Please find below our response and reply from BBC to the Polling district, polling place and polling station review:
“Thank you for inviting the parish council to respond to the proposed polling station review. Following a council meeting, I have been asked to email you with our comments and objection to the planned permanent requirement for residents in the KB polling district to continue to use the Ingatestone Community Centre as their polling station.
Previously, voting for the KB polling district took place in the Roman Catholic Church in Ingatestone. Unfortunately this location has now been withdrawn as a polling station which resulted in a temporary move to the community centre at the other end of Ingatestone. For a resident living in Marks Close, walking to their polling station, the distance has increased from ¾ mile to 1¼ miles each way to vote, which the parish council considers to be unacceptable.
Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish Council request that due consideration is given to using either the Library or the United Reformed Church Hall instead as a closer option to the KB polling district residents. Parking is available at the library and both locations are served by a local bus stop at the Furlongs. The Library is not open on a Thursday and the book shelves are totally moveable.
By considering one of the two locations instead, the journey distance for those voting will reduce to just under a mile (the locations are essentially opposite each other). IFPC consider it vitally important for the democratic rights of the residents of the KB polling district, that their polling station is as close as possible to where they live.
We hope that the above comments and objections will be taking into serious account when making your decision.”
Response received 18th October 2023
Dear Abi
Thank you for the Parish Council’s comments. I will ensure that they are taken into account when the Borough Council makes its decision.
Carol Davis
Electoral Services Officer
Brentwood Borough Council
Tel: 01277 312708
Email carol.davis@brentwood.gov.uk
