Agenda Item 7
For publication
Bedford Borough Council – General Purposes Committee
Date of Meeting: 4 November 2014
Report by: Head of Registration and Records
Subject: REVIEW OF PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND PLACES 2014 – OUTCOME OF REVIEW
1. Executive Summary
This report records the steps taken in the 2014 review of Parliamentary Polling Districts and Places and reports the outcome of that review. Such reviews must comply with the relevant statutory obligations.
Under the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 there is a requirement to conduct a review of all the Parliamentary Polling District and Places in the Borough. The requirement for the review and programming of it was reported to the Committee’s meeting on 10 June 2014.
2. Recommendations
2.1 That the work undertaken in the 2014 review of Parliamentary Polling Districts and Places in the Borough as set out in this report be received and considered.
2.2 To note the comments received as part of this review and the proposed response to those comments.
2.3 That the proposals for Polling Districts and Places for the Parliamentary constituencies in the Borough as set out at Appendix A be submitted to the meeting of Council on 26 November 2014 for adoption.
2.4 That the Head of Registration and Records be authorised to make any necessary amendment to Local Government Polling Districts and Places following from this review of the arrangements for Parliamentary Constituencies.
7(1)
3. Reasons for Recommendations
3.1 The Council is under a duty to conduct the review referred to. This must be concluded by 31 January 2015 (i.e. within 16 months commencing on 1 October 2013 as provided for by section 1 of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011). The next publication date for the Revised Register of electors is 1 December 2014 and this is an appropriate point to adopt new Polling Districts and Places following the conclusion of the review as the register can then be published taking account of any changes arising from the review. This will be a critical part of the preparations for the UK Parliamentary general election to be held on 7 May 2015.
4. Key Implications
Legal Issues
4.2 Section 17 of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, which came into force on 2 April 2014, amended the timetable for which polling district and places reviews are undertaken. Section 17 of the 2013 Act requires that a Polling District and Places Review is undertaken within 16 months commencing on 1 October 2013. Section 16 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 sets out the legal framework of the review.
Policy Issues
4.4 There are no policy implications as a consequence of this report.
Resource Implications
4.5 The review has been accommodated within existing resources. This has been managed to ensure that it does not impact adversely on delivery of other activities required to be undertaken by the service area concerned during the period of the review. It is appropriate to note that the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 has also introduced wholesale changes to how Electoral Registration is carried, moving to a system of Individual Electoral Registration. This review has therefore been conducted during the transition to Individual Electoral Registration, and this has required monitoring to ensure this review was conducted as envisaged.
Risk Implications
4.6 The principal risk associated with the review is that it is not completed as required by law. The setting of a timetable and identification of specific groups of consultees was designed to mitigate against that risk. For the reasons of resource allocation and preparation for the Parliamentary General Election on 7 May 2015 a key risk was that the review was concluded in sufficient time to allow the outcome to be accommodated in the revised publication of the Register of Electors on 1 December 2014. This was a feature of the management of this review to ensure that the opportunity of concluding it before 30 November was maximised. 7(2)
Environmental Implications
4.7 There are no direct Environmental Implications arising from this report.
Equalities Impact
4.8 In preparing this report, due consideration has been given to the Council’s statutory Equality Duty to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations, as set out in Section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010.
An equality analysis has been completed. The equality analysis concluded that the Council adopts an equal and consistent approach in its allocation of Polling District and Places, so that each voter has the same satisfactory experience on Polling Day. This Council remains, not just within review periods, proactive in identifying issues in respective polling venues, and takes steps to remedy those issues, either through working with the venue, or identifying alternatives.
5. Details
5.1 In compliance with Section 17 of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (review of polling districts and places in Great Britain), the statutory responsibility for reviewing Parliamentary Polling Districts and Places in England and Wales rests with each District/Unitary Council for so much of any constituency as is situated in it’s area. The District/Unitary Council must have undertaken and completed a review of all Parliamentary Polling Districts and Places in its area within 16 months, commencing 1 October 2013 (i.e. by 31 January 2015). To be effective for the Revised Register of Electors to be published on 1 December 2014 the review will need to be completed in time for Full Council to consider any proposals on 26 November 2014.
5.2 Following this review a further review will need to take place within the period of 16 months commencing on 1 October every fifth year thereafter (therefore the next ‘window’ will commence on 1 October 2018). However, the District/Unitary Council is not prevented from carrying out a review of all or some of the polling districts and places in its area at other times.
5.3 A Polling District is a geographical area created by a sub-division of a UK Parliamentary constituency for the purposes of a UK Parliamentary election. In England, each parish is to be a separate polling district (unless there are special circumstances). The Council is responsible for dividing its area into polling districts and for keeping these under review.
5.4 A Polling Place is a geographical area in which polling stations will be selected. A polling place within a polling district must be designated so that polling stations are in close proximity to all electors in the polling district. It is possible to designate an entire polling district as the polling place and it is also possible to designate it more tightly (such as a particular building). The Council must designate a polling place for
7(3)
every polling district unless the size or other circumstances of the poling district are such that the situation of the polling stations does not materially affect the convenience of the electorate. The designated polling place must be within the area of the polling district unless special circumstances make it desirable to designate an area wholly or partly outside of the polling district.
5.5 A Polling Station is the actual venue where voting takes place. These are chosen by the relevant (Acting) Returning Officer at the time of an election.
5.6 In addition to the above, Local Authorities must comply with certain access requirements. They must;
(a) seek to ensure that all electors in a constituency in the local authority area have such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances and;
(b) seek to ensure that so far as is reasonable and practicable every polling place for which it is responsible is accessible to electors who are disabled.
5.7 The District/Unitary Council must give notice of holding a review, which requires publication in the Council’s Office, in at least one conspicuous place within the Council’s area, and on the Council’s website. Such notice was given for this review.
5.8 The content of the Notice is not prescribed, but it would include key things such as the timetable of the review, that it welcomes responses and suggested alternatives, where documents can be inspected and who to make representations to.
5.9 The Council is required to consult the Returning Officer for every parliamentary constituency that is wholly or partly within its area. This means that this council must consult with the Returning Officers for Bedford, North East Bedfordshire and for Mid Bedfordshire constituency in respect of the those constituencies.
In respect to any representations from the Returning Officers received, the Borough Council would be required to publish the said representations within thirty calendar days of their receipt, as a minimum.
5.10 In reviewing polling districts and polling places, the Council is required to actively seek representations from such persons as it thinks have particular expertise in relation to access to premises or facilities for persons who have different forms of disability. Such persons must be given the opportunity to make representations and to comment on the representations made by the Returning Officer.
A key factor the Council considered at the outset of the review was the identification of those persons/organisations it feels have particular expertise in accessibility issues. In addition, any elector in the constituency may make representations on the designation of polling places to the council. In view of the nature of the review it was also considered appropriate to consult with the local Diversity Network.
7(4)
5.11 On completion of a review, the council is required to give reasons for its decisions in respect of the designation of both polling districts and polling places. In addition, the council must publish the following:
all correspondence sent to a Returning Officer in connection with the review, and all correspondence sent to any person whom the authority thinks has particular expertise in relation to access to premises or facilities for persons who have different forms of disability; all representations made by any person in connection with the review; the minutes of any meetings held by the authority where details of the review have been considered; details of the actual designations of polling districts and polling places agreed as a result of the review; and details of where the results of the review have been published.
