In accordance with the Representation of the People Act 1983, the Electoral Administration Act 2006 and the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, Wealden District Council is required to complete a full review of all polling districts and polling places every five years.
This does not prevent changes being made at any time prior to the next review.
The purpose of the review is to ensure that;
- electors in the constituency have such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances and,
- as far as is reasonable and practicable, polling places are accessible to all electors and,
- when considering the designation of a polling place, consideration is given to the needs of voters with different types of disability.
Following a period of consultation and assessment, on Wednesday 24th January 2024, a report was presented to Audit, Finance & Governance Committee outlining recommendations for the designation of all polling districts, polling places and polling stations within the area. The details are set out in the report appendix.
What is a polling district?
A polling district is a geographical sub-division of an electoral area.
An electoral area may be a UK Parliamentary constituency, a District ward, a County electoral division or a parish or parish ward.
What is a polling place?
A polling place is the specific building in which a polling station is located.
What is a polling station?
A polling station is the room or area within the polling place where voting takes place.
Polling districts and polling places are fixed by the Local Authority. Polling stations are chosen by the relevant Returning Officer for the election.
Any elector within the constituency areas may make representations on existing and proposed polling districts and places. Representations on these or any other related matter are welcomed from persons or groups with interest or expertise in the access to premises or facilities for persons who have different forms of disability. Any person or body making a representation should where appropriate give alternative places that may be used as polling places.
Feedback on Polling Arrangements
Any elector within the constituency areas can contact us about existing polling districts and polling places and make suggestions for alternative polling place locations. Feedback received to date is set out below.
Representations on these or any other related matter relating to elections are especially welcomed from persons or groups with interest or expertise in different forms of disability.
We continue to welcome feedback on polling places and polling stations as well as alternative community buildings that may be suitable for use as polling places.
Follow this link to view the current list of polling districts, polling places and polling stations.
You can also find existing polling areas and polling stations on our online mapping tool
- To view the current polling district boundaries, click on ‘Map Features’ (top left).
- Click on ‘Elections’ and then tick the box relating to polling districts and/or polling stations.
- Click on the map and a box will display giving details of the polling districts and polling stations in that area.
- Polling District boundaries will then be visible.
- Zoom in and hover over an area to view the Polling District and Polling Station.
List of useful links and background documents
The table below shows the individual comments received and our response.
Ward | Polling District | Polling Place/Polling Station | Summary of Representations | Response/Action |
All within the Wealden constituency areas | All within the Wealden constituency areas | All within the Wealden constituency areas | Wealden Disability Involvement Group: Representative: I feel sure that [officer name] would have made sure that ALL voting stations to be used would have the provision of Disability Access availability at the time of need. I hope this is helpful. Group Feedback: Greater awareness and training around needs of vision impaired voters – ease of access at polling place locations (dropped kerbs and other obstacles), suitable lighting levels both internal and external are important, further staff training on needs of voters with specific disabilities and how best to assist. More publicity on support available for disabled voters. Ongoing communication with local groups to enhance publicity on the support available for electoral registration and voting.
| Location of some polling places is a barrier to voting in person for some voters. Consider what further support with postal vote process can be offered. All polling places visited and assessed against legal requirements. Aids, adaptations and adjustments are made available to voters who need them. Use of Plain English. Greater publicity on support and polling information in accessible formats. Links to information and resources on Council website. Consider opportunities for ongoing feedback on any access issues at polling places. |
All within the Wealden constituency areas | All within the Wealden constituency areas | All within the Wealden constituency areas | Individual Elector (with impairment, health condition or learning difference): Often, polling places and ballot papers are inaccessible to vision impaired voters, and staff have no idea how to assist VI voters. Please make all ballot papers and polling places accessible to VI voters and train the staff. | Aids, adaptations and adjustments are made available to voters who need them. Greater publicity on support and polling information in accessible formats. Consider opportunities for ongoing feedback on any access issues at polling places. |
