Polling districts and polling places review 2023
The last compulsory review took place in 2019. An additional interim review took place in 2021 following a ward boundary review. A review must be carried out every 4 years. The next compulsory review must be completed between 1 October 2023 and 31 January 2025.
We are scheduled to carrying out a review of our polling districts and polling places on 2 October 2023. This is in readiness for the next scheduled elections in 2024.
The review is designed to see if the polling districts and polling places in Enfield suit the needs of voters, and includes:
- polling district boundaries within each ward in the borough
- location of the polling places and stations in each polling district
- access to each polling station
As part of the review process we:
- want to make sure all electors in Enfield have reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances
- welcome your views on existing polling arrangements, and suggestions for alternatives
- welcome your views, particularly if you're a disabled resident, as we seek to ensure that polling places are accessible to those who are disabled. We also welcome comments from those with expertise in access for persons with disabilities.
The aim of the review is to make sure:
- electors have such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances
- as far as is reasonable and practicable, polling places are accessible to all electors, and consider the needs of disabled persons
For information on the (Acting) Returning Officers proposed recommendations on the current designation of polling districts and polling places (including maps of the existing polling district boundaries and locations of polling stations), see public consultation.
There will also be an opportunity for you to have your say.
Beginning of the review
At the start of the process, a notice must be published with details of the review, including when and where comments or representations can be made about the review.
Ian Davis, as (Acting) Returning Officer for Edmonton, Enfield North and Enfield Southgate parliamentary constituencies, has suggested amendments to the polling place scheme to reflect the new proposed constituency arrangements.
See public consultation for the (Acting) Returning Officers recommendations.
There is no proposed recommendations from the (Acting) Returning Officer to make any amendments to the existing polling districts.
Public consultation
The public consultation will start on the 2 October and will close on the 22 October 2023.
This is a chance for electors, community groups and other interested parties to give their views on the polling district boundaries and polling places in Enfield. They can also (where possible), make other suggestions for consideration.
We also welcome comments or representations from any elected members in the area, local political representatives and any person or body with expertise in access for persons with any type of disability.
To take part in the consultation, you can:
- complete the online questionnaire
- send your comments by email to elections@enfield.gov.uk
- send your comments by post to:
Polling Review Team
Electoral Services
Enfield Civic Centre
Silver Street
Enfield
EN1 3ES
Review documents and guidance:
Further information
Polling districts
A polling district is a geographical area created by the subdivision of a UK Parliamentary constituency. All wards within Enfield are divided into polling districts, which form the basis upon which the register of electors is produced.
Polling places
A polling place is the building or area in which polling stations will be selected by the (Acting) Returning Officer (the official in each constituency who conducts an election).
Polling stations
A polling station is the room or area within the polling place where voting takes place. Unlike polling districts which are fixed by the local authority, polling stations are chosen by the relevant Returning Officer for the election.
Taking part in the review
We welcome comments from electors, community and disability groups and any other interested parties.
The public consultation will launch on 2 October, and is due to close on 22 October 2023.
How we came up with the proposed scheme
The following information has been compiled to assist the Acting Returning Officer to produce the proposed scheme for polling districts and polling places:
- Population density
- Proposed areas of development, and the approximate number of properties and expected population numbers for those areas
- Road traffic maps detailing levels of congestion
- Public transport accessibility data
- Details of current polling places and an indication to the overall suitability for purpose
- Details of potential alternative buildings
- Ward profile information including levels of deprivation, and ethnicity and disability data
What happens after the consultation
All feedback will be considered by the Council General Purposes Committee.
Polling place changes
Your polling place may change. Please check the information on the map to see if this proposal suggests a change to your polling place.
Will the changes affect council services or school catchment areas?
The review will not affect your local services (for example bin collections) or school catchment areas. It is only concerned with polling districts and polling places.
Could your Member of Parliament change?
The review will not consider parliamentary constituencies, so your Member of Parliament will not change as part of this review.
The role of the Electoral Commission
The Commission does not have a role in the review process. However, it does play a role after the conclusion of the review.
Once we have published the results of the review, specified interested parties may make representations to the Commission to reconsider any polling districts and polling places. The Commission may ask us to make any alterations to the polling places that they think necessary. If the alterations are not made within 2 months, they may make the alterations themselves.