Agenda Item 12.
Council – 14 October 2019
Review of Polling Districts and Places
Purpose of report This report asks for approval of proposed arrangements for polling districts and places in East Northamptonshire, following a statutory review of polling districts and places. Attachment(s) Appendix 1: Existing Polling Districts and Places Appendix 2: Phase 2 consultation document Appendix 3: Phase 2 consultation responses Appendix 4: Equalities Impact Assessment
1. Background
1.1 Sections 18A to C of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended by the Electoral Administration Act 2006) requires the council to periodically review polling districts and places.
1.2 In accordance with the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, which altered the timing of compulsory reviews, the current compulsory review period was required to be started and completed between 1 October 2018 and 31 January 2020 (inclusive).
1.3 The following rules apply: The council must seek to ensure that all electors have reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances Each Parish has to be a separate polling district The council must seek to ensure that as far as is reasonable and practicable, every polling place in East Northamptonshire is accessible to electors who are disabled The council must have regard to the accessibility to disabled persons of potential polling stations or those under review.
1.4 We were required to publish notice of the review and consulted the Returning Officers for the Corby and East Northamptonshire and Wellingborough constituencies. There is a statutory obligation on returning officers to make representations to the council. In addition, we provided the opportunity, to people having particular expertise in relation to access to premises or facilities for persons who have different forms of disability, to make representations and to comment on the returning officers’ representations. Any elector in East Northamptonshire was also able to make representations, and in addition, we consulted district councillors and town and parish councils.
1.5 On completion of the review we must give reasons for decisions on polling districts and places and publish —
(a) all correspondence sent to a returning officer in connection with the review;
(b) all correspondence sent to anyone who has particular expertise in relation to access to premises or facilities for persons who have different forms of disability;
(c) all representations made by any person in connection with the review;
(d) the minutes of any Council meeting to consider any revision to the designation of 1 polling districts or polling places within its area as a result of the review;
(e) details of the designation of polling districts or polling places within our area as a result of the review;
(f) details of the places where the results of the review have been published.
2.0 Timetable for Review
2.1 The following timetable has taken place for the review:-
Publication of Notice of Review 10 June 2019
Initial Public Consultation from 10 June 2019 to 5 August 2019
Publication of representations by Returning Officers, 2 September 2019 Councillors, the public and detailed proposals for changes to the current arrangements.
Phase 2 Consultation with East Northants from 2 Sept 2019 District Councillors, Town and Parish Clerks, to 29 Sept 2019 Acting Returning Officers for Corby and Wellingborough, Disability Organisations in Northamptonshire
Council meeting to consider any revisions to polling 14 October 2019 districts or places
2.2 The current polling districts and places (i.e. those used for the 2017 Parliamentary Elections) formed the starting point for the review. These are shown in Appendix 1.
3.0 Phase 1 Consultation and Responses
3.3 On 10 June 2019 a notice of review invited any registered elector in East Northamptonshire to make representations on the existing arrangements for polling districts, polling places and polling stations. We welcomed the views of all residents, but particularly residents with disabilities. We requested any persons or bodies making representations to, if possible, give alternative places that may be used as polling places.
Representations made during this period of the review were assessed, with responses from the Returning Officer. Those responses are contained on pages 4-6 of Appendix 2, the Phase 2 Consultation Document. During this period, the suitability of all polling places and potential alternative stations was also assessed, particularly in relation to the accessibility needs of all voters, in accordance with good practice guidance published by the Electoral Commission.
4.0 Phase 2 Consultation and Responses
4.1 This further piece of consultation, carried out between 2 and 29 September 2019, sets out the representations made and the Returning Officer’s recommendations. Phase 2 consultation responses are attached as Appendix 3 to this report.
5.0 Revised Summary of Proposed Changes
5.1 There are no proposals arising from this review to alter any of the polling districts and 2 therefore no amendments will be required to the electoral register.
There are, however, the following proposals to redesignate the location of a number of polling places (detailed reasoning for which, where not already indicated in Appendix 3, is set out in Appendix 2 of this report, across pages 9-22):-
Ward Polling District/s Returning Officer’s Proposals Affected 1. Barnwell Clopton The polling place for Clopton be re-designated to Titchmarsh Village Hall.
2. Barnwell Hemington and The polling place for Hemington Luddington and Luddington be re-designated to Thurning Village Hall.
3. Barnwell Lilford-Cum- The polling place for Lilford-Cum- Wigsthorpe, Wigsthorpe and Thorpe Achurch Thorpe Achurch be re-designated to Aldwincle Village Hall. 4. Kings Forest Blatherwycke and The polling place for Bulwick Blatherwycke and Bulwick be re- designated to Kings Cliffe Village Hall.
5. Lower Nene Cotterstock, The polling place for Cotterstock Tansor and Tansor be re-designated to Cotterstock Village Hall.
6. Lower Nene Polebrook The polling place for Polebrook remain at Polebrook Village Hall, rather than be re-designated to the King’s Arms, Polebrook.
7. Lyvedon Lowick (Slipton The polling place for Lowick be Ward) re-designated to the Germain Rooms, Lowick.
8. Prebendal Southwick, The polling place for Southwick Fotheringhay and Fotheringhay be re- designated to Woodnewton Village Hall.
5.2 Due to changes in local governance in Northamptonshire this review of Polling District and Places also proposes changes to the current polling district codes, so as to prevent administrative issues for the future. The suggested changes detailed across Appendix 2, pages 9-22, are to simply insert an ‘E’ (for East Northamptonshire) into Districts which do not currently have an ‘E’ prefix (so, for example, ‘RA’ would become ‘ERA’ and ‘RB’ would become ‘ERB’).
6.0 Equality and Diversity Issues
6.1 As sections 1.3 and 1.4 of the report indicate, the council needs to take fully into account the needs of disabled people. An initial Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) 3 has been prepared following phase 2 of the review which, having taken into account consultation responses and inspection of polling places, does not indicate that a full equality impact assessment is required.
