road be considered as an alternative. As the proposal did not receive support from political parties or Local Members no further action was taken.

Item No. 5, Page 19 of 26 (Annex A) Polling Polling Place Polling Place Existing Polling Station Comments and Suggested Alternative Polling District (existing) (proposed) Station (if any) Wootton (JR) Wootton Village Hall, Wootton Village Hall, Wootton Access suitable for disabled persons

Worton (JS) Worton and Parish Hall, Sandford Parish Hall, Sandford St. Access suitable for disabled persons. No suitable Sandford St St. Martin Martin venue has been identified within Worton Parish Martin

5. It will be noted that there a number of rural polling districts where the designated polling place includes an adjoining polling district. This situation has existed for many years due to a lack of suitable venues within those polling districts having been identified for use as polling stations. Similar situations exist in Witney in relation to Witney West No.1 and in Carterton in respect of Carterton North West No.1. Subject to the review identifying any suitable venues within these particular polling districts, it is recommended that the polling places and polling stations remain as set out above.

Keith Butler Acting Returning Officer Council Offices Woodgreen Witney Oxon OX28 1NB

30 May 2019

Item No. 5, Page 20 of 26 (Annex A)

Annex B WEST OXFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT 1983 WITNEY COUNTY CONSTITUENCY Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that West Oxfordshire District Council, in exercise of its powers in accordance with Section 18 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, and following a review carried out in accordance with Section 18C of the Act, has divided the Witney Constituency which falls wholly within its district into polling districts and designated polling places. Particulars of the polling districts and designated polling places are set out below. The arrangement will come into effect on 1 December 2019. Polling District Parishes and other areas within Polling Place the Polling District FA Alvescot Alvescot The Village Hall, The Walk, Alvescot FB Ascott-under- Ascott-under-Wychwood The Tiddy Hall, Shipton Road, Ascott-under- Wychwood Wychwood FC Asthal Asthal The Memorial Hall, Minster Road, Asthall Leigh FD Aston Aston, Cote, Shifford and Chimney The New Village Hall, Cote Road, Aston FE Bampton Bampton The Village Hall, Market Square, Bampton FF Black Bourton Black Bourton St Mary the Virgin Church, Burford Road, Black Bourton FG Bladon Bladon Church Room. Church Street, Bladon FH Blenheim Blenheim Blenheim Estate Office, Park Street, Woodstock or The Town Hall, Market Place, Woodstock FI Brize Norton Brize Norton The Elder Bank Hall, Station Road, Brize Norton FJ Broadwell Broadwell The Old School, Broadwell FK Bruern Bruern The Village Hall, Shipton Road, Milton-under- Wychwood FL Burford Burford St John the Baptist Church, Church Green, Burford or The Warwick Hall, Church Green, Burford FM Carterton North Carterton (Rock Farm Ward) The Methodist Hall, Burford Road, Carterton West No. 1 FM2 Carterton North Carterton (Shillbrook Ward) The Army Cadet Force Hut, Swinbrook Road, West No. 2 Carterton

