Parish Polls
Parish polls, one of the truly democratic mechanisms left to the people, have been pretty rare but St Anne’s recently ran one about the proposed closure of the swimming pool. 
Provisions for a parish poll are contained in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and occur as a result of a parish or community meeting. Six electors can call a parish meeting and if the chairman of the local parish or town council is present, he/she must chair the meeting.
Ten electors or one third of electors present at the meeting and voting, whichever is less, may demand a poll on a question or the appointment to an office. If a poll is demanded on a question, the wording of the question can be voted upon at the meeting.
The Returning Officer of the District Council is then obliged to organise the poll. A notice will be put up in the parish area not less than five days before the poll. No poll cards are issued and the polling stations are open only from 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm.
There is no provision in the regulations for the issue of postal votes or proxy votes. All electors wishing to vote must attend their usual polling station in person.
The question on the ballot paper should be unambiguous and able to be answered with a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’.
The result of the poll is not legally binding on the Parish/Town Council or on the District Council. It merely serves to ascertain the opinion of the electorate.
