ELECTORAL REVIEW PANEL - 27.10.2010

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ELECTORAL REVIEW PANEL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2010

COUNCILLORS

PRESENT Chris Deacon (Chairman), Chris Bond, Christopher Cole, Toby Simon and Tom Waterhouse

ABSENT Ertan Hurer and Henry Lamprecht

OFFICERS: John Austin (Assistant Director, Corporate Governance) and Peter Stanyon (Head of Electoral and Democratic Services)

399 WELCOME & APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hurer and Lamprecht.

400 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

There were no declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda.

401 MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 23 SEPTEMBER 2010

The minutes of the informal meeting held on 23 September 2010 were agreed as a correct record.

402 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS

RECEIVED the report of the Chief Executive identifying issues for consideration in the review of the electoral arrangements in the borough.

The report was introduced by Peter Stanyon, Head of Electoral & Democratic Services.

1. The Panel noted that the cost of hiring temporary buildings in May 2010 averaged out at £3,150 each compared to an average of £195 for fixed premises.

The Panel also noted that the principle advantages of using temporary buildings are that they negate the need to use premises such as schools and can generally be sighted in accessible locations for the

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electorate. However, aside from the higher hiring costs, they are not as physically accessible as fixed premises, the facilities for staff are generally poor, they have to be installed well in advance of election- day which increases security concerns and there is less flexibility to cope with higher turnouts because of space limitations.

Councillor Bond highlighted the fact that the poor facilities for the staff working a 15 hour day should not be underestimated.

2. The Panel agreed that the procedure whereby each polling district and the polling districts bordering it be designated as the polling place for that polling district, that on an annual basis, the Returning Officer be required to submit a schedule of proposed buildings to be used as polling stations for approval by the Electoral Review Panel and that any amendments deemed necessary by the Returning Officer to that schedule in the intervening period be notified to the Chairman of the Panel and the Opposition Lead Member with the Returning Officer’s reasons for the change be recommended for adoption by Council.

Action: Peter Stanyon

3. The Panel agreed to recommend to Council that no alterations be made to the existing polling districts in the Bowes, Chase, , Edmonton Green, , Grange, Haselbury, Highlands, Lower Edmonton, , , Southgate, Southgate Green, Town, Turkey Street, and .

Action: Peter Stanyon

Peter Stanyon confirmed that the Council did not have the power to make alterations to Ward boundaries.

4. The Panel considered the electoral arrangements in the Southbury Ward and agreed to recommend to Council that the following amendments to the polling districts be introduced with effect from 1 December 2010:

a. That the boundary between the XGA and XGB polling districts be amended so that properties in The Approach, Bridge Close, Carterhatch Lane (82 to 164) and Great Cambridge Road (806 to 828) be transferred from XGB to XGA.

b. That the boundary between the XGC and XGD polling districts be amended so that properties in Southbury Road (Savoy Parade, Pemberton Court and 63 to 213) be transferred from XGD to XGC.

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c. That the boundary between the XGC and XGE polling districts be amended so that properties in Bertram Road, Clive Road, Great Cambridge Road (147 to 281), Lincoln Road (114 to 180), Percival Road and Southbury Avenue be transferred from XGC to XGE.

d. That the boundary between the XGE and XGF polling districts be amended so that properties in Agricola Place, Charles Street, East Crescent, Ermine Side, Hadrians Ride, Harman Road, James Street, John Street, Kingswood Close, Lincoln Crescent, Lincoln Road (37 to 303) and Roman Way be transferred from XGF to XGE.

The Panel noted that the effect of the changes to polling districts in the Southbury Ward would be as follows (2010 electorate figures):

Electors Difference XGA 1,946 + 166 XGB 1,085 - 166 XGC 1,076 - 1,013 XGD 1,606 - 189 XGE 2,737 + 2,501 XGF 1,102 - 1,299

Action: Peter Stanyon

5. The Panel agreed that the designated polling station for the revised XGB polling district should be Bishops Stopford School rather than Suffolks Primary School.