Item No. 5, Page 21 of 26 (Annex B) Polling District Parishes and other areas within Polling Place the Polling District FM3 Carterton North East Carterton (Upavon Ward – part) (Less that portion of The Methodist Hall, Burford Road, Carterton No. 1 the Upavon Ward of Carterton included in Carterton North No. 4 Polling District) FM4 Carterton North East Carterton (Upavon Ward – part) (That portion of the Carterton Community Centre, Shilton Park, No. 2 Upavon Ward of Carterton indicated on a map Carterton deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) FN Carterton South No. 1 Carterton (Gateway Ward – part) (Less that portion The Town Hall, Alvescot Road, Carterton or of the Gateway Ward of Carterton included in Brownes Hall, Brownes Lane, Carterton Carterton South No. 2 Polling District) FN2 Carterton South No. 2 Carterton (Gateway Ward – part) (That portion of The Town Hall, Alvescot Road, Carterton or the Gateway Ward of Carterton indicated on a map Brownes Hall, Brownes Lane, Carterton deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) FN3 Carterton South No. 3 Carterton (Milestone Ward) The Town Hall, Alvescot Road, Carterton or Brownes Hall, Brownes Lane, Carterton FO Cassington Cassington The New Village Hall, The Green, Cassington FP Chadlington Chadlington The Memorial Hall, Chapel Road, Chadlington FQ Charlbury Charlbury The War Memorial Hall, Browns Lane, Charlbury FR Chastleton Chastleton The Village Hall, West Street, Kingham FS Chilson Chilson The Memorial Hall, Chapel Road, Chadlington FT Chipping Norton The Town Hall, Chipping Norton FU Churchill Churchill The Village Hall, Church Road, Churchill FV Clanfield Clanfield The Carter Institute, The Green, Clanfield FW Combe Combe The Reading Room, The Green, Combe FX Cornbury and The Memorial Hall, Chapel Road, Chadlington Wychwood FY Cornwell Cornwell The Village Hall, West Street, Kingham FZ Crawley Crawley The Village Hall, Middletown, Hailey GA Curbridge Curbridge The Parish Hall, Main Road, Curbridge GC Ducklington Ducklington The Village Hall, Standlake Road, Ducklington GD Enstone Enstone The New Parish Hall, Enstone GE Eynsham Eynsham Eynsham Village Hall, Back Lane, Eynsham GF Fawler Fawler The Village Hall, Well Hill, Finstock

Item No. 5, Page 22 of 26 (Annex B) Polling District Parishes and other areas within Polling Place the Polling District GG Fifield Fifield Fifield Parish Hall, High Street, Fifield GH Filkins Filkins and The Carter Institute, Filkins GI Finstock Finstock The Village Hall, Well Hill, Finstock GJ Freeland Freeland The Village Hall, Wroslyn Road, Freeland GK Fulbrook Fulbrook St John the Baptist Church, Church Green, Burford or The Warwick Hall, Church Green, Burford GL Glympton Glympton The Village Hall, Wootton GM Grafton and Radcot The Village Hall, Filkins Road, Langford GN Great Tew Great Tew The Tew Centre, Ledwell Road, Great Tew GO Hailey Hailey The Village Hall, Middletown, Hailey GP Hanborough Hanborough The Pavilion, Playing Field, Roosevelt Road, Long Hanborough GQ Hardwick with Yelford Hardwick with Yelford The Village Hall, Rack End, Standlake GR Heythrop Heythrop The Village Hall, Choicehill Road, Over Norton GS Holwell Holwell The Conservatory, 5 Mitford Cottages, Westwell GT Idbury Idbury Fifield Parish Hall, High Street, Fifield GU Kelmscott Kelmscott The Morris Memorial Hall, Kelmscott GV Kencot Kencot The Old School, Broadwell GW Kiddington with Kiddington with Asterleigh The Village Hall, Wootton Asterleigh GX Kingham Kingham The Village Hall, West Street, Kingham GY Langford Langford The Village Hall, Filkins Road, Langford GZ Leafield Leafield The New Village Hall, Lower End, Leafield HA Lew Lew The Parish Hall, Main Road, Curbridge HB Little Faringdon Little Faringdon The Village Hall, Filkins Road, Langford HC Little Tew Little Tew The Tew Centre, Ledwell Road, Great Tew HD Lyneham Lyneham The Beaconsfield Hall, Shipton-under-Wychwood HE Milton-under- Milton-under-Wychwood The Village Hall, Shipton Road, Milton-under- Wychwood Wychwood HF Minster Lovell Minster Lovell St Kenelms Hall, Brize Norton Road, Minster Lovell HG North Leigh North Leigh The Memorial Hall, Park Lane, North Leigh

