2022 Full Review of Brighton & Hove Polling Districts and Places Consultation Paper and (Acting) Returning Officer Comment

Brighton & Hove City Council are conducting a full review of its polling districts and polling places under Section 18 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 and in line with the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013.

This review comes at a time of significant change to electoral administration in Brighton & Hove with the reforms introduced by the Elections Act 2022, the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act, the Local Government Boundary Commission England’s (LGBCE) new warding scheme for the City and the Boundary Commission for England’s (BCE) latest parliamentary constituency boundary proposals.

Ward Boundary Review

The LGBCE completed their review of Brighton & Hove’s wards in October 2022. Their final recommendations have made changes to boundaries across the City. While the number of Councillors remains the same – the number of wards has risen from 21 to 23. From May 2023 the wards in Brighton & Hove will be:

• Brunswick and Adelaide
• Central Hove
• Coldean and Stanmer
• Goldsmid
• Hangleton and Knoll
• Hanover and Elm Grove
• Hollingdean and Fiveways
• Kemptown
• Moulsecoomb and Bevendean
• North Portslade
• Patcham and Hollingbury
• Preston Park
• Queen’s Park
• Regency
• Rottingdean and West Saltdean
• Round Hill
• South Portslade
• West Hill and North Laine
• Westbourne and Poets' Corner
• Westdene and Hove Park
• Whitehawk and Marina
• Wish
• Woodingdean

Parliamentary Constituency Boundary Review

The BCE held their first public consultation period from 8 June to 8 August 2021, and a second consultation from 22 February to 4 April 2022. The Commission’s latest proposals and responses to the consultations are on the BCE consultation portal. A final consultation is now running from 8 November to 5 December 2022 inclusive. 

In the latest proposals, the constituencies in Brighton & Hove remain similar to the current boundaries. The only changes are:

• Hove constituency renamed Hove and Portslade
• The polling districts PHEA and PHEF in Hanover & Elm Grove ward move from Brighton Pavilion to Brighton Kemptown. These polling districts are around the Pankhurst Estate.

Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act

The Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act repeals the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011. The Act allows the Prime Minister to request a dissolution from the Sovereign which, if granted, would enable the Prime Minister to call a general election at a time of their choosing. The (Acting) Returning Officer can now receive just 25 working days to run a general election. A general election must take place by 28 January 2025 but the date is not fixed and therefore cannot be pre-planned for.

Elections Act 2022

The Elections Act 2022 will make big changes to the way elections run. The changes that will affect polling places include:

• Voter Identification - From May 2023, electors will show photo identification when they vote at a polling station. If an elector does not have suitable identification then they can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. Returning Officers will need to provide areas where electors can show their face in private. Polling station electors will be contacted about the changes in January 2023.
• Accessibility. From May 2023, Returning Officers will provide specialist equipment to voters with disabilities - if needed. Anyone over the age of 18 may assist disabled voters in the polling station.
• Postal Votes returned to Polling Stations - From July 2023, electors will sign a declaration form when returning postal voting packs to polling stations. There will be a limit on the number of packs a person can return.

As a result of the Elections Act changes, Returning Officers will need to:

• work to new ratios guiding the acceptable electorate size of a polling station
• consider how Presiding Officers will cope with a significant increase in their workload
• consider how questions and robust feedback about voter identification are best dealt with in polling stations
• consider how core and polling station staff resources can be best utilised.

In consultation with the (Acting) Returning Officer, the Electoral Services Management Team, Elections Project Board and the Council’s Group Leaders it was agreed that to mitigate the impact of the changes, the new scheme should be developed with the following principles:

• assign a polling place to each polling district and elector
• so far as is reasonable and practicable ensure every polling station is accessible to electors who are disabled
• help facilitate the safe and efficient delivery of local and parliamentary elections
• reduce the number of polling places and increases the number of double/triple stations, where possible. This will enable polling places to benefit from a higher proportion of senior staff who can deal with queries
• ensure the majority of polling stations have between 1,250 to 1,750 polling station electors. This will ensure that polling stations are not too busy or quiet, our staffing resources are best utilised and Electoral Commission ratios do not require further polling station splits.
• so far as is reasonable and practicable, ensure electors will not have to walk more than 15 minutes to their polling place
• where possible, limit the use of schools
• where possible, avoid the use of temporary buildings
• implement the LGBCE ward boundary changes
• futureproof against proposed BCE parliamentary boundary changes
• ensure a wide audience are consulted about the changes

The Council and Returning Officer would like to use this opportunity, to highlight their appreciation for the continued co-operation of polling places in providing their buildings for the day so that electors have a convenient place to vote.

The Council has published notice of holding the review and consulted the (Acting) Returning Officer for each Parliamentary Constituency in the Council’s area. The (Acting) Returning Officer has commented on the proposals throughout. An interactive map of the proposals can be viewed here.