6.2 A copy of the equality impact assessment is attached as Appendix 4.
7.0 Privacy Impact Implications
7.1 There are no discernible privacy impact implications arising from this report, which is about adequacy of polling station facilities, rather than the integrity of any vote held there. Any representations received from members of the public will be anonymised in accordance with GDPR.
8.0 Legal Implications
8.1 The council is under a statutory duty to complete a review by 31 January 2020.
9.0 Risk Management
9.1 There are no significant risks to the council in relation to the recommendations. The review has been undertaken in accordance with statutory requirements and Electoral Commission guidance.
9.2 Following the conclusion of the local authority’s review, certain persons have a right to make representations to the Electoral Commission. If, on receipt of such representations, the Commission finds that a local authority’s review did not:
meet the reasonable requirements of the electors in the constituency, or a body of them, or take sufficient account of the accessibility for disabled persons of a polling station/ polling stations within a designated polling place
then it may direct the authority to make any alterations to the polling places that it considers necessary and, if the alterations are not made within two months, they may make the alterations themselves.
10.0 Financial Implications
10.1 There are no additional financial implications arising from the review. The work has been accommodated within the workload of the Democratic and Electoral Services Manager and Electoral Services staff, with any additional costs having been absorbed within the service’s budget.
11.0 Implications for our customers
11.1 It is the duty of the Returning Officer to provide a sufficient number of polling stations for each polling district. However, the number of electors allocated to a polling station is a matter of local preference.
The Returning Officer has found that, by and large, the boundaries of our polling districts are coterminous with the existing District and parish ward boundaries. Change for change’s sake should be avoided because it proves disruptive to the electors and their convenience. Subsequently the Returning Officer has recommended few changes, only where polling places currently accommodating 150 electors or fewer have been reviewed for ongoing viability and also where inspection of existing polling places has raised access concerns.
11.2 Where such changes are proposed, for some electors additional travel to their polling station will be required.
4
12.0 Corporate Outcomes
12.1 Good quality of life – safe: improved access to polling stations for people with disabilities
12.2 High Quality Service Delivery - satisfied residents and enhanced customer experience: supporting the customer by ensuring that all electors have reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances.
13.0 Recommendations
13.1 It is recommended that:
(1) the outcomes of phases 1 and 2 of the consultation carried out as part of the statutory review of Polling Districts and Places be noted;
(2) the Equalities Impact Assessment set out in Appendix 4 be noted;
(3) the proposed changes to Polling Districts and Places as detailed in sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the report be approved; and
(4) the Democratic and Electoral Services Manager be delegated authority to conclude the review in accordance with section 1.6 of this report and Sections 18A to C of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended by the Electoral Administration Act 2006)
(Reason – to comply with the requirements of legislation, which requires a review to be conducted every 4 years, and to aim to improve, where reasonable and practicable, accessibility for people with disabilities)
Power: Representation of the People Act 1983, as amended by the Electoral Administration Act 2006 Legal Other considerations: Electoral Commission guidance – reviews of polling districts, polling places and polling stations Background Papers: Last review of polling districts and places Person Originating Report: Ben Smith, Democratic and Electoral Services Manager, tel. 01832 742113, email [email protected] Date: 2 October 2019 CFO MO CX 3/10/19 3/10/19 3/10/19
(Committee Report Normal Rev. 22)
5 Appendix 1a Election Polling Districts
Default Election Default Election
Reference Name Polling Number of Registration Authority Stations Default Stations Returning Authority
RA Addington, Great 1 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RB Addington, Little 2 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RC Aldwincle 3 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RD Apethorpe 4 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RE Ashton 5 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RF Barnwell 6 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RG Benefield 7 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RH Blatherwycke 8 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RJ Brigstock 9 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RK Bulwick 8 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RL Chelveston-Cum-Caldecott 10 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RM Clopton 11 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RN Collyweston 12 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RO Cotterstock 13 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RP Deene 14 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RQ Deenethorpe 14 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RR Denford 15 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RS Duddington (with Fineshade) 16 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RT Easton-on-the-Hill 17 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RU (Duddington with) Fineshade 16 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council
Printed on 28 March 2019, Page 1 of 4 Election Polling Districts
Default Election Default Election
Reference Name Polling Number of Registration Authority Stations Default Stations Returning Authority
RV Fotheringhay 18 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RW Glapthorn 19 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RX Hargrave 20 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RY Harringworth 21 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council RZ Hemington 22 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SA Higham Ferrers Chichele Ward 23,24 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SB Higham Ferrers Lancaster Ward No. 1 25 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SC Higham Ferrers Lancaster Ward No. 2 26 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SD Irthlingborough John Pyel Ward 27,28 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SF Irthlingborough Waterloo Ward No. 1 29 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SG Irthlingborough Waterloo Ward No. 2 30 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SH Islip 31 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SI Kings Cliffe 4 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SJ Laxton 32 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SK Lilford-Cum-Wigsthorpe 33 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SL Lowick (Lowick Ward) 34 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SM Lowick (Slipton Ward) 35 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SN Luddington 22 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SO Lutton 36 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SP Nassington 37 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SQ Newton Bromswold 38 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council
Printed on 28 March 2019, Page 2 of 4 Election Polling Districts
Default Election Default Election
Reference Name Polling Number of Registration Authority Stations Default Stations Returning Authority
