The Elections update is enclosed.

The Chair agreed to accept this item as a matter of urgent business.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2021.

Decision

To approve as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2021.

The report of The Chief Executive is enclosed.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive that proposed changes to the current scheme of polling places for the following wards:  Crumpsall (1CRG), Harpurhey (1HAG), Clayton and Openshaw (polling district 2COF), Piccadilly (polling districts 2PYB, 2PYC/2PYE), Whalley Range (polling district 3WRD), Baguley (polling districts 5BAB and 5BAF), Brooklands/Northenden (polling districts 5BKF/5NOA), Sharston (5SHB) and Woodhouse Park (polling district 5WPA).

The Committee further considered the updated information that had been provided that related to the following polling districts and places: Harpurhey (polling districts 1HAA and 1HAG), Baguley (polling districts 5BAB and 5BAF), Brooklands/Northenden (polling districts 5BKF/5NOA), and the information regarding a change of location for a station within East Didsbury and Withington (polling districts 4DEA / 4WTC).

The Committee gave thanks to the Elections Team for their dedication to this task under difficult circumstances.

Decision

The Committee;

1.            Approve the proposed changes to the current scheme as set out in Sections 4 to 8.

2.            Recommend that the changes to the polling places are adopted in relation to both parliamentary and local government elections.   

3.            Note that an update on the current position regarding outstanding re-designations for polling places referred to in this report, but not resolved at time of publication, will be brought to the meeting for the Committee’s consideration.

4.            Recommend that any emerging polling place re-designations required ahead of 6 May 2021 elections, which cannot be reported to the Committee on 12 March 2021, are agreed using the delegated authority of the Chief Executive, which allows her to make, where necessary, alterations to the designation of any polling place prior to the next full review in consultation with ward councillors, group leaders and the Chair of Constitutional and Nomination Committee.