Although this review concerns itself explicitly with the review of Parliamentary Polling Districts and Places in the Borough, it is normally the case that Local Government Polling Districts and Places will be modified to accommodate and mirror the same Polling Districts and Places as will apply to Parliamentary constituencies. The principal exception to this rule would be if the proposed Polling Place was outside of the electoral area concerned. The report at Appendix A references where the Parliamentary Polling Districts and Places are likely to deviate from the Local Government Polling District and Places.
5.12 Although the Electoral Commission has no initial role in the review process itself, it has an extremely important role in respect of considering representations and observations made that a council has not conducted a review so as to:
meet the reasonable requirements of the electors in the constituency, or a body of them (i.e. the reasonable requirements of a particular area of the authority have not been satisfactorily met); or take sufficient account of the accessibility to disabled persons of polling stations within a designated polling place.
5.13 Each of the groups listed below were sent a schedule of draft proposals of Polling District and Places, for their respective area. Responses were to be received no later than 6 October 2014.
Members of the Borough Council Parish Councils The Returning Officers for Bedford, Mid Bedfordshire and North East Bedfordshire Parliamentary Constituencies. Members of Parliament for the three constituencies referenced. Local Constituency Parties/Associations for registered political parties for the three constituencies referenced. The Local Access Group The Diversity Network
7(5)
5.14 The received responses are set out at Annex C to Appendix A. Some of the comments received related to the venue used for Polling Stations whereas these considerations are outside of the scope of the review. The Committee is informed of the comments to assist in its consideration of the appropriate Polling Districts and Places in the relevant Parliamentary Constituencies.
5.15 It should be noted that, as detailed in the final proposals set out at Appendix A, that this Review has considered the five year projected electorate forecasts, as interpreted by the Council’s Intelligence Team following data provided by Borough Council Planning Group on future residential developments within the Borough. The methodology used for the Review is set out at Annex A to that Appendix.
5.16 The proposals for Polling Districts and Places, identified by Parliamentary Constituency and Borough Ward are available at:
www.bedford.gov.uk/pollingdistrictsplacesreview
5.17 The revised Register for Electors is to be published on 1 December 2014 will be prepared on the basis of the new Polling Districts and Places, if approved on 26 November by the Council.
5.18 The number of Polling Districts proposed across the Borough totals 137. This is an increase of two from the current arrangements (with 135 Polling Districts).
5.19 The Committee is advised of the following ranges for proposed Polling Districts in terms of current electorate for the three constituencies in so far as they are within the Borough of Bedford.
Constituency Name Polling District with the Highest Polling District with the lowest Average Electorate per Polling Electorate Electorate District Bedford BBF – in Putnoe Ward – 2978 BQ – in Clapham Ward – 16 1216 Mid Bedfordshire MG – in Wilshamstead Ward – 1331 ME – in Kempston Rural Ward – 317 1028 North East Bedfordshire NG – in Clapham Ward – 2074 NBA – in Wyboston Ward – 26 627
5.20 The Committee is also advised that access to polling stations in the Borough has improved at each election since the combined national and local elections in 2011 as shown below:
Combined UK Referendum and Local Government Elections 2011 – 55% Police and Crime Commissioner Elections 2012 – 63% European Parliamentary Election 2014 – 84%
7(6)
The figures above represent full compliance with access requirements and the remaining polling stations utilised at the elections would have met some of those requirements.
6. Summary of Consultations and Outcome
6.1 The Assistant Chief Executive (Governance) has been consulted on the content of this report and his comments have been incorporated into it.
7. Ward Councillor Views
7.1 The views of individual Ward Councillors has been sought as part of the formal review of Polling Districts and Places identified in this report.
Report Contact Officer: Keith Simmons – [email protected] (Tel. 01234 276907) Head of Registration and Records Luke Fattorusso – [email protected] (Tel. 01234 276914) Service Manager (Local Land Charges/Electoral Registration)
File Reference: FGP/9/71
Previous Relevant Minutes: Minute 9: General Purposes Committee – 10 June 2014 Minute 74: Full Council – 30 November 2011
Background Papers: None
Appendices: A – Proposals for Parliamentary Polling Districts and Places
7(7) Appendix A
Bedford Borough Council
2014 Review of Parliamentary Polling Districts and Places
Bedford, Mid Bedfordshire and North East Bedfordshire Parliamentary Constituencies
Final Proposals
1
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .4
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
BRICKHILL BOROUGH WARD .6
CASTLE BOROUGH WARD .8
CAULDWELL BOROUGH WARD .10
CLAPHAM BOROUGH WARD .12
DE PARYS BOROUGH WARD .14
ELSTOW AND STEWARTBY BOROUGH WARD .16
GOLDINGTON BOROUGH WARD .18
GREAT BARFORD BOROUGH WARD .20
HARPUR BOROUGH WARD .22
KEMPSTON CENTRAL AND EAST BOROUGH WARD .24
KEMPSTON NORTH BOROUGH WARD .27
KEMPSTON RURAL BOROUGH WARD .29
KEMPSTON SOUTH BOROUGH WARD .31
KEMPSTON WEST BOROUGH WARD .33
KINGSBROOK BOROUGH WARD .35
NEWNHAM BOROUGH WARD .37
PUTNOE BOOROUGH WARD .39
QUEENS PARK BOROUGH WARD .41
MID BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
ELSTOW AND STEWARTBY BOROUGH WARD .44
KEMPSTON RURAL BOROUGH WARD .46
WILSHAMSTEAD BOROUGH WARD .48
2
WOOTTON BOROUGH WARD .50
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
BROMHAM AND BIDDENHAM BOROUGH WARD .53
CLAPHAM BOROUGH WARD .55
EASTCOTTS BOROUGH WARD .57
GOLDINGTON BOROUGH WARD .60
GREAT BARFORD BOROUGH WARD .62
HARROLD BOROUGH WARD .65
KEMPSTON RURAL BOROUGH WARD .67
OAKLEY BOROUGH WARD .69
RISELEY BOROUGH WARD .71
SHARNBROOK BOROUGH WARD .74
WYBOSTON BOROUGH WARD .76
Annexes
A - Methodology for electorate forecasts in the review .79
B - Statement of compliance with the code of practice on written consultations .81
C - Submissions received during the review of Polling Districts and Places .83
3 Bedford Borough Council
Parliamentary Polling District and Places Review 2014
Introduction
The report contains the outcome of a review of Parliamentary Polling Districts and Places in the Borough of Bedford. The Borough of Bedford fully comprises the Bedford Parliamentary Constituency and parts of both Mid and North East Bedfordshire Constituencies. This review was necessary under the Electoral Administration and Registration Act 2013 and the review was overseen by the Borough Council’s General Purposes Committee.
The main element of this report is segmented into three Parliamentary Constituencies referred to above. Within those respective segments there are subdivisions reflecting Borough Council Wards in so far as they are within the Constituency concerned. For each Ward (or element of a Ward in a Constituency), there is a map of the Ward, and information with regards to the current electorate, the establishment of Polling Places, and (where appropriate) the projected forecasted electorate over the next five years. The current electorate figures used in the review are taken from the publication of the revised electoral register on 17 February 2014. The Polling Districts and Places following this review will come into force on 1 December 2014 and will be used to inform the revised electoral register to be published that day.
The projected forecast electorates quoted in this report have been developed by the Council’s Intelligence Team. It has used, as its basis, the housing completions data and housing development trajectory produced by the Council’s Planning Group and the Bedford Borough Census data on household number and on household populations by age (published by the office for National Statistics) The methodology used by the Intelligence Team is set out at Annex A to this report.
The number of Polling Districts proposed is an increase from the current arrangements from 135 to 137. The notable changes are the creation of three further Polling Districts in Brickhill to accommodate that part of Brickhill Ward which is now unparished, the removal of a Polling District in Kempston North Ward, and a realignment of the Polling District boundary between Polling Districts MK and ML in Wootton Wards. Details of a full breakdown of the streets and postcodes within each of the Borough Wards is available upon request.
The review was commenced on 14 July 2014. Set out in Annex B is a statement on compliance with the Cabinet Office’s Code of Practice on written consultation in respect of this review. The comments received during the review are set out at Annex C.
4
Bedford Parliamentary Constituency
5 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
BRICKHILL BOROUGH WARD
The map of Brickhill Ward is available on the following page identifying the proposed Polling Districts. The Ward has seven Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below. The principal change from existing arrangements is to create three new Polling Districts for those areas to be excluded from Brickhill Parish (but still within Brickhill Borough Ward) with effect from 1 April 2015:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties BA1 Brickhill East 1073 2029 BA2 Unparished 3 6 BA3 Unparished 2 3 BA4 Unparished 1 2 BB Brickhill North 1129 2211 BC Brickhill South & West 934 1617 BD Brickhill South & West 460 889
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BA1 BA1 Brickhill Lower School BA2 BA2 and BA1 Brickhill Lower School BA3 BA3 and BA1 Brickhill Lower School BA4 BA4 and BA1 Brickhill Lower School BB BB Brickhill Community Centre BC BC Activities Hall, Beauchamp Middle School BD BD Brickhill Church Centre
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
6 Bedford Constituency - Brickhill Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review 2011
Scale 1:12500 This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 08:49:44 7 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
CASTLE BOROUGH WARD
The map of Castle Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Number of Properties Number of Electors BE 1794 1807 BF 609 822 BG 1195 1413 BH 849 1286 BI 613 628
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BE BE Rutland Road Church Hall BF BF & BE Bedford Salvation Army Congress Hall BG BG & BH The Shed at the Gordon Arms BH BH The Shed at the Gordon Arms BI BI St Johns Church Hall
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that the Shed at the Gordon Arms was an unacceptable polling station. This was due to on street parking difficulties and poor internal lighting. An inspection of the venue has been conducted and, whilst there are parking issues that are specific to the particular area, there does not appear to be an issue now concerning lighting. This will be communicated back to the Disability, Equality and Access Officer for further analysis.
Further venues have been identified in the area which will be examined and considered, with a view to establishing a dedicated Polling Venue for Polling District BG.
The Group also commented that Rutland Road Church could have benefitted from a ‘blue badge’ polling day parking board next to the pavement. This will be communicated to the Presiding Officer who manages the Polling Station on the day.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
8 Bedford Constituency - Castle Borough Ward
Notes:- Scale 1:10000 Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028. 9 18/10/2011 09:10:28 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
CAULDWELL BOROUGH WARD
The map of Cauldwell Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has seven Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Number of Properties Number of Electors BJ 866 1102 BK 165 383 BL 970 1689 BM 584 1011 BN 501 977 BO 446 936 BP 591 996
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BJ BJ Peter Pan Nursery School BK BK & BL Southway Nursery School BL BL Southway Nursery School BM BM & BN Faraday Square Community Centre BN BN Faraday Square Community Centre BO BO & BP Communal Room, Windsor Court BP BP Communal Room, Windsor Court
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
10 Bedford Constituency - Cauldwell Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:13000 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 09:19:58 11 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
CLAPHAM WARD
The map of the one Polling District of Clapham Ward in the Bedford Constituency is available on the following page. The Ward has four Polling Districts (one in Bedford Constituency). For the one Polling District concerned details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties BQ Clapham 9 16
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BQ BQ and BAE Edith Cavell Lower School (includes NF for Local Government purposes only)
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
12 Bedford Constituency - Clapham Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:25000 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 01:11:53 13 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
DE PARYS BOROUGH WARD
The map of De Parys Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Number of Properties Number of Electors BR 678 1000 BS 460 712 BT 775 1260 BU 636 1153 BV 1204 1527
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BR BR The Holt Room, St Andrews Church Hall BS BS Bedford Blues Rugby Club BT BT & BS Bedford Blues Rugby Club BU BU St John Rigby Lower School BV BV & BU St John Rigby Lower School
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that Bedford Blues Rugby Club was not a good venue as a polling station. This was due to it having a stepped entrance. They have suggested the use of the marquee which previously has not been available. Previous venues used, such as the Riverside Tennis Club, have also had access issues reported.
Arrangements have been made to inspect the Polling Venue, and following this analysis a decision on the venue to be used for the combined elections on 7 May 2014.
The Group also commented that the car park of the polling venue for Polling Districts BU and BV was full and used by cars belonging to staff. The impact of this is not entirely known, as there is off road parking outside of the school and there was no report of blue badge parking being unavailable on Polling Day. This will be communicated back to the Disability, Equality and Access Officer for further analysis. Consideration is being given to an alternative location for polling stations for these two Polling Districts.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
14 Bedford Constituency - De Parys Borough Ward
Notes:- Scale 1:10500 Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028. 15 18/10/2011 09:23:51 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
ELSTOW AND STEWARTBY BOROUGH WARD
The map of the two Polling Districts of Elstow and Stewartby Ward in the Bedford Constituency is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts (two in Bedford Constituency). For the two Polling Districts concerned details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties BW Elstow 18 32 BX Stewartby Hardwick 23 34
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BW BW & BAY, (includes Christ the King Church Hall MA & MB for Local Government Purposes only)
BX BX & BAR (includes Springfield Lower School MC for Local Government Purposes only)
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
Comments were received by the Ward Councillor in respect of Polling Districts BX. It was suggested that, due to the distance for voters within Polling District BX to travel, that postal vote applications could be sent with a covering letter explaining why. This will be undertaken, the timing of which to be determined at a later date.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
16 Bedford Constituency - Elstow and Stewartby Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:35000 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 01:19:48 17 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
GOLDINGTON BOROUGH WARD
The map of four of the Polling Districts of Goldington Ward in the Bedford Constituency is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts (four in Bedford Constituency). For the four Polling Districts concerned details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Number of Number of Electors Properties BY 921 1615 BZ 804 1401 BAA 451 758 BAB 1362 2245
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BY BY St Marys Church Hall BZ BZ & BAA St Marys Church Hall BAA BAA St Marys Church Hall BAB BAB Church Lane Community Centre
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places in Bedford Constituency.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
18 Bedford Constituency - Goldington Borough Ward
Notes:- Scale 1:15500 Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028. 19 18/10/2011 09:29:21 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
GREAT BARFORD BOROUGH WARD
The map of the one Polling District of Great Barford Ward in the Bedford Constituency is available on the following page. The Ward has ten Polling Districts (one in Bedford Constituency). For the one Polling District concerned details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Properties Number of Electors BAC Renhold South West 273 501 Parish Ward
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BAC BAC & BAA St Marys Church Hall (Includes NS for Local Government Purposes only)
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
20 ³
0.08
Kilometers
1:5,000 BAC
© Crown copyright and database rights 2014 Ordnance Survey 100049028.21 You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form. PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
HARPUR BOROUGH WARD
The map of Harpur Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Number of Properties Number of Electors BAD 897 1306 BAE 385 778 BAF 841 1479 BAG 814 1038 BAH 1404 1606
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BAD BAD The Juliet Suite, Shakespeare Hotel BAE BAE Edith Cavell Lower School BAF BAF Livingstone Lower School BAG BAG & BAF Livingstone Lower School BAH BAH Tavistock Community Centre
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that polling venue the Shakespeare Hotel needed a ramp due to a threshold of approximately 3cm at the entrance. The provision of a suitable ramp at this location is to be arranged.