SR Oundle No. 1 39 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SS Oundle No. 2 40,41 2 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council ST Pilton 42 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SU Polebrook 43 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SV Raunds Saxon Ward 44,45 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SW Raunds Windmill Ward 46,47 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council SZ Ringstead 48 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TA Rushden Bates Ward No. 1 49 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TB Rushden Bates Ward No. 2 49,50 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TC Rushden Bates Ward No. 3 51 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TD Rushden Hayden Ward No. 1 52 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TD1 Rushden Hayden Ward No. 1A 53 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TE Rushden Hayden Ward No. 2 53,54 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TF Rushden Hayden Ward No. 3 55 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TH Rushden Pemberton Ward No. 1 56,57 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TJ Rushden Pemberton Ward No. 2 58 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TK Rushden Pemberton Ward No. 3 58 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TL Rushden Sartoris Ward No. 1 59 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TL1 Rushden Sartoris Ward No. 1A 51 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TM Rushden Sartoris Ward No. 2 51,60 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TO Rushden Spencer Ward No. 1 61 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council
Printed on 28 March 2019, Page 3 of 4 Election Polling Districts
Default Election Default Election
Reference Name Polling Number of Registration Authority Stations Default Stations Returning Authority
TP Rushden Spencer Ward No. 2 61 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council TQ Rushden Spencer Ward No. 3 62,63 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UA Southwick 64 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UB Stanwick 65 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UC Stoke Doyle 42 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UD Sudborough 66 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UE Tansor 13 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UF Thorpe Achurch 33 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UG Thrapston No. 1 67,68 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UJ Thrapston No. 2 69 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UK Thurning 70 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UL Titchmarsh 71 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UM Twywell 72 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UN Wadenhoe 42 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UO Wakerley 16 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UP Warmington 73 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UQ Woodford 74 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council UR Woodnewton 75 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council US Yarwell 76 1 East Northamptonshire District Council East Northamptonshire District Council
Printed on 28 March 2019, Page 4 of 4
Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations
Consultation - Phase 2 Comments received from Phase 1 and Returning Officer’s Proposals David Oliver, Returning Officer
Phase 2 Consultation Period: - 2nd – 29th Sept 2019
If you have any comments or queries please contact:-
Ben Smith, Democratic & Electoral Services Manager, Cedar Drive, Thrapston, NN14 4LZ [email protected]; or [email protected]
1 Background
The Representation of the People Act places a duty on the Council to divide the District into polling districts and to designate polling places for each district. The Council also has a duty to keep those arrangements under review.
The Electoral Administration Act 2006 (EAA 2006) introduced a duty on all local authorities in Great Britain to review their UK Parliamentary polling districts and polling places at least once every four years. The first such review had to be completed by the end of 2007.
The Council must conduct a review of the polling districts, polling places and polling stations for the Corby & East Northamptonshire and Wellingborough parliamentary constituencies that fall within the boundaries of the District of East Northamptonshire.
The Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 introduced a change to the timing of compulsory reviews of UK Parliamentary polling places, with a compulsory review having to be started and completed between 1 October 2013 and 31 January 2015.
Subsequent reviews must be started and completed within the period of 16 months that starts on 1 October of every fifth year after 1 October 2013. This current review commenced on 10 June 2019 and is expected to report back to council at its meeting on 14 October 2019.
1.1 How the Review is being conducted
The Council has delegated authority to conduct the review, the conduct of which is laid down by legislation. On 10 June 2019 a notice of review invited any registered elector in East Northamptonshire to make representations on the existing arrangements for polling districts, polling places and polling stations. We welcomed the views of all residents, but particularly residents with disabilities. We requested any persons or bodies making representations to, if possible, give alternative places that may be used as polling places.
This phase of the review concluded on 5 August 2019 and representations made have been assessed.
1.2 The role of the Electoral Commission
The Commission, while not having a direct responsibility for the review, can intervene where it considers that the reasonable requirements of electors or the needs of disabled electors have not been taken into account.
The following can ‘appeal’ to the Commission: Any parish council which falls within the constituency; Not less than thirty registered electors in the constituency; Any person who has made representations during the review;
2 Any person who is not an elector in the constituency but who has sufficient interest or expertise in access to premises or facilities for disabled persons.
The Commission could direct the Council to alter any polling arrangements that arise from the review, and the Commission could make these alterations itself if the Council failed to respond within two months.
1.3 Our timetable for this review
Notice of start of review – Monday 10 June 2019 Open period of consultation on current arrangements ends – 5 August 2019 Council publishes the Returning Officer’s proposals – Monday 2 September 2019 Consultation on this proposal ends – Sunday 29 September 2019 Report to Full Council – Monday 14 October 2019 Adoption by Council – Tuesday 15 October 2019
Arrangements come into force at the publication of the next revised Register of Electors – 1 December 2019
1.4 Phase 2 of the Review
This further piece of consultation sets the representations made during the open period of consultation and the Returning Officer’s recommendations following consideration of these.
1.5 Making Comments – Phase 2
Anyone intending to make comments is strongly urged to read the introductory comments to the Returning Officer’s proposals. The Returning Officer has found that, by and large, the boundaries of our polling districts are coterminous with the existing District and parish ward boundaries. Change for change’s sake should be avoided in the review because it proves disruptive to the electors and their convenience; subsequently the Returning Officer has recommended few changes.
Comments on the Returning Officer’s proposals are welcomed from all residents, but particularly residents with disabilities. They are also welcomed from local political parties, district ward councillors, county councillors for East Northamptonshire divisions, Access Group, local MP’s, and returning officers for parliamentary constituencies that fall within East Northamptonshire boundaries and parish councils.
Comments should be made in writing to:
Ben Smith, Democratic & Electoral Services Manager, Cedar Drive, Thrapston, NN14 4LZ [email protected]; or [email protected]
3 2. Comments received during Phase 1 of the Review
District Councillor Responses
Councillor Returning Officer Response
2a Cllr Gill Mercer
A proposal for Rushden Sartoris Due to county electoral Ward No.1A to be re-allocated to divisions being separated by the Full Gospel Church, Rushden; Rushden Sartoris Ward No. 1 and No. 1A it is not viable for these to be accommodated at the same polling place.
Request to consider the distance Alternative locations of South required to be travelled for End Junior School and Rushden Bates Ward No.3 Rushden Primary Academy electors and Rushden Sartoris have been identified but are Ward No. 2 electors to the not proposed to be considered Rushden and Higham RFC as a as polling places, to avoid polling place. them having to close for polling. 2b Cllr David Jenney
A proposal for Rushden Sartoris See above. Ward No.1A to be re-allocated to the Full Gospel Church, Rushden;
Comments in respect of the See above. Rushden and Higham RFC being in a position that most people have to drive to it, but noting that it has a large car park and no complaints received from residents.
