Review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations 2023

Activity closed. Results published.

Background

Local authorities are required to review polling districts and polling places for UK parliamentary constituencies at least once every five years. In addition to compulsory reviews, local authorities may also conduct additional reviews at other points, depending on local circumstances. Additional local reviews do not affect the timetable for compulsory reviews.

You can find more information on the requirements of a polling place review here.

The Boundary Commission for England has recently undertaken a review of parliamentary constituency boundaries and has now published its final recommendations. West Berkshire will in future have two constituencies:

• Reading West and Mid Berkshire:

The new Reading West and Mid Berkshire County Constituency will include three wards in Reading Borough Council's area, Kentwood, Norcot and Tilehurst

• Newbury:

The Newbury County Constituency will be geographically smaller than the existing Newbury parliamentary constituency

You can find the final recommendations on the Boundary Commission website, including an interactive map online or download the maps here:

Newbury County Constituency [7MB]  

New Reading West and Mid Berkshire County Constituency [7MB] .

A review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations will pick up the changes to the Parliamentary boundaries to ensure West Berkshire Council polling districts are ready for the next UK Parliamentary general election when the amended areas will come into force.

What is the purpose of the review?

The aim of the review is to ensure that electors have reasonable facilities for voting, and that the polling places are accessible to all electors. Every person should be able to vote without facing barriers.

A polling place should be accessible for those with a disability, having good access, lighting, and provisions for those needing assistance. The location of the polling place within the polling district and transport links should be taken into account.

To find out about your polling station write your postcode into the search bar on our homepage, next find your house in the property search, choose "Show Property", and click on the small cross next to Your Councillors. To see the polling place on a map, click on the code shown under "Your designated Polling Station is".

Why we want your views

We'd like your views on the current polling place used for your polling district, and to understand how attending the current polling place works for you.

It's important that we understand what local people think/have experienced casting their vote, so we'd like to know if you've encountered any problems accessing your polling place.

We'll also be gathering the views/experiences of partner organisations, MPs, councillors, political groups, along with disability and community groups.

How to take part

If you'd like to tell us about your polling station, please complete our survey by midnight on Tuesday, 12 December 2023, which should take about 10 minutes. 

You can view maps of the West Berkshire parliamentary constituencies in the reception area of the West Berkshire Council Offices at Market Street Offices, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5LD, between 9am and 4pm weekdays.

If you have any questions about the review, please email pollingreview@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 519468.

For general enquiries about voting and elections, including how to register to vote, please visit the Electoral Commissions website.

What happens next

All feedback we receive will considered, analysed, and published anonymously. We will publish the results of the consultation and the final report on this page in preparation for the meeting of West Berkshire Council, no later than 9 January 2024.  A paper copy will be available upon request from pollingreview@westberks.gov.uk.

A report will then be submitted to elected members at the Full Council Meeting being held on 20 February 2024.