East Suffolk Council
Review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations 2023
The Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 requires the council to complete a review of all Parliamentary polling districts and polling places every four years. The next review must be completed between October 2023 and January 2025.
Definitions
Polling District – the geographical area created by sub-dividing a constituency /ward.
Polling Place – the designated area for a polling district in which polling stations are located.
Polling Station – the room or area within the polling place where voting takes place.
Information and background
In reviewing the polling districts, places and stations, the councils will ensure that:
- electors have such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances;
- as far as reasonable and practicable, that polling places are accessible to all electors, including those with disabilities.
There are currently 243 polling districts in East Suffolk.
2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies
The Boundary Commission for England has recently concluded the 2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies in England and have submitted their final report and recommendations.
The Government has drafted an Order containing these recommendations. Once that draft Order is approved by the Privy Council, the new constituencies will be used for the next General election following that date.
The schedule of Polling Districts assigned to each Parliamentary constituency (current and future) is below:
|
Current Constituencies |
Number of Polling Districts |
|---|---|
|
Central Suffolk & North Ipswich |
49 |
|
Suffolk Coastal |
116 |
|
Waveney |
78 |
|
TOTAL |
243 |
|
Final Recommended Constituencies |
Number of Polling Districts |
|---|---|
|
Central Suffolk & North Ipswich |
54 |
|
Lowestoft |
50 |
|
Suffolk Coastal |
102 |
|
Waveney Valley |
37 |
|
TOTAL |
243 |
Suffolk County Council Electoral Review
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has concluded its review of Suffolk County Council electoral arrangements. The revised electoral divisions will come into effect for the elections in May 2025.
Changes to Polling Districts, Places and Stations necessitated by the revised division structure have been referenced and included in this review.
Next steps
We are inviting comments about the review which need to be submitted by 30 November 2023.
Stage 1 – The current polling arrangements have been published and comments are welcomed on those arrangements for future elections.
Stage 2 – The (Acting) Returning Officer (ARO) for the Parliamentary Constituencies of Suffolk Coastal and Waveney (Chris Bally, Chief Executive of East Suffolk Council) has made comments on the current arrangements and proposed changes.
The final proposals will be considered at a full meeting of the East Suffolk Council on 25 January 2024.
| Timetable | |
|---|---|
| Publication of Formal Notice of Review | 3 October 2023 |
| Publication of Current Arrangements with ERO comments for future arrangements | 3 October 2023 |
| Consultation opens | 3 October 2023 |
| Consultation closes | 30 November 2023 |
| Consider responses | By 5 January 2024 |
| Proposals for New Arrangements presented to Council | 24 January 2024 |
| Publish the conclusions of the review | 25 January 2024 |
| Full Electoral Register published under new arrangements | 1 February 2024 |
Consultation Responses
Representations should be submitted by email to elections@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or in writing to:
Electoral Services
East Suffolk Council
Riverside
4 Canning Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0EQ
Notices
Existing arrangements
- Map of East Suffolk Council – online mapping tool (select polling stations from the menu on the left)
- Schedule of East Suffolk Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations