To consider the submitted report on the outcome of the review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations.

As a result of the review by the Local Government Boundary Commission in 2017 of the electoral arrangements for Torbay (approved by Parliament in June 2018), the Council considered the recommendations of the Constitution Working Party on a review of Torbay’s polling districts, polling places and polling stations (as set out in the submitted report).

Councillor Hill proposed and Councillor Thomas (D) seconded the motion, as set out below:

(i)         that the revised polling district and polling station scheme, as set out at Appendix 1 of the submitted report be approved;  and

(ii)        that delegation be given to the Returning Officer to make any amendments to the scheme which may be required to facilitate the running of elections.

A Liberal Democrat amendment proposed by Councillor Darling (S) and seconded by Councillor Long was circulated prior to the meeting.  During the debate, Councillor Hill and Councillor Thomas (D) accepted the amendment, which was then incorporated in the original motion and was agreed by the Council (unanimously) as set out below:

(i)         that the revised polling district and polling station scheme, as set out at Appendix 1 be approved, subject to the proposed new polling district AE (made up of the current WC and WD polling districts), with polling station at Acorn Community Centre, being amended to create a new single polling district AF (incorporating properties at Dorchester Grove, Gloucester Close, Horace Road, Lichfield Avenue, Lincoln Green, Salisbury Avenue, Shrewsbury Avenue, Truro Avenue and Winchester Avenue) with the polling station for AF at Hele Road Baptist Church, Hele Road, Torquay;  and

(ii)        that delegation be given to the Returning Officer to make any amendments to the scheme which may be required to facilitate the running of elections.