All within the Wealden constituency areas | All within the Wealden constituency areas | All within the Wealden constituency areas | Individual Elector: You seem to have catered for most needs. If there is a step to get in the door could edge of that be coloured bright yellow for visually impaired. | Consider use of further access aids as appropriate. |
All within the Bexhill and Battle Constituency Area | All within the Bexhill and Battle Constituency Area | All within the Bexhill and Battle Constituency Area | Lorna Ford, Acting Returning Officer – Bexhill and Battle Constituency “I have reviewed the consultation document and have no comments to make about the arrangements for polling stations used for the Bexhill and Battle Parliamentary Constituency that fall within the boundaries of Wealden District Council, other than to say that I regard them to be satisfactory. I appreciate the difficulty in finding suitable venues for polling and have no suggestions at this time for alternative venues that I think would be preferable to those currently in use.” | Noted |
All within the East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency Area | All within the East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency Area | All within the East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency Area | Katherine Hall, Acting Returning Officer – East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency “I am content with all the proposals made by Wealden District Council in regard to the East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency.” | Noted |
All within the Sussex Weald Constituency Area | All within the Sussex Weald Constituency Area | All within the Sussex Weald Constituency Area | Trevor Scott, Acting Returning Officer – Sussex Weald Constituency “I support the outline proposals at this stage of the process. Rationalising and re-designating the polling districts in the Wealden area will deal with several anomalies which have arisen over the years from former boundary reviews and will also sensibly reflect the anticipated Parliamentary Boundary Review changes. I support the objective of simplifying polling arrangements for electors and electoral administration and look forward to receiving the final Polling District Review recommendations in due course.” | Noted |
All within the Lewes Constituency Area | All within the Lewes Constituency Area | All within the Lewes Constituency Area | Ian Fitzpatrick, Acting Returning Officer, Lewes Constituency “I am writing to you on behalf of the Returning Officer for Lewes in response to Wealden’s Polling District and Polling Place Review 2023. We acknowledge your proposals within your Polling District and Polling Place Review in terms of the areas that fall within the Lewes County Constituency and that we have no comments to make in terms of your proposals.” | Noted |
Buxted | WMBA – Buxted | St Mary’s Church Buxted | Individual elector(s): 1) For electors in Coopers Green and Five Ash Down, a car journey is necessary. New polling place suggestion: Village Hall, Five Ash Down 2) Difficult to access/park New polling place suggestion: Village Hall, Five Ash Down | Electors within a polling district are not always able to vote at their nearest or most convenient polling place. Alternative polling place has been assessed in line with the guidance. Not considered suitable at the present time. Keep under review.
|
Buxted | WMBA – Buxted | St Marys Church Hall | Individual Elector: Very convenient | Noted |
Chiddingly, East Hoathly and Waldron | WAEH – Chiddingly & Golden Cross | Chiddingly Village Hall | Local Councillor: The parish council feel that Chiddingly is correctly placed in the polling district. The village hall is central to the parish and is the only suitable space available in the village. The hall is an excellent facility as a polling station. It has good access points and is large and spacious.
Individual Elector (with impairment, health condition or learning difference): Keep it as a polling station.
| Noted |
Chiddingly, East Hoathly and Waldron | WAEK – Waldron | Lucas Memorial Hall | Individual Elector: Lucas Hall Waldron is an excellent example of the imperative to resist any reduction in the number of polling places in pursuit of “greater efficiency and cost savings”. Voter ID rules already make it harder for young people to vote in elections. Across Wealden forcing them to travel further to try to vote, when they may not have access to either private or public transport, is an unwelcome and undemocratic further step towards disenfranchisement in pursuit of defending the outdated demographic and political bias.
| Noted. |
Crowborough Central | WCNC – Poundfield | Crowborough Community Centre | Individual Elector: I always vote and I prefer to walk to the polling station, so I wish it were a bit nearer. | Noted. Electors within a polling district are not always able to vote at their nearest or most convenient polling place. |
Danehill & Fletching | WMBE – Fletching & Piltdown | Fletching Village Hall | Individual Elector: It is a reasonably placed polling place for my convenience in casting my vote. There have always been enough desks and booths when I have attended. | Noted |
Danehill & Fletching | WMBF – Isfield | Isfield Village Hall | Individual Elector: There is reasonable access at this polling station but no disabled toilet facilities. | Noted |
Forest Row | WFGA – Forest Row | Forest Row Community Centre | Local councillor: Our village is split into three separate polling districts (WDC wards). This is confusing to voters. The logistics of having three different polling stations within the same building are very tricky – it’s too many. I witnessed a lot of confusion, even anger at time. I’m sure many potential voters were so put off that they went home without casting their vote. The car park was also very overcrowded at times, especially between 6 and 9 pm.
