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Wards, polling districts and polling stations

Polling district, polling place and polling station review 2024

Our wards are divided into Polling Districts, each of which has a Polling Station where electors go to vote. The schedule of polling stations is kept under review and alternative arrangements made where any polling stations are unavailable at the time of election.

The recent review of the ward structure in the Brentwood Borough by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has made changes that affected where some people go to vote. Therefore, in 2023 we carried out a review of the polling districts and polling places in preparation for the new ward pattern which came into effect in May 2024.

The Borough elections on 2 May and the UK Parliamentary election on 4 July 2024 provided opportunities to assess the new polling district and polling station arrangements.

This year, we're required to carry out a statutory review of polling districts and polling places which form part of the Brentwood and Ongar Parliamentary Constituency. You can read about the review process and consultation timetable in the published notice:

The current schedule of polling districts and polling places was approved by Ordinary Council on 13 December 2023.  The Borough elections on 2 May 2024 and the UK Parliamentary election on 4 July 2024 provided opportunities to assess the new polling district and polling station arrangements. Overall, the polling stations coped well, the arrangements provided a positive experience for voters and no serious concerns were identified.

This polling district review provides an opportunity to make minor adjustments to accommodate the new Essex County Council divisions in advance of the 2025 ECC elections.

The Electoral Registration Officer has published a proposed schedule of polling districts, polling places and polling stations (PDF). This shows (in red) the proposed changes within polling districts CQ and JQ where the ECC division boundaries cut across the Borough wards.  This arrangement would allow electors to continue to vote at their normal polling station for all elections. 

Only two locations are affected: Cathedral Large Hall and St Stephen’s Church. A separate ‘station’ and ballot box would be provided within these venues for each of the divisions whenever a County Council election takes place.

The Acting Returning Officer (ARO) is responsible for running UK Parliamentary elections in the Brentwood and Ongar Constituency. As part of this process, he has to allocate polling stations within the Borough and is consulted when polling districts and polling places are reviewed.

View the ARO's response (PDF).

The public consultation closed on 31 October 2024. No adverse comments or alternative proposals were received during the consultation and therefore the proposal will now go forward for approval by councillors at their meeting on 11th December 2024.

Ward maps

Consultation on Essex County Council’s electoral division structure

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has undertaken a review of the electoral division boundaries for Essex County Council. Final proposals will come into effect with County Council elections in May 2025, subject to parliamentary approval.

For more information, visit Local Government Boundary Commission.