The Council will then invite comments on the proposals. The consultation paper will be published on the Council’s website. It will also be sent to Councillors, Members of Parliament, local political parties and local people and stakeholders with expertise in disability and accessibility.

All representations will be considered and responded to by the (Acting) Returning Officer. They will be published in the final report by the (Acting) Returning Officer with their final recommendations. The Policy & Resources Committee will consider the proposals and make a final decision on 19 January 2023. The agreed polling districts will then be passed to the Electoral Registration Officer for publication in the revised Register of Electors. This register will be published on 1 February 2023.

The timetable for the review is set out below:

• Publication of notice of review, and consultation document including (Acting) Returning Officer’s proposals - Thursday 1 December
• Closing date for representations - Saturday 31 December
• Final proposal published via Agenda papers and website – 11 January
• Council Policy & Resources Committee meeting – approval of scheme - Thursday 19 January
• Revised Register Published - Wednesday 1 February
• Local Elections - Thursday 4 May

Brunswick and Adelaide’s ward boundary changes were minimal at the ward boundary review.

In line with the project’s aim to increase double polling stations, the ward now has only two polling districts. Each polling place will accommodate a double polling station. Electors who voted at Cornerstone Community Centre will now vote at Holland Road Baptist Church Hall. The hall is nearby, provides a space that is accessible and is a suitable size for the increased number of electors.

St Patrick’s Riverside will continue to serve electors in the east of the ward. A stairlift, installed by the (Acting) Returning Officer, ensures the venue is accessible.

Polling District: HBAY

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 3661
• Polling Place Electorate: 3283
• Polling Place: St Patrick's, Riverside, 1 Cambridge Road, BN3 1DE
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 7

Polling District: HBAZ

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 3930
• Polling Place Electorate: 3514
• Polling Place: Baptist Church Hall, Holland Road, BN3 1JN
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 9

Central Hove ward has extended north towards Hove Station following the ward boundary review.

The new scheme proposes that the electors new to the ward vote at Hove Town Hall. Electors living in the north-west of HCHY polling district will have the longest distance to travel to vote. The walk is 13 minutes. From Sackville Road - the 5, 5A and 5B bus routes all stop at Hove Town Hall.

The boundary for the HCHZ polling district has been redrawn to ensure that the polling place at Hove Library remains a single station.

Polling District: HCHY

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 6727
• Polling Place Electorate: 5833
• Polling Place: Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, BN3 3BQ
• Number of Polling Stations: 4
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 13

Polling District: HCHZ

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1611
• Polling Place Electorate: 1437
• Polling Place: Hove Library, 182 - 186 Church Road, BN3 2EG
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 7

Coldean and Stanmer is a new ward. It is in both Brighton Pavilion and Brighton Kemptown constituencies. The new polling districts will respect these borders.

The proposed polling district boundaries remain similar to those that joined to form the new ward. The scheme proposes that the North Moulsecoomb area merges to form one larger polling district. This removes the need for a temporary polling place at Ashurst Road. This arrangement worked well at the Police & Crime Commissioner election in 2021.

The scheme proposes a new polling place location on the Brighton University campus.

Polling District: KCSW

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 357
• Polling Place Electorate: 354
• Polling Place: Sports Pavilion, Room 104, University of Brighton, BN1 9PH
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 6

Polling District: KCSX

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1945
• Polling Place Electorate: 1752
• Polling Place: St George's Hall, Newick Road, BN1 9JN
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 13

Polling District: PCSY

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1930
• Polling Place Electorate: 1917
• Polling Place: The Meeting House, Sussex University, BN1 9QN
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 13

Polling District: PCSZ

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 2236
• Polling Place Electorate: 1918
• Polling Place: St Mary Magdalen Church Hall, Coldean Lane, BN1 9GE
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 13

Goldsmid ward now encompasses the under-construction Sackville Road estate while some roads south of Hove station have moved into Central Hove ward.

Hove Rugby Club Pavilion continues to provide the most accessible venue to electors living in HGOZ polling district. There are pedestrian lights to allow electors to cross the Old Shoreham Road and parking is available on Shirley Drive. The (Acting) Returning Officer was asked to consider Ralli Hall as an alternative. However, the only room available on a Thursday is only accessible via a space that will have other events on. This does not provide a workable solution.

Ralli Hall is also deemed less accessible than Hove Rugby Club Pavilion due to the need to cross the railway line. Electors would either need to use the footbridge over Hove Station or go via Fonthill Road or The Drive to avoid steps. Electors with accessibility needs would either need to be driven or travel a large distance by foot to avoid steps. This potentially does not allow them to vote independently.

Elsewhere, polling district HGOZ is reduced in size from the south while now encompassing the Sackville Road estate. This proposal will ensure that there is capacity at Vallance Community Centre for electorate growth.

The east of the ward is split into a northern and southern polling district. The northern polling district, which is predominatly the roads north of the railway line, will vote at St Luke's Church on Old Shoreham Road. This is a new venue. The southern district will vote at Possibility Place/Vernon Gardens which has been used for the last few elections.

