Telford & Wrekin Council launches review of polling stations
Telford & Wrekin Council is inviting residents, community groups and local organisations to take part in a six‑week public consultation as part of a new interim review of Polling Stations across the borough.
The review will begin with the publication of a statutory Notice of Interim Review on Monday 23 February 2026, with consultation open until Monday 6 April 2026.
Although the Council last completed a full statutory review in November 2023, an interim review is now required to ensure arrangements reflect the changes made to some Town and Parish Council boundaries as part of the recent Community Governance Review.
These new arrangements will apply for the scheduled local elections on 6 May 2027, making it essential that all polling stations are suitable, accessible and appropriately located.
The review will examine every polling district, polling place and polling station in Telford and Wrekin to make sure all voters have reasonable access to facilities on election day. It will also ensure that polling arrangements meet legal requirements, including those set out in the Equality Act 2010 and key elections legislation, and that any recent changes to local community boundaries are properly taken into account.
The review will cover a wide range of considerations, including the boundaries, names and references of all polling districts, the suitability and accessibility of existing polling places, the condition and appropriateness of current polling stations and the identification of any alternative venues that may offer more convenient or accessible options for voters.
Wherever possible, the Council aims to avoid using schools or temporary portacabins as polling stations, due to the potential disruption, additional cost and accessibility challenges. However, in some areas these may remain necessary if no suitable alternative locations exist.
In addition to statutory consultees, such as the local MPs, the consultation will be inclusive and wide-ranging, with the Council seeking residents’ views and views from representative groups to understand more about the voter experience when attending a polling station.
Councillor Giles Luter, Chair of Telford & Wrekin Council’s Boundary Review Committee, said: “We want to ensure every polling station is convenient, accessible and meets the needs of all our communities ahead of the scheduled local elections in May 2027. Residents' feedback is vital, and we encourage everyone to take part in this consultation.”
Details of how to take part in the consultation, along with the full Terms of Reference and review documents, will be published on the Council’s website at telford.gov.uk.
The results of the consultation, along with recommendations from the Council’s Boundary Review Committee, are expected to be reviewed by the Full Council at their meeting in July, to approve the adoption of any new arrangements for Polling Stations, Polling Places and Polling Districts. Local elections are held every four years in Telford and Wrekin, with the last one being in 2023, therefore the new arrangements will then be introduced in time for the next scheduled local elections in Telford and Wrekin, in May 2027.
