Theale Parish Poll - Thursday 6 November 2025

What is a parish poll?

A parish poll is similar to a referendum on a local issue. The Local Government Act 1972 provides for a ballot of registered electors to be called on any question arising at a parish meeting in England. 

What is a parish meeting? 

A parish meeting is a meeting of the people of the parish. It's different to a council meeting which is a meeting of the parish councillors. People attending parish meetings must be registered electors for that parish.

A parish poll can only be demanded at a parish meeting, not a meeting of parish councillors. 

Demand for a poll 

Polls can be requested during a parish meeting with the consent of the person presiding at the meeting or by at least ten electors or one-third of attendees, whichever is lower.

Once demanded, the poll cannot be withdrawn and it encompasses all local government electors in the parish. 

The question and its formulation

The parish meeting must agree on the question's wording, which should be clear and capable of a 'YES' or 'NO' response. 

The question must relate to parish affairs and cannot be changed once agreed.

The question for this poll is: 

"Do you wish for Theale Parish to remain within West Berkshire Council boundary?"

 

Theale Parish Poll Notice of Election [102KB]

Poll organisation and timing

The person presiding at the meeting must notify the principal council, which appoints a Returning Officer (RO) to organise the poll. 
The person presiding at the meeting must provide the RO with: 

• the question 
• the name and address of the proposer of the question 
• the date of the parish meeting. 

The poll date is set between 14 and 25 days after the day on which the poll is demanded. 

Key differences to other polls 

• Polling hours are from 4pm to 9pm.
• Voting is in person only. There is no provision for absent voting (postal or proxies). 
• Voter ID requirements do not apply.
• There will be no poll cards.
• The notice of poll must be published at least five days prior, detailing the date, the question, and polling station information. 
• The ballot paper will be with counterfoils which perforates the ballot paper and will be marked with official mark from a stamping instrument.

What happens once the ballot paper count has finished

When the result of the poll has been determined the RO shall: 

• declare the number of votes given for and against the question and whether the proposal to which the question relates has been carried or not
• give notice of the result of the poll to the person presiding over the meeting at which the poll was demanded
• give public notice of the declaration (number of votes given for against the question and whether the proposal has been carried or not), together with the number of rejected ballot papers under each head shown in the statement of rejected ballot papers

Who pays? 

The costs must be recharged to the parish council. 

Is the result binding?

The result is not binding on the parish council. The result may provide an indication of support for, or opposition to, specific local matters. This can help to guide decision-making. 

Polling stations and voter information

The polling stations for this poll are:

• John Cumber Hall on the High Street
• Peter Gooch Room, The Pavilion on Englefield Road (if you normally attend Theale Village Hall, this will be your polling station).

 

Theale parish poll voting area.

Information for voters

The date to register for this parish poll has passed.

If you have any queries as to whether you can vote in this election, please contact the Electoral Services team on 01635 519464 or email vote@westberks.gov.uk.

Voters with a disability 

Information about accessibility for our voters.