The remaining central polling district will vote at a double polling station at All Saints Church. If the church is unavailable Sussex County Cricket Ground provides an excellent alternative.

Polling District: HGOV

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1911
• Polling Place Electorate: 1586
• Polling Place: Possibility Place/Vernon Gardens, 14 Windlesham Avenue, BN1 3AH
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 11

Polling District: HGOW

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1840
• Polling Place Electorate: 1609
• Polling Place: St Luke's Prestonville, 64 Old Shoreham Road, BN1 5DD
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 11

Polling District: HGOX

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 3883
• Polling Place Electorate: 3268
• Polling Place: All Saints Church Hall, Eaton Road, BN3 3QE
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 9

Polling District: HGOY

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 2029
• Polling Place Electorate: 1646
• Polling Place: Hove Rugby Club Pavilion, Hove Recreation Ground, Shirley Drive, BN3 6NQ
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 12

Polling District: HGOZ

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1109
• Polling Place Electorate: 917
• Polling Place: Vallance Community Centre, Conway Court, Sackville Road, BN3 3WR
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

Hangleton anf Knoll’s borders were not changed at the ward boundary review.

In line with the project’s aim to increase the number of double polling stations, the polling districts around Holmes Avenue and Neville Avenue merge. All electors will now visit Hounsom Memorial Church Hall instead of some voting at West Blatchington Windmill. The new venue remains a short walk for most electors. The 5B bus route, that travels along Hangleton Road, provides a route for electors to visit the new polling place.

Other small changes to boundaries are proposed across the ward. These optimise the number of electors assigned to each polling station. Due to the topography of the north of the ward, the polling districts HHKX and HHKZ were not merged

Polling District: HHKV

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1954
• Polling Place Electorate: 1609
• Polling Place: St Richard's Community Centre, Egmont Road, BN3 7FP
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 9

Polling District: HHKW

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 3481
• Polling Place Electorate: 2832
• Polling Place: Hounsom Memorial Church Hall, 200 Nevill Avenue, BN3 7NG
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 12

Polling District: HHKX

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1946
• Polling Place Electorate: 1532
• Polling Place: At The Oasis, Hangleton Way, BN3 8EQ
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 12

Polling District: HHKY

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1884
• Polling Place Electorate: 1531
• Polling Place: Hangleton Community Centre, Harmsworth Crescent, BN3 8BW
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

Polling District: HHKZ

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1764
• Polling Place Electorate: 1383
• Polling Place: St Helen's Church Hall, Hangleton Way, BN3 8ER
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

The ward boundaries of Hanover and Elm Grove have not changed. The development of a scheme was complicated by the revised BCE proposals and the removal of a ramp at Elm Grove Primary School – following an incident outside of an election.

The draft proposal was for electors at the top of Elm Grove and around Pankhurst Avenue to vote at The Edge Community Centre. Electors living in and around Luther Street would have been allocated to a polling station at Milton Road Hall. However, the BCE have proposed that the old polling districts PHEA and PHEF will join Brighton Kemptown constituency. To align with these proposals, these polling districts will form PHEV district and vote at The Edge. The district will be renamed KHEV if the BCE proposals are finalised.

We have attempted to find an alternative polling station towards the top of Elm Grove but no suitable alternative has been found. We have enquired with The Studio on Whippingham Road. However, due to their policy of not allowing outdoor shoes on the hall floor, it was deemed too much of a risk for the (Acting) Returning Officer to pursue.  It is therefore proposed that electors living north of Elm Grove and east of Bernard Road vote at a new single polling station at Wellington House. Wellington House is not suitable for an electorate larger than the one proposed in this scheme.

Electors living further down the hill that previously voted at Elm Grove Primary School will now vote at a double polling station at Milton Road Hall.

Polling district PHEW has increased in size to ensure the optimum number of electors vote there. Electors will vote at a double polling station at Hanover Community Centre.

To remove Fairlight Primary School from the scheme, most electors who voted there will now vote at Wagner Memorial Hall on Lewes Road. This proposal is in line with the project aim to remove schools from our scheme, where possible.

Polling District: KHEV

• Constituency: Pavilion (BCE proposing move to Kemptown)
• Polling District Electorate: 2057
• Polling Place Electorate: 1799
• Polling Place: The Edge Community Centre, 83 Pankhurst Avenue, BN2 9AE
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 14

Polling District: PHEW

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 3475
• Polling Place Electorate: 3168
• Polling Place: Hanover Community Centre, 33 Southover Street, BN2 9UD
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 8

Polling District: PHEX

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1277
• Polling Place Electorate: 1171
• Polling Place: Wellington House, Wellington Street, BN2 3AX
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 11

Polling District: PHEY

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 3521
• Polling Place Electorate: 3242
• Polling Place: Milton Road Hall (St Joseph's Hall), Milton Road, BN2 9TQ
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 11

Polling District: PHEZ

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1689
• Polling Place Electorate: 1590
• Polling Place: Wagner Memorial (St Martin's) Hall, Lewes Road, BN2 3HQ
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

Hollingdean and Fiveways is a new ward formed of parts of Preston Park and Hollingdean and Stanmer wards. 

