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.
The relevant legislation can be found in 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 inspected in person at Town Hall, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN39 3JX.
The consultation document will also be sent to the local Members of Parliament, district councillors, county councillors, town and parish councils, local political parties and other stakeholders, including local disability groups, to seek comments on the current polling arrangements and draft proposals.
Additionally, members of the public are invited to comment. The consultation period for this full review will last for six weeks.
Should you wish to make comments on any of the polling arrangements in you ward, or propose alternatives, please submit these by email to polling.review@rother.gov.uk or by post to Polling Review, Electoral Services, Rother District Council, Town Hall, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN39 3JX.
Please note that upon completion of the review, all correspondence and representations received must, by law, be published.
The timetable for this review is set out below:
Action | Date |
---|---|
Publication of notice of review | Monday 2 October 2023 |
Beginning of public consultation | Monday 2 October 2023 |
Publication of initial proposed polling scheme | Monday 2 October 2023 |
End of public consultation | Monday 13 November 2023 |
Publication of final proposed polling scheme | Monday 20 November 2023 |
Recommendation to Council for approval | Monday 18 December 2023 |
Publication of all correspondence connected with review | Monday 8 January 2024 |
Publication of revised register of electors | Thursday 1 February 2024 |