Review of polling districts and polling places

The Council is undertaking a review of its current polling districts and polling places. The objective of the review is to ensure that polling arrangements remain suitable and convenient for voters.

This review is being undertaken with particular reference to the arrangements for Fratton ward to address some changes in the availability of polling station venues but comments or proposals relating to any other wards are also welcome.

The review will look at the designation of polling places and the sub-division of electoral wards into polling districts.

• A polling district is a sub-division of an electoral area (ward) into a smaller geographical unit comprising a number of streets/houses
• A polling place is a building or area in which polling stations will be designated by the Returning Officer
• A polling station is defined as the actual room or building where the poll is held

The duties of the Council are:

(a)  To ensure that all electors have such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances, and;

(b)  To seek to ensure that so far as is reasonable and practicable, polling places are accessible to all electors including those who are disabled

In designating polling districts and polling places there are a range of practical issues that must be considered such as the availability of suitable venues. The review process will not consider changes to constituency or ward boundaries as these are beyond the remit of this review process.

The review is scheduled as follows:

• 10 July – Start of the consultation period
• 17 July – Publication of the Returning Officer’s representations
• 00pm, 21 August – Close of the consultation period
• 20 September – Report to Governance and Audit and Standards Committee
• 17 October – Report to Full Council

The council is required to consult the Returning Officer as part of the review. The Returning Officer will examine the current polling arrangements and will make some proposals which will be published on this page by Monday 17 July.

The council would welcome any elector within the authority area or any other interested person or body to make a representation or comment on the current polling arrangements or on the proposals made by the Returning Officer.

Representations should be received by no later than 5.00pm on Monday 21 August to:

• Election Services, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2QR
• or by email to elections@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

The council is required to make all submissions, relevant correspondence and decisions relating to the review process available for public inspection. They will also be published on this website. For further information about how we use personal information, please see our privacy notice.

After the consultation period, final proposals for polling districts and polling places will be drafted taking into consideration all comments and representations made. A report will then be submitted to the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee who will make recommendations to Full Council.

Any amendments to the polling arrangements that are approved will be in place at the Police & Crime Commissioner and City Council elections on 2 May 2024.