Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations September 2019

Conwy County Borough Council

Review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations September 2019

Review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations

1. Introduction This report provides a summary of the findings from the 2019 review of polling districts and polling places consultation. All Town and Community Councils and County Borough Councillors were informed of the review and asked to use the on line survey. Other elected representatives (AMs and MPs) and groups that deal with disability and accessibility issues were also invited to respond to the review.

2. Aim of the review

The aim of the review is to seek to ensure:

 That all electors in a constituency have such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances;

 That, so far as is reasonable and practicable, polling places are accessible to all electors, including those with disabilities.

3. Timing of the review

Councils have a statutory duty to carry out a review every five years. The last review was carried out in 2014. 4. Timetable for the review

Publication of Notice of Review 1 July 2019

Deadline for receipt of public comments on the 9 August 2019 review

Issue and publication of the Returning Officer’s 2 September 2019 comments

Deadline for receipt of public comments on the 30 September 2019 Returning Officer’s comments and proposals

Submission of final proposals to Council 12 December 2019

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Review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations

5. Undertaking the review

Conwy County Borough Council has conducted a wide consultation:

 Seeking the opinions and recommendations of community councils, the public and professional bodies and associations.

 A public notice was displayed in the Council Offices and on the website. It was also provided to all Town and Community Clerks in order for them to display in their local communities.

 Conwy County Borough Council has also contacted stakeholders directly to invite them to submit proposals and recommendations when the notice went up and also when the Returning Officer’s comments are published.

Stakeholders: Residents of Conwy County Borough Council Town and Community Councils in Conwy County Borough Council Conwy County Borough Council Members Guto Bebb, MP The Rt Hon David Jones, MP Janet Finch-Saunders, AM Llyr Gruffydd, AM Mark Isherwood, AM Darren Millar, AM Mandy Jones, AM Michelle Brown, AM Secretary, North Wales Association of Town and larger Community Councils Disability Wales Conwy Voluntary Access Group Centre of Sign-Sight-Sound North Wales Society for the Blind Presiding Officers

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6. Initial representations made and Returning Officer’s comments

i. Unsuitable location / building Llandudno Junction Community Club, Victoria Drive, Llandudno Junction Response 1 Janet Finch Saunders, AM Polling place location No answer Polling place easy to locate No answer Building suitable No answer Voting area accessible No answer Difficulties for elderly, infirm Yes - Unreasonable and difficult for elderly or or disabled disabled electors to access. Residents are expected to walk down a narrow driveway which not only poses a risk to their safety due to the fact that vehicles are expected to share the highway, and is also poorly lit Alternative polling place No alternatives provided Any additional comments None

Response 2 Michael Jones Polling place location Suitable Polling place easy to locate Yes Building suitable Yes Voting area accessible Yes Difficulties for elderly, infirm No answer or disabled Alternative polling place Do not know of any suitable alternatives Any additional comments There is very little choice in terms of alternative venues. There are plans to refurbish the club. Onsite parking is ample and the continued use of traffic management officers make the drive safe to use for both pedestrians and vehicular access.

Response 3 Councillors Sue Shotter and Mike Priestley (Marl) Polling place location Suitable Polling place easy to locate Yes Building suitable Yes Voting area accessible Yes Difficulties for elderly, infirm No answer or disabled Alternative polling place Bethel Chapel on Overlea Avenue Any additional comments The community centre is probably in the best location, is very well known by residents but access is an issue. Bethel Chapel is in a residential area and parking can be an issue.

Returning Officer Comments: This venue is not ideal because of the traffic issues and traffic management officers have to be found for each election. We will have a look into the suggestion of Bethel Chapel however it is at the border with Deganwy ward.

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Maen Alaw, Bangor Road, Penmaenmawr Response 1 Gareth Peters Polling place location Suitable Polling place easy to locate Yes Building suitable No Voting area accessible Yes Difficulties for elderly, infirm No Answer or disabled Alternative polling place Do not know of any suitable alternatives Any additional comments There is significant room for improvement in these premises. The premises were dirty, cold and the lighting very poor. The table and chairs for staff were unsuitable. Toilet facilities and access to the kitchen for staff are a distance away from the polling room.

Response 2 Councillor Ken Stevens (Pant yr Afon/Penmaenan) Polling place location No Answer Polling place easy to locate No Answer Building suitable No Answer Voting area accessible No Answer Difficulties for elderly, infirm No Answer or disabled Alternative polling place The Penmaenan Community Centre on Cowlyd Terrace would be suitable. It is smaller than Maen Alaw but it does have facilities for staff. Any additional comments

Returning Officer Comments: Maen Alaw is not an ideal venue due to the facilities here however we have not had any complaints from electors in regards to its suitability as a polling station. We will look into the suggestion of the Penmaenan Community Centre.