In line with our aim of reducing the number of schools used as polling stations, it is proposed that Downs Infant School will no longer be used. Most electors, who previously voted at Downs Infant School, are now proposed to vote at City Gate @ The Dip which is an existing polling station. 

City Gate @ The Dip is not suitable for a double station. It is proposed that its previous electors will now vote at St Matthias Church, which is an existing station in the north of ward and is a closer option for most electors in polling district PHFZ. 

Polling district PHFZ has been expanded due to ward boundary changes to incorporate the area around Friar Road. Electors can travel to their polling station, St Matthias Church, on bus routes 26 and 46, or a walk of no more than 15 minutes. Some electors on the north-west side of Ditchling Road will continue to vote at St Matthias Church.

The remaining electors on the western side of Ditchling Road, who previously voted at St Matthias Church, will now join the new PHFY polling district. PHFY incorporates these electors and a former Preston Park polling district. These electors will vote in a double polling station at Stanford Avenue Methodist Church.

Polling District: PHFW

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1493
• Polling Place Electorate: 1288
• Polling Place: City Gate @ The Dip, 119D Hollingdean Terrace, BN1 7HB
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 11

Polling District: PHFX

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1972
• Polling Place Electorate: 1715
• Polling Place: St Richard's Community Hall, Mountfields, Beal Crescent, BN1 7BU
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 11

Polling District: PHFY

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 3857
• Polling Place Electorate: 3350
• Polling Place: Stanford Avenue Methodist Church, Southdown Avenue Entrance, BN1 6FD
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 13

Polling District: PHFZ

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 3655
• Polling Place Electorate: 3117
• Polling Place: St Matthias Church Hall, Hollingbury Park Avenue, BN1 7JQ
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 15

Kemptown is a new ward formed from parts of Queen’s Park, East Brighton and Rottingdean Coastal wards.

The electors around St James Street and Upper St James Street will form one polling district and all vote at St Mary’s Church. This will optimise the number of electors assigned to the polling place and increase the number of double polling stations. St Mary’s Church is very central to this polling district.

The new KKTY polling district will use St George’s Community Centre and will be a short walk for all electors. The design of the polling district allows for Esswick T.A. Social Club to be used as an alternative if the Community Centre were ever unavailable.

The final polling district in the ward is KKTX which covers the most eastern parts of the ward. The Spire provides an excellent location for a double polling station. While the venue is outside the ward, it faces the polling district and is central to those at either end of the district.

Polling District: KKTX

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 3027
• Polling Place Electorate: 2575
• Polling Place: The Spire, St Mark's Chapel, Eastern Road, BN2 5JN
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

Polling District: KKTY

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1841
• Polling Place Electorate: 1615
• Polling Place: St George's Community Centre (Kemp Town Crypt), St George's Church, St George's Road, BN2 1ED
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 5

Polling District: KKTZ

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 3863
• Polling Place Electorate: 3352
• Polling Place: St Mary's Hall (Formerly St Mary's Church House), 61 St James's Street, BN2 1PR
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 8

Moulsecoomb and Bevendean is another ward that now straddles the constituency boundaries. As with other wards in this situation – the constituency boundaries will be respected.

Polling districts PMBV and PMBZ are both located on the eastern side of Lewes Road. Neither reach the optimum number of electors. However, the distance between the top and bottom of these two districts makes them unsuitable for merging. They will remain as small single stations with room for electorate growth due to redevelopment of the area.   

In KMBY, Moulsecoomb Leisure Centre replaces the 67 Centre. This is due to the proposed redevelopment of the 67 Centre. The venue provides an accessible and well-known replacement.   

The boundaries of polling districts KMBW and KMBX remain largely unchanged except for the movement of Upper Bevendean Avenue and Lower Bevendean Avenue into KMBX. 

Electors in the revised KMBU polling district will vote at the Community Room at Student Castle. This removes Coombe Road Primary School from the scheme – in line with our aims. The eastern border of KMBU with KMBT is altered. Electors in Baden Road, Carlyle Avenue, Crayford Road and Canfield Road will now vote at Meadowview Community Centre. This ensures the Community Room is suitable for polling and allows for electorate growth from the student Halls of Residence.

