The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

Not all of the locations used as polling places in the Local Election on 2 May are also available at short-notice for use for the European Parliamentary Elections on 23 May. Where a polling place was not available to Chief Executive used delegated powers to re-designate an alternative.

Ward / District – Cheetham, Deansgate 1CTB/1DGA

As a result of the short notice given for the European Parliamentary Elections the Electoral Services Unit was unable to secure a booking for the polling station currently designated for the 1CTB / 1DGA polling district located at The Park Inn, Cheetham Hill Road. It has not been possible to secure a polling place within either of the polling districts. However, an alternative polling place for the EPE only has been identified at Manchester Cathedral Visitors Centre. Although it is located in the adjoining polling district 2DGC, it is in a well-known location and is accessible to all electors. Having consulted the relevant Councillors, the Chief Executive made the decision to re-designate on a temporary basis this polling place for the EPE only.

Ward / District - Chorlton Park - 4CPA

As a result of the short notice given for the European Parliamentary Elections the Electoral Services Unit was unable to secure a booking for the polling place currently designated for the 4CPA polling district which is at Loreto High School. Exams are taking place in the school at this time. Unfortunately, the Maris Centre on the same site is also not available for use. An alternative location, for the EPE only, has been identified as the Function Room located within Sai Spice Indian Restaurant on Mauldeth Road West. This is on the ground floor, is accessible to electors and has some parking available outside. Having consulted the relevant Councillors, the Chief Executive made the decision to re-designate on a temporary basis this polling place for the EPE only.

Ward / District - Didsbury West - 4DWE

As a result of the short notice given for the European Parliamentary Elections the Electoral Services Unit was unable to secure a booking for the polling place currently designated for the 4DWD polling district located at St James and Emmanuel Church Parish Centre. An alternative location, for the EPE only, has been identified as Ivy Church Manchester, which is also the polling place for 4DWE. The building is well known to local residents and has enough space to accommodate both stations. Having consulted the relevant Councillors, the Chief Executive made the decision to re-designate on a temporary basis this polling place for the EPE only.

Ward / District - Fallowfield – 3FAD

As a result of short notice given for the European Parliamentary Elections the Electoral Services Unit was unable to secure a booking for the polling place currently designated for the 3FAD polling district located at the Armitage Centre. An alternative location, for the EPE only, was identified at Owens Park. This polling place is already used by electors in polling district 3FAE. There is enough room for all electors from both polling districts to use this polling place and the building is well known to all electors in the area. Having consulted the relevant Councillors, the Chief Executive made the decision to re-designate on a temporary basis this polling place for the EPE only.

Decision

To note and endorse the urgent decisions made by the Chief Executive to change the scheme of polling places to be in use for the European Parliamentary Elections later this month.