Lewisham Council's Governance Committee has reviewed proposed changes to polling stations for the May 2026 elections, addressing issues with venue availability and suitability across three wards. The committee also considered delegating authority to the Returning Officer for urgent temporary amendments to polling places, a measure deemed necessary to fulfil their statutory duty 'to deliver the poll'.
Temporary changes are planned for polling districts in Hither Green, Bellingham, and Sydenham. In Hither Green, the St Christopher Christian Fellowship Church is no longer available as it has been placed on the market for sale, with the timescale for its sale unknown. The Brownhill Road Baptist Church has been identified as a suitable alternative.
For Bellingham, the Dumps Adventure Playground is unavailable due to redevelopment, and St Augustine's Primary School has been assessed as the most suitable alternative venue. In Sydenham, concerns have been raised by a local councillor regarding the suitability of St Philip the Apostle Church for residents of the Hillcrest estate, citing distance and public transport issues. St Bartholomew's Church, an existing polling place for a neighbouring district with good bus links, has been proposed as the most suitable alternative for these electors.
Alternative polling stations were assessed using a range of criteria beyond general availability and public transport links. These included accessibility for people with disabilities, the size of the venue, the width of entrance and internal doors, space for tellers, lighting, ventilation, and the availability of kitchen and restroom facilities. Specific checks were made for proximity to bus stops and parking (both regular and disabled), and for access for the visually impaired.
Councillor Aisha Malik-Smith highlighted the importance of including maps in future reports to better illustrate polling place changes. Councillor Chris Best raised concerns about the proposed changes in Sydenham, particularly regarding the impact on residents of the Hillcrest estate and the Wells Park Estate, suggesting alternative arrangements to maintain continuity. Officers advised that a full polling district review would be too time-consuming before the May elections, recommending that such a review be undertaken after the elections.
The committee resolved to recommend the proposed polling place changes to the Council and to delegate authority to the Returning Officer for temporary amendments. This delegation is crucial, as without it, unforeseen issues with polling places could arise, and there would not be enough time to follow the usual process of gaining Council approval, potentially jeopardizing the delivery of the poll. An additional recommendation will be made to the Council for a comprehensive polling district review of the Sydenham area to be considered as soon as practicable after the May elections. This review will aim to address concerns raised by Councillor Best regarding the current polling arrangements.
The council will ensure residents are informed about polling station changes through a dedicated communications campaign between now and 7 May. This will include clear information on poll cards and targeted messaging where needed. For any electors who may be reverting to polling stations after using postal votes, their letters will clearly state that the polling station is a new venue. The council will work with the communications team to target these areas effectively.
Further details on the proposed changes can be found in the Report to governance cttee 04.02 to change polling places.