Polling District: KMBT

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1280
• Polling Place Electorate: 1115
• Polling Place: Meadowview Community Centre, Meadowview, BN2 4NF
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 9

Polling District: KMBU

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 2707
• Polling Place Electorate: 2500
• Polling Place: Student Castle - Community Space, 4 Pelham Terrace, BN2 4GS
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 14

Polling District: KMBW

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 2024
• Polling Place Electorate: 1763
• Polling Place: Community Church Hall, Norwich Drive, BN2 4LA
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 14

Polling District: KMBX

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 2028
• Polling Place Electorate: 1828
• Polling Place: St Andrew's Church Hall, Hillside, BN2 4TA
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 13

Polling District: KMBY

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1282
• Polling Place Electorate: 1099
• Polling Place: Moulsecoomb Community Leisure Centre, Moulsecoomb Way, BN2 4PB
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 12

Polling District: PMBV

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 601
• Polling Place Electorate: 550
• Polling Place: United Reformed Church Hall, Lewes Road, BN2 4EU
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 7

Polling District: PMBZ

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 505
• Polling Place Electorate: 442
• Polling Place: Moulsecoomb Public Hall, Lewes Road, BN2 4GA
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 7

North Portslade’s ward boundaries have remained unchanged since the boundary review.

The two northern polling districts will merge to form polling district HNPZ. Electors will vote in a double polling station at Church of Good Shepherd Hall. This will optimise electorates and increase the number of double polling stations.

Electors on the southern part of Mile Oak Road, and the roads coming from The Rise and Edgehill Way, will move into polling district HNPY.

The polling place at Hill Park School will move between the sites on Foredown Road to try and keep the site operational.

Polling District: HNPX

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1950
• Polling Place Electorate: 1541
• Polling Place: Hill Park School, Foredown Road, BN41 2FU
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 13

Polling District: HNPY

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1483
• Polling Place Electorate: 1256
• Polling Place: Community Hall, Downland Court, Stonery Road, BN41 2PS
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 9

Polling District: HNPZ

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 4067
• Polling Place Electorate: 3404
• Polling Place: Church of the Good Shepherd Hall, Stanley Avenue, BN41 2WH
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 15

Patcham and Hollingbury ward remains similar. The ward changes are primarily related to Peacock Lane and the roads north of Cedar Gardens joining the ward.

These new parts of the ward had previously voted at Withdean Sports Complex and Varndean College. Incorporating these electors into another polling district within the ward was considered. However, this would not have been beneficial to the electors. It is therefore proposed that they will vote at Withdean Sports Complex – as part of a double polling station.

Elsewhere in the ward, four polling districts have been merged into two. Creating one around central Patcham and another for Hollingbury.

Electors off Mackie Avenue voted at Patcham Community Centre in 2021. This worked well and the proposal is for these electors to continue voting more centrally - at a new double station in Patcham Methodist Church. Both the 5 and 5A bus routes serve the venue and the most outlying parts of the district.

The two Hollingbury polling districts have merged to form a single polling place with a more optimal number of electors. They will all vote at Old Boat Community Centre. No elector will have more than a 12-minute walk to their polling place.

Polling District: PPHV

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 3307
• Polling Place Electorate: 2724
• Polling Place: St Thomas More Hall, Braybon Avenue, BN1 8HG
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 16

Polling District: PPHW

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 737
• Polling Place Electorate: 575
• Polling Place: Training Centre, (formerly Minor Club House), Withdean Sports Complex, Tongdean Lane, BN1 5JD
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

Polling District: PPHX

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 2036
• Polling Place Electorate: 1693
• Polling Place: Old Boat Community Centre, Carden Park, Carden Hill, BN1 8GN
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 12

Polling District: PPHY

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 3716
• Polling Place Electorate: 3094
• Polling Place: Patcham Methodist Church Hall, Ladies Mile Road, BN1 8QE
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 20

Polling District: PPHZ

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1830
• Polling Place Electorate: 1434
• Polling Place: Patcham Memorial Hall, 3 Old London Road, BN1 8XR
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

Preston Park’s boundaries have changed considerably following the boundary review. Now encompassing polling districts from Withdean ward.

It is proposed that two polling districts immediately to the north of the park are merged. Knoyle Hall will act as a double polling station, replacing the portcabin in Preston Park. The furthest electors allocated to Knoyle Hall live an estimated 11-minute walk from their polling station.

St Augustines Centre is a new polling station, and although just outside of the ward, is known to the community and is no more than a 10 minute walk for electors living in polling district PPPW. St Augustines Centre will also serve electors in Round Hill ward.

Removing Varndean College from the scheme was considered. However, the lack of a suitable alternative prevented this.

Polling District: PPPV

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1820
• Polling Place Electorate: 1630
• Polling Place: St Augustines Centre, Stanford Avenue, BN1 6EA
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

Polling District: PPPW

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 2834
• Polling Place Electorate: 2514
• Polling Place: Exeter Street Hall, 16-17 Exeter Street, BN1 5PG
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 11

Polling District: PPPX

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 2008
• Polling Place Electorate: 1730
• Polling Place: Church of the Good Shepherd Hall, Dyke Road, BN1 5AE
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

Polling District: PPPY

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 3574
• Polling Place Electorate: 3029
• Polling Place: Knoyle Hall, Knoyle Road, BN1 6RB
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 11

Polling District: PPPZ

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1090
• Polling Place Electorate: 862
• Polling Place: Varndean College, Surrenden Road, BN1 6WQ
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 12

Queen’s Park ward has reduced in size, having lost southern areas to the new Kemptown ward. Electors around Craven Road have joined the ward.