Last time the disabled access to Noted and to be passed on to the the Rugby Club was obstructed by presiding officer/polling station the leg of a tent that they were inspector for checking at future using for events elections.
Major concern is about the town Availability of ideal polling centre locations and parking but stations in the urban centre is an the locations are well known and ongoing difficulty, especially with somehow we manage to park the understandable move away from historically using schools as polling stations, to avoid them having to close for polling.
4 2c Cllr Richard Lewis
Rushden Hayden Ward No. 2 is a Venues have been sought in a large ward but the polling station more central location but no is virtually on the edge of the ward appropriate alternatives have (Wesleyan Church in Queen St). It been identified. is also a one way street.
2d Cllr Jake Vowles
Cotterstock is easy to find, with Following inspection of Tansor off-road parking and disabled Village Hall for appropriateness access and accessibility as a polling place, there are no proposals to make any changes to this as the location for Cotterstock electors.
2e Cllr Pam Whiting
In Higham Ferrers, the Duchy Agreed. We propose to carry on Suite and the Hensman Hall are using them. both suitable for everyone.
Concerns over the distance from Historically there has been a move the Higham Ferrers Working away from using schools as Men’s Club for electors in the area polling stations, to avoid them of Higham Ferrers Lancaster Ward having to close for polling. As a No. 1, with a proposal to consider result it is not proposed to seek to use of Henry Chichele School as change the current arrangements. an alternative.
Parish Council Responses
2f Clerk to Benefield Parish Council
The current polling place has a ramp for wheelchair users and is Agreed that the current polling considered easy to find. station is accessible and easy to The only building that may be find. There are no proposals to suitable as a polling place would make any changes to the location. be the Cricket Club in Upper Benefield.
2g Clerk to Deene and Deenthorpe Parish Council
The current polling place is Agreed that the current polling believed to be accessible and is station is accessible and easy to considered easy to find. find. There are no proposals to There is no other building make any changes to the location. 5 available in either Deene or Deenethorpe as an alternative.
Public Responses
Member of the Public Returning Officer Response
2h In line with your consultation, I To avoid school closure on would like to suggest Rushden polling days, the alternative use of Primary Academy or Rushden & Rushden Primary Academy is not Higham Rugby club instead of the considered viable. Memorial Halls on Park Road. Furthermore, due to Rushden & Parking at the Memorial halls is Higham Rugby Club already problematic, which puts many off accommodating two polling voting in person at this polling stations for polling districts within station. Rushden Sartoris Ward, on review the building space at the Rugby Club is not considered large enough to accommodate the third polling station that would be required.
2i I do postal voting so have no Saxon Hall has been identified as personal input in to where polling a large and accessible polling stations are located. In principle I place which is equidistant would think the current arrangements between the furthest parts south- work well enough. However, looking west and north-east of the polling a map of Raunds it would seem that district. another polling station somewhere in the North-Eastern part of town might As a result it is not proposed to be helpful to people who live that seek to change the current way. I don’t know where said polling arrangements. station might be housed however. Football club?
Acting Returning Officer Responses
Parliamentary Constituency for Wellingborough
No comments
Parliamentary Constituency for Corby and East Northamptonshire
No comments
6 3. The Returning Officer’s Proposals
3.1 Introduction
The pattern of polling districts and polling places in the District of East Northamptonshire has evolved to meet successive boundary changes to district and parish wards to divisional boundary changes and those of the two Parliamentary Constituencies, as well as to meet the convenience of electors across the district.
By and large, it ensures that electors have reasonable facilities for voting.
Furthermore, in line with the Council’s policies, every attempt has been made to ensure that polling stations are accessible to electors with disabilities. This review has included a new assessment of all of the Council’s 65 polling places.
3.2 Legislation and Guidelines
In accordance with the Representation of the People Act 1983, Section 18, and Electoral Commission Guidance on the Reviews of polling districts, polling places and polling stations, the Returning Officer has taken the following assumptions into account when drawing up the proposals. Comments made during phase 2 of the consultation should keep these in mind.
Designation of polling districts and polling places
Each parish shall be in a separate polling district, unless special circumstances1 apply; The council must designate a polling place for each polling district, unless the size or other circumstances of a polling district are such that the situation of the polling stations does not materially affect the convenience of the electors; Ideally the polling place should be in the polling district; The polling place must be small enough to indicate to electors in different parts of the district how they will be able to reach the polling station; Any polling place serving more than one polling district should only be on the basis that the combination of polling districts should not cross either district ward or county division boundaries; The number of electors allocated to a particular polling station should not exceed 2,500 - where the number of electors allocated to a polling place is particularly high, it needs to be able to accommodate multiple polling stations. Polling district boundaries should be coterminous with existing parish ward, district ward, county division and parliamentary constituency boundaries.
Accessibility
The council must seek to ensure that all electors have such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances; The council must seek to ensure that, so far as is reasonable and practicable, every polling place is accessible to electors with disabilities;
1 Special circumstances could arise if, for example, the parish/community has only a small number of electors and it is not practicable for the parish/community to be its own polling district. 7 Other On average a polling station costs up to £1,500 to hire, equip and staff for polling day, therefore those polling places currently accommodating 150 electors or fewer should be reviewed for ongoing viability. The proposals have been mindful of further development in the district as identified in the Local Plan. The Local Plan Part 2 2011-2031 for East Northamptonshire is currently in development and it is envisaged that its results should be reviewed following merger of existing councils into a North Northamptonshire unitary authority.
3.3 Glossary
County Divisions – the division of the County into areas for the purpose of electing councillors to represent its different parts. The district of East Northamptonshire is divided into 7 County Divisions, but the Divisions are not the subject of this review.
Boundary reviews – the reviews of the boundaries of parishes, district or parliamentary constituencies. Boundary reviews are not part of this review.
