Proposed Relocating Of Polling Stations And Altering District Boundaries By Havering Council Following General Election.

Local democracy reporter Sebastian Mann writes

Havering Council has proposed relocating polling stations and altering district boundaries following the general election.

A report published this week laid out plans to include Brookdale Avenue and Close within the Upminster polling district.

As it stands, the district cuts the street in half, meaning some residents are assigned different polling stations to their neighbours.

The town hall also plans to move an Elm Park polling station from Bretons Community Hall to Scargill Infants School to improve accessibility.

The move will also prevent residents crossing the busy Rainham Road, the council says.

A council officer said: “The walk from the car park to the polling station is long and uneven, and insufficient outdoor lighting at the venue made the walk even more challenging.

“The presiding officer reported that voters complained of their difficulty crossing Rainham Road (A125), and of the lack of public transport to the venue.”

After local and general elections, local authorities review any problems that arose during the voting period.

The issues were highlighted during a public consultation, which ran from 12th August until 16th September.

A total of 18 residents responded, giving feedback on the general election held on 4th July and the London Assembly elections on 2nd May.

Voters in Cranham and Mawneys complained about the distance they needed to walk, but the council said that no alternatives were available in either ward.

Redrawing the district boundaries would “not result in alternative premises becoming available” in either case, the council said.

Upminster is represented by three Havering Residents Association (HRA) councillors, including cabinet members Oscar Ford and Chris Wilkins.

Elm Park is likewise controlled by the HRA, with cabinet member Barry Mugglestone representing the ward alongside two others.

The scheme is expected to be approved at a full council meeting on 20th November.

No changes will be made to the voting arrangements in any other wards.

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