Item No. 5, Page 23 of 26 (Annex B) Polling District Parishes and other areas within Polling Place the Polling District HH Northmoor Northmoor The Village Hall, Northmoor HI Over Norton Over Norton The Village Hall, Choicehill Road, Over Norton HJ Ramsden Ramsden The Memorial Hall, High Street, Ramsden HK Rollright Rollright The Village Hall, Great Rollright HL Rousham Rousham The Village Hall, Medcroft Road, Tackley HM Salford Salford The Village Hall, Salford HN Sandford St. Martin Sandford St. Martin The Parish Hall, Sandford St. Martin HO Sarsden Sarsden The Village Hall, Church Road, Churchill HP Shilton Shilton The Old School, Church Lane, Shilton HQ Shipton-under- Shipton-under-Wychwood The Beaconsfield Hall, Shipton-under-Wychwood Wychwood HR South Leigh South Leigh The Village Hall, Church End, South Leigh HS Spelsbury Spelsbury The War Memorial Hall, Charlbury Road, Spelsbury HT Standlake Standlake The Village Hall, Rack End, Standlake HU Stanton Harcourt Stanton Harcourt The Millennium and Memorial Hall, Stanton Harcourt HV Steeple Barton Steeple Barton Barton Memorial Sports and Social Club, Worton Road, Middle Barton HW Stonesfield Stonesfield The Village Hall, Field Close, Stonesfield HX Swerford Swerford The Village Hall, Swerford HY Swinbrook The Village Hall, Swinbrook HZ Tackley Tackley The Village Hall, Medcroft Road, Tackley JA Taynton Taynton The Village Hall, Taynton JB Westcot Barton Westcot Barton Barton Memorial Sports and Social Club, Worton Road, Middle Barton JC Westwell Westwell The Conservatory, 5 Mitford Cottages, Westwell JD Witney Central No. 1 Witney (Central Ward – part) (That portion of the The Ceewood Hall, Fettiplace Road, Witney Central Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JD2 Witney Central No. 2 Witney (Central Ward – part) (That portion of the Tower Hill School, Moor Avenue, Witney Central Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices)

Item No. 5, Page 24 of 26 (Annex B) Polling District Parishes and other areas within Polling Place the Polling District JE Witney East No. 1 Witney (East Ward – part) (That portion of the East Wood Green School, Woodstock Road, Witney Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JE2 Witney East No. 2 Witney (East Ward – part) (That portion of the East Blake CE School, Cogges Hill Road, Witney Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JF Witney East No. 3 Witney (East Ward – part) (That portion of the East Blake CE School, Cogges Hill Road, Witney Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JF2 Witney East No. 4 Witney (East Ward – part) (That portion of the East Madley Park Hall, Northfield Farm Lane, Witney Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JG Witney North No. 1 Witney (North Ward – part) (That portion of the Committee Room 1, Council Offices, North Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited Woodgreen, Witney at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JH Witney North No. 2 Witney (North Ward – part) (That portion of the Witney CP School, Hailey Road, Witney North Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council) JI Witney South No. 1 Witney (South Ward – part) (That portion of the The Burwell Hall, Thorney Leys, Witney South Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JJ Witney South No. 2 Witney (South Ward – part) (That portion of the The Corn Exchange, Market Square, Witney South Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JK Witney South No. 3 Witney (South Ward – part) (That portion of the The Burwell Hall, Thorney Leys, Witney South Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JL Witney West No. 1 Witney (West Ward – part) (That portion of the The Burwell Hall, Thorney Leys, Witney West Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JM Witney West No. 2 Witney (West Ward – part) (That portion of the The Joint Cadet Centre, Edington Square, West Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited Witney at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices)

Item No. 5, Page 25 of 26 (Annex B) Polling District Parishes and other areas within Polling Place the Polling District JM2 Witney West No. 3 Witney (West Ward – part) (That portion of the The Joint Cadet Centre, Edington Square, West Ward of Witney indicated on a map deposited Witney at West Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JN Woodstock No. 1 Woodstock (part) (That portion of the Parish of Blenheim Estate Office, Park Street, Woodstock Woodstock indicated on a map deposited at West or The Town Hall, Market Place, Woodstock Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JO Woodstock No. 2 Woodstock (part) (That portion of the Parish of The Common Room, Ryegrass, Woodstock Woodstock indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council offices) JP Woodstock No. 3 Woodstock (part) (That portion of the Parish of Blenheim Estate Office, Park Street, Woodstock Woodstock indicated on a map deposited at West or The Town Hall, Market Place, Woodstock Oxfordshire District Council Offices) JQ Woodstock No. 4 Woodstock (part) (That portion of the Parish of The Common Room, Ryegrass, Woodstock Woodstock indicated on a map deposited at West Oxfordshire District Council offices) JR Wootton Wootton The Village Hall, Wootton JS Worton Worton The Parish Hall, Sandford St. Martin

Item No. 5, Page 26 of 26 (Annex B)