The Council must regularly review the division of its area into polling districts and the places where electors are asked to vote. Full reviews must be started and completed within the period of 16 months that starts on 1 October of every fifth year after 1 October 2013. In between full reviews, a review must also be undertaken when a change in a particular polling place is proposed to be made.
The relevant legislation can be found in section 16 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006, the Representation of the People Act 1983 and the Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places (Parliamentary Elections) Regulations 2006. Guidance is also published by the Electoral Commission.
The review process
As part of the review process the Council must:
- Seek to ensure that all electors in the constituency have such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances;
- Seek to ensure that so far as is reasonable and practicable the polling places are accessible to those who are disabled, and
- When considering or reviewing the designation of a polling place, have regard to the accessibility needs of disabled persons.
The Council is required to publish notice of the holding of a review. Information about the review is made available on the Council’s website and can also be obtained in person from Electoral Services at the Town Hall, Bexhill on Sea.
The consultation document will also be sent to the local Member of Parliament, District Councillors, County Councillors and local political parties. It will also be sent to persons who have particular expertise in relation to access to premises or facilities for persons who have different forms of disability.
The consultation period for this full review will last for six weeks.
The timetable for this review is set out below:
| Action | Date |
|---|---|
Publication of notice of review | Monday 19 August 2019 |
Beginning of public consultation | Monday 19 August 2019 |
Publication of (Acting) Returning Officers’ comments and proposals | Monday 16 September 2019 |
End of public consultation | Monday 30 September 2019 |
Publication of final proposed polling scheme | Friday 11 October 2019 |
Recommendation to Full Council for approval | Monday 11 November 2019 |
Publication of all correspondence connected with review | Friday 15 November 2019 |
Publication of revised register of electors | Sunday 1 December 2019 |
