Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Appletree Court, Lyndhurst

Contact: 023 8028 5588 - ask for Andy Rogers  Email:  andy.rogers@nfdc.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

Apologies

11.

Minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2019 as a correct record.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2019 to be sigend by the Chairman as a correct record.

12.

Declarations Of Interest

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

 

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

Minutes:

No Declarations of Interest were made by any Members in connection with any Agenda Item.

13.

Public Participation

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

Minutes:

No issues were raised during the Public Participation period.

 

 

 

14.

Gambling Policy - Review of Consultation Responses pdf icon PDF 228 KB

To consider a review of the Council’s Gambling Policy.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a review of the Council’s Gambling Policy.  Members noted that the Gambling Act 2005 required a review of the Council Statement of Gambling Principles every three years.

 

A draft Policy had been presented to the Committee in June 2018 and a consultation exercise had taken place between 10 May 2019 and 26 July 2019.

 

Eight responses were received during the consultation period which were set out in Appendix 2 to the Report.  Responses covered a variety of areas together with general support of the Policy from two Parish Councils. 

 

Members noted the consultation undertaken and responses received, and having  regard to the suggested amendments in Appendix 3 to the Report, supported the relevant paragraphs in the draft Policy.

 

RECOMMENDED:

 

That there is a recommendation to the Council that the revised Statement of Gambling Principles in relation to the Gambling Act 2005 be approved.

15.

Review of Polling Districts and Places pdf icon PDF 255 KB

To consider the proposals of the Working Party set up by the Committee at the June meeting, to review polling districts and polling places within the New Forest District, in compliance with the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 and to make recommendations to the Council.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the proposals of the Working Party set up by the Committee at the June meeting, to review Polling Districts and Polling Places within the New Forest District, in compliance with the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013.

 

The Council was required by law to complete a review of the Polling Districts and Polling Places within the District by the end of 2019.  The Working Party had to consider any issues and make recommendations to the Committee which would then be submitted to Council.

 

The Working Party invited comments from all District Councillors, Parish and Town Councils and the District’s two MP’s, as well as persons or groups who had particular expertise in relation to access to premises or facilities for persons who had different forms of disability.  The closing date for representations was 18 August 2019.  Those making comments had been asked to identify alternative places to hold future elections if they were proposing closure of a particular Polling Station.

 

The report included a plan showing Polling Districts and their identifiers, details of each Polling Place/Station, and a further plan showing proposed Polling District DL.

 

The Committee noted the nine recommendations for change raised as a result of the representations.

 

40 responses to the consultation had been received, of which 28 were received from parents, the pre-school and Town Councillors in relation to Lydlynch Infant School, Totton.  The Working Party had recommended that transfer of the Polling station from Lydlynch to the Cricket Club and Members supported this.  The point was made that Polling Station at Lydlynch had been used for some years and it was anticipated that many local people would expect still to vote there, and it was therefore suggested that the change be advertised and signs be put on site.   In response, it was explained that it was intended to write to the electors about the change and include the information clearly on polling cards as well as providing signs at the school.

 

Members felt that, wherever possible, it would be advantageous not to use schools for Polling Stations to avoid the disruption involved.

 

In respect of Calmore Village Hall, the Committee noted the objections in respect of the lack of public transport in the area.  It was emphasised that the Polling Station experienced low usage and on balance it was considered that the Polling Station should be closed, postal votes offered and the situation be kept under review.

 

A Member asked whether the statistics used in the review were based on District Council Elections or General Election, and Officers undertook to confirm this after the meeting.

 

The Chairman reminded the Committee that the Working Group had made its deliberations after reviewing extensive information and noted that costings ranged from £2.50 per voter up to approximately £24 per voter at some Polling Stations, and a common-sense balance had to be struck ensuring that the solutions were practical and reasonable.

 

In answer to a question, it was explained that the current Electoral Review affecting the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Dates of Meetings

To agree future meeting dates for the 2020/2021 municipal year.

 

Dates already agreed:

 

8 November 2019

10 January 2020

13 March 2020

 

RECOMMENDATION:  That the following dates be agreed for 2020/2021

 

(Fridays at 9.30am)

 

12 June 2020

11 September 2020

6 November 2020

8 January 2021

12 March 2021

 

Minutes:

Resolved that the following dates be agreed for meetings of the Committee in 2020/2021

 

(Fridays at 9.30 a.m.)

 

12 June 2020

11 September 2020

6 November 2020

8 January 2021

12 March 2021