Agenda and minutes

None.

To be apprised of any changes to the membership of the Committee in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.

There were no changes to the Membership of the Committee.

If a member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Legal & Democratic Services Manager in advance of the meeting.  (For the assistance of Members a checklist for use in considering their position on any particular item is included at the end of this agenda sheet.)

There were no declarations of interests.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th October 2023.

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2023 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources as contained on pages 31 to 57 of the Book of Reports.

The Chairman invited the Electoral Services Manager to present the report, which was to conclude the Interim Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places in line with the Representation of the People Act 1983, as amended (the 1983 Act) and determine the final proposals.

The committee gave careful and thorough consideration to the consultation responses as set out in Appendix 1 of the report and felt that insufficient evidence had been provided to warrant opposing the proposals. Members understood the sensitivities expressed in relation to cost but wished to make it as easy as possible for people to vote and considered that the number of voters justified an additional polling station, noting that Ormskirk West in particular currently has below the average number of polling stations and the highest ratio of electors to polling stations.

Members then voted on the proposals for each affected Ward individually. Members decided by 3 votes to 2 that the proposals for Ormskirk West at Appendix 2 should be approved and unanimously agreed the proposals for Rural West at Appendix 3 and Skelmersdale South at Appendix 4.

RESOLVED:

1. That the consultation responses for each proposal, as set out in Appendix 1, be noted.

2. That the proposals for each affected Ward (Ormskirk West - Appendix 2, Rural West – Appendix 3, and Skelmersdale South – Appendix 4) be approved.