Parish Poll Update

Since the notice of the Poll was published, there has been some misinformation printed in the media and we are taking this time to clarify any confusion.

• The meeting of the parish must be held annually between 1^st March and 1^st June.
• Where there is a town / parish Council, the meeting is convened by the Chairperson of that Council.
• The purpose of a meeting of the parish is to give electors an opportunity to have their say on anything that concerns the Parish.
• A poll may be demanded before the end of the meeting on any question arising at the meeting, but cannot be held unless it is (1) approved by the person presiding (ie the Chair) or (2) demanded by 10 or one third of the electors present at the meeting.
• The poll questions must be agreed at the meeting and the questions can only have a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.  Once the questions have been agreed by the meeting, they cannot be changed.
• Following the meeting, the Returning Officer (Torbay Council) must be notified and they shall consider whether or not a poll can be held.
• If a poll is validated, it must take place between 14 and 25 working days after the meeting where the poll was demanded.
• Whilst the poll has been demanded by the electors, it is the Town Council that will have to pay for the cost of the poll.
• The outcome of the poll is no more and no less than an expression of the views of the electorate of the parish who have voted in the poll. It is not binding.