The Council is required by legislation and guidance issued by the Electoral Commission to review the polling districts and places at which electors vote in parliamentary elections.

The Council is commencing its review and this page provides information to enable all residents and other stakeholders to comment on what the Council proposes, and the proposed polling stations that the Returning Officer is intending to use for future elections.

What is a polling district?

A polling district is an area within a UK Parliamentary Constituency created to allow the election to be administered effectively.

What is a polling place?

A polling place is normally a particular building or place in the polling district that residents can find and recognize.

What is a polling station? 

The polling station is the room or area within the polling place where voting actually takes place.

What is the purpose of the review?

The review is intended to ensure that the arrangements for parliamentary elections provide all electors in the constituency with such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable, and to ensure as far as is reasonable and practicable that every polling place is accessible to electors who have disabilities.    Although the review is about arrangements for parliamentary elections, in practice the same places are likely to be used for other elections so this needs to be taken into account.

Polling stations should be easy to find on polling day and as close to electors as possible. As far as practicable, there should not be any major barriers between voters and their polling station.

The Electoral Commission has published Guidance, giving information about how reviews should be conducted.

What has been considered so far?

The Council has considered the following information so far:

• The current polling districts, places and polling stations including feedback received from electors and polling station staff following the recent Greater London Authority and Parliamentary Elections
• Information about the current and projected numbers of electors.  A summary of the information can be found in Appendix 3
• The available options for alternative polling places.

What are the Council’s proposals?

In summary, very few changes are proposed to the polling districts, and the polling places used for previous elections. The changes proposed relate to Northumberland Heath.

Minor changes are proposed to three of the 5 polling districts in Northumberland Heath.   The proposed changes will: 

• Deliver a more even spread of electors between polling districts and polling places. This should make it quicker and easier for electors to vote whilst making the management of electors easier for staff. This will allow the polling station in NH2B to revert to a single polling station. 
• Allow electors in the current NH1B to vote at a polling place that meets the usual requirements for accessibility and privacy that electors should enjoy when voting. 
• Allow electors who live closer to the Northumberland Heath Recreation Ground to vote there, rather than travel further to the existing polling place in the NH2B district.
• Continue to group properties in their own communities, as far as these can be defined or recognised. 

The changes proposed are summarised as follows: 

• The boundary of polling district NH1B will be redrawn to include properties and electors from part of Lawrence Road (Nos 1 to 21 inclusive) and electors in Sussex Road, both previously in NH2B. The polling place for the polling district will be the Northumberland Heath Recreation Ground and the main entrance is in Sussex Road. It will be more convenient for these electors to use that polling place.
• The boundary of NH2B will be redrawn to take account of the changes above. In addition, properties at 153-283 and 126 to 310 Brook Street; 1-27 and 2 -10 Lochmere Close and 1 – 32 The Drive will all move to NH3B.The polling place will remain the same, but it is anticipated that this will in future now be a single polling station. (Northumberland Heath Baptist Church, Belmont Road, Erith, DA8 1LB)
• The boundary of NH3B will be amended to include the properties listed above. The polling place will remain the same. The Angelus Centre, Bexley Road, Erith, DA8 3HQ) 

View the proposed changes to the NH polling district (PDF)

In the NH5B district, There is no suitable polling place but the polling place/polling station at King Henry Community Sports Hall is easily accessible and provides excellent facilities for electors. This can be found in NH4B.

Other polling districts will remain the same.

The full details of all polling districts and places that the Council intends to use are set out in Appendix 1.

What are the Acting Returning Officers views?

As part of the review we have asked the Acting Returning Officer for the London Borough of Bexley (responsible for elections in Bexley and specifically for the Bexleyheath and Crayford and Old Bexley and Sidcup Parliamentary Parliamentary Constituencies) and the Acting Returning Officer for the Royal Borough of Greenwich (who is responsible for the Erith and Thamesmead Parliamentary Constituency) to comment on our proposals and to confirm the polling stations that they intend to use in each polling district and place.  It is intended that the same polling stations will be used for other elections, e.g local Council elections.

Responses from the Acting Returning Officers are included under the Background documents.

How can I take part in the review?

We would like to hear from:

• any registered electors in Bexley
• elected representatives
• local political groups
• local voluntary and community groups

We are particularly seeking the views of those who represent or have a particular expertise in relation to access to premises or facilities for persons who have different forms of disability.

Any comments should include, where appropriate, alternative venue suggestions that may be used as polling places.  

Representations should be submitted in writing to:
Head of Electoral Services, London Borough of Bexley, Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, DA6 7AT 
or by the feedback form for this consultation

Will I be able to see what people are saying?

We will publish any representation made about our proposals (with personal details removed). The final report will be considered by the General Purposes and Audit Committee in January 2025 and that report will be published at least 5 working days before the meeting at which decisions will be made.

How long will the consultation last?

The consultation period will run from 12 August to 30 September.  Any comments and representations received will be considered and a final report prepared for agreement by the Council’s General Purposes and Audit Committee in January.

Appendix 1

Note: Wherever possible, we seek to find alternative venues to schools for elections.  Where we have secondary or primary schools as polling places because there are no alternative venues which can reasonably serve as the polling place for a polling district, we work with the school to minimise any disruption. 
In reviewing the polling places marked with an asterisk, particular concerns have been raised about the absence of parking for electors with disabilities and some other matters. The Electoral Services Team will be working with the schools and other polling places to find a solution to these issues. 
All electors will be reminded about the availability of postal and proxy votes and in some cases, these may be a suitable and appropriate solution. Staff at the polling stations are also trained and available to provide support to any elector who may need assistance.

