Agenda item

Agenda item

Polling Districts and Polling Places: Proposed changes to the current scheme.

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

Minutes:

The report explained that as part of preparations for the local government elections taking place on 2 May 2019, work has been undertaken by officers to ensure that polling places have the suitable access, space and facilities for electors. This work has been based on practical considerations relating to the availability of polling places in the current scheme and feedback from stakeholders. 

 

Following the report which went to the Constitutional and Nomination Committee on 28 November 2018, a small number of further changes are required to the current scheme. 

 

Officers have undertaken visits to the potential polling places in the polling districts where these changes are needed, to assess their suitability and to evaluate any alternatives which may exist.

 

When assessing the suitability of polling places an assessment of the following issues were taken into account:

 

·         the proximity of the polling place to populated areas

·         accessibility

·         signage

·         the management and configuration of the polling station

·         the capacity of polling places to accommodate more than one polling station if necessary

·         the number of electors within the district

·         recent developments and population changes

 

Changes are proposed for two polling places within the Manchester Gorton Constituency, in Gorton and Abbey Hey and Longsight wards.

 

For future polls it is proposed that the polling place for 3GAE is Active Me Studios on Abbey Hey Lane. Electors currently vote at Abbey Hey Primary Academy which is located within the adjoining polling district 3GAD. This is an arrangement which has been in place following the loss of premises in 3GAE several years ago. Local councillors supported the reinstatement of a polling place in 3GAE to make it more convenient for electors and assist in encouraging voter participation.

 

Active Me Studios is centrally located within 3GAE and is already well used within the local community due to the classes it runs for local residents. The room to be used is of a good size and will be made fully accessible on polling day.

 

For future polls it is proposed that the polling place for 3LOG is Gorton Primary School on Mount Road. Electors currently vote at the Grange School, which is further down Mount Road on the edge of the polling district, with the entrance round the back of Mount Road rather than directly from it.

 

Gorton Primary School is better located on Mount Road, closer to the majority of electors. A new school is currently under construction on the site. However, there is already a permanent building, which has a suitable room in it. This is a large suitable space which will be made fully accessible on polling day. It also benefits from being directly accessible from Mount Road.

 

Changes are proposed for one polling place within the Manchester Withington Constituency, in Old Moat ward.

 

For future polls it is proposed that the polling place for 4OMC is Withington Girls’ School on the corner of Wellington Road and Victoria Road. A re-designation is required in this polling district because the current polling place Fallowfield Bowling and Social Club is no longer available for use.

 

Withington Girls’ School has offered the use of a suitable room in the newly built gymnasium area of the school. A larger space is also available if two polling stations are required. Both rooms are fully accessible. The school building is located across the road from the current polling place, and will be well known to local residents. Electors will use an entrance on Victoria rather than Wellington Road.

 

Changes are proposed for one polling place within the Wythenshawe and Sale East Constituency, in Sharston ward.

 

For future polls it is proposed that the polling place for 5SHB is Manchester College Wythenshawe Campus on the corner of Hollyhedge Road and Brownley Road. These premises are more centrally located than the current polling place Wythenshawe Community Church, which is on the edge of the polling district. Manchester College is well known to the local community and will be more conveniently situated for the majority of electors. 

 

Manchester College Wythenshawe Campus has offered the use of the foyer area outside their campus theatre as the polling place. The space is large, accessible and will have its own entrance which can be accessed via the side of the main building close to Brownley Road.

 

Officers confirmed that Changes to all polling places will be communicated to electors via their poll card. In addition, on polling day, signs directing electors to their new polling place will be attached to the previously used premises in Longsight, Old Moat and Sharston wards. 

 

Decision

 

1.    To approve the changes to the current scheme as set out in paragraphs 4.1, 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 5.1, 5.1.1, 6.1 and 6.1.1 of the report – being:

 

a.    Gorton and Abbey Hey Ward - the polling place for 3GAE be Active Me Studios on Abbey Hey Lane.

b.    Longsight Ward – the polling place for 3LOG be Gorton Primary School on Mount Road.

c.    Old Moat Ward – the polling place for 4OMC be Withington Girls’ School on the corner of Wellington Road and Victoria Road.

d.    Sharston Ward - the polling place for 5SHB be Manchester College Wythenshawe Campus on the corner of Hollyhedge Road and Brownley Road.

 

2.    To adopt the changes, referred to in recommendation 1 above, to the scheme for both parliamentary and local elections.

 

Supporting documents: