Accessibility concerns could see some Telford & Wrekin polling stations replaced

A leading councillor has praised the involvement of disabled people in carrying out a review of polling stations across Telford & Wrekin.

The review concluded that some places should be replaced as places where voters go to cast their ballots after being found to pose insurmountable accessibility issues, a meeting heard.

Councillor Zone Hannington (Labour, Lawley) said the involvement of people with 'lived experience' on the council's Making It Real board had been "really important."

Councillor Hannington, Telford and Wrekin Council's cabinet member for finance and resident services, had also visited polling stations along with her councillor colleague Mark Boylan.

"I think it was really useful just to see for ourselves the improvements that were needed. I think that was a really useful exercise," she said.

"I am particularly pleased that accessibility has been central to this work, with members of the Making It Real board who have been involved in visits bringing valuable lived experience, which I think is really important."

The review identified polling places including the Toll House at Ironbridge and the Jackfield Community Centre, which are set to be replaced.

It also identified where improvements should be made with ramps, lighting, signs, internal layouts, and accessible polling booths.

The boundary review committee on Monday (November 9) was told that the 'vast majority' of polling places remain suitable.

Councillor Boylan (Labour, Overdale & The Rock) asked for voters to be given plenty of notice if their polling station was changing.

Many older people have been voting at the same polling stations for years, the meeting was told.

The meeting heard that changes were many "absolutely when it is necessary" but there is also "continuity and familiarity" with arrangements.

Sometimes polling stations have to change if - for example - village halls are already booked.

Jon Power, the council's head of policy insight, partnerships and elections, reassured the committee that areas negotiations are underway to secure polling places for areas currently without a polling place.

These areas include Priorslee where a new parish council has been created and a place is needed for 3,218 electors in the patch to go to vote.

Mr Power said the council has locations planned, but they have "not yetfinalised discussions, so we felt it unfair to name those locations until all the details had been agreed."

The three councillors in attendance at the committee agreed after 11 minutes to recommend revised polling arrangements to the full council. Two councillors had given their apologies for non attendance.