| Noted Merge specific polling districts within the ward. Electors within a polling district are not always able to vote at their nearest or most convenient polling place. Ensure clear signage. Keep under review. |
Framfield & Cross in Hand | BUSA – Cross in Hand | Heathfield Community Centre | Individual Elector: The place itself is fine, but we live in Firgrove Road, Cross in Hand, 2 minutes from Waldron and would prefer to vote here as it’s much closer. | Noted. Electors within a polling district are not always able to vote at their nearest or most convenient polling place. |
Frant & Wadhurst | WWNA – Bells Yew Green | Bells Yew Green Village Hall | Individual Elector: Bells Yew Green Village Hall has worked well as a polling station for many years. Please leave well alone. | Noted. |
Frant & Wadhurst | WWNE – Frant & Wadhurst | Pavillion, Sparrows Green Recreation Ground | Individual Elector: New polling place suggestion: I wonder if the Memorial Hall in Wadhurst might work as an additional location? There is new housing nearby & as it is on both a bus route & in the middle of local shops it might encourage more voters/ be more convenient. | Alternative polling place has been assessed in line with the guidance. Current polling place better meets requirements. Keep under review. |
Hailsham East | WHMC – Hailsham East Rural | Lion House Park Social Club | Individual Elector: Please maintain this polling station, as it supports a number of elderly voters. | Noted. |
Hailsham South | WHNB – Hailsham South | Christ Church Ropemaker Centre | Individual Elector: Please keep this polling station as just off South Rd in Hailsham.
| Noted |
Hailsham South | WHNB – Hailsham South | Christ Church Ropemaker Centre | Individual Elector: This is an ideal location. adequate parking, easy level access, plenty of room. | Noted |
Hailsham West | WHND – Hailsham West | Summerheath Hall | Individual Elector: We find it to be a perfect venue for this purpose. | Noted |
Hartfield | WFGE – Coleman’s Hatch | Trinity Hall, Holy Trinity Church | Individual Elector: Very convenient and local. Parking and welcoming. | Noted |
Hartfield | WFGF – Hartfield | Hartfield Village Hall | Individual Elector: This is in the heart of the Village and is the perfect location. | Noted |
Hartfield | WFGE – Colemans Hatch | Trinity Hall, Holy Trinity Church | Individual Elector (with impairment, health condition or learning difference): The Colemans Hatch polling station is a great location — easy parking , accessible and safe | Noted |
Heathfield South | BHEE – Heathfield South | St Richard’s Church Hall | Individual Elector: I’m happy with the venue regards to access. There was a queue early in the day so perhaps more officers should be there. Also I would like to bring to your attention the matter of personal information being brought into the public domain when the official asked for my address. I mentioned that it is not appropriate for personal details, that identifies where someone lives, to be asked for. I, or members of my family, may be a victim of domestic abuse, child abuse etc or otherwise vulnerable. Could your officers be trained to ask only for part of the address, maybe the postcode.
New polling place suggestion: Union Church Hall, Heathfield
| Noted. Elections staff are trained in ensuring appropriate information is sought and disclosed as part of voting procedures. Electors can ask to have their details removed from the public register. New polling place assessed and recommended |
Heathfield South | BHEE – Heathfield South | St Richards Church Hall | Individual Elector: Polling at this place seems well run, smoothly operated and problem free. | Noted |
Heathfield South | BHEE – Heathfield South | St Richards Church Hall | Individual Elector: Works well, some parking, busy at peak times. Well staffed, rarely have to queue | Noted |
Herstmonceux and Pevensey Levels | BPSF – Westham | Westham Village Hall | Individual Elector: Very accessible | Noted. |
Herstmonceux and Pevensey Levels | BPSF – Westham | Westham Village Hall | Individual Elector: It suits us very well. Just down the road. As pensioners we have no desire to traipse around the country. | Noted |
Herstmonceux and Pevensey Levels | BWEH – Herstmonceux Castle | Herstmonceux Village Hall | Individual Elector: Happy with the district. Essential that this remains as a polling station. Preferred it when it was just for our ward as it was less confusing. | Noted. |
Horam & Punnetts Town | BWEG – Warbleton | Dunn Village Hall Rushlake Green | Individual Elector (with impairment, health condition or learning difference): Why when we live in Punnetts Town with a 5 min walk to the village hall polling station do we have to go to Rushlake Green to vote? If you care about the environment, please take a look at this. PS: I know we are in Warbleton Parish but, this is bonkers! | Noted. Electors within a polling district are not always able to vote at their nearest or most convenient polling place. Keep under review.
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Uckfield Parish | All within the Uckfield Town Area | All within the Uckfield Town Area | Uckfield Town Council considered the consultation at their full Council meeting on 30 October 2023: The other existing venues – Foresters Hall and Civic Centre worked well, although the Town Clerk noted that it would be beneficial to install wi-fi into Foresters hall, for the benefit of elections staff.