St Luke’s Primary School will no longer be a polling station, and electors to the north, west and east of Queen’s Park will now vote at St Luke’s Church.

To optimise the number of electors going to each polling station, the Community Room at Thornsdale will no longer be a polling place. This small polling district will merge with its neighbour to form polling district KQPZ. Electors who voted at Thornsdale will now vote at Millwood Community Centre. This is a closer option for around half of the electors in the previous polling district.

Across the ward, polling district boundaries have been revised to optimise electorates.

Polling District: KQPW

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1776
• Polling Place Electorate: 1550
• Polling Place: Craven Vale Resource Centre, Craven Road, BN2 0FE
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 12

Polling District: KQPX

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1820
• Polling Place Electorate: 1600
• Polling Place: St Luke's Church, Queen's Park Road, BN2 9ZB
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 7

Polling District: KQPY

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1656
• Polling Place Electorate: 1391
• Polling Place: Brighton Youth Centre, 64 Edward Street, (Grosvenor Street Entrance), BN2 0JR
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 11

Polling District: KQPZ

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1724
• Polling Place Electorate: 1510
• Polling Place: Millwood Community Centre, Nelson Row, Carlton Hill, BN2 9QG
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 9

Regency ward’s boundaries did not changed at the ward review - bar the inclusion of a small number of properties on Temple Heights/Windlesham Road.

These properties are within Hove constituency and as such will form their own small polling district. At Parliamentary elections electors will attend the polling station for adjoining polling district HGOV. At local elections, they will vote at the polling station for PREY. At a combined election, they will vote at the HGOV polling station.  

The other changes in the ward are to optimise the number of electors voting at each polling place. The proposals will prevent any polling places becoming very small double stations due to changes to Electoral Commission ratios.

Polling District: HREZ

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 28
• Polling Place Electorate: 20
• Polling Place: St Michael's Community Hall, St Michael's Place, BN1 3FU
• Number of Polling Stations: 0
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 3

Polling District: PREV

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1672
• Polling Place Electorate: 1488
• Polling Place: Brighton Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, BN1 1JA
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 14

Polling District: PREW

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1949
• Polling Place Electorate: 1768
• Polling Place: New Venture Theatre, Bedford Place, BN1 2PT
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 5

Polling District: PREX

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1944
• Polling Place Electorate: 1716
• Polling Place: St Mary Magdalen Community Centre, 55 Upper North Street, BN1 3FH
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 6

Polling District: PREY

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1957
• Polling Place Electorate: 1724
• Polling Place: St Michael's Community Hall, St Michael's Place, BN1 3FU
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 7

Rottingdean and West Saltdean ward is a new ward made from the previous Rottingdean Coastal ward. The new ward has lost many electors on the western side around Roedean and Sussex Square – becoming a 2-seat ward.

The polling district boundaries have not changed other than to realign with the new ward boundary. All polling places remain suitable and in West Saltdean already meet our aim to have double and triple polling stations. Due to Rottingdean Parish, it is not efficient to change any of the polling district boundaries around the main body of electors.

Polling District: KRSW

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 4646
• Polling Place Electorate: 3652
• Polling Place: St Nicholas Church Hall, Saltdean Vale, BN2 8HA
• Number of Polling Stations: 3
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 18

Polling District: KRSX

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1843
• Polling Place Electorate: 1456
• Polling Place: Rottingdean Public Hall, Park Road, BN2 7HL
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 24

Polling District: KRSY

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 873
• Polling Place Electorate: 662
• Polling Place: Longhill Sports Centre, Falmer Road, BN2 7FR
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 15

Polling District: KRSZ

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 962
• Polling Place Electorate: 748
• Polling Place: Ovingdean Village Hall, Ovingdean Road, BN2 7BB
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 15

Round Hill is a new ward, consisting of areas from St Peter’s & North Laine and Preston Park wards.

Electors in polling district PRHZ will vote at a new polling station in St Augustines Centre. The venue has better access arrangements than the current polling station for the area - Florence Road Baptist Church. St Augustines Centre will also serve a polling station for Preston Park ward. 

In line with our aim to reduce the number of schools, it is proposed to no longer use Downs Infant School for electors in this area. Electors who voted at Downs Infant School will be split amongst the three remaining polling places for the ward.

Wagner Memorial Hall is the proposed polling place for polling district PRHX. Wagner Memorial Hall currently serves as a double polling station for the area. By reducing the number of electors from Round Hill ward voting at this polling station, we enable Wagner Memorial Hall to also serve as a polling station for Hanover & Elm Grove ward. This allows us to remove Fairlight Primary School from the scheme.

Calvary Evangelical Church, in polling district PRHY, will become a double station to accommodate new electors from Wagner Memorial Hall.

