Terms of Reference

Waverley Borough Council is carrying out a Polling District Review (PDR) pursuant to the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended).

The review will have regard to the guidance issued by the Electoral Commission on “Reviews of polling districts, polling places and polling stations”. The aim of the review is to ensure that the arrangements of polling districts, polling places and polling stations allow electors to cast their votes as easily and conveniently as is reasonably practicable, taking account of the boundaries of parishes, borough wards, electoral divisions and current Parliamentary Constituencies.

The review will be conducted in accordance with the terms of reference contained in this web page.

Documents referred to, and other useful information, are also available to view in person at the council offices by appointment.

Please call electoral services on 01483 523116 to arrange a convenient time to come in.

The review will look at:

• The boundary, name and reference of existing polling districts
• The retaining of current polling districts
• The polling places for each polling district
• The suitability of the existing polling station used for each polling district (including in particular its access and suitability for use by disabled electors)
• Seeking possible alternative polling stations which may be more suitable or more convenient than existing polling stations.

Parliamentary Constituency, Borough Ward, County Division and Parish boundaries cannot be changed by this review.  

Waverley Borough Council is statutorily responsible for carrying out the review.

A report will be prepared by the Chief Executive and presented to Full Council meeting on Tuesday 12 December 2023, when a formal decision as to the outcome of the review will be taken.

The whole of the borough of Waverley is included in the scope of the review.

The council is required to carry out a review of polling districts and polling places between 1 October 2023 and 31 January 2025.

The last full review of Waverley’s polling districts and polling places was carried out in 2022.

There are currently 62 polling districts of varying sizes.

A consultation period will run from 2 October to 13 November 2023.

A notice of the review has been published and is available on our website.

Responses received before the end of the consultation period will be considered and taken into account as part of the report to the Standards and General Purposes Committee on 29 November and Full Council on 12 December 2023.

Any changes agreed by the council as a result of the review will be implemented by a formal legal order.

The council will consult with borough and county councillors, political parties, parish councils, disability groups and local Members of Parliament.

The (Acting) Returning Officer for each parliamentary constituency has been consulted and his recommendations have been published on the polling review webpage.

A press release has been issued, and the council will post details of the review on its website and social media platforms, to inform residents and electors.