These were other options for venues, in addition to the Belmont Centre which we were aware was sometimes used for by-elections or smaller elections when the Civic Centre couldn’t be available. | Alternative polling places have been considered and assessed in line with the guidance. Current polling places meet access requirements and are suitable. Under provision of convenient polling place in Uckfield North ward. Planned growth in the local area. Possible further changes following planned boundary review in 2024. Conclusion: Keep under review. Opportunity to designate alternative polling places should the ned arise.
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Uckfield – New Town | WUNF – Uckfield West Park | Uckfield Civic Centre | Individual Elector: Totally suitable as a polling station with sufficient space to feel confident that you are taking part in a secret ballot. | Noted. |
Uckfield – New Town | WUNF – Uckfield West Park | Uckfield Civic Centre | Individual Elector (with impairment, health condition or learning difference): We have had to set up as postal votes as the hours the polling station is open is not long enough, when you are busy working family with evening shifts we could not always get there when it was open. It should be open 5 am to midnight or over 2 days we feel. Thank you. | Noted. Polling times are prescribed and are not open to be changed. |
Uckfield – New Town | WUSE – Uckfield New Town | Foresters Hall | Individual Elector: It is very convenient for local users. It has its own car park which can be used by those who are not within walking distance. It is situated in my own road, so could not be any more convenient. As above, plus spacious buildings. Ample room for desks for those monitoring the voting and taking the voting cards. Also ample room for voting booths to provide complete privacy. |
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Uckfield- Ridgewood and Little Horsted | WUSG – Uckfield Ridgewood | Ridgewood Village Hall | Individual Elector (with impairment, health condition or learning difference): If there are boundary changes anywhere then proper publicity for this is essential…I am a poll clerk and people still attend the incorrect station even after several years. The polling station is convenient and suitable for me. | Noted |
All in Maresfield and Buxted Division | All in Maresfield and Buxted Division | All in Maresfield and Buxted Division | County Councillor: The Polling Stations in my Division have, I think, stayed the same for quite a few years. They are all DDA compliant and I haven’t had any complaints in the 10 years I’ve been on the Council. | Noted |
Hadlow Down & Rotherfield | WWNF – Hadlow Down | Hadlow Down Village Hall | Individual Elector: Hadlow Down has a high population of retired people. The village has a virtually non existant bus service. Retaining a polling station within the village is essential. | Noted |
Hartfield Ward | WFGF – Hartfield | Hartfield Village Hall | Hartfield Village Hall: We have good access for all abilities with parking on site.The room is warm, and accessible to all villagers as in the heart of the village. No building works or anything planned for the future. The hall is always made available for the election. The price may increase due to the increase in heating costs to the hall. This cost will increase for all users, but the election means the heating is on for the entire day and evening. | Noted |
Heathfield North | BHEA, BHEB, BHEC | Heathfield Youth Centre | Clerk, Heathfield and Waldron Town Council: I won’t be responding to the review that is due in by 30th Nov as we have already responded to the other recent review. One thing I did however want to ensure that you are aware of is that the Youth Centre is due to be pulled down at the beginning of next year and a new one built on the site. This however does mean that you will lose this polling station for any elections in 2024. Similar comment on this issue received from Presiding Officer for this polling area and elections officer in Lewes constituency area. |
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Herstmonceux and Pevensey Levels | BWEI – Hooe | Hooe Village Hall | Clerk, Hooe Parish Council: Only one bus per day. No dropped kerb. Limited parking on street. Disabled spaces outside village hall. Conveniently located for voters living in the village. No lighting in Hooe. No telephone facilities. No hearing loop. | Current polling place considered to meet requirements. |
Horam & Punnetts Town | BWEG – Warbleton | Dunn Village Hall Rushlake Green | Individual Elector: Excellent place all round. | Noted |
Maresfield | WMBI – Fairwarp | Fairwarp Village Hall | Individual Elector: Very convenient for me as it is less than a minute’s walk from my home. For those that live a bit further away the car park seems to be spacious enough. | Noted |
Mayfield & Five Ashes | WHEI – Mayfield | Scout HQ Tunbridge Wells Road | Individual Elector: The venue is perfect in every respect. | Noted |
Pevensey Bay | BPSA – Pevensey Bay East | Ethel Wood Community Centre | Individual Elector: I imagine recent statistics show less people actually attending to vote as many will now have postal votes. People often drive to a polling station. The cost of having at least 3 people all day at three centres for the number of residents we have seems excessive. I would have thought that we can reduce to 2 in the parish at the most.
| Noted. Staffing levels at polling stations will vary depending on the type of election and size of register. |