Polling District: PRHX

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1901
• Polling Place Electorate: 1789
• Polling Place: Wagner Memorial (St Martin's) Hall, Lewes Road, BN2 3HQ
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 9

Polling District: PRHY

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 3266
• Polling Place Electorate: 2979
• Polling Place: Calvary Evangelical Church, (Main Entrance), 72 Viaduct Road, BN1 4ND
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 13

Polling District: PRHZ

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1594
• Polling Place Electorate: 1439
• Polling Place: St Augustines Centre, Stanford Avenue, BN1 6EA
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 13

South Portslade ward is unchanged from the ward boundary review.

The only change to the polling district scheme is the merging of the northern polling districts. They both vote at St Nicolas Parish Centre already. The consolidation allows for improved signage and better distribution of electors between the stations.

Polling District: HSPX

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1896
• Polling Place Electorate: 1668
• Polling Place: Scout Headquarters, Vale Park, (SW Corner), BN41 1DE
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 9

Polling District: HSPY

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1832
• Polling Place Electorate: 1602
• Polling Place: Portslade Town Hall, Victoria Road, BN41 2YF
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 12

Polling District: HSPZ

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 3591
• Polling Place Electorate: 2974
• Polling Place: St Nicolas Parish Centre, South Street, BN41 2LE
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 15

West Hill and North Laine ward is a reduced version of St Peter’s & North Laine ward.

It is proposed to continue using three existing polling places for this ward. The polling district boundaries remain similar. Two polling districts have merged. The majority of electors who voted at Brighton & Hove Foyer will now vote at Brighthelm Church and Community Centre. This is a 10-minute walk for the furthest elector.

Polling District: PWNX

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 3769
• Polling Place Electorate: 3358
• Polling Place: Brighthelm Church and Community Centre, North Road, BN1 1YD
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

Polling District: PWNY

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1824
• Polling Place Electorate: 1668
• Polling Place: BMECP Centre, 10a Fleet Street, BN1 4ZE
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 7

Polling District: PWNZ

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1876
• Polling Place Electorate: 1714
• Polling Place: West Hill Hall, Compton Avenue, BN1 3PS
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 5

Westbourne and Poets’ Corner ward has swapped some areas with Wish ward, with properties around Stoneham Park joining the ward and westerly streets below Portland Road leaving.

The changes in the north of the ward provide an opportunity to remove West Hove Infants School from the scheme therefore reducing the number of schools used. It also allows for all electors north of Portland Road to now share a polling place of Holy Cross Church. The electorate is supplemented by electors in Modena Road, Rutland Gardens and Westbourne Gardens who previously have voted at Holy Cross Church.

Below Portland Road, the electors to the East of the ward will vote in a single polling station at Hove Museum. While those to the west will vote at St Philip’s Church – this will be a double polling station shared with Wish ward.

Across the whole ward no elector will have a walk of more than 10 minutes to their polling place.

Polling District: HWPX

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1855
• Polling Place Electorate: 1582
• Polling Place: Hove Museum and Art Gallery, 19 New Church Road, BN3 4AB
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 9

Polling District: HWPY

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1738
• Polling Place Electorate: 1430
• Polling Place: St Philip's Church Hall, New Church Road, BN3 4BB
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

Polling District: HWPZ

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 3799
• Polling Place Electorate: 3328
• Polling Place: Holy Cross Church Hall, Tamworth Road, BN3 5FJ
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 7

The new Westdene and Hove Park ward covers a very large geographic area. The ward also straddles the Hove and Brighton Pavilion constituencies. This boundary will be respected.

The new HWHX polling district combines two old polling districts that used to vote at St Peter’s Church and Brighton & Hove Cricket Pavilion. It is proposed that electors will now vote at St George’s Church Hall on Court Farm Road. This venue is accessible, has its own car park and meets our aim of increasing the number of double polling stations. For many electors in this polling district, the polling place remains a significant distance. However, the new venue is an improvement on the previous venues.

Polling districts HWHV and HWHW largely remain unchanged. Electors continue to vote at Bishop Hannington Church Hall and Hove Rugby Club Pavilion respectively. 

In Brighton Pavilion, the northern district does not change and continues to vote at the Ascension Church Hall. The southerm district will now incorporate roads inherited from an old polling district further down Dyke Road. All electors will vote at Withdean Sports Complex. This is a double station shared with Patcham & Hollingbury ward.

Polling District: HWHV

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 2038
• Polling Place Electorate: 1630
• Polling Place: Bishop Hanngington Youth & Community Centre, 38 Holmes Avenue, BN3 7LD
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 16

Polling District: HWHW

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 2263
• Polling Place Electorate: 1659
• Polling Place: Hove Rugby Club Pavilion, Hove Recreation Ground, Shirley Drive, BN3 6NQ
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 22

Polling District: HWHX

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 3795
• Polling Place Electorate: 2804
• Polling Place: St George's Hall, Court Farm Road, BN3 7QR
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 28

Polling District: PWHY

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1651
• Polling Place Electorate: 1302
• Polling Place: Training Centre, (formerly Minor Club House), Withdean Sports Complex, Tongdean Lane, BN1 5JD
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 23

Polling District: PWHZ

• Constituency: Pavilion
• Polling District Electorate: 1900
• Polling Place Electorate: 1510
• Polling Place: Ascension Church Hall, Mill Rise, BN1 5GS
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 15

Whitehawk and Marina ward is a new ward. It consists of Whitehawk, Marina and Roedean polling districts from previous wards.

It is proposed to redraw polling districts throughout the ward. This will ensure that there are suitable polling places throughout the area. Electors to the north will vote at St Cuthman's Church. This venue is accessible, on local bus routes and known to the community.

In the central area, electors will vote at Whitehawk Library - again this provides a good polling place for local residents. At previous polls, residents in this area have voted either at Valley Social Centre/St Cuthman's Church or Whitehawk Inn.

Towards the bottom of the hill, the Whitehawk Inn will continue as a polling place, but now serves a revised area. This area includes Roedean. Roedean electors previously voted at Brighton Waldorf School.

It is proposed to no longer use Bristol Estate Community Centre. Electors previously served by this polling station will now vote at The Manor Gym. This will create a new polling district that has an increased electorate and is in line with the aim to optimise electorates.

Polling District: KWMV

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1023
• Polling Place Electorate: 860
• Polling Place: Estate Office Board Room, Brighton Marina, BN2 5UF
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 9

Polling District: KWMW

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1718
• Polling Place Electorate: 1366
• Polling Place: Whitehawk Inn, Whitehawk Road, BN2 5NS
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 21

Polling District: KWMX

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1874
• Polling Place Electorate: 1553
• Polling Place: The Manor Gym & Sports Centre, Manor Road, BN2 5EA
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 14

Polling District: KWMY

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1671
• Polling Place Electorate: 1363
• Polling Place: Whitehawk Library, 179A Whitehawk Road, BN2 5FL
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 14

Polling District: KWMZ

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 2023
• Polling Place Electorate: 1679
• Polling Place: St Cuthman's Church, Whitehawk Way, BN2 5HE
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

Wish ward’s boundary has not changed on its western side. Properties east of School Road, around Stoneham Park, have moved into the adjoining ward. While the ward has taken in streets to its east between the seafront and south of Portland Road.

It is proposed that all electors in the north of the ward vote at Sanders House on the Ingram Crescent estate. The development around School Road will increase the electorate over the coming months. This change has removed West Hove Infants School from the scheme - in line with our project aims.

The remaining electors split into eastern and western polling districts respectively. The eastern polling district will vote in a double polling station at St Leonard’s Church Hall. This venue is well known, accessible and on several east-west bus routes.

The western polling district will vote at St Philips Church on New Church Road. For many electors who have joined from the old Westbourne ward this is not a change of polling place

Polling District: HWIX

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1972
• Polling Place Electorate: 1568
• Polling Place: St Philip's Church Hall, New Church Road, BN3 4BB
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 9

Polling District: HWIY

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 1261
• Polling Place Electorate: 1055
• Polling Place: Sanders House Communal Room, Ingram Crescent West, BN3 5NW
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 10

Polling District: HWIZ

• Constituency: Hove
• Polling District Electorate: 4105
• Polling Place Electorate: 3404
• Polling Place: St Leonard's Church Hall, (formerly Glebe Villas Hall), Glebe Villas, BN3 5SL
• Number of Polling Stations: 2
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 12

Woodingdean ward’s boundaries remain unchanged from the boundary review. significant changes to the polling district boundaries are proposed. This will remove Rudyard Kipling Primary School from the scheme. 

Woodingdean Library is proposed as a new polling place in the north-west of the ward. 

The redrawing of the polling districts means that no elector is more than a 15-minute walk from their polling station.  Additionally, all four polling places for the ward are now situated near a bus stop which serves their polling district. Bus routes include 2, 22 and 52 serving the area. The step free Chalkland rise entrance of Rudyard Kipling Primary School is not served by a bus route.

Polling District: KWOW

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 2001
• Polling Place Electorate: 1663
• Polling Place: St Patrick's Church Hall, Broad Green, BN2 6TB
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 15

Polling District: KWOX

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1905
• Polling Place Electorate: 1569
• Polling Place: Woodingdean Methodist Church, 117 The Ridgway, BN2 6PA
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 15

Polling District: KWOY

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1660
• Polling Place Electorate: 1355
• Polling Place: Parish Room, Church of the Holy Cross, Downsway, BN2 6BD
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 15

Polling District: KWOZ

• Constituency: Kemptown
• Polling District Electorate: 1821
• Polling Place Electorate: 1451
• Polling Place: Woodingdean Library, Warren Road, BN2 6BA
• Number of Polling Stations: 1
• Furthest Walking Distance (Minutes): 14