Agenda and minutes

None.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chair. 

To receive a verbal update on the Community Governance Review for the Borough of Telford & Wrekin.

The Service Delivery Manager: Legal & Democracy presented an update on the Community Governance Review to the Committee. The Committee was informed of the ongoing consultation and that the consultation period was due to end on the 20 November 2023. Members expressed a desire to extend the deadline to ensure maximum opportunity for those who wished to respond to the consultation to express their views. It was therefore decided to extend the submission deadline until Monday 18 December 2023.

RESOLVED – that the Boundary Review Committee agree to extend the deadline for representations to be made as part of the Community Governance Review until 18 December 2023.

To receive a report on the Polling Places, Districts and Stations Review.

The Senior Democracy Officer (Elections) summarised the report on Polling Places, Districts and Stations. Members heard that the Council is required to conduct a statutory review of its Parliamentary Polling Districts, Polling Places, and Polling Stations every five years. This review ensured that all electors had reasonable facilities for voting and that polling places would be accessible.

The initial recommendations were based on the interim review published earlier this year and feedback from the May 2023 elections.

Following a consultation, there were no changes proposed to the current provision, however, accessibility adjustments will be carried out at St Georges & Priorslee Parish Council. Consideration would also be given in future to relocating this polling station once the Parish Council has completed their office move.

Members were also informed that 2 polling districts had now been moved from the Wrekin Constituency to the Telford Constituency. Hodnett & Cheswardine would now be reviewed through Shropshire Council’s polling station review. Members were informed that the 2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies had concluded and the revised constituencies had been approved by the Privy Council.

Following the presentation Members voted on the recommendations as outlined in the report;

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the Returning Officer’s Proposals be approved with effect from 1 December 2023; and

b)   authority be delegated to the Returning Officer or Director: Policy & Governance to make further changes, as necessary, to the Polling Place/Polling stations before the elections on 2 May 2024.