FIVE schools will no longer have to close on election day after changes to polling stations were approved

Queen’s Park, Hertford Infant, St Paul’s and Middle Street schools in Brighton and Cottesmore St Mary’s Catholic School in Hove have all had to either fully or partly close when used as polling stations.

Following a public consultation by Brighton and Hove City Council, these schools are among a handful of locations which will no longer be used as polling stations.

Seven schools in the city will still be used as polling stations. Six of these already remain open on polling day and the seventh, Downs Infant School, is trialling staying open by making changes including not serving hot lunches.

The policy and resources committee heard the changes will definitely be in place by the next scheduled election, May’s police and crime commissioner election.

It’s also possible they may be made in time should a general election be called this December.

The move follows a public consultation by the city council that took place between August 23 and September 13 after more than 450 parents signed a petition asking to move polling stations out of schools.

Concerns were raised about the move from Queen’s Park Primary to Brighton Youth Centre, but councillors were assured the distances was less than 500 metres.

Polling will continue to take place in a temporary building in Preston Park as no alternative could be found.

The changes to school polling stations are:

Voters in Queen’s Park ward who previously went to Queen’s Park Primary School in Park Street, would be moved to Brighton Youth Centre in Edward Street.

Voters who used to go to Hertford Infant School in Hertford Road, will be sent to City Gate at The Dip.

Voters who used to go to St Paul’s CE School in St Nicholas Road will be sent to the Brightelm Church and Community Centre where a double polling station will be in operation.

Regency ward voters who went to Middle Street Primary School will now go to Brighton Town Hall.

Voters in Goldsmid and Hove Park wards who used to vote at Cottesmore St Mary’s Primary School in The Upper Drive will go to Hove Rugby Club.

Bhasvic refectory will be replaced by Possibility Place in Windlesham Avenue.

In South Portslade ward the Easthill House polling station in Easthill Park is moving to St Nicholas Parish Centre in South Street.

People who used to vote at the Fountain Centre, Patcham and in a temporary building at the junction of Carden Hill and Lyminster Avenue, will now go to St Thomas More Church Hall in Braybon Avenue. The new venue has step-free access and space for two polling stations.