NEWSROOM

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 (1), 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 (2), 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 (3) 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 www.telford.gov.uk/about-my-council/elections/polling-districts-places-and-stations-reviews/

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.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Councils are required to conduct a statutory review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations every five years. The last review in Telford and Wrekin was in 2023. This interim review will ensure polling arrangements remain appropriate ahead of the next local elections scheduled for May 2027.
2. The last local elections in Telford and Wrekin were held on 4 May 2023. As these are held on a four-year cycle, the next local election in the Borough has always been scheduled for May 2027. This is different to some other Council areas, who have elections this year.
3. A Polling Station is the room or rooms of a Polling Place where voting take place. A Polling Place is building or area a Polling Station is in. A Polling District is the geographic area into which Wards and Constituencies may be subdivided. There are currently 102 Polling Districts across Telford and Wrekin: 56 within the Telford constituency and 46 within the Wrekin constituency.