Decision Maker: Finance and Performance Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 20, 2025

Purpose:

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.