A raft of new polling stations could be required as Liverpool Council adjusts to major boundary changes.
Earlier this year, it was revealed how the map of the city is to be radically reshaped following recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE). As a result, from next year, Liverpool will be represented by 85 councillors across three wards represented by three councillors, 15 two councillor wards and 46 one councillor wards.
This would change the total number of wards from 30 to 64. The number of councillors in the city would reduce by five.
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The changes have come in the aftermath of the damning Max Caller government inspection report, which told Liverpool Council to redraw its city boundaries and change when it holds elections. Now, members of the local authority are being asked to sign off on proposals to shake up where we go to vote next year.
A report to the council’s constitutional and governance committee, to be discussed next week, said a polling district review is required after any changes to city boundaries but “significant changes” were identified on this occasion. The shake-up has considered the suitability and availability of polling places for us, accessibility, distance for voters and physical barriers.
New polling stations are to be created in a number of wards such as Church, Sandfield Park and West Derby Leyfield. Changes that are subsequently made to the situation of polling places will be relayed to voters via poll cards delivered to every eligible registered elector and a letter delivered with the card.
Consultation on the draft proposals by the electoral registrations officer took place between September and October. The proposals will be submitted to the full council next month for approval and, if accepted, will form the basis of the electoral register published on February 1, 2023.
If approved, the proposals will be first used in the ordinary council elections on May 4 next year. The next polling district review will take place in 2027.
Details of the consultation were sent to disability representative groups including SCOPE, Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and Mencap. The full list of changes can be viewed on Liverpool Council’s website.
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