Islington Council has announced that the Mildmay ward polling station, previously situated at Highbury Quadrant School, will be relocated to nearby St Augustine's Church. The decision was made during the Audit and Risk Committee meeting on Monday 17 November 2025, following a review prompted by the school's closure to the public, making it unavailable for use as a polling place.
The move aims to ensure that residents living in properties within the NMIC polling district continue to have convenient access to a polling station. According to the Electoral Services Polling District and Polling Places Review 2025-Mildmay 2025 Final, the proposed venue is adjacent to Highbury Quadrant School, minimising disruption for voters. The report also indicates that the impact on residents will be minimal due to the close proximity of the new location.
Councillor Bell-Braford supported the move, stating that St. Augustine's Church is literally next door to the school, so it will have no impact to residents' travel times to the polling station, and their voting habits over the last few decades.
They also noted the church's suitability in terms of size and accessibility. An assessment conducted in August 2025 confirmed that St. Augustine's Church offers level access throughout and all necessary facilities for both voters and staff.
The change will take effect on 1 December 2025, coinciding with the publication of the revised Register of Electors, and will remain in place for all elections over the subsequent four years. The estimated cost associated with the change is £645[1].
The Electoral Services Polling District and Polling Places Review 2025-Mildmay 2025 Final presented to the Audit and Risk Committee, also clarified that all other polling districts and places within the borough will remain unchanged. Representations regarding the change were sought from political groups, with member and party agent feedback being taken into account.
[1] The £645 cost is associated with the polling district change outlined in the report.