The Group also commented that Edith Cavell Lower School had parking issues and workmen had also been active in the polling station, and that the Tavistock Community Centre required their polling day Blue badge holder parking ‘A’ Board in a more prominent position than had been the case. These matters will be communicated to the school prior to the election next May and otherwise drawn to the attention of the Polling Station staff to be deployed.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
22 Bedford Constituency - Harpur Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:11500 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 09:33:36 23 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
KEMPSTON CENTRAL AND EAST BOROUGH WARD
The map of Kempston Central and East Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Properties Number of Electors BAI Kempston Central and 487 865 East BAJ Kempston Central and 855 1360 East BAK Kempston Central and 702 1333 East BAL Kempston Central and 878 1479 East BAM Kempston Central and 269 521 East
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BAI BAI Bedford Road Lower School BAJ BAJ Transfiguration Church Hall BAK BAK Camestone Lower School BAL BAL Communal Room, Blenheim Court BAM BAM & BAL Communal Room, Blenheim Court
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
The table below provides the electorate figures for Polling District BAL in Kempston Central and East Ward over a five year period, based on current planning forecasts and analysis.
It is envisaged that there will be an increase in the number of electors in Polling District BAL by December 2018. Currently electors in this Polling District vote at Blenheim Court, which would have capacity to accommodate the additional electorate. However, this forecasted increase in electors in one only of the current Polling Districts in the Ward would suggest a need for a more fundamental realignment of the Poling District and those of BAJ and BAK. This will be considered at the next programmed review.
POLLING CURRENT DISTRICT ELECTORS DEC 2014 DEC 2015 DEC 2016 DEC 2017 DEC 2018 BAL 1479 1479 1512 1588 1679 1709
24 COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that the blue badge holder Polling Day parking ‘A’ Board should be placed on the street and this will be communicated to the Presiding Officer assigned to that polling station on polling day.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
25 Bedford Constituency - Kempston Central & East Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:10500 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 09:37:07 26 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
KEMPSTON NORTH BOROUGH WARD
The map of Kempston North Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has two Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below (the current arrangements for the Ward provide for three Polling Districts):
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties BAN Kempston North 991 1842 BAO Kempston North 597 1207
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BAN BAN Kempston Youth Centre BAO BAO Kempston Pool
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
Comments were received by the Ward Councillor in respect of the designated Polling Districts in the draft proposals. These have been incorporated into the final recommendations.
The proposed new BAN Polling District is a combination of two current Polling Districts. These arrangements provided for a second Polling District for electors in King Street, Foster Road, Foster Place and Halsey Road. They would normally vote at Kempston Youth Centre and would have had a separate polling station there for electors in the remainder of the new proposed Polling District. Given the size of the electorate it would still be proposed to provide two polling stations at the Kempston Youth Centre and the division of electors between the two polling stations will now be based on an alphabetical list of all streets in the enlarged Polling Districts rather than a separate geographical area (i.e. the four streets previously mentioned).
27 Bedford Constituency - Kempston North Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:8750 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 09:54:27 28 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
KEMPSTON RURAL BOROUGH WARD
The map of the one Polling District of Kempston Rural Ward in the Bedford Constituency is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts (one within Bedford Constituency). For the one Polling District concerned details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Properties Number of Electors BBM Kempston Rural (part) 175 209
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BBM BBM & BAS Kempston West Methodist Church (includes MD for Local Government Purposes only)
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
The table below provides the projected electorate figures for BBM. There is a notable increase in electorate over the five year period in the area of Kempston Rural within Bedford Parliamentary Constituency (BBM).
The new development within Polling District BBM in within the boundaries of both Kempston Rural and Kempston West Borough Wards, however, the majority of the development is within Kempston Rural Borough Ward. Whilst there is a considerable forecasted increase in electorate within the Polling District, it is not considered so large as to require more than the current single Polling District for electors in this area. The Polling Place for electors with Polling District BBM, for Parliamentary Elections, is proposed to include BAS and this would enable voters to vote at Kempston West Methodist Church. A review of this venue is scheduled to be undertaken prior to the election to confirm suitability.
POLLING CURRENT DISTRICT ELECTORS DEC 2014 DEC 2015 DEC 2016 DEC 2017 DEC 2018 BBM 209 427 737 956 1057 1118
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
29 Bedford Constituency - Kempston Rural Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:55000 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 01:37:52 30 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
KEMPSTON SOUTH BOROUGH WARD
The map of Kempston South Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has three Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties BAP Kempston South 210 424 BAQ Kempston South 1254 2414 BAR Kempston South 228 483
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BAP BAP & BAQ Springfield Lower School BAQ BAQ Springfield Lower School BAR BAR & BAQ Springfield Lower School
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that the car park at Springfield Lower School was full on the day. Contact will be made with the school prior to the election in May 2015 to discuss this and, if this is an issue, consider possible measures to improve the situation.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
31 Bedford Constituency - Kempston South Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:10000 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 09:59:47 32 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
KEMPSTON WEST BOROUGH WARD
The map of Kempston West Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has three Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Properties Number of Electors BAS Kempston West 768 1286 BAT Kempston West 645 1228 BAU Kempston West 578 1045
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BAS BAS Kempston West Methodist Church BAT BAT & BAU Balliol Lower School BAU BAU Balliol Lower School
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that the entrance and room used at Kempston West Methodist Church on the day was less than suitable. There is an alternative room with a ramped entrance that should be made available on polling day. Arrangements have been made to inspect of the venue and thereby refine the requirements to the building owners and to polling station staff allocated there as to the appropriate room and entrance that will be used on polling day.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
33 ³
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© Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey 100049028. 34 You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form. PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
KINGSBROOK BOROUGH WARD
The map of Kingsbrook Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Number of Properties Number of Electors BAV 444 786 BAW 964 1577 BAX 933 1769 BAY 792 1482 BAZ 866 1263
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BAV BAV & BAX Scott Community Hall BAW BAW & BAX Scott Community Hall BAX BAX Scott Community Hall BAY BAY Christ the King Church Hall BAZ BAZ The Scout Hut, Cardington Road
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that the ramp used at the entrance of the Scout Hut was too steep and thus was not suitable. A further inspection of the venue has been arranged in order to examine the issue identified and seek a resolution.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
35 Bedford Constituency - Kingsbrook Borough Ward
Notes:- Scale 1:17500 Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028. 36 18/10/2011 12:37:01 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
NEWNHAM BOROUGH WARD
The map of Newnham Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has four Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Number of Properties Number of Electors BBA 949 1758 BBB 732 1335 BBC 660 1181 BBD 889 1567
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BBA BBA Christ Church Hall BBB BBB Priory Methodist Church Hall BBC BBC Goldington Reading and Recreation Room BBD BBD & BBC Goldington Reading and Recreation Room
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
Notwithstanding this consideration is being given to an alternative polling station location for electors in Polling Districts BBC and BBD.
37 Bedford Constituency - Newnham Borough Ward
Notes:- Scale 1:18500 Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028. 38 18/10/2011 12:45:24 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
PUTNOE BOROUGH WARD
The map of Putnoe Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has three Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Number of Properties Number of Electors BBE 998 2075 BBF 1552 2978 BBG 558 1108
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BBE BBE & BBG The Large Hall, Putnoe Heights Partnership BBF BBF Bedford Athletic Rugby Club BBG BBG The Church Hall, Putnoe Heights Partnership
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
Comments were received by one of the Ward Councillor in respect of the designated Polling Districts in the draft proposals. These have been incorporated into the final recommendations.
The initial proposal was to create two Polling Districts for the area of BBE Polling District and a further two Polling Districts for the area of BBF Polling District. This would have resulted in polling districts of more equal size across the ward. Each Polling District would be allocated its own Polling Station at election times. This would mean there were fine Polling Districts in the ward. It is still intended to provide five Polling Stations in the ward. However, For BBG and BBF Polling Districts electors in the two Polling Districts will be allocated an alphabetical street lists rather than geographical areas. However, having taken into consideration the views of the Ward Councillor these proposed changes have been withdrawn and the current polling district structure in Putnoe will remain.
39 Bedford Constituency - Putnoe Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:10500 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 12:47:39 40 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
BEDFORD CONSTITUENCY
QUEENS PARK BOROUGH WARD
The map of Queens Park Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Number of Properties Number of Electors BBH 426 930 BBI 677 1473 BBJ 579 1177 BBK 613 1053 BBL 705 1386
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election BBH BBH Bedford Sports & Hockey Centre BBI BBI & BBH Bedford Sports & Hockey Centre BBJ BBJ & BBL Queens Park Community Centre BBK BBK & BBL Queens Park Community Centre BBL BBL Queens Park Community Centre
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that Bedford Sports and Hockey Centre experience flooding at the main entrance gate during heavy rain. This isn’t expected to be an issue for an election in May, however, provisions will be made with the venue to see how best this can be mitigated against, should it occur.
The Group also commented that Queens Park Community Centre required two blue badge holder polling day parking boards. This has been noted and arrangements will be made to accommodate this.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
41 Bedford Constituency - Queens Park Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:10500 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 12:50:30 42
Mid Bedfordshire Parliamentary Constituency
43 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
MID BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
ELSTOW AND STEWARTBY BOROUGH WARD
The map of three Polling Districts of Elstow and Stewartby Ward within the Mid Bedfordshire Constituency is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts (three in Mid Bedfordshire Constituency). Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties MA Elstow 571 1091 MB Elstow 496 1132 MC Stewartby Village 534 966
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election MA MA Elstow Playing Field Association Hall MB MB & MA Elstow Playing Field Association Hall MC MC Stewartby Village Hall
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
The table below provides the projected electorate figures for Elstow and Stewartby Ward over a five year period, based on current planning forecasts and analysis.
The electorate in Polling District MA (within Elstow Parish) and MC (Stewartby Village Parish Ward) are expected to increase by a third over the period of five years.
POLLING CURRENT DISTRICT ELECTORS DEC 2014 DEC 2015 DEC 2016 DEC 2017 DEC 2018 MA 1091 1091 1108 1116 1394 1532 MC 966 990 1093 1183 1349 1432
COMMENTS RECEIVED
Comments were received by the Ward Councillor in respect of Polling District MA, that the small piece of land left of the bypass should be moved from Elstow and Stewartby Ward to Wilshamstead Ward. Whilst the boundaries of the Wards have recently been reviewed as part of the Council’s Local Government Reorganisation in 2011, a Community Governance Review could consider the appropriate Parish arrangements for this area. A Community Governance Review of Wilshamstead Parish has been recently conducted resulting in the creation of the Wixams Parish on 1 April 2015.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
44 Mid Bedfordshire Constituency - Elstow and Stewartby Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:35000 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 01:19:48 45 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
MID BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
KEMPSTON RURAL WARD
The map of three Polling Districts of Kempston Rural Ward within the Mid Bedfordshire Constituency is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts (three within Mid Bedfordshire Constituency). For the three Polling Districts concerned details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Properties Number of Electors MD Kempston Rural (part) 486 1025 ME Stagsden 169 317 MF Turvey 513 997
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election MD MD All Saints Church Hall ME ME Stagsden Village Hall MF MF Turvey Village Hall
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
46 Mid Bedfordshire Constituency - Kempston Rural Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:55000 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 01:37:52 47 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
MID BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
WILSHAMSTEAD WARD
The map of Wilshamstead Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has three Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Ward/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties MG Wilshamstead 961 1331 (Wixams from 1 April 2015) MH Wilshamstead 542 927 MI Wilshamstead 545 1023
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election MG MG Lakeview Village Hall MH MH & MI Wilstead Village Hall MI MI Wilstead Village Hall
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
The table below provides the electorate figures for Polling District MG of Wilshamstead Ward.
A substantial increase in the number of electors in Polling District MG (the area to be within Wixams parish) by December 2018. There will be a need to reconsider Polling District arrangements for Wixams Parish within the next five years based on the electorate projections. Currently electors in this Polling District would vote at Lakeview Village Hall, which, following examination of the polling venue, would have capacity to accommodate the additional electorate over this period of time.
POLLING CURRENT DISTRICT ELECTORS DEC 2014 DEC 2015 DEC 2016 DEC 2017 DEC 2018 MG 1331 1557 1896 2244 2590 2891
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received for the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
48 Mid Bedfordshire Constituency - Wilshamstead Borough Ward
Notes:- Scale 1:32000 Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028. 49 18/10/2011 02:14:07 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
MID BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
WOOTTON BOROUGH WARD
The map of Wootton Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has three Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Properties Number of Electors MJ Wootton 700 1312 MK Wootton 773 953 ML Wootton 654 1259
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election MJ MJ Wootton Village Hall MK MK & MJ Wootton Village Hall ML ML Wootton Memorial Hall
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
The table below provides the projected electorate figures for Polling District MK of Wootton Ward over a five year period.
A substantial increase in the number of electors in Polling District MK is envisaged by December 2018. Under the arrangements outlined these additional electors would be allocated to vote at the Village Hall in Wootton. The main room of the Village Hall has the capacity to accommodate the additional electorate identified. A further Polling District may be appropriate on the basis of the forecast and this will be reconsidered in the future.
POLLING CURRENT DISTRICT ELECTORS DEC 2014 DEC 2015 DEC 2016 DEC 2017 DEC 2018 MK 773 953 1072 1281 1679 2147
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
50 Mid Bedfordshire Constituency - Wootton Borough Ward
Notes:- Scale 1:25000 Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028. 51 18/10/2011 02:16:55
North East Bedfordshire Parliamentary Constituency
52 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
BROMHAM AND BIDDENHAM BOROUGH WARD
The map of Bromham and Biddenham Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties NA Biddenham 447 909 NB Biddenham 418 895 NC Bromham 689 1314 ND Bromham 866 1632 NE Bromham 543 1168
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election NA NA & NB Biddenham Village Hall NB NB Biddenham Village Hall NC NC Bromham Village Hall ND ND & NC Bromham Village Hall NE NE & NC Bromham Village Hall
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
The projected electorate forecasts for the development between Bromham Road and the River Great Ouse is not expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
53 North East Bedfordshire Constituency - Bromham & Biddenham Borough Ward
Notes:- Scale 1:25250 Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028. 54 18/10/2011 01:03:45 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
CLAPHAM BOROUGH WARD
The map of three Polling Districts of Clapham Ward in the North East Bedfordshire Constituency is available on the following page. The Ward has four Polling Districts (three in North East Bedfordshire Constituency). For the three Polling Districts concerned details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties NF Clapham 261 461 NG Clapham 1188 2074 NH Clapham 549 956
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election NF NF Clapham Village Hall NG NG & NF Clapham Village Hall NH NH & NF Clapham Village Hall
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
55 North East Bedfordshire Constituency - Clapham Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:25000 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 01:11:53 56 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
EASTCOTTS BOROUGH WARD
The map of Eastcotts Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has three Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Ward/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties NI Eastcotts South 355 653 (Cotton End) NJ Eastcotts North 939 1737 (Shortstown) NK Eastcotts North 314 399 (Shortstown)
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election NI NI Cotton End Village Hall NJ NJ Shortstown Village Hall NK NK & NJ Shortstown Village Hall
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
The table below provides the electorate figures for Polling District NK of Eastcotts Ward over a five year period.
A substantial increase is envisaged in the number of electors in Polling District NK (part of Eastcotts North (Shortstown) Parish Ward), known as the ‘New Cardington Development’.
Currently, electors in Eastcotts North Parish Ward vote at the Village Hall in Shortstown, which is not considered problematic and its location is a reasonable distance between the two separate areas of the village. However, it would be appropriate to consider a separate Polling Station for Polling District NK, when a suitable venue is available within that area.
POLLING CURRENT DISTRICT ELECTORS DEC 2014 DEC 2015 DEC 2016 DEC 2017 DEC 2018 NK 399 560 783 1051 1320 1553
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European
57 Elections in May 2014, commented that the manhole cover on the ramp at Cotton End Village Hall became slippery when wet. Whilst this is not expected to be an issue at an election in May, provision will be made with the venue to see how best this can be mitigated against, should it rain on polling day.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
58 North East Bedforshire Constituency - Eastcotts Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:27500 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 01:14:49 59 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
GOLDINGTON WARD
The map of one Polling District of Goldington Ward in North East Bedfordshire Constituency is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts (one in North East Bedfordshire Constituency). For the one Polling District details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties NL Renhold (The Spires) 551 694
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election NL NL, NS Renhold Village Hall (includes BAB for Local Government Purposes only)
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
The table below provides the projected electorate figures for the NL Polling District of Goldington Ward over a five year period, based on current planning forecasts and analysis.
There envisages an increase of electors in Polling District NL (the Spires Parish Ward of Renhold Parish) by almost half of that currently by December 2018. Finding a more permanent polling station for electors in the Polling District is therefore something that will need to be considered further.
POLLING CURRENT DEC DEC DEC DEC DEC DISTRICT ELECTORS 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 NL 694 802 877 949 1022 1049
COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
60 Bedford / North East Bedfordshire Constituency - Goldington Borough Ward
Notes:- Scale 1:15500 Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028. 61 18/10/2011 09:29:21 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
GREAT BARFORD BOROUGH WARD
The map of nine Polling Districts in Great Barford Ward in North East Bedfordshire Constituency is available on the following page. The Ward has ten Polling Districts (nine within North East Bedfordshire Constituency). For the nine Polling Districts concerned, details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Properties Number of Electors NM Cardington 153 266 NN Cople 335 620 NO Great Barford 884 1669 NP Woodlands Park 523 1054 Parish Ward of Brickhill Parish (from 1 April 2015) NQ Ravensden 213 399 NR Ravensden 101 195 NS Renhold 235 468 NT Renhold 242 482 NU Willington 362 714
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election NM NM Cardington Village Hall NN NN Cople Village Hall NO NO Great Barford Village Hall NP NP Anjulita Court, Brickhill NQ NQ Zion Baptist Chapel NR NR Church Room at All Saints Church, Ravensden NS NS Renhold Village Hall NT NT & NS Renhold Village Hall NU NU Willington Village Hall
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts and Places.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officers review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that the blue badge holder car parking spaces
62 needed repainting at Renhold Village Hall. This would be communicated to the Village Hall committee by the Disability, Equality and Access Officer.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
63 North East Bedforshire Constituency - Great Barford Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:65000 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 01:23:36 64 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
HARROLD BOROUGH WARD
The map of Harrold Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Properties Number of Electors NV Carlton 364 724 NW Harrold 751 1324 NX Odell 126 253 NY Podington 182 311 NZ Wymington 355 697
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election NV NV Carlton Village Hall NW NW Harrold Village Hall NX NX Odell Village Hall NY NY Podington Cricket Club NZ NZ St Lawrence Lower School
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that Podington Cricket Club was not a suitable venue for a polling station. This was due to a UPVC upstand threshold. Arrangements have been made to examine the venue to resolve the issues identified in the Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s report.
The Group also reported that St Lawrence Lower School was also very inaccessible and proposed the use of the Memorial Hall as an alternative. Arrangements have been made to inspect the Memorial Hall to assess its suitability as a venue for a polling station on polling day.
Further, the Group commented that Odell Village Hall side door access was not signposted and should have been. This will be communicated to the Presiding Officer assigned to the polling station on polling day.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
65 North East Bedfordshire Constituency - Harrold Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:57500 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 01:30:57 66 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
KEMPSTON RURAL BOROUGH WARD
The map of one Polling District of Kempston Rural Ward in North East Bedfordshire Constituency is available on the following page. The Ward has five Polling Districts (one within North East Bedfordshire Constituency). For the one Polling District concerned, details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Properties Number of Electors NAA Great Denham 978 1398
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election NAA NAA Bedford Golf Club
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
The table below provides the projected electorate figures for NAA Polling Districts of Kempston Rural Ward over a five year period.
There is a notable increase in electorate over the five year period in the Parish of Great Denham (NAA). In the future, consideration will need to be given to the creation of two or three Polling Districts for the Parish of Great Denham given the projected rise in electorate in that Parish.
POLLING CURRENT DISTRICT ELECTORS DEC 2014 DEC 2015 DEC 2016 DEC 2017 DEC 2018 NAA 1398 1706 1980 2188 2369 2520
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that it was unacceptable for voters to walk through a bar and dining area where members of the public were gathered in order to be able to cast their vote. Arrangements have been made to visit the venue and discuss these matters and seek a resolution.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
67 North East Bedfordshire Constituency - Kempston Rural Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:55000 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 01:37:52 68 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
OAKLEY BOROUGH WARD
The map of Oakley Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has four Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Properties Number of Electors NAB Oakley 574 1138 NAC Oakley 396 825 NAD Pavenham 335 592 NAE Stevington 272 479
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election NAB NAB Oakley Village Hall NAC NAC & NAB Oakley Village Hall NAD NAD Pavenham Village Hall NAE NAE Stevington Social Centre
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that Oakley Village Hall Committee should provide blue badge holder parking spaces. This is to be communicated to the committee by the Disability Equality and Access Officer.
The Group also reported that Stevington Social Centre had a 5cm step at threshold. This, again, would be communicated to the centre’s management by the Disability, Equality and Access Officer.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
69 North East Bedforshire Constituency - Oakley Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:32500 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 01:46:24 70 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
RISELEY BOROUGH WARD
The map of Riseley Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has ten Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Properties Number of Electors NAF Bletsoe 124 224 NAG Dean and Shelton 43 83 (Lower Dean) NAH Dean and Shelton 23 54 (Shelton) NAI Dean and Shelton 101 198 (Upper Dean) NAJ Melchbourne and 75 137 Yielden (Melchbourne) NAK Melchbourne and 96 202 Yielden (Yielden) NAL Pertenhall and 91 183 Swineshead (Pertenhall) NAM Pertenhall and 58 108 Swineshead (Swineshead) NAN Riseley 547 1085 NAO Thurleigh 298 575
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election NAF NAF Bletsoe Village Hall NAG NAG & NAI The School Room, Dean United Reform Church NAH NAH & NAI The School Room, Dean United Reform Church NAI NAI The School Room, Dean United Reform Church NAJ NAJ & NAK Melchbourne Village Hall NAK NAK & NAJ Yielden Village Hall NAL NAL & NAM Pertenhall Village Hall NAM NAM & NAL Swineshead Village Hall NAN NAN Riseley Village Hall NAO NAO Thurleigh Village Hall
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts.
