Review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations
Under the Representation of the People Act 1983, the councils have a duty to divide its area into polling districts and to designate a polling place for each polling district. The councils also have a duty under the Electoral Administration Act 2006, as amended, to review their polling districts and places at least once every five years.
The current review of polling areas in Babergh and Mid Suffolk Districts is live from Friday 6 October to Thursday 30 November 2023.
Download Polling Review Notice
Consultation
Electors within Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils’ areas or within a UK Parliamentary constituency which has any part in the authority may make a representation. The councils invite comments from all electors regarding the convenience of voting at polling stations currently used for elections and would welcome suggestions for alternative sites.
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 disability, on the proposals, RO’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 may be submitted as follows:
By completing the online feedback form
Or by email: elections@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk
Or by post:
Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils
Electoral Services
Endeavour House
8 Russell Road
Ipswich IP1 2BX
All representations must be made by no later than Thursday 30 November 2023.
View existing polling district and place arrangements
Information and Background
In reviewing the polling districts, places and stations, the councils will ensure that:
- electors have such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances;
- as far as reasonable and practicable, that polling places are accessible to all electors, including those with disabilities.
There are currently 98 polling districts in Babergh and 141 polling districts in Mid Suffolk.
2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies
The Boundary Commission for England has recently concluded the 2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies in England and have submitted their final report and recommendations.
The Government has drafted an Order containing these recommendations. Once that draft Order is approved by the Privy Council, the new constituencies will be used for the next General election following that date.
The schedule of Polling Districts assigned to each Parliamentary constituency (current and future) is below:
| Current Constituencies | Number of Polling Districts |
|---|---|
| Central Suffolk & North Ipswich | 73 |
| South Suffolk | 98 |
| Bury St Edmunds | 68 |
| TOTAL | 239 |
| Final Recommended Constituencies | Number of Polling Districts |
|---|---|
| Central Suffolk & North Ipswich | 43 |
| Waveney Valley | 63 |
| South Suffolk | 98 |
| Bury St Edmunds & Stowmarket | 35 |
| TOTAL | 239 |
Suffolk County Council Electoral Review
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has concluded its review of Suffolk County Council electoral arrangements. The revised electoral divisions will come into effect for the elections in May 2025.
Changes to Polling Districts, Places and Stations necessitated by the revised division structure have been referenced and included in this review.
What is a polling review?
A polling district is a geographical sub-division of an electoral area, therefore, a UK Parliamentary constituency, a ward, or an electoral division.
A polling place is a building or area in which a polling station is located. A polling place within a polling district must be designated so that polling stations are within easy reach of all electors from across the polling district.
A polling station is the actual room where the process of voting takes place and must be located within the polling place designated for the particular polling district. The Returning Officer for the election must provide a sufficient number of polling stations and allot the electors to those polling stations in such manner as he or she thinks is the most convenient.
The aim of the review is to ensure that:
- Electors in each ward have reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances.
- As far as reasonable and practicable, the polling places are accessible to all electors, including those who are disabled, and when considering the designation of a polling place, must have regard to the accessibility needs of disabled persons.
The next compulsory review will be undertaken from Friday 6 October 2023, and conclude on Friday 26 January 2024. The detailed timetable for the review is set out below:
| Tasks | Dates |
|---|---|
| Publication of Notice of Review | 6 October 2023 |
| Publication of RO representations | 6 October 2023 |
| Consultation begins | 6 October 2023 |
| End of formal consultation | 30 November 2023 |
| Consider responses and prepare final proposals | 5 January 2024 |
| Proposal for New Arrangements presented to Councils | 23 - 25 January 2024 |
| Publish the conclusions of the review | 26 January 2024 |
| Amend Polling scheme | 29 January 2024 |
| Republish Full Electoral Register (if changes to PD) | 1 February 2024 |
Existing Arrangements
- Map of Babergh & Mid Suffolk Councils – online mapping tool (select polling districts from the menu on the top left)
- Schedule of Babergh & Mid Suffolk Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations