DirApp 240326 Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places March 2024 Final
North Ayrshire Council · 27 March 2024
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 27 March 2024 and its agenda
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 27th March 2024 North Ayrshire Council Title: Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places Purpose: To approve the outcome of the statutory review of Polling Districts and Polling Places. Recommendation: Council is recommended to a) note the conclusions and recommendations of the review of polling districts and polling places and (b) approve the venues listed in Appendix 1 as polling places for future electoral events. 1 Executive Summary 1.1 The Representation of the People Act 1983 requires Returning Officers to undertake a periodic review of Polling Districts and Polling Places within their Council area. A review of polling districts and polling places was carried out and consultations undertaken on proposals. No changes are proposed to polling districts and the proposed changes to polling places have been necessitated by the non-availability of some previous venues. 1.2 Council is asked to note the outcome of the review and approve the proposals for polling places. 2 Background 2.1 The Representation of the People Act 1983 requires Returning Officers to undertake a periodic review of Polling Districts and Polling Places within their Council area. A review of polling districts and polling places has been carried out. Three venues utilised as polling places are not going to be available for future use due to Church of Scotland property rationalisation plans. Those venues are: • Dunn Memorial Hall, Largs. • Kilbirnie Auld Kirk Hall, Kilbirnie. • High Kirk Hall, Stevenston. 2.2 The review therefore required to consider alternative venues within the polling districts concerned.
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2.3 A public consultation was carried out asking for feedback on the list of current polling Districts and Polling Places and included the interim proposals for replacement venues. Notice of the review was placed in public facing buildings, sent to MSPs, MPs, Elected Members, accessibility groups, Community Councils, advertised in the local press and placed on the North Ayrshire Council website. 2.4 The choice of polling places is determined by a number of principles: i. In selecting polling places the Council must follow the guidance issued by the Electoral Commission. Local authorities have a duty to consider the location and accessibility of polling places to voters, and in particular to voters with a disability. ii. The Council tries, wherever possible to avoid the use of schools as polling places, to reduce or remove the inconvenience this causes to pupils, parents and the school. iii. It is important not to change polling places unless essential as this leads to confusion for voters and potentially could reduce turnout. 2.5 The initial proposals for review were advertised and consulted upon from 2nd October 2023 to 30th November 2023. The changes proposed were: • Dunn Memorial Hall, Largs, moving to Clark Memorial Hall, Largs. • Kilbirnie Auld Kirk Hall, Kilbirnie, moving to Garnock Community Social Club, Kilbirnie. • High Kirk Hall, Stevenston, moving to Ardeer Neighbourhood Centre, Stevenston. 2.6 Consultation responses were received covering the following points: • Clark Memorial Hall: Clarification was required on the venue to make it clear that the venue proposed was the church hall rather than the church. Clarification was provided during the course of the consultation period by amending the plans. Generally, this proposed venue was considered acceptable and will be clearly marked and signed on polling day. • Garnock Community Social Club: Comments in relation to this proposed venue reflected the premises being referred to locally as “the Labour Club” and whilst still in the polling district, it was a distance from the existing polling place. It was suggested that Ladeside Pavilion be considered as it is nearer to the existing polling place, is convenient for public transport having a bus stop nearby, its own car park and has no previous “affiliations” which may deter voters. Whilst Ladeside Pavilion had been considered as part of the initial review, and was discounted due to works which would require to be done to ensure it met accessibility standards, officers decided to reconsider that venue. • Ardeer Neighbourhood Centre: This is some distance from the existing polling place which could in turn deter voter turnout. Stevenston Library was proposed as an alternative.
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2.7 Following this feedback, the alternative proposals of Ladeside Pavilion, Kilbirnie, and Stevenston Library, Stevenson, were assessed by officers and considered to be suitable. In terms of Ladeside Pavilion, some adaptations are required to improve accessibility. A further period of consultation was undertaken and no further comments were received. 2.8 The finalised proposals for polling places are detailed in Appendix 1. No changes are considered necessary to polling districts. 2.9 If Council approves the proposals there is provision for appeal, for certain aggrieved parties, to the Electoral Commission on the grounds that the review does not meet the reasonable requirements of the electorate and take sufficient account of disabled access to polling stations. However, it is considered that the review does meet all statutory requirements. 3 Proposals 3.1 That Council (i) notes the conclusions and recommendations of the review of polling places and polling districts and (ii) approves the venues listed in Appendix 1 as polling places for future electoral events. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 The costs associated with hiring venues as polling places for all except Local Government elections, are reclaimed from national Governments. Human Resources 4.2 None Legal 4.3 The conduct of the review meets the statutory obligation to review polling districts and polling places in terms of the Representation of the People Act 1983. Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 Three local organisations were contacted in terms of accessibility for voters and no comments were received. All polling places are fully accessible. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 None
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Key Priorities 4.6 The review accords with the Council priority of ‘Communities and Local Democracy’ by ensuring that polling places are accessible and within polling districts to encourage participation in democracy by the local electorate. Community Wealth Building 4.7 None 5. Consultation 5.1 Consultation was undertaken with Chief Officers, Local Members, MPs, MSPs, Council employees, accessibility groups, Community Councils and notification to the public was given by newspaper advert and publication on the Council’s website. Craig Hatton Chief Executive of North Ayrshire Council For further information please contact Aileen Craig, Head of Service (Democratic Services), on 01294 324125. Background Papers None
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Page 1 of 9 Appendix 1 2023 Review of Polling Districts/Polling Places in North Ayrshire: Final Proposals CURRENT POLLING PLACE Polling District Change/ No Change Comments NEW POLLING PLACE WARD 1 NORTH COAST Barrfields Pavilion Greenock Road LARGS KA30 8QJ NA101 NO CHANGE N/A Barrfields Pavilion DA Hall The Garrison MILLPORT KA28 0AZ NA102 NO CHANGE N/A DA Hall, Millport Dunn Memorial Hall Bath Street LARGS KA30 8BL NA103 Proposal – Change to Clark Memorial Hall Change required due to Church of Scotland property rationalisation. The proposed hall provides all required facilities and is in close proximity to the previous polling place. Clark Memorial Hall Bath Street Largs KA30 8BL Directly across the road from Dunn Memorial Hall Fairlie Village Hall 72 Main Road FAIRLIE KA29 0AB NA104 NO CHANGE N/A Fairlie Village Hall Largs Campus Gymnasium Alexander Avenue LARGS KA30 9EX NA105 NO CHANGE Gymnasium used – school remains open. Largs Campus Gymnasium Skelmorlie Community Centre Skelmorlie Castle Road Skelmorlie PA17 5AH NA106 NO CHANGE N/A Skelmorlie Community Centre
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Page 2 of 9 CURRENT POLLING PLACE Polling District Change/ No Change Comments NEW POLLING PLACE WARD 1 NORTH COAST West Kilbride Community Centre Corse Street WEST KILBRIDE KA23 9AX NA107 NO CHANGE N/A West Kilbride Community Centre WARD 2 GARNOCK VALLEY Barrmill Community Centre Beith Road BARRMILL KA15 1HW NA201 NO CHANGE N/A Barmill Community Centre Beith Community Centre 45/47 Kings Road BEITH KA15 2BQ NA202 NO CHANGE N/A Beith Community Centre Beith Parish Church Hall 17 Kirk Road BEITH KA15 1EX NA203 NO CHANGE N/A Beith Parish Church Hall Bridgend Community Centre 17-19 Bridgend KILBIRNIE KA25 7DJ NA204 NO CHANGE N/A Bridgend Community Centre Dalry Primary School Sharon Street DALRY KA24 5DR NA205 NO CHANGE Community wing used - school remains open on Polling Day. Dalry Primary School Kilbirnie Auld Kirk Hall Dalry Road KILBIRNIE KA25 6HY NA206 Proposal – Ladeside Pavilion, 30 Kirkland Road, Kilbirnie KA25 6HU New venue required due to Church of Scotland property rationalisation. Proposed venue which is in the Polling District assessed as suitable with requisite facilities available. Minor upgrading will take place. Ladeside Pavilion 30 Kirkland Road Kilbirnie KA25 6HU Distance 0.3 miles from Auld Kirk
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Page 3 of 9 CURRENT POLLING PLACE Polling District Change/ No Change Comments NEW POLLING PLACE WARD 2 GARNOCK VALLEY St. Bridget’s Primary School Hagthorn Avenue KILBIRNIE KA25 6EJ NA207 NO CHANGE School in closed on polling day. St. Bridget’s Primary School WARD 3 ARDROSSAN Ardrossan Civic Centre 150 Glasgow Street ARDROSSAN KA22 8EU NA301 NO CHANGE N/A Ardrossan Civic Centre Park Parish Church Hall Dalry Road Ardrossan KA22 7LD NA302 NO CHANGE N/A Park Parish Church Hall Whitlees Community Centre Carrick Place ARDROSSAN KA22 7DT NA303 NO CHANGE N/A Whitlees Community Centre WARD 4 ARRAN Brodick Hall Brodick ISLE OF ARRAN KA27 8DL NA401 NO CHANGE N/A Brodick Hall Corrie and Sannox Hall Corrie ISLE OF ARRAN KA27 8JB NA402 NO CHANGE N/A Corrie and Sannox Hall Kilmory Hall ISLE OF ARRAN KA27 8PQ NA403 NO CHANGE N/A Kilmory Hall
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Page 4 of 9 CURRENT POLLING PLACE Polling District Change/ No Change Comments NEW POLLING PLACE WARD 4 ARRAN Lamlash Primary School Mackelvie Road Lamlash ISLE OF ARRAN KA27 8NP NA404 NO CHANGE Side wing used – school remains open on polling day. Lamlash Primary School Lochranza Village Hall Lochranza ISLE OF ARRAN KA27 8HL NA405 NO CHANGE N/A Lochranza Village Hall Shiskine Hall Torbeg Shiskine ISLE OF ARRAN KA27 8HE NA406 NO CHANGE N/A Shiskine Hall Whiting Bay Hall Shore Road Whiting Bay ISLE OF ARRAN KA27 8PR NA407 NO CHANGE N/A Whiting Bay Hall WARD 5 SALTCOATS & STEVENSTON Ardeer Neighbourhood Centre Shore Road Ardeer STEVENSTON KA20 3NB NA501 NO CHANGE N/A Ardeer Neighbourhood Centre Argyle Community Centre Campbell Avenue SALTCOATS KA21 5AF NA502 NO CHANGE N/A Argyle Community Centre
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Page 5 of 9 CURRENT POLLING PLACE Polling District Change/ No Change Comments NEW POLLING PLACE WARD 5 SALTCOATS & STEVENSTON Dykesmains Primary School Simpson Drive Saltcoats KA21 6EY NA503 NO CHANGE School is closed on polling day. Dykesmains Primary School Hayocks Community Centre Hyslop Road STEVENSTON KA20 4HS NA504 NO CHANGE N/A Hayocks Community Centre High Kirk Hall Schoolwell Street STEVENSTON KA20 3DL NA505 PROPOSAL - Change to Stevenston Library, 1 Main Street, Stevenston KA20 3AB High Kirk