71 COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no comments received in respect of the draft proposals. There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
72 North East Bedfordshire Constituency - Riseley Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:77500 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 02:04:25 73 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
SHARNBROOK BOROUGH WARD
The map of Sharnbrook Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has six Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties NAP Felmersham and 312 617 Radwell NAQ Knotting and Souldrop 31 54 (Knotting) NAR Knotting and Souldrop 85 167 (Souldrop) NAS Milton Ernest 327 622 NAT Sharnbrook 489 964 NAU Sharnbrook 449 882
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election NAP NAP Felmersham Village Hall NAQ NAQ & NAR Souldrop Village Hall NAR NAR & NAQ Souldrop Village Hall NAS NAS Milton Ernest Village Hall NAT NAT Sharnbrook Village Hall NAU NAU & NAT Sharnbrook Village Hall
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officers review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that the car park at Felmersham Village Hall was full on the day. Contact will be made with the school prior to the election in May 2015 to discuss this and, if this is an issue, find a solution where possible.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
74 North East Bedfordshire Constituency - Sharnbrook Borough Ward
Notes:-
Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless Scale 1:50000 otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028
18/10/2011 02:08:44 75 PARLIAMENTARY POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES REVIEW 2014
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CONSTITUENCY
WYBOSTON BOROUGH WARD
The map of Wyboston Ward is available on the following page. The Ward has ten Polling Districts. Details of the reference letters and the electorate are set out below:
POLLING DISTRICTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
Polling District Parish/Parish Ward Number of Number of Electors Properties NAV Bolnhurst and Keysoe 71 148 (Bolnhurst) NAW Bolnhurst and Keysoe 110 229 (Keysoe) NAX Bolnhurst and Keysoe 114 239 (Keysoe) NAY Colmworth 175 327 NAZ Staploe 143 284 NBA Little Barford 19 26 NBB Little Staughton 188 386 NBC Roxton 226 438 NBD Wilden 173 354 NBE Wyboston, Chawston 316 653 and Colesden
POLLING PLACES
The table below also identifies the envisaged polling venues for the combined elections on 7 May 2015.
Polling District Polling Place Envisaged Polling Station Venue for the 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election NAV NAV The Old School, Bolnhurst NAW NAW Keysoe Village Hall NAX NAX & NAW Keysoe Village Hall NAY NAY Colmworth Village Hall NAZ NAZ Duloe and Staploe Village Hall NBA NBA & NBC Roxton Parish Hall NBB NBB Little Staughton Village Hall NBC NBC Roxton Parish Hall NBD NBD Wilden Village Hall NBE NBE Wyboston Village Hall
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no developments within the Ward that are expected to impact on the allocation of Polling Districts.
COMMENTS RECEIVED
76 The Bedford and District Access Group, following the Borough Council’s Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s review of Polling Venues used at the European Elections in May 2014, commented that the Old School in Bolnhurst was not a good venue as a polling station. This was due to it having a poor pathway and a step down inside the door. With the lack of suitable venues within the area they did also comment that was probably no solution. Arrangements have been made to visit the venue to seek to resolve the issues identified in the Disability, Equality and Access Officer’s report.
The Group also commented that there were no lights in the porch of Colmworth Village Hall when it is dark. Further investigation of this would be undertaken.
Further, the Group reported that Roxton Village Hall needed to provide larger blue badge holder signs and that this would be communicated to the Village Hall committee by the Disability, Equality and Access Officer.
There are no amendments from the draft proposals to those in these final proposals.
77 North East Bedfordshire Constituency - Wyboston Borough Ward
Notes:- Scale 1:82000 Polling Districts and Places Review (Polling Place is designated as the Polling District unless otherwise specified). This map is produced by Bedford Borough Council. Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049028. 78 18/10/2011 02:11:14 Annex A
Elector Forecasts 1st December 2013 – 1st December 2018
Methodology
The forecast of the number of additional electors likely to be generated by new residential developments in the Borough is based upon:
• The housing completions data and housing development trajectory produced by the Bedford Borough Planning Department.
• Bedford Borough 2011 Census data on household numbers and on household populations by age, as published by the Office for National Statistics.
The following methodology was applied:
1. The number of new dwellings in each area was estimated by taking:
• 50% of the 2013/14 completions, • 100% of the projected completions in each of the years 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, and • 50% of the projected completions in 2018/19.
While 50% of the dwellings in 2013/14 and 2018/19 does not correspond exactly to the 4 and 8 month periods in question, it is considered that this better reflects the time lag between housing completions and occupancy. The total period on which the forecasts are based is exactly 5 years.
2. The 2011 Census estimates that there were 63,812 households in the Borough, occupied by 118,983 people aged 18 and over. This was an average of 1.8646 people aged 18+ per household.
Analysis was undertaken of the average number of people aged 18+ in a variety of developments in the Borough completed immediately prior to the 2011 Census. These indicated a range from 1.60 to 1.93, with only an apartment development in central Bedford being below 1.70.
While it is recognised that the number of electors per household in new developments will vary according to the type, size and tenure of housing, it was not considered that there is any robust basis for applying other than an average figure for each household. This is also considered to be a pragmatic and sensible approach given that the exact mix of housing types and sizes in several of the new developments has yet to be finalised.
79 Annex A
3. It is also necessary to apply a vacancy rate to the new dwellings since not all dwellings are occupied at any one point in time. A rate of 3% has been used which is consistent with the Borough’s estimate of the current vacancy rate, and is also the rate which is being assumed in the Borough’s Strategic Housing Market Assessment (currently being prepared).
Since the 2011 Census-based estimate of 1.8646 reflects the average 18+ population in occupied dwellings, this needs to be reduced by 3% to reflect unoccupied dwellings.
Therefore, the final estimate of the 18+ population which will be generated by each new dwelling is:
1.8646 x 0.97 = 1.809
and this factor has been applied to each new dwelling projected during the forecast period.
80 Annex B
Code of practice on written consultation
The Cabinet Office’s Code of Practice on Written Consultation (November 2000) (http://archive.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/servicefirst/2000/consult/code/_consultation.pdf) requires all government departments and agencies to adhere to certain criteria on the conduct of public consultations. Public bodies, such as the Borough Council , are encouraged to follow the Code.
The Code of Practice applies to consultation documents published after 1 January 2001, which should reproduce the criteria, give explanations of any departures, and confirm that the criteria have otherwise been followed.
