Review of Fant Ward (East) Polling Place and Polling Station 2016

Background

Each local authority is required to carry out a review if the Polling Place and Polling Station is to be changed. 

A Council’s area is divided into polling districts, one or more polling districts can make up a ward.

A polling place is an area or building within a polling district in which a polling station is situated.

The suitability of polling stations is assessed along with their accessibility, facilities for voters and, in particular, for those with a disability.

Amongst those being consulted are the (Acting Returning Officer, Ward Councillors, County Councillors, Local political associations, Local Members of Parliament, The Police & Crime Commissioner for Kent, Disability Groups, but everyone can comment on their area or make suggestions if they wish).

The final proposals if approved will be available to view on the Council’s website, at the Gateway and at the Town Hall, Maidstone.

The Proposal following the Preliminary Review

Fant Ward (East)

(Acting) Returning Officer’s proposal

To no longer use St Michaels School in Douglas Road as a polling place and to use the Grange Moor Hotel in St Michaels Road as the polling station to accommodate the electorate in the east area of Fant ward.

The main purpose of the change is to avoid disruption to the school. It has become increasingly difficult for the school to accommodate Maidstone Borough Councils’ use of the site due to staff training days and holidays.

Parking facilities around the school are limited.  

By permanently basing the polling station at the hotel it will avoid uncertainty for electors as to which polling place is being used at election time.

The hotel has good off road parking and disabled facilities.