Hall, Stevenston, will no longer available for use due to Church of Scotland property rationalisation. Library will be closed the afternoon before polling day, polling day and morning after polling day. Stevenston Library 1 Main Street Stevenston KA20 3AB Distance 0.2 miles from High Kirk St Anthony’s Primary School Dykesmains Road SALTCOATS KA21 6DE NA506 NO CHANGE School is closed on polling day. St Anthony’s Primary School Mayfield Primary School Kenilworth Drive SALTCOATS KA21 6HS NA507 & NA508 NO CHANGE School remains open with traffic management arrangements in place. Mayfield Primary School
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Page 6 of 9 CURRENT POLLING PLACE Polling District Change/ No Change Comments NEW POLLING PLACE WARD 6 KILWINNING Cranberry Moss Community Centre Cambusdoon Place KILWINNING KA13 6SL NA601 NO CHANGE N/A Cranberry Moss Community Centre Dirran’s Centre Dirrans Terrace KILWINNING KA13 7PH NA602 NO CHANGE N/A Dirran’s Centre Mansefield Trinity Church West Doura Way KILWINNING KA13 6DY NA603 NO CHANGE N/A Mansefield Trinity Church Nethermains Community Centre Nethermains Road KILWINNING KA13 6ES NA604 NO CHANGE N/A Nethermains Community Centre William Love Memorial Hall Moncur Road KILWINNING KA13 7LD NA605 & NA606 NO CHANGE N/A William Love Memorial Hall Woodwynd Hall David Gage Street KILWINNING KA13 7EF NA607 NO CHANGE NA Woodwynd Hall
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Page 7 of 9 CURRENT POLLING PLACE Polling District Change/ No Change Comments NEW POLLING PLACE WARD 7 IRVINE WEST Castlepark Community Centre 4 Castlepark Road IRVINE KA12 9LQ NA701 NO CHANGE N/A Castlepark Community Centre Redburn Centre Dickson Drive IRVINE KA12 9EW NA702 NO CHANGE N/A Redburn Centre St. Mark’s Primary School Clark Drive IRVINE KA12 0NS NA703 NO CHANGE Due to the size and layout of St. Mark’s Primary School it is not possible to allow the school to operate on Polling Day. This school will therefore continue to close on Polling Day. St Mark’s Primary School Vineburgh Centre Quarry Road IRVINE KA12 0PS NA704 NO CHANGE N/A Vineburgh Centre Volunteer Rooms High Street IRVINE KA12 0BA NA705 & NA706 NO CHANGE N/A Volunteer Rooms
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Page 8 of 9 CURRENT POLLING PLACE Polling District Change/ No Change Comments NEW POLLING PLACE WARD 8 IRVINE EAST Lanfine Community Centre Lanfine Terrace IRVINE KA11 1BT NA801 NO CHANGE N/A Lanfine Community Centre Littlestane Community Hall Littlestane Road IRVINE KA11 2EX NA802 NO CHANGE N/A Littlestane Community Centre Annick Primary School (formerly Stanecastle Primary School) Benslie Rise Girdle Toll IRVINE KA11 1BQ NA803 NO CHANGE Early Years area (new extension) used. School remains open. Annick Primary School Towerlands Community Centre Towerlands Farm Road IRVINE KA11 1PY NA804 NO CHANGE N/A Towerlands Community Centre WARD 9 IRVINE SOUTH Drybridge Community Centre Main Street Drybridge IRVINE KA11 5BY NA901 NO CHANGE N/A Drybridge Community Centre Elderbank Primary School St Kilda Bank IRVINE KA11 1LA NA902 NO CHANGE School remains open on polling day. Elderbank Primary School
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Page 9 of 9 CURRENT POLLING PLACE Polling District Change/ No Change Comments NEW POLLING PLACE WARD 9 IRVINE SOUTH Fullarton Community Hub 1 School Lane IRVINE KA12 8DF NA903 NO CHANGE N/A Fullarton Community Hub Springside Community Centre Overtoun Road Springside IRVINE KA11 3BG NA904 NO CHANGE N/A Springside Community Centre Townend Community Centre 15 Townfoot Dreghorn IRVINE KA11 4EQ N905 NO CHANGE N/A Townend Community Centre