Interim Polling District and Place Review

Background

• The Returning Officer proposes an interim review of polling districts and polling places in Holywell and Oxhey Borough Wards.
• A statutory review of parliamentary polling districts and places is required every five years; the last was completed in 2023.
• Interim reviews are permitted at any time within the five-year cycle and are considered good practice ahead of elections.
• The proposed interim review aims to amend the boundaries of the identified polling districts and re-allocate polling places to better serve voters in these areas, enhance accessibility and futureproof voting arrangements in this growing part of Watford.
• Positive Impacts include improved access for voters with mobility impairments, visual impairments, and other disabilities through better-located and more suitable polling places.

The proposals

• It is proposed that the Green Building within the Holywell polling district KD is discontinued for use as a polling station due to issues including shared facilities and safeguarding concerns, displacing the current users and poor accessibility.
• New buildings: West Watford Free Church in Holywell and Mayfield Village Hall in both Holywell and Oxhey have been identified which better meet accessibility standards for polling places.
• Residential growth within Holywell polling district KA is increasing pressure on the number of electors attending Chessbrook School. By redrawing the boundary lines and rearranging the polling arrangements including the introduction of West Watford Free church as a polling station, the electorate can be better allocated around the ward. 
• The Riverwell development which is split between the boundaries of Holywell and Oxhey Wards (but within the West Watford County Division) sees electors currently travelling to vote in two locations. The proposal seeks to bring this area together to vote at new polling place Mayfield Village hall.
• There are no proposed changes to the Oxhey polling districts LA and LB.

Definitions

• A ‘polling district’ is a geographical area created by the subdivision a Parliamentary constituency.
• A ‘polling place’ is the building or area in which polling stations will be provided by the Returning Officer.
• A ‘polling station’ is therefore the room or area within the polling place where voting takes place.

Appendices

• Current Map of Holywell Borough ward
• Proposed Changes from 2026 Holywell Borough Ward
• Current Map of Oxhey Borough Ward
• Proposed changes from 2026 Oxhey Borough Ward
• Current map of polling districts West Watford County Divison
• Proposed map of the polling districts West Watford County Divison

Timetable

Have your say

We want to hear your views on the proposals as this will affect where you will vote at future elections.

Please complete our survey online, which should take you no more than 10 minutes.

The consultation closes on Friday 21 November.