Councillor Bond raised a potential issue with regards to VAT being payable should the main sports hall at Bishops Stopford School be identified by the Returning Officer as the room to be used, which Peter Stanyon promised to investigate.

Action: Peter Stanyon

However, the Panel noted that electoral law prescribed that any premises provided for by public monies were to be made available “free of charge” to the Returning Officer, subject to reimbursement of expenses for cleaning, heating, lighting, etc.

6. The Panel agreed that the designated polling station for the revised XGE polling district should be The John Jackson Library ().

7. The Panel noted the challenges faced by the continued use of the Fellowship Hut in Bush Hill Park as a polling station for the XGD

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polling district, but agreed that as no suitable alternative location or solution existed, no changes be made to either the polling district boundaries or polling station at present.

8. The Panel agreed that the potential designation of The Percival Road Club as an alternative polling station be not pursued at present because of access issues at the site.

9. The Panel considered the electoral arrangements in the Ward and agreed to recommend to Council that the following amendments to the polling districts be introduced with effect from 1 December 2010:

a. That the boundary between the XHA and XHB polling districts be amended so that properties in Avenue (63 to 191 and 20 to 154), Croft Road, Meads Road and Redlands Road (1 to 55 and 2 to 52) be transferred from XHA to XHB.

b. That the boundary between the XHB and XHC polling districts be amended so that properties in Carterhatch Road (2 to 164) be transferred from XHB to XHC.

c. That the boundary between the XHB and XHD polling districts be amended so that properties in Carterhatch Road (168 to 326) and Stonycroft Close be transferred from XHB to XHD.

d. That the boundary between the XHD and XHE polling districts be amended so that properties in Alma Road, Avondale Crescent and Westfield Close be transferred from XHD to XHE.

The Panel noted that the effect of the changes to polling districts in the Enfield Highway Ward would be as follows (2010 electorate figures):

Electors Difference XHA 1,936 - 353 XHB 2,781 - 14 XHC 2,683 + 123 XHD 2,256 - 209 XHE 738 + 453

Action: Peter Stanyon

10. The Panel additionally considered transferring the properties in Celadon Close and Enstone Road from the XHD to the XHE polling district but agreed not to recommend that change to Council.

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11. The Panel discussed the designation of the polling station for the XHC polling district. It was noted that the current designation was St James CE School in Frederick Crescent but that Councillor Simon had proposed at the previous meeting that it be re-designated as Enfield Highway Library on Hertford Road.

Peter Stanyon confirmed that the Library would be suitable for use as a polling station although Officers did have some concerns as to the accessibility and external lighting. He also confirmed that St James CE School was a good venue, although Councillor Simon did point out that Frederick Crescent was a narrow road, which limited access.

Councillor Bond suggested that the Enfield Highway Community Centre on Hertford Road might provide an alternative. The Panel therefore requested that the Community Centre be considered and that Members be notified of the outcome of the Officers’ evaluation before agreeing the final designation.

Action: Peter Stanyon

12. The Panel agreed that the polling station for the YJB polling district of the Grange Ward should be re-designated as the Dugdale Centre on the corner of Cecil Road and Road instead of the Scout Hut at Enfield Baptist Church.

13. The Panel noted that no suitable alternatives to Eversley Primary School in the YIB polling district of the Southgate Ward had been identified and therefore agreed that the polling station should remain unchanged.

14. The Panel agreed that the polling station for the YQE polling district of the Southgate Green Ward should be re-designated as St Pauls Church Hall in Woodland Road instead of Garfield Primary School.

15. The Panel noted that following a site evaluation, Officers had concluded that it would not be practicable for both technical and health and safety reasons to site a temporary building on or adjacent to Tatem Park in the YRB polling district of the Palmers Green Ward. It was also noted that there were no suitable alternative premises or sites in the polling district.