Electoral arrangements – the allocation of councillors to a council and the division of a parish or district into wards with the allocation of councillors to wards. The electoral arrangements of the parishes and of the district are not the subject of this review.
Parish wards – the division of a parish into areas for the purpose of electing councillors to represent the different parts of the same parish. The parish wards are not the subject of this review.
Polling arrangements – the provision of reasonable and convenient facilities for the electors to cast their votes by the division of a constituency into polling districts with polling places and polling stations.
Polling district – an area in the constituency for which the electors vote together at the same polling place.
Polling district letters – letters that distinguish the polling district and that, together with the elector’s number from the register of electors for that district, make up the elector’s distinctive and unique electoral registration number. The polling district letters in the part of Corby & East Northamptonshire and Wellingborough parliamentary constituencies that fall within East Northamptonshire boundaries currently have district letters ranging from RA through to US.
Polling place – a readily identifiable place within the polling district to which the electors will go to vote.
Polling station – the building or part of a building at the polling place, which will serve as the venue for the poll; the extent of the polling station will depend upon local circumstances.
8 3.4 Summary of Proposed Changes
Ward Polling District/s Proposal Affected 1. Barnwell Clopton The polling place for Clopton be re-designated to Titchmarsh Village Hall.
2. Barnwell Hemington and The polling place for Hemington Luddington and Luddington be re-designated to Thurning Village Hall.
3. Barnwell Lilford-Cum- The polling place for Lilford- Wigsthorpe, Cum-Wigsthorpe and Thorpe Thorpe Achurch Achurch be re-designated to Aldwinckle Village Hall.
4. Kings Forest Blatherwycke and The polling place for Bulwick Blatherwycke and Bulwick be re- designated to Kings Cliffe Village Hall.
5. Lower Nene Polebrook The polling place for Polebrook be re-designated to The Kings Arms, Polebrook (subject to its availability as a potential new venue).
6. Lyvedon Lowick (Slipton The polling place for Lowick be Ward) re-designated to the Germain Rooms, Lowick.
7. Prebendal Southwick, The polling place for Southwick Fotheringhay and Fotheringhay be re- designated to Woodnewton Village Hall.
8. Due to changes in local governance in Northamptonshire this review of Polling District and Places also proposes changes to the current polling district codes, so as to prevent administrative issues for the future. The suggested changes are to simply insert an ‘E’ into Districts which do not currently have an ‘E’ prefix (so ‘RA’ would become ‘ERA’, ‘RB’ would become ‘ERB’ and so forth.)
9 3.5 Existing polling district, polling places and polling stations and the returning officers detailed proposals
Each Ward is dealt with separately. The tables on the following pages show the existing polling arrangements in each division:-
The existing polling district identifier letters; The polling place for the parish or parish ward The polling station at that place The number of electors on 1 August 2019 (the date of the last updated register) Disabled access, including where this is achieved by the use of a temporary ramp. and:-
The proposed new polling district identifier letters; The returning officer’s detailed proposals and responses to phase 1 consultation feedback.
10 Barnwell Ward
Polling New Polling Polling Polling Place Number Disabled District District District/s of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors RC ERC Aldwincle Aldwincle 268 Yes Village Hall RF ERF Barnwell Barnwell 327 Yes Village Hall RM ERM Clopton Mandate House, 118 Access Clopton restricted & requires ramp RZ ERZ Hemington, Hemington 125 Yes SN ESN Luddington Village Hall SK ESK Lilford-Cum- St John the 226 Yes, but Wigsthorpe, Baptist Church, restricted UF EUF Thorpe Achurch Thorpe Achurch facilities UK EUK Thurning Thurning 85 Yes Village Hall UL EUL Titchmarsh Titchmarsh 492 Yes Village Hall The Returning Officer’s Proposal
1. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for each of the polling districts within Barnwell Ward;
2. The polling place for the polling district of Clopton be re-designated to Titchmarsh Village Hall.
This is due to restricted accessibility to the existing building and that, at the time of writing, the building is up for sale, bringing its viability as an ongoing venue into question.
3. The polling place for the polling district of Hemington and Luddington be re- designated to Thurning Village Hall.
Due to the extremely small number of electors accommodated at Thurning, having it as a single polling place is a disproportionate cost to the taxpayer, compared with polling places that accommodate a far higher numbers of electors.
We believe that it is sufficiently close geographically for a shared polling place with neighbouring Hemington and Luddington and that this would not materially affect the convenience of electors. Although Luddington would act as a central location for a polling place, there are no potential venues in Luddington. Of the two available polling place locations, Thurning has a bigger building to accommodate a higher volume of electors and is considered to have better parking facilities than Hemington Village Hall.
4. The polling place for the polling districts of Lilford-Cum-Wigsthorpe and Thorpe Achurch be re-designated to Aldwinckle Village Hall.
11 The facilities available at St John the Baptist Church at Thorpe Achurch are extremely limited, with no rest facilities or kitchen available for polling station staff. We believe it is sufficiently close geographically for a shared polling place with neighbouring Aldwinckle Village Hall and that this would not materially affect the convenience of electors. Aldwinckle Village Hall is also considered of sufficient size to accommodate a second polling station should contested parish elections take place.
No other changes proposed.
Fineshade Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors RN ERN Collyweston Collyweston 416 Yes Village Hall RS ERS Duddington Duddington 211 Yes RU ERU Fineshade Village Hall UO EUO Wakerley RY ERY Harringworth Harringworth 206 Yes Village Hall RT ERT Easton-on-the-Hill Easton-on-the-Hill 890 Yes Village Hall The Returning Officer’s Proposal
5. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for each of the polling districts within the area of Fineshade Ward;
No other changes proposed.
Higham Ferrers Chichele Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors SA ESA Higham Ferrers The Community 3286 Yes Chichele Ward Hall (Duchy Suite) The Returning Officer’s Proposal
6. That a new polling district identifier, as shown above, be allocated for the polling district within the area of Higham Ferrers Chichele Ward;
No other changes proposed.