Compliance with the Cabinet Office’s Code of Practice on Written Consultation in respect of this Polling District and Places review
Criteria Compliance/departure Timing of consultation should be built into the planning process Compliance for a policy (including legislation) or service from the start, so that it has the best prospect of improving the proposals concerned, and so that sufficient time is left for it at each stage. It should be clear who is being consulted, about what questions, Compliance in what timescale and for what purpose. A consultation document should be as simple and concise as Compliance possible. It should include a summary, in two pages at most, of the main questions it seeks views on. It should make it as easy as possible for readers to respond, make contact or complain. Documents should be made widely available, with the fullest use Compliance of electronic means (though not to the exclusion of others), and effectively drawn to the attention of all interested groups and individuals
81 Sufficient time should be allowed for considered responses from Compliance all groups with an interest. Twelve weeks should be the standard minimum period for a consultation. Responses should be carefully and open-mindedly analysed, Compliance and the results made widely available, with an account of the views expressed, and reasons for decisions finally taken. Departments should monitor and evaluate consultations, Compliance designating a consultation co-ordinator who will ensure the lessons are disseminated
82 Polling District and Places Review 2014 Annex C
Responses to Consultation
Polling Constituency Ward Parish Consultee Comment Proposed Response District NY and NZ North East Bedfordhire Harrold Podington and Wymington Richard Gilbert I believe serious thought should be given to negotiating for the people of Wymington and Podington to become part of The comments made relate to the Borough of Northamptonshire. Interestingly I think they are never mentioned in our local "free" papers. The majority of those citizens Bedford's boundary which is outside the scope of this shop.and work in Northants. Almost all their medical services are provided by Rushden GPS, and they use Hospitals in review. However, the comments have been included Northants. I did send a similar note to the Boundaries Commission some years ago , but never heard back. I suspect your for completeness as they were received in response to Team are firmly against this idea, to lose part of the Borough and it is up to the people who live there to raise such issues. the consultation
BX and MA Bedford Elstow and Stewartby Elstow and Stewartby Tim Hill, BW No problem as the small number of houses are within easy distance of Christ The King. The comments made in respect of Polling District BX (Village Parish Ward) Borough BX I understand the reasons but as the polling station is not within an easy distance and there are many older folk within the are noted and the limiting factor is the normal Councillor, polling district, can they all please be proactively sent a postal vote application form with a covering letter explaining why. requirment for electors for a constituency to vote in that Elstow and MA The small piece of Wixams land to the left of the bypass should be moved to Wilstead Ward. The area has greater affinity constituency. The comments made in repect of Polling Stewartby Ward to Wilstead than it does Elstow. District MA are outside of the scope of this review. Any MB No changes proposed. alteration to a Borough Ward boundary would be a MC No changes proposed. matter for the Local Govenrnment Boundary Commission as part of any review of electoral arrangements for the Borough Council. BBE, BBF Bedford Putnoe N/A Michael Headley, Comments on Polling Districts and Polling Places Review 2014 PUTNOE The comments have been considerd and the proposed and BBG Borough I do not believe there is a need to increase the number of polling districts from 3 to 5. I would support the retention of the changes are not being pursued. There is intended to Councillor, existing arrangements. be five polling stations for electors in the Borough and Putnoe Ward It is widely known that the number of available and suitable places to act as polling stations is limited in Putnoe ward. five Polling districts was designed to create clarity Increasing the number of polling districts will do nothing to improve that. It is already the case that 2 polling districts vote at the through specific geographic areas for for each polling same location. Making that three polling districts at the same polling station (as proposed) will only add confusion not clarity. station. The final proposals mean that there will be five The existing three polling districts are easily identifiable, being split by Putnoe Lane and Putnoe Street. They are clear and the polling stations for three Polling Districts. The two polling districts have the benefit of being reasonably distinct in their nature. The proposed extra boundary lines are arbitrary Polling Districts with the largest electorates will and split coherent areas in two. therefore be allocated to one of the two polling stations Splitting the current BBG (proposed BBH & BBI) between two polling stations is illogical and creates increased inconvenience on the basis of an alphabetical division of streets within for many residents. The road access to Woodside Church Hall for BBI is no nearer than the existing access to the those Polling Districts. The finding of suitable venues Bedford Athletic Rugby Club. for polling sttaions is a continuing problem within the There is no advantage for most residents in this change. In fact most of the residents living the nearest to Woodside Church Ward as it is with others. Hall will be in BBH and voting elsewhere. We would have the anomaly of a polling station on their doorstep which they can't use. This also assumes the availability of the Church Hall, which hasn't been the case most years. In that scenario we would still end up with everyone voting at the Athletic Rugby Ground has they do now. Retaining a combined BBG (existing) is simpler and easier to understand for residents and is less likely to lead to people turning up at the wrong polling stations. Furthermore, the polling station for BBG (existing) has changed twice recently and to avoid people being put off voting by turning up at the wrong add barriers and uncertainty to voting. place we need a period of stability to not. This proposed change would only have a detrimental impact on turnout.
NP North East Bedfordhire Great Barford Ravensden Clerk to As no changes are proposed for the Great Barford Division or Ravensden area, the Parish Council would not wish to offer any No comments other than to thank the consultee. Ravensden comments. Parish Council BBJ Bedford Putnoe N/A Bernard The polling districts with Putnoe ward are very unequal in terms of properties and electors. Should they not be similar in size, Response will explain that the boundaries of Polling Waddingham as are constituencies? Districts and electoral areas (such as constituencies) are different, in that Pollling Districts are administrative boundary created for the purposes of elections. It is not therefore an issue if polling districts are unequal, provided that voting is accessible for all.
BAO Bedford Kempston North Kempston Town Parish Shan Hunt, Thanks for using Kempston Pool again as a polling station. The three roads, King St, Foster Rd and Halsey Rd, belong to The comments have been considered and the proposal (Kempston North Parish Borough BAN and hardly require a separate register I believe since they vote at the Youth club, together with voters in BAN. Please incorporated into this final report for the review. The Ward) Councillor, make life easy not complicated - easier for the count! proposed new BAN Polling District is a combination of Kempston North two current Polling Districts. The current arrangements Ward provided for a second Polling District for electors in King Street, Foster Road, Foster Place and Halsey Road. They would normally vote at Kempston Youth Centre and would have had a separate polling station there to electors in the remainder of the now proposed Polling District. Given the size of the electorate in the enlarged Polling District it would still be proposed to provide two polling stations at the Kempston Youth Centre and the division of electors between the two polling stations will now be based on an alphabetical list of all streets in the enlarged Polling Districts rather than two separate geographical areas (i.e. one for the four streets previously mentioned).
83 NZ North East Bedfordhire Harrold Wymington Clerk to With reference to your letter sent to parish councils Wymington parish council would like to ask why the polling station is Reponse will explain that whilst the allocation of polling Wymington located at the local school. In other areas village halls are used so that schools are not disrupted and the parish councl would stations is outside of the scope of this review, an Parish Council like to suggest that Wymington Memorial Hall be used in the future as the polling station. inspection of the Memorial Hall is scheduled to take place to determine its suitability as a polling station. The Returning Officer has express powers to make use of school premises for polling purposes. The same powers do not apply to Village Halls and the like. As such bookings of buildings other than schools can be declined. It is for this reason that everywhere school premises are not used as a polling venue contingency arrangements do provide for use of the school should the other building not be available for use on polling day.
ME Mid Bedfordshire Kempston Rural Stagsden Clerk to Stagsden Stagsden Parish Council are happy that electors have reasonable facilities for voting and the village hall is accessible and a No comments other than to thank the consultee. Parish Council suitable place for all to vote.
BAI - BAU Bedford Kempston Town Kempston Town Clerk to I refer to your letter of 23 September 2014 and the previous letter you sent. The matter was considered by the Town Council No comments other than to thank the consultee. Kempston Town at its last meeting and I wish to confirm that the Council do not wish to make any comments. Council
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84