The Panel therefore agreed that the polling station should remain designated as Firs Farm School, which would be shared with the ZKD polling district of the Bush Hill Park Ward.

In responding to a question from Councillor Simon, Peter Stanyon confirmed that elector access to the Firs Farm School site would be via two separate entrances, but that appropriate signage and

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assistance would be provided at the entrance to the building so as to ensure that electors entered the correct polling station.

16. The Panel considered the electoral arrangements in the Bush Hill Park Ward and agreed to recommend to Council that the boundary between the ZKC and ZKD polling districts be amended so that properties in Firs Lane (The Oaks, Firs Farm Cottage) and Kipling Terrace be transferred from ZKC to ZKD with effect from 1 December 2010.

The Panel noted that the effect of the changes to polling districts in the Bush Hill Park Ward would be as follows (2010 electorate figures):

Electors Difference ZKA 1,554 0 ZKB 3,388 0 ZKC 3,240 - 78 ZKD 525 + 78

Action: Peter Stanyon

17. The Panel considered the electoral arrangements in the Jubilee Ward and agreed to recommend to Council that the following amendments to the polling districts be introduced with effect from 1 December 2010:

a. That the boundary between the ZMC and ZMD polling districts be amended so that properties in Bedford Road, Hadleigh Road, King Edwards Road and Lingfield Gardens be transferred from ZMC to ZMD.

b. That the boundary between the ZMC and ZMD polling districts be amended so that properties in Emsworth Close, Hertford Road (259 to 315 and 328 to 372), St Josephs Road, St Marys Road and Tudor Road be transferred from ZMD to ZMC.

c. That a new ZME polling district be created, comprised of properties in Rossdale Drive from the ZMB polling district and Beatrice Road, Clifford Road, Cuckoo Hall Lane (1 to 91 and 2 to 68), Hertford Road (341 to 479 and 424 to 600), Nightingale Road and Scarborough Road from the current ZME polling district.

d. That the remainder of the current ZME polling district be re- designated as ZMF.

The Panel noted that the effect of the changes to polling districts in the Jubilee Ward would be as follows (2010 electorate figures):

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Electors Difference ZMA 1,200 0 ZMB 1,999 - 18 ZMC 1,456 + 208 ZMD 1,495 - 375 ZME 1,020 + 1,020 ZMF 2,240 - 835

Action: Peter Stanyon

18. The Panel agreed that the polling station for the new ZMF polling district should be designated as St Alphege Church in Hertford Road.

19. The Panel agreed the schedule of proposed premises to be used as polling stations, namely:

Bowes YTA Bowes Primary School YTB Trinity at Bowes Methodist Church Hall YTC Tottenhall Infants School YTD Wilkinson Hall

Bush Hill Park ZKA Bush Hill Park Bowls, Tennis and Social Club ZKB Bush Hill Park Methodist Church Hall ZKC Edmonton Lower School ZKD Firs Farm School ZKE Bush Hill Park United Reformed Church Hall

Chase XAA Botany Bay Cricket Club XAB Brigadier Free Church XAC St Johns CE School XAD St Lukes Youth Centre XAE Capel Manor Primary School XAF Worcesters Primary School

Cockfosters YDA St Pauls Church Hall YDB Southgate Compton Cricket Club YDC Freston Hall YDD 14 th Southgate Scout Headquarters YDE St Thomas Church

Edmonton Green ZSA Maldon Memorial Hall ZSB Edmonton Green Library

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ZSC Faith House (Edmonton URC) ZSD Brettenham School ZSE Craig Park Youth Centre ZSF CIS Training Centre

Enfield Highway

XHA St Helier Hall XHB St Barnabas Hall XHC St James CE School (subject to the evaluation referred to at paragraph 4 11. above) XHD Brimsdown Sports and Social Club XHE 27 th Enfield Scout Hut

Enfield Lock XCA Temporary Building (Park Road Flats) XCB Totteridge Road Baptist Church XCC Kettering Hall XCD St Peter and St Paul Church Hall XCE Prince of Wales School XCF Enfield Island Community Centre

