Agenda item

To receive a report of the Head of Licensing and Registration  considering  the representations received to conduct an interim review of the polling arrangements for Garforth and Swillington and Calverley and Farsley and to agree the process for such a review.

The Head of Licensing and Registration presented his report, the report considered the representations received to conduct an interim review of the polling arrangements for Garforth & Swillington and Calverley & Farsley and the process for such a review.

Members discussed the report in detail. Concerns were raised that the review should not be proceeded at Committee but instead should be conducted by the Electoral Working Group (EWG) owing to their knowledge and it being considered a fair process. However, Members also acknowledged that the representations have triggered a process and that this should be followed in an open and transparent manner at the earliest opportunity.

Also raised in discussion was that by reviewing  small areas, such as those under discussion, this could lead to other areas requesting such reviews. The time scale of the process was also discussed by Members comments were made that the process was happening too quickly, this in light of establishing new polling stations being a major issue.

It was noted by the Committee that the current polling station arrangements for Garforth and Swillington put elderly and disabled people at a disadvantage due to the busy roads and hills approaching the polling station in question.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to:

(a)  agree the process for the Interim Review for Garforth & Swillington and Calverley & Farsley as set out in the report;

(b)  agree the timetable for the Interim Review as set out at Appendix A to the report;

(c)  agree that the proposals received at section 5 and 6 of the report be confirmed as the authority’s initial proposals for the interim review of Garforth & Swillington and Calverley & Farsley;

(d)  agree that EWG will be used as a working group to discuss the results of any representations received in response to any consultation, and provide recommendations for General Purposes Committee’s consideration as set out at section 3.2 of the report; and

(e)  agree that officers review the Council’s Constitution regarding the current process for considering alterations to polling districts, places and stations to identify any possible improvements.