Statutory Review of Polling Places and Polling Districts & Appendices
Renfrewshire Council · 28 September 2023
Back to Council — 28 September 2023 and its agenda
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Council On: 28 September 2023 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Finance and Resources ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Statutory Review of Polling Places and Polling Districts ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 In terms of the Representation of the People Act, 1983, as amended, local authorities are required to divide their area into polling districts for the purposes of parliamentary and other elections and to designate polling places for these polling districts and keep them under review. 1.2 The Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, further amended the Representation of the People Act 1983 by introducing a statutory duty for all polling districts and polling places to be reviewed by the end of January 2015 and at least every 5 years thereafter. 1.3 The current polling arrangements following the previous statutory review were approved by Council on 5 December 2019, for use in all elections thereafter in the period to the next review. 1.4 In conducting the review, authorities must: (a) seek to ensure that all electors in the constituency have such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances; and (b) seek to ensure that so far as is reasonable and practical, the polling places they are responsible for are accessible to all electors, including those who are disabled, and when considering the designation of a polling place, must have regard to the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities.
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1.5 In that regard, a notice was published giving details of the timetable for and scope of the review, and the consultation process and inviting comments on the current arrangements. In addition, notice was given to key groups, including councillors, Council departments, community councils, Renfrewshire Valuation Board, the local Disability Liaison Group and Capability Scotland for their interest. 1.6 A note of the one comment received and the consideration which has been given to it in preparing this draft scheme is attached as Appendix 1 to this report. This Appendix also sets out alternative arrangements for two polling places that have become unavailable since the last review in 2019: it is suggested that the Tannahill Centre replaces St Ninian’s Church Centre and Our Lady of Peace Primary School replaces Linwood Parish Church Hall. Appendix 2 identifies local housing developments that might impact on polling arrangements. 1.7 A preliminary polling scheme showing the polling places is also attached as appendix 3 for consideration and adoption for formal public consultation. 1.8 It is a requirement that the Returning Officer shall comment on the proposals. The draft polling scheme presented here has been the subject of consultation with the Returning Officer who has endorsed the proposals. 1.9 At the meeting of Council held on 22 June 2023 a timetable for the review process was agreed and this is set out in paragraph 3.5 of this report. ________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 Council is asked to consider the approval of the polling places as set out in the appendices to this report as the draft polling scheme for public consultation. _________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The Representation of the People Act 1983 as amended by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, introduced a duty for all polling districts and polling places to be reviewed by the end of January 2015 and at least five yearly thereafter. 3.2 Here in Renfrewshire, the polling districts and polling places were last reviewed and approved by Council in December 2019. 3.3 Although the review is conducted on the basis of UK parliamentary constituencies the proposed polling district boundaries and polling places shown in the appendices to this report also align with the Scottish Parliamentary constituency boundaries and accommodate council ward boundaries, thus avoiding the necessity for differing polling schemes for different types of election.
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3.4 It should be noted that the Scottish Parliamentary constituency boundaries for Paisley, Renfrewshire North and West, and Renfrewshire South include parts of East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Councils’ areas. These Councils will review the polling districts and polling places for these areas as part of their own authorities’ statutory reviews. 3.5 The timetable for the conduct of the review in Renfrewshire