Interim Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places 2026
Review details
Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council are undertaking an interim review of polling districts and polling places in advance of the elections scheduled for 6 May 2027.
The review is being carried out in accordance with Schedule A1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 and the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013. Both councils completed their most recent full statutory reviews in 2023. This interim review is more limited in scope and focuses on specific polling districts and polling places where changes may be required before the 2027 elections.
The review considers locations where:
- a polling station may no longer be available for future elections;
- accessibility concerns have been identified; or
- significant housing growth has increased the number of electors.
Members of the public, elected representatives, parish councils, political parties, disability access groups and other interested individuals and organisations are invited to comment on the proposals and suggest alternatives for consideration.
The councils will also seek representations from individuals and organisations with particular expertise in access to premises and facilities for people with different forms of disability.
What is an interim review?
Relevant local authorities must carry out a review of UK Parliamentary polling districts and polling places at least once every five years. Councils may also undertake interim reviews where local circumstances make this necessary.
The most recent full reviews for Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council were completed in 2023. Unlike those reviews, this interim review does not consider every polling district and polling place across the two council areas. It focuses on specific locations where the Acting Returning Officer, following advice from the Electoral Services Manager, considers that further review is required before the May 2027 local elections.
The review will not consider:
- Parliamentary constituency boundaries;
- district, county or unitary ward boundaries;
- parish boundaries; or
- polling districts or polling places that are outside the stated scope of the review.
What is the aim of the interim review?
The review seeks to:
- ensure that electors have reasonable facilities for voting;
- improve accessibility wherever reasonable and practicable;
- review existing polling station arrangements where concerns about suitability, availability or accessibility have been identified;
- consider whether additional polling districts or polling stations are required in areas experiencing significant electorate growth; and
- ensure that polling arrangements remain appropriate for the May 2027 local elections.
What types of change are being considered?
The proposals fall within three broad categories.
Polling stations that may no longer be available
The review includes locations where the existing polling station may no longer be available for future elections, for example where a building is due to be demolished.
Accessibility improvements
Some polling stations are being reviewed following feedback from electors, polling station staff, councillors, polling station inspectors and other stakeholders. Alternative venues may be proposed where they would provide improved access for voters.
Electorate growth and capacity
In some areas, significant housing development has increased the number of electors. The review will consider whether new polling districts and additional polling stations are required to ensure that polling arrangements remain convenient and effective.
What does the consultation mean?
As part of the review, the councils will publish the Acting Returning Officer’s comments and proposals. Consultees will be invited to comment on a specific proposal.
Where a change is proposed, respondents may also comment on whether the existing arrangements should be retained.
The consultation allows electors, councillors, political parties, parish councils, community groups, accessibility organisations and other stakeholders to provide local knowledge and evidence before final decisions are made by the relevant Electoral Arrangements Committee.
Review timetable
| Date | Action |
| September – October 2026 | Acting Returning Officer to prepare background documents and proposals. |
| 19 October 2026 | Publish notice of review. |
| 19 October 2026 – 16 November 2026 | Publish the Acting Returning Officer’s comments and proposals. Public consultation on the existing arrangements and any proposals for change. |
| 23 November 2026 | Publish responses to the Acting Returning Officer’s proposals and any alternative proposals received during the consultation. |
| 7 – 13 December 2026 | The Electoral Arrangements Committees will consider the Acting Returning Officer’s proposals, all representations and any alternative proposals, and agree final proposals. If necessary, the councils will consult on any revised proposals. 8 December 2026: Broadland Electoral Arrangements Committee 11 December 2026: South Norfolk Electoral Arrangements Committee |
| January 2027 | If required, an Electoral Arrangements Committee may consider comments on any revised proposals and agree final proposals. |
| 1 February 2027 | Publish the revised registers of electors and updated polling schemes, incorporating any agreed changes to polling districts and polling places. |
How to respond
The Interim Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places will commence on 19 October 2026.
Details of the review and the Acting Returning Officer’s comments and proposals will be published on this website. Separate documents will be available for Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council.
You are invited to comment on the proposals and may also suggest alternative polling districts, polling places or polling stations for consideration.
When commenting on a polling place or polling station, please provide as much relevant information as possible. This may include information about its accessibility, suitability, availability or convenience for electors.
Comments may be submitted in the following ways:
By email: [email protected]
By post: Electoral Services Team, Horizon Centre, Broadland Business Park, Peachman Way, Norwich, NR7 0WF
The deadline for submitting comments is 16 November 2026.
Representations received during the consultation will be published on this website and considered by the relevant Electoral Arrangements Committee before any final decisions are made. Personal information will be handled in accordance with the councils’ data protection obligations, and personal contact details will not normally be published.
Trevor Holden
Acting Returning Officer
19 October 2026