The General Purposes Committee of Croydon Council met on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, to review the outcome of a statutory review of polling districts and polling places across the borough. The committee resolved to recommend the adoption of the proposed future arrangements for these districts and places to Full Council.

Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places: Outcome

The committee considered the outcome of a compulsory periodic review of polling districts and polling places, as required by the Representation of the People Act 1983 and the Electoral Administration Act 2013. The review aimed to ensure that polling districts and places are suitable, accessible, and appropriately sized to meet the needs of electors for both parliamentary and local government elections.

The report detailed proposed future arrangements for each ward, outlining changes to polling district boundaries and, in some cases, polling place locations. These changes were informed by a preliminary review, public consultation, and consideration of statutory requirements, Electoral Commission guidance, and equality impact assessments. Key considerations included the suitability of polling places for accessibility, the size of electorates within polling districts (with a recommended maximum of 2,250 electors per polling station), and the distance electors would need to travel.

Throughout the review process, representations were received from ward councillors, local political parties, and the public. These representations, along with the proposed changes and their justifications, were documented in the report. For example, in the Selhurst ward, concerns were raised by the Labour Group regarding proposed changes that would increase travel distance for some electors, leading to an acceptance of their feedback and a revision of the proposals. Similarly, in the Waddon ward, detailed objections and alternative proposals were submitted by Councillor Simon Fox and the Chairman of the London South Area Conservatives, William Perry, regarding the division of polling districts and the location of polling stations.

The committee was asked to note the representations received, approve the proposed future arrangements for polling districts and polling places, and authorise the Electoral Registration Officer to make the necessary changes to the electoral register. They also agreed to delegate authority to the (Acting) Returning Officer to approve alternative polling places if needed in the future. The report highlighted that the implementation of these recommendations would support the council's priority to Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice. ¹