Review of Polling Places and Polling Districts

Because of these changes we have to review our polling places and districts by the end of 2007. We then have to carry out further reviews every 4 years. So that we can publish the new list of polling places at the same time as the revised register (on December 1 each year), we want to present our final proposals to full council at their meeting on November 21, 2007.

When we became a ‘unitary’ authority in 1999 we carried out a full review of the polling places and polling districts. Every year we review them again as part of our preparation for the local elections. If we have had reports of problems, we investigate to see if more appropriate locations can be found.

When we carry out a review the law says we must:
a) seek to ensure that all the electors in the constituency have such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances;
b) seek to ensure that so far as is reasonable and practicable, the polling places they are responsible for are accessible to all electors, including those who are disabled, and when considering the designation of a polling place, must have regard to the accessibility needs of disabled persons.

In addition, when undertaking a review of polling places, Southampton City Council always seeks to reduce any impact on the residents of the city where it can. For example, schools are used as a last resort to avoid any unnecessary impact on the education of children. Local community centres which may be used for counselling and guidance are also avoided where possible. The use of portacabins has been reduced to avoid the disturbance caused to residence through the use of temporary generators due to excessive noise etc.

CONTACT

Electoral Services
Southampton City Council
Civic Centre
Southampton SO14 7LY
Telephone: 023 8083 2422
e-mail: elections@southampton.gov.uk