12 Higham Ferrers Lancaster Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors SB ESB Higham Ferrers Higham Ferrers 1437 Yes Lancaster Ward Working Men’s No. 1 Club SC ESC Higham Ferrers Hensman Hall 1855 Yes Lancaster Ward No. 2 RL ERL Chelveston-Cum- Chelveston 458 Yes Caldecott Village Hall SQ ESQ Newton Bromswold Newton 58 Yes Bromswold Memorial Hall The Returning Officer’s Proposal
7. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Higham Ferrers Lancaster Ward;
No other changes proposed.
Note Due to the low number of electors accommodated at Newton Bromswold Memorial Hall, consideration was given to re-designating its polling place. However because Newton Bromswold falls within different ward and county division boundaries to that of its closest alternative polling places, it is not considered appropriate to re-designate its electors to Chelveston Village Hall or Higham Ferrers Working Men’s Club.
Irthlingborough John Pyel Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors SD ESD Irthlingborough College Street 3420 Yes John Pyel Ward Centre The Returning Officer’s Proposal
8. That a new polling district identifier, as shown above, be allocated for the polling district within the area of Irthlingborough John Pyel;
No other changes proposed.
13 Irthlingborough Waterloo Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors SF ESF Irthlingborough The Albert 2518 Yes Waterloo Ward Underwood Room No. 1 SG ESG Irthlingborough Crow Hill 884 Yes Waterloo Ward Community No. 2 Centre The Returning Officer’s Proposal
9. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Irthlingborough Waterloo Ward;
No other changes proposed.
Kings Forest Ward
Polling New Polling Polling Polling Place Number Disabled District District District/s of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors RH ERH Blatherwycke Bulwick 182 Partial, RK ERK Bulwick Village Centre but restricted and requiring ramp RP ERP Deene Deene 167 Yes RQ ERQ Deenethorpe Village Hall RD ERD Apethorpe Kings Cliffe 1293 Yes SI ESI Kings Cliffe Village Hall SJ ESJ Laxton Laxton 151 Yes Village Hall The Returning Officer’s Proposal
10. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Kings Forest Ward;
11. The polling place for the polling districts of Blatherwycke and Bulwick be re- designated to Kings Cliffe Village Hall.
Bulwick Village Centre which currently serves as polling place for Blatherwycke and Bulwick is not DDA compliant, with general access not facing the highway and only via a narrow path to the building, requiring the use of steps to get inside. It is also a relatively small venue. We believe it is sufficiently close geographically for a shared polling place with neighbouring Kings Cliffe Village Hall and that this would not materially affect the convenience of electors.
14
Kings Cliffe Village Hall is also considered of sufficient size to accommodate a second polling station should contested parish elections take place.
Lower Nene Ward
Polling New Polling Polling Place Number Disabled District Polling District/s of Access Identifier/s District Electors Identifier/s RE ERE Ashton The Chequered 167 Yes Skipper RO ERO Cotterstock Tansor 285 Yes UE EUE Tansor Village Hall SO ESO Lutton Lutton 124 Yes Village Hall SU ESU Polebrook Polebrook 373 Accessible Village Hall only via fire door which backs on to gravel driveway on private land, with right of access not known. UP EUP Warmington Warmington 796 Yes Village Hall The Returning Officer’s Proposal
12. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Lower Nene Ward;
13. The polling place for the polling district of Polebrook be re-designated to The Kings Arms, Polebrook (subject to its availability as a potential new venue).
Due to accessibility issues, with the fire door (which is the only disabled/level access) backing onto a gravel driveway and private land, it is proposed to redesignate the polling place for Polebrook to The Kings Arms, Polebrook.
Note Due to the low number of electors accommodated at the polling place for Lutton, consideration was given to re-designating that polling place to Polebrook Village Hall. However, due to the accessibility issues at that venue it is not considered viable.
15 Lyveden Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors RJ ERJ Brigstock Brigstock 1108 Yes Village Hall SL ESL Lowick Germain Rooms, 158 Yes (Lowick Ward) Lowick SM ESM Lowick Room at 67 No (Slipton Ward) Bakehouse Cottage, Slipton UD EUD Sudborough Sudborough 174 Yes Village Hall UM EUM Twywell MacQueen House 170 Yes Twywell The Returning Officer’s Proposal
14. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Lyvedon Ward;
15. The polling place for the polling district of Lowick (Slipton Ward) be re- designated to the Germain Rooms, Lowick.
Due to the room at Bakehouse Cottage no longer being available for use and no other suitable venue available in the area, combined with the small number of electors affected, it is proposed to re-designate to the Germain Rooms, Lowick. Due to being a warded parish, an internal ramp will need to be provided to ensure accessibility to the second of two rooms available to act as polling stations.
Oundle Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors RG ERG Benefield Benefield 316 Yes Village Hall ST EST Pilton Wadenhoe 204 Yes UC EUC Stoke Doyle Recreation Hall UN EUN Wadenhoe SR ESR Oundle No. 1 Fletton House, 1489 Yes Oundle SS ESS Oundle No. 2 Joan Strong 2792 Yes Centre, Oundle The Returning Officer’s Proposal
16. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Oundle Ward;
No further changes proposed.
16 Prebendal Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors RV ERV Fotheringhay Fotheringhay 104 Yes Village Hall RW ERW Glapthorn Glapthorn 240 Yes Village Hall SP ESP Nassington Nassington 681 Yes Village Hall UA EUA Southwick Southwick 129 Yes Village Hall UR EUR Woodnewton Woodnewton 363 Yes Village Hall US EUS Yarwell Yarwell 356 Yes Village Hall The Returning Officer’s Proposal
17. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Prebendal Ward;
18. The polling place for the polling districts of Fotheringhay and Southwick be re-designated to Woodnewton Village Hall.
Due to the extremely small number of electors accommodated at Fotheringhay and Southwick, having them as a single polling place is a disproportionate cost to the taxpayer, compared with polling places that accommodate a far higher numbers of electors.