Grange YJA St Marys Church Hall YJB The Dugdale Centre YJC St Peters Church Hall (Winchmore Hill) YJD Grange Park Methodist Hall YJE St Stephens Hall YJF Ridge Avenue Library

Haselbury ZOA Churchfield School ZOB Latymer School (Temporary Building) ZOC Hazelbury School ZOD St Aldhelms Church Hall ZOE Klinger Community Centre

Highlands XEA Our Lady of Walsingham Church (Temporary Building) XEB Enfield Lawn Tennis Club XEC St Marys Church Hall XED The Jolly Farmers Public House XEE Temporary Building (Lindal Crescent)

Jubilee ZMA Edmonton Upper School ZMB 1159 Air Training Corps ZMC William Preye Centre

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ZMD Tramway (Edmonton) Christian Fellowship ZME St Alphege Church Hall ZMF Mottingham Hall

Lower Edmonton ZPA St Edmunds Church Hall ZPB St Peters Church Hall ZPC St Demetrios Church Hall ZPD Temporary Building (Zambezi Drive)

Palmers Green YRA Broomfield Club YRB Firs Farm School YRC Mayfield Athletic Club YRD Hazelwood Junior School YRE Palmers Green Library

Ponders End ZLA Ponders End Methodist Church ZLB The Royal British Legion ZLC The Welcome Community Centre ZLD St Matthews Church Hall ZLE Ponders End Library

Southbury XGA Carterhatch School XGB Bishops Stopford School XGC George Spicer Primary School XGD Fellowship Hut (Bush Hill Park Recreation Ground) XGE John Jackson Library (Bush Hill Park) XGF St Marks Hall

Southgate YIA Highlands Village Hall YIB Eversley Primary School YIC Southgate District Scout Headquarters YIE Bourne Methodist Church Hall YIF St Andrews Parish Hall

Southgate Green YQA St Monicas Scout and Guide Headquarters YQB Walker Primary School YQC Temporary Building (Broomfield Park) YQD Bowes Road Library YQE St Pauls Church Hall

Town XFA Annexe rear of Beacon of Light Church

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XFB Chace Community School XFC St Andrews CE School XFD St Andrews Church Hall XFE 4th Enfield Scout Group Headquarters XFF St Michaels and All Angels Parish Hall

Turkey Street XBA Lea Valley High School XBB Kempe Hall XBC St Georges Primary School XBD The Dharma Centre

Upper Edmonton

ZUA Wilkinson Hall ZUB Wilbury Primary School ZUC Temporary Building (Bridport Road) ZUD Gallery Fore Shop ZUE Raynham School ZUF St Johns Church Hall

Winchmore Hill

YNA St Pauls CE Primary School YNB Friends Meeting House YNC Palmers Green United Reformed Church YND Winchmore Hill Methodist Church Hall YNE Holy Trinity Church Hall

RESOLVED to:

20. Recommend to Council that the procedure whereby each polling district and the polling districts bordering it be designated as the polling place for that polling district, that on an annual basis, the Returning Officer be required to submit a schedule of proposed buildings to be used as polling stations for approval by the Electoral Review Panel and that any amendments deemed necessary by the Returning Officer to that schedule in the intervening period be notified to the Chairman of the Panel and the Opposition Lead Member with the Returning Officer’s reasons for the change be formally adopted.

21. Recommend to Council that no changes be made to the polling district boundaries in the Bowes, Chase, Cockfosters, Edmonton Green, Enfield Lock, Grange, Haselbury, Highlands, Lower Edmonton, Palmers Green, Ponders End, Southgate, Southgate Green, Town, Turkey Street, Upper Edmonton and Winchmore Hill.

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22. Recommend to Council the alterations agreed by the Panel to the electoral arrangements in the Southbury, Enfield Highway, Bush Hill Park and Jubilee Wards.

23. Notify Council of the agreed schedule of polling stations.

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