Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Executive.

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson, presented the report of the Chief Executive which sets out the findings of the Polling Place Review 2019 and proposes alternative options for polling stations.

Members noted the reasons for the recommendation and supported it. 

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded the unanimous Decision – that approval be given to the following:

1.    That there be no changes to existing polling district, polling place and polling station arrangements for the current wards.  The rational for this recommendation is to allow voters to attend their usual polling station should an anticipated parliamentary election be announced. Implementing changes at this stage, would result in a significant number of voters having to attend different polling stations than they would normally, which would cause confusion amongst residents.  In some cases, voters may decide not to vote on this occasion citing the change of polling station as the reason.

2.    That the issues raised during the consultation are considered by officers at greater length alongside the new warding arrangements that have been implemented following an electoral review of Chorley Council.  Proposed changes will be presented at a future Council meeting for approval prior to implementation at the local authority election scheduled for 7 May 2020.

Councillor Whittaker left the room at 7.10pm