Double polling stations

It is proposed that the following polling places should, subject to the comments of the Acting Returning Officer, host a double polling station when the number of electors, taking into account postal and proxy vote applied for, suggests that this will provide a more efficient and convenient experience to electors.  Each of the polling places has previously hosted a double polling station and the locations have suitable space and access.

• CK3B – St Thomas More School
• WH7B – Hillsgrove Primary School
• BP3S – St James the Great Blendon
• LL3S – Sidcup Baptist Church
• SS4S – St John Fisher Church Hall

Appendix 2

Proposed changes to polling districts, polling places and polling stations

Parliamentary Constituency: Bexleyheath and Crayford 

Ward: Northumberland Heath 
Polling District: NH1B
Polling Place: Temporary portacabin at adjacent to the Great Harry Public House, 88 Parsonage Manorway, DA17 6LZ to be replaced by The Clubhouse at Northumberland Heath Recreation Ground, Sussex Road, Erith, DA8 1JB
Polling station number: BEX31
Change proposed and rationale for change: The use of a portacabin and a temporary polling station does not provide sufficient room nor does it meet the needs of electors with disabilities.   
The Clubhouse at Northumberland Heath Recreation Ground, Sussex Road, Erith, DA8 1JB is proposed as a suitable alternative with good access and parking.  Discussion with any new lessee will be required to ensure the availability of the polling place. This venue offers more space and will avoid the need for a portacabin.  Better access for people with disabilities will be available.
The boundary of polling district NH1B will be redrawn to include properties and electors from part of Lawrence Road (Nos 1 to 21 inclusive) and electors in Sussex Road, both previously in NH2B. The polling place for the polling district will be the Northumberland Heath Recreation Ground and the main entrance is in Sussex Road. It will be more convenient for these electors to use that polling place.

Ward: Northumberland Heath 
Polling District: NH2B
Polling Place: Northumberland Heath Baptist Church, Belmont Road, Erith, DA8 1LB 
Polling station number:
Change proposed and rationale for change: The boundary of NH2B will be redrawn to take account of the changes above. In addition, properties at 153-283 and 126 to 310 Brook Street; 1-27 and 2 -10 Lochmere Close and 1 – 32 The Drive will all move to NH3B.The polling place will remain the same, but it is anticipated that this will in the future now be a single polling station. Northumberland Heath Baptist Church, Belmont Road, Erith, DA8 1LB 

Ward: Northumberland Heath 
Polling District: NH3B
Polling Place: The Angelus Centre, Bexley Road, Erith, DA8 3HQ 
Polling station number:
Change proposed and rationale for change: The boundary of NH3B will be amended to include the properties listed above. The polling place will remain the same. The Angelus Centre, Bexley Road, Erith, DA8 3HQ 

Ward: Crook Log 
Polling District: CK3B
Polling Place: St Thomas More School, Sheldon Road, Bexleyheath, DA7 4PH (Hall)
Polling station number: BEX17
Change proposed and rationale for change: Projected numbers of electors suggest that capacity in the polling station may be limited.  It is proposed that this polling place could host a double polling station, when required. 

Ward: West Heath
Polling District: WH7B
Polling Place: Hillsgrove Primary School, Sidmouth Road, Welling, DA16 1DR (Hall) 
Polling station number: BEX49 
Change proposed and rationale for change: Projected numbers of electors suggest that capacity in the polling station may be limited.  It is proposed that this polling place could host a double polling station, when required. 

Parliamentary Constituency: Old Bexley and Sidcup 

Ward: Sidcup 
Polling District: SP2S 
Polling Place: Temp Polling Station, Cleeve Park Secondary School, Bexley Lane, Sidcup, DA14 4JN No change in Polling Place proposed. Better arrangements for polling station being reviewed – larger portacabin provided. 
Polling station number: BEX85 
Change proposed and rationale for change: The use of a portacabin and a temporary polling station has not provided sufficient room nor has it fully met the needs of electors with disabilities.   
However, it has not been possible to identify an alternative polling place that is appropriate for this polling district.  The Electoral Services Team will therefore continue to work with the School to find a resolution to the issues identified.  It will also investigate whether an alternative to a portacabin can be identified to allow better access for lectors and to provide more space and space. 

Ward: Sidcup 
Polling District: SP4S 
Polling Place: Birkbeck School to be replaced by New Generation Church, Birkbeck Road, Sidcup DA14 4DJ, (Hall)
Polling station number: BEX87X 
Change proposed and rationale for change: The school has difficult access arrangements for electors with disabilities and the school closes when used as a polling station. 
The new polling place offers more space and better facilities for electors and polling staff.  Although parking is limited, it is considered this can be managed for electors with disabilities. 

Ward: Sidcup 
Polling District: SP4S
Polling Place: Birkbeck School to be replaced by New Generation Church, Birkbeck Road, Sidcup DA14 4DJ, (Hall)
Polling station number: BEX88X 
Change proposed and rationale for change: As Above 

Ward: Blendon & Penhill 
Polling District: BP3S
Polling Place: St James the Great, Blendon, Bladindon Drive, Bexley, DA5 3BS (Hall) 
Polling station number: BEX60
Change proposed and rationale for change: Projected numbers of electors suggest that capacity in the polling station may be limited.  It is proposed that this polling place could host a double polling station, when required. 

Parliamentary Constituency: Erith and Thamesmead

Ward: Belvedere
Polling District: BV2E
Polling Place: St Augustine’s Children’s Centre to be replaced by St Augustine of Canterbury Church,72 St Augustine’s Road. Belvedere, Kent DA17 5HH 
Polling station number: BEX98 
Change proposed and rationale for change: The Children’s Centre has relatively little space and access for electors is not ideal.  The proposed venue offers more space for electors, better accessibility and including a small car park for use by voters with disabilities. 

Appendix 3