Content

8.1

Under the Electoral
Administration Act 2006 the City Council must periodically review
polling districts and polling places. The latest review of polling
districts took place in autumn 2024, taking
into account feedback from the Parliamentary General
Election of July 2024 and to be able to meet directives from the
Electoral Commission on the number of electors assigned to polling
stations. The Director of Policy and Democratic Engagement
presented a report containing recommendations following a full
public consultation on the draft proposals.

 

 

8.2

RESOLVED
UNANIMOUSLY: That the Finance and
Performance Policy Committee;
 

·      
Agrees the boundary changes to polling districts and
proposed polling places outlined in this report

·      
Notes that further interim reviews be undertaken for
the Crookes and Crosspool, Dore and
Totley, Ecclesall, Gleadless Valley, Fulwood, Park and Arbourthorne, and Stannington wards during
2025.

 

 

8.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

8.3.1

The proposals contained within
the report and its appendices endeavour to improve access to voting
for all registered electors within the Sheffield City Council area,
as well as satisfying the Council’s legal duty to review the
polling arrangements in its area. It is therefore recommended that
these proposals are approved and implemented for all elections and
polls from 1 February 2025.

 

 

8.3.2

It is further recommended that during 2025,
interim reviews are conducted within the following wards, based on
feedback from the public consultation: Crookes and Crosspool, Dore and Totley, Ecclesall, Gleadless
Valley, Fulwood, and Stannington.

 

 

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

8.4.1

In designing these proposals, Electoral
Services used feedback and suggested alternative polling places
from the local government elections on 2 May 2024 and the General
Election on 4 July. Officers contacted venues and where it was
considered a suitable venue in principle, officers conducted site
visits to assess suitability.

 

 

8.4.2

Alternative options were considered during the
review process and the consultation set out what those were for
individual polling districts and enabled people to suggest
alternatives, which have all been considered.