Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 18C of the Representation of the People Act 1983 Reading Borough Council (the Council) is to carry out a review of its polling districts and polling places that fall within its boundaries. Relevant information and mapping regarding the current arrangements and proposals for changes can be found on the Council’s website www.reading.gov.uk/pollingplacesreview2023, or can be inspected at Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU or at Reading Central Library, Caversham Library, Tilehurst Library, Battle Library, Palmer Park Library, Southcote Library or Whitley Library
The (Acting) Returning Officer (ARO) for the current UK Parliamentary constituencies of Reading West and Reading East will comment on the proposals. Those representations will be published on the Council’s website and will be available for inspection at Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU and Reading libraries in accordance with the timetable set out below. (Note that the next UK Parliamentary General Election will be based on new constituencies of; Reading West and Mid Berkshire; Reading Central; Earley and Woodley.)
Electors within the Council area or within a UK Parliamentary constituency which has any part in the authority may make a representation. We invite comments from all electors regarding the convenience of voting at polling stations currently used for elections and would welcome suggestions for alternative sites. This review does not affect ward or constituency boundaries and therefore does not affect in any way how you will be represented either on the Council or in Parliament. What it may affect is the place where you currently vote.
The Council would also welcome the views of all residents, particularly disabled residents, or any person or body with expertise in access for persons with any type of disability, on the proposals, ARO’s representations or any other related matters.
Anybody making representations should, if possible, give alternative places that may be used as polling places.
Comments and representations for consideration should be made in writing by no later than 1st December 2023 to the contact address/email address under.
The ARO must make recommendations to the Council, taking account of any representations made, with regard to his proposals for suitable polling districts and polling stations within each of the Reading Borough Council electoral Wards.
The results of the review will be published by Reading Borough Council during March 2024, again at the above-mentioned offices.
Comments are invited by: 1st December 2023
Please submit comments in writing to the address below:
or through the website www.reading.gov.uk/pollingplacesreview2023
| By post | Electoral Services Manager Electoral Services Polling District/Places/Stations Review Civic Offices Bridge Street Reading RG1 2LU |
| By email | Polling.Review@reading.gov.uk |
| By completing an online form | www.reading.gov.uk/pollingstationreviewresponseform |
| By completing a feedback form | Please return by post in the pre paid envelope provided at Reading Central Library, Caversham Library, Tilehurst Library, Battle Library, Palmer Park Library, Southcote Library or Whitley Library |
All representations must be made by no later than 1st December 2023
| Timetable | |
| Date | |
| 1st November 2023 | Formal notice of review |
| 1st November 2023 | Publication of (Acting) Returning Officer’s comments |
| 1st November 2023 | Commencement of public consultation period |
| 1st December 2023 | End of public consultation period |
| 31st December 2023 | Final proposals considered by |
| 16th January 2024 | Report to Committees Briefing on 16th January 2024 |
| 19th February 2024 | Report to Policy Committee on 19th February 2024 |
| 19th March 2024 | Report to Full Council |
| March 2024 | Publish revised register of electors (if applicable) |
The outcome of the review will be published by the Council in March 2024 and will be available for inspection on the Council’s website.
Anybody making representations should be aware that, upon completion of the review, all correspondence and representations received must, by law, also be published.
Dated 1st November 2023
Michael Graham
Returning Officer/Electoral Registration Officer Reading Borough Council