Agenda and minutes

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda.

No interests were declared.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the meeting. Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

There were no members of the public present.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th September 2011 (minutes to follow).

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th September 2011 be approved as a correct record.

To receive an update by Officers and to consider a revised schedule of proposals.

At the previous meeting, the Officers had reported that the Boundary Commission for England had announced its intention to carry out a review of Parliamentary constituency boundaries in England. For Cheshire East, this would be based on the former ward boundaries. The Officers had sought legal advice on the possibility of postponing the review of Polling Districts and Places. The legal advice was that the review should proceed as planned.

Members had also considered a schedule of proposed changes submitted and had agreed a number of specific changes. They had also agreed that proposed changes of a technical administrative nature should be dealt with by the Officers without the need for further consultation with Members.

The schedule of changes had now been updated to reflect Members’ comments and amendments and was resubmitted for Members for further consideration. Members noted a number of additional proposals and representations.

Broken Cross and Upton – Councillors L Brown and M Hardy had objected to the proposed use of Macclesfield Cricket Club because of parking problems and had submitted counter proposals for the Sub-Committee’s consideration. It was noted, however, that this would have significant implications for the rest of the ward. It was agreed that the Cricket Club be used on the basis that disabled electors would be encouraged to use the top car park and others would be encouraged to use the lower car park.

Crewe St Barnabas – Councillor R Cartlidge had proposed that a new polling station be created at Beechmere retirement village.  However, the Officers had received representations from Beechmere that the building was unsuitable as it dealt with vulnerable adults and the doors had to be locked at 5.00 pm each day. It was therefore agreed that the proposal be not pursued.

Crewe West – the Labour Party had made representations that the polling station be reinstated at Edleston Primary School, having been removed at the school’s request. It was agreed that electors should return to Edleston Primary School but that should there be issues in the future this would be reconsidered.

Crewe South – following representations by the Labour Party, the Officers would be considering the feasibility of using the YMCA, Gresty Road and New Life Church, Fuller Drive as polling stations.

Councillor R Fletcher had also made representations with regard to the Alsager ward and Officers had responded to him direct.

Members then considered the eight wards in the north of the Borough which had not been considered previously pending the receipt of the legal advice on the review. The Officers reported that the current Boundary Commission review of Parliamentary constituency boundaries would not have a significant impact on the polling arrangements for the north of the Borough.

Poynton East and Pott Shrigley – it was agreed that St Martin’s Church Hall should continue to be used until another suitable venue for a polling station could be found.

Wilmslow Dean Row – Councillor P Whiteley mentioned that Dean Oaks Primary School was not a good  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

RESOLVED

That the next meeting be held in week commencing 7^th November 2011, the date and time to be determined in consultation with Members.