We believe that it is sufficiently close geographically for a shared polling place with neighbouring Woodnewton Village Hall and that this would not materially affect the convenience of electors. Woodnewton Village Hall is also a relatively large venue capable of more than one polling station should there be contested parish elections.
No further changes proposed
Raunds Saxon Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors SW ESW Raunds Windmill The Large Hall, 3454 Yes Ward Raunds Windmill School The Returning Officer’s Proposal
19. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Raunds Saxon Ward;
No further changes proposed 17
Raunds Windmill Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors SV ESV Raunds Saxon Saxon Hall, 3921 Yes Ward Raunds The Returning Officer’s Proposal
20. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Raunds Windmill Ward;
No further changes proposed
Rushden Bates Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors TA ETA Rushden Bates Heritage Chapel 3123 Yes Ward No. 1 & Halls, Rushden TB ETB Rushden Bates Ward No. 2 TC ETC Rushden Bates Rushden & 735 Yes Ward No. 3 Higham RFC The Returning Officer’s Proposal
21. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Rushden Bates Ward;
No further changes proposed
18 Rushden Hayden Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors TD ETD Rushden Hayden St Peter’s Church 773 Yes Ward No. 1 Hall, Rushden TD1 ETD1 Rushden Hayden Independent 3107 Yes Ward No. 1A Wesleyan Church TE ETE Rushden Hayden Hall, Rushden Ward No. 2 TF ETF Rushden Hayden AFC Rushden & 2369 Yes Ward No. 3 Diamonds CBS (formerly Rushden & Higham United Football Club) The Returning Officer’s Proposal
22. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Rushden Hayden Ward;
No further changes proposed
Rushden Pemberton Ward
Polling New Polling Polling Polling Place Number Disabled District District District/s of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors TH ETH Rushden Highfield 3313 Yes Pemberton Ward Community Baptist No. 1 Church Hall, Rushden TJ ETJ Rushden Whitefriars Church 1742 Yes Pemberton Ward (The Bridge), No. 2 Rushden TK ETK Rushden Pemberton Ward No. 3 The Returning Officer’s Proposal
23. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Rushden Pemberton Ward;
No further changes proposed
19 Rushden Sartoris Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors TL ETL Rushden Sartoris Full Gospel 1319 Yes Ward No. 1 Church, Rushden
TL1 ETL1 Rushden Sartoris Rushden & 2133 Yes Ward No. 1A Higham RFC TM ETM Rushden Sartoris Ward No. 2 The Returning Officer’s Proposal
24. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Rushden Sartoris Ward;
No further changes proposed
Rushden Spencer Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors TH ETH Rushden Spencer Highfield 2342 Yes Ward No. 1 Community Rushden Spencer Baptist Church TO ETO Ward No. 2 Hall, Rushden
TP ETP TQ ETQ Rushden Spencer Rushden Town 2669 Yes Ward No. 3 Bowls Club The Returning Officer’s Proposal
25. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Rushden Spencer Ward;
No further changes proposed
20 Stanwick Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors RX ERX Hargrave Hargrave 184 Yes Village Hall UB EUB Stanwick Stanwick 1523 Yes Village Hall The Returning Officer’s Proposal
26. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Stanwick Ward;
No further changes proposed
Thrapston Lakes Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors SH ESH Islip Islip Village Hall 648 Yes UG EUG Thrapston No. 1 Thrapston Baptist 2947 Yes Church The Returning Officer’s Proposal
27. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Thrapston Lakes Ward;
No further changes proposed
Thrapston Market Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors RR ERR Denford Denford Village 247 Yes Hall SZ ESZ Ringstead Ringstead 1210 Yes Village Hall UJ EUJ Thrapston No. 2 The Thrapston 2027 Yes Plaza The Returning Officer’s Proposal
28. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Thrapston Market Ward;
No further changes proposed
21
Woodford Ward
Polling New Polling Polling District/s Polling Place Number Disabled District District of Access Identifier/s Identifier/s Electors RA ERA Addington, Great Great Addington 231 Yes Memorial Hall RB ERB Addington, Little The Bell Inn, 268 Yes Little Addington UQ EUQ Woodford Woodford Baptist 1191 Yes Chapel The Returning Officer’s Proposal
29. That new polling district identifiers, as shown above, be allocated for the polling districts within the area of Woodford Ward;
No further changes proposed
22 Appendix 3
Polling Place Review for East Northamptonshire
Consultation responses arising from the Phase 2 Consultation
Responses from Acting Returning Officers for the Corby and Wellingborough parliamentary constituencies
None received
Responses from Disabled Groups
None received
Responses from District Councillors
Councillor Returning Officer Response
a) Cllr Jake Vowles Electors for the polling districts of Cotterstock and Tansor currently Cotterstock Village Hall is on the have Tansor Village Hall allocated as main road in the centre of the their polling place. village with plenty of off road parking and seemed to meet all Having reviewed the assessments for your inspector’s requirements at both Cotterstock Village Hall and the recent inspection. Tansor Village Hall, I am happy to Tansor Village Hall is on a dead recommend Cotterstock Village Hall end road on the edge of the to be the designated polling place, village with no parking and due to the advantage of off road needs vehicles to turn around in parking. a gateway beyond the hall. I hope that the review will be revisited as Cotterstock.
