To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2024.

Decision

The Committee approve the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2024 as a correct record.

The report of the Deputy Chief Executive is enclosed.

A report from the Deputy Chief Executive was submitted concerning the statutory review of polling districts and polling places within the city. The Electoral Administration and Registration Act 2013, compulsory reviews of parliamentary and local polling districts and polling places must take place every 5 years.

The Constitution and Nomination Committee held on 9 September 2024 authorised the statutory polling districts and polling places review on 16 September 2024 and a public consultation that ended on 29 November 2024. The consultation proposed for changes to some of the polling stations on 17 October 2024. The proposals were sent to elected members of the council, Members of Parliament for Manchester’s six Parliamentary constituencies, the Combined Authority Returning Officer, the GM Mayor, political parties that have had candidates in Manchester elections, parish councillors and community network groups that the Electoral Services Unit regularly engage with through the Elections Act Forum. The consultation document was also placed on the council’s website with other formats being made available.

The report set out the in detail, responsibilities, scope and the aim of the review and the consultation submissions and responses received on the proposals.

The Chair invited questions from committee members.

A member of the committee asked a question concerning the current closure of Chorlton Library and what arrangements are in place for the location of the polling that is usually located at the library, in the event of a by-election before the next scheduled election in 2026.

The committee was informed that the current arrangements for polling district 4CLA are that the polling station will be located at Oswald Road Primary School on Oswald Road. This will be the location until the redevelopment of Chorlton Library is completed.

The committee was informed that changes to the current polling station arrangements will be reported to elected and consulted upon to agree suitable alternative locations and venues.

In considering the report the committee acknowledged the detailed work undertaken by officers and thanked the Elections Team on behalf of elected members.

Decisions

The Committee:

1.       Note the public consultation and submissions made to the Council in respect of the autumn 2024 review of the polling districts and polling places in Manchester.

2.       Note the Acting Returning Officer’s proposals for amendments to the polling districts and polling places in Manchester.

3.       Approve the adoption of parliamentary polling districts and parliamentary polling places as set out in the scheme contained in Appendix 1 and in the maps found at Appendix 2.

4.       Approve the reasons, as given in the report, in respect of the designation of the parliamentary polling districts and parliamentary polling places.

5.       Agree that that the scheme contained in Appendix 1 be adopted in relation to both parliamentary and local government elections (including combined authority mayoral elections).

6.       Request that the Chief Executive publish such notices and other documentation required by law on completion of the review.

7.       Requestethat the Electoral Registration Officer makes the necessary amendments to polling districts for the 1 February 2025 electoral  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.