Have your say on polling arrangements in Portishead

PEOPLE across North Somerset are being invited to have their say on a review of polling facilities across the district.

Under the Representation of the People Act 1983, all local authorities are required to divide their area into polling districts, to designate polling places for those polling districts, and to keep their electoral arrangements under review.

The Electoral Administration Act 2006 introduced a duty for all polling districts and polling places to be reviewed on a regular four-yearly cycle.

The first review in North Somerset was carried out in autumn 2007 with further reviews due every four years.

However in view of the scheduled district and parish elections in May 2011 expected to be combined with a national referendum on the voting system for the UK parliament, an interim review is being carried out now at the recommendation of the Electoral Commission.

The electoral and polling arrangements made for parliamentary elections are also used at other elections.

The aim of the review is to ensure all electors have reasonable facilities for voting and all polling places are accessible to people with disabilities.

No changes are being proposed to the current polling districts for North Somerset with the exception of minor amendments from the recent reviews of parish council boundaries.

But the council wants to hear  from councillors, local political parties, parish councils, electors and those with particular expertise in relation to access to premises for those with disabilities.

All comments must be received in writing by noon on October 27.

Any changes resulting from the review will come into effect by December 1 this year and be reflected in the revised 2011 Register of Electors.

The review does not consider boundaries of UK parliamentary constituencies or the boundaries and names of North Somerset Council wards or parish or parish ward boundaries

Submissions should be sent to Electoral Services (Review PD), North Somerset Council, Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare.BS23 1UJ.

People can also email electoral.services@n-somerset.gov.uk  including their name and address.