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Marquee at Zip World Stadium, Colwyn Bay Response 1 Richard Edwards Polling place location Unsuitable Polling place easy to locate No Building suitable No Voting area accessible Yes Difficulties for elderly, infirm Yes or disabled Alternative polling place Do not know of any suitable alternatives Any additional comments Extremely unsuitable. Access ramp not fit for purpose. Climate control within the marquee was impossible to achieve even with heaters (staff were wearing jackets for most of the day). No solid walls on which election notices could be put up on. Electrical cables everywhere. An unprofessional environment in which to welcome voters and conduct the poll.

Response 2 Councillor Chris Hughes (Glyn) Polling place location No Answer Polling place easy to locate No Answer Building suitable No Answer Voting area accessible No Answer Difficulties for elderly, infirm No Answer or disabled Alternative polling place Y Fron Community Centre (Ffordd Bugail). Any additional comments In terms of the options of the Marquee or Y Fron Community Centre I prefer the option of the community centre as it is in the heart of the community.

Response 3 Councillor Abdul Khan (Glyn) Polling place location No Answer Polling place easy to locate No Answer Building suitable No Answer Voting area accessible No Answer Difficulties for elderly, infirm No Answer or disabled Alternative polling place Ffordd Pandy Flats- have 2 communal rooms Llys Elian on Groes Road The Army training centre on Groes Road The Pod near the Leisure Centre or the leisure centre itself Ysgol Bod Alaw or Ysgol Eirias Any additional comments I think you should carry on with use of the marquee at Sadiwm Zip World or find alternative in Glyn Ward

Returning Officer Comments: We welcome the different suggestions that have been put forward. The Ffordd Pandy flats communal area is in the Glyn ward whereas Y Fron

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Review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations is just over the electoral boundary in the Eirias ward. Both will be well known venues by the local community. The Ffordd Pandy communal area and Y Fron are more likely to be suitable for the majority of electors. Llys Elian would not be suitable due to nature of the care home and we try not to use schools due to the disruption it can cause on the day of an election. We are unsure of how long the marquee at Sadiwm Zip World will be there as it is only a semi-permanent structure and so we need to find a longer term venue.

ii. Consultation response received, but no problems identified:

 Abergele Town Council – Their response was that they had no issues with the current situations, set up and venues.  Llandudno Town Council - Members had no observations or comments on the review.  Councillors Brian Cossey and Cheryl Carlisle – find all three polling stations in the Colwyn electoral Division totally acceptable.  Community Hall, Henryd –response from Neil Hilton (Presiding Officer) stating that the Community Hall is a good location and is adequate.  Scout Headquarters, Groes Lwyd, - response from Councillor Sam Rowlands stating he is satisfied with the existing polling station in Pentre Mawr.  Scout Headquarters, Groes Lwyd, – response from Christopher Thomas (Presiding Officer) stating that the hall is spacious with wheelchair access and enough parking space. The hall is the best option to cater for electors in this area.  Craig y Don Community Centre, Craig y Don – response from Councillor Frank Bradfield confirming the polling station was suitable.  Llandudno War Memorial Institute, Llandudno Junction – response from Town Councillor Tracy Hughes confirming the polling station is suitable.  St Gwynin Parish hall, Dwygyfylchi – response from Councillor Anne McCaffrey confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Kinmel Bay Community Centre, Kinmel Bay – response from Councillor Michael Smith confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Kinmel Bay Church, Kinmel Bay – response from Councillor Michael Smith confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Trinity Centre, Llandudno - response from Karen Owen (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Village Hall, Llanefydd – response from Lindsay Evans (Presiding Officer) stating that although there are some issues with this polling station, such as the disabled access, the locals are used to it and make it work for them.  Community Centre, Pandy Tudur - response from Barbara Jones (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Peulwys and District Community Centre - response from Emma Anthony (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  St Mary’s Church Hall, Rosehill Street, Conwy – response from Ruth Wyn- Williams (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.

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Review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations

 North Coast Church, Towyn - response from Jeremy Grant (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Quaker Meeting House, Colwyn Bay - response from Ruth Evans (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Penrhyn side Village Hall, Penrhynside - response from Sue Pearson (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Community Hall, Playing fields, Llanelian yn Rhos - response from Rhianwen Jones (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Village Hall, Bryn Pydew - response from Christopher James (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Memorial Hall, Ysbyty Ifan - response from Ann Hughes (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  St Paul’s Church Hall, Mostyn Avenue, Llandudno - response from David Pullan (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Llanrhos Old School, Llanrhos - response from Christopher Worstencroft (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Tan y Lan Centre, Old Colwyn - response from Susan Williams (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  St John’s Church Hall, Conway Road, Colwyn Bay - response from Lewis Arnold (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Peniel Chapel, Deganwy - response from Ifor Williams (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.  Bro Cernyw Community Centre - response from Delyth Vaughan (Presiding Officer) confirming that the polling station is suitable.

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Review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations iii. Change of polling district boundaries:

Changes to Glyn polling district boundaries – AE2 and AE3

As Nant y Glyn Church is no longer available as a polling station it provides an opportunity to change the boundary between AE2 and AE3. The north western side of AE3 consisting of the Abergele Road, Highfield Road, Kenneth Avenue, Nant y Glyn Avenue, Nant y Glyn Road, Park Road, Rosemary Avenue, The Close, and Woodfield Avenue are a separate ‘community’ from the eastern side of the polling district (Appendix 1). It is proposed that this part of AE3 moves into AE2. This change affects 448 electors who would now have to go to the Quaker Meeting House, Erskine Road. The Quaker Meeting House is also closer for these electors than the proposed new polling stations (Ffordd Pandy Flats communal area or Y Fron Community Centre). If this change is implemented, the number of electors for each polling station in the Glyn Electoral division will be as follows:

AE1 – Town Hall, Rhiw Road = 1176

AE2 – Quaker Meeting House, Erskine Road = 1255

AE3 – Ffordd Pandy Flats communal area / Fron Community Centre, Ffordd Bugail = 632

Llangernwy Community polling district boundaries

The polling district boundaries within the Llangernyw Community do not match the community ward boundaries; this is a historic error that has only just been brought to our attention and needs to be rectified. We would usually expect the polling district boundaries to match that of the community ward boundaries (when a community is warded) however this is currently not the case for Llangernyw, Pandy Tudur and Gwytherin community wards. Appendix 2 illustrates the problem with the boundaries. The purple and red boundary lines need to run together. Appendix 3 illustrates the issues with certain properties being in the wrong polling district/community ward.

If this is not addressed it would mean that if a local election was held here some electors would be voting for candidates standing for a neighbouring community and this is not permissible. Making the boundary changes will mean that some electors will now have to attend a different polling station.

Councillor Garffild Lloyd Lewis (County Councillor for Llangernyw) has been informed of this issue and met with Llangernyw community council. Several residents contacted us about this issue and they were advised to respond to this consultation with their concerns about changing the polling district boundaries.

Consultation Responses received:

Gaenor Edwards – Llangernyw is two miles from our address however if we have to go to Pandy Tudur polling station, that is 6 miles away and we have to pass Llangernyw to get there. This doesn’t make sense at all. There is a need to reduce carbon.

D G Davies (on behalf of Llangernyw Community Council) – general concerns about the changes to the polling district boundaries and the location of the polling stations which means that some electors have to travel further than they have in the past.

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Review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations

Returning Officer Comments: As stated above the polling district boundaries do not match the community ward boundaries which means that some properties are currently in the wrong polling district and therefore in the wrong community ward. We have to change the polling district boundaries so that they match the community ward boundaries to correct this. We are not in the position to change the community ward boundaries in this review.

In total, 37 electors will move to the Llangernyw ward and 67 electors will move to the Pandy Tudur ward. We realise that some people will now have to travel further than they have in the past which may be an issue for some. Currently there is no option for voting at a polling station other than at your designated polling station, however the option of voting by post is available to all registered electors. We did not receive any suggestions for alternative locations for polling stations that may have been more central to everyone in the community wards.

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Appendix 1 Suggested Polling District boundary changes

Suggested boundary to be removed Suggested new boundary

Current Polling District boundaries

AE2

AE1

Currently AE3, would become AE2 if suggested changes adopted

AE3 AD2

© Hawlfraint y Goron a hawliau cronfa ddata 2019 Arolwg Ordnans 100023380 0 250 Mae telerau ac amodau’n gysylltiedig â defnyddio’r data hwn © Crown copyright and database rights 2019 Ordnance Survey 100023380 Use of this data is subject to terms and conditions.

Title Suggested Polling District boundary changes

Scale 1:5000

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AN2

AN1

AO1

AS1

AS3

AU1

AS2 BB