Hunt to find new polling stations in Bexhill

THE hunt is on to find a replacement for an alternative when Victoria Hall is no longer available as a polling station.

Rother council's licensing committee has been studying the results of a review of polling districts. Under the 2006 Electoral Administration Act, local authorities are required to undertake reviews every four years.

The review covers polling districts - not to be confused with ward boundaries - and is designed to ensure that all electors have as reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances.

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The Act requires that the maximum number of electors per polling station should not exceed 2,500.

Rother has 68 polling districts, of which 20 are in Bexhill.

Planning permission has been given to the United Reformed Church to demolish St John's Church and the adjoining Victoria Hall and replace them with flats

The licensing committee was told that an alternative Central Ward polling station needs to be found before the next major elections in 2009.

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It is recommending that officers should seek any suitable building as a polling station.

The church elders at Hamilton Hall have withdrawn consent for the hall to be used as a Collington Ward polling station.

The committee was told that the only suitable alternative is Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club.

St Stephen's Church Hall is reaching capacity. There are 2,501 voters but as there are 278 postal voters the committee was told this offers some leeway as there is a lack of suitable alternatives in the area.