Responses from Town and Parish Councils
Town and Parish Council Returning Officer Response b) Lilford Wigsthorpe Thorpe Achurch Electors for the polling districts of Parish Council Lilford-Cum-Wigsthorpe and Thorpe Achurch (LWTA) currently use St Objection to re-designating Lilford- John the Baptist Church at Thorpe Cum-Wigsthorpe and Thorpe Achurch. Achurch to Aldwinckle Village Hall on the following grounds:- We can confirm that LWTA will remain a polling district in its own Aldwincle Village Hall is outside the right should its polling place be re- Lilford Wigsthorpe Thorpe Achurch designated to Aldwincle Village Hall. (“LWTA”) parish. There is no practicable reason why the LWTA Although the concerns of the parish parish should not be a polling council are noted, the lack of rest district in its own right and retain its facilities or a kitchen has been own polling station. assessed as a health and safety risk as part of this review’s assessment Most, if not all, of the LWTA process for staff working in the polling parishioners would be required to station from 6.30am – 10.30 pm. drive to Aldwincle whereas many I therefore don’t propose to change walk to the current polling station at my recommendation for Lilford-Cum- St John the Baptist Church, Thorpe Wigsthorpe and Thorpe Achurch to Achurch. be re-designated Aldwincle Village Hall. LWTA parishioners from Wigsthorpe will have to travel over three miles to reach a polling station if this is re-designated to Aldwincle.
There is limited parking at the Village Hall in Aldwincle. The road area next to the Village Hall also gets quite congested at peak times given its proximity to the school.
The lack of rest and kitchen facilities at the current polling station at St John the Baptist Church, Thorpe Achurch has not been an issue for the time the polling station has been located there (circa eight years).
There will be a detrimental impact to the income of St John the Baptist Church, Thorpe Achurch if the polling station is re-designated to Aldwincle. c) Thrapston Town Council Separate wards can be allocated the same polling place. However, where Query that as Thrapston has two that polling place serves more than Wards there should be a Polling one ward or parish for an election, station in each Ward? separate polling stations (within that polling place) are allocated to each of Both of the current Polling stations the individual wards or parishes. are located in the same Ward (the Lakes Ward), so is that technically I can confirm that where an election an offence? is contested for the two wards of Thrapston Parish, separate polling stations are used.
Amendment to Original Proposal d) Polling District of Polebrook (Lower The original phase 2 proposal to Nene Ward) relocate the polling place from Polebrook Village Hall was subject to the availability of The King’s Arms as a potential new venue. However, on inspection it does not have the required disabled access, with steps leading up to both front and rear entrances.
As such, the proposal that the polling district of Polebrook be re-designated to The Kings Arms, Polebrook is recommended to be reversed, with Polebrook Village Hall to remain as the polling place.
Initial Equalities Impact Assessment Appendix 4
Title of proposal being assessed: Polling Place Review What type of proposal is this an assessment of? Project
Seeking to ensure that all electors have reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances What are the aims and/or objectives of the proposal and the Seeking to ensure that as far as is reasonable and practicable, every polling place in East intended outcomes? Northamptonshire is accessible to electors who are disabled, having regard to the accessibility to disabled persons of potential polling stations or those under review.
Who is intended to benefit from this proposal? Electors and workforce Who are the main stakeholders in relation to the proposal? Electors and workforce
Good quality of life, How is the success of the proposal to be measured? High quality service delivery
Name of person completing Initial Screening: Ben Smith Job title / role of person completing Initial Screening: Democratic and Electoral Services Manager Date of Initial Assessment 27/03/2019
Instructions: For every category in column A, below, submit a positive, negative or neutral assessment by entering an x in the relevant cell. Add an explanation in the Reason box, where applicable, including a specification of any sub-group affected. There may be both a positive and negative impact for the same category (e.g. a policy may be positive for young children but negative for older people).
Positive Negative Neutral Explanation and Evidence (e.g. data, Equality Group Impact Impact Impact consultation results, customer feedback)
Gender:
Consider Women/Girls, Men/Boys, Transgender individuals. X
Sexual Orientation: Consider, for instance: Lesbians, gay men and bisexuals X Any other sexual orientation Race/Ethnicity:
Consider, for instance: • White British people, • White non-British people • Asian or Asian British people • Black or Black British people X • Chinese people • People of mixed heritage • Travellers (Gypsy/Roma/Irish heritage) • People from any other ethnic groups • People who do not have English as their first language
Disability: Physical impairment, e.g mobility issues which mean using X a wheelchair or crutches. Sensory impairment, e.g blind/having a serious visual X impairment, deaf/having a serious hearing impairment. Mental health condition, e.g depression or schizophrenia X Learning disability/difficulty, e.g. Down’s syndrome or dyslexia, or cognitive impairment such as autistic spectrum X disorder Long-standing illness or health condition, e.g. cancer, HIV. X Diabetes, chronic heart disease or epilepsy Other health problems or impairments (please specify if X appropriate) Marriage and Civil Partnership: People in a Marriage or Civil Partnership X Pregnancy and Maternity: People who have just had a baby or who are pregnant. X Age: Older People (60+) X Children and Young People (see guidance for definition) X
1 of 3 (File Version 1 -2016) Religion/Belief: Consider, for instance: • Christian • Hindu • Muslim X • Sikh • Buddhist • any other religion or belief (including holding no belief) Other Potentially Affected Groups
Rural Isolation - People who live in rural areas e.g isolated X geographically, lack of internet access
Socio–economic Exclusion – e.g. people who are on benefits, have low educational attainment, single parents, people living in poor quality housing, people who have poor X access to services, the unemployed or any combination of these and the other protected strands
Any other potentially affected groups (please specify) X
2 of 3 (File Version 1 -2016) This form should be completed for any existing/proposed policy/function/project where there may be an impact on a specific group of individuals. This is regardless of whether the policy/function/project is aimed at external customers or internal staff, as equality policy
Please answer every question.
If you conclude that there is a negative impact you will need to carry out a full Impact Assessment to review the policy/function/project to improve the equalities performance and
As a result of carrying out an Equality Impact Assessment, you will have checked that your policy/function/project does not have negative/adverse impacts in terms of Gender, Race, Disability, Age, Sexual Orientation, Pregnancy/Maternity, Religion or Belief (equality target groups) or if it does you will have identified relevant actions needed to minimise or remove This is not simply a paper exercise – it is designed to make sure that your policy/function/project and service (development) is delivered fairly and effectively to all sections of our local community and our employees Please note that the Council is required to publish the results of these assessments, and update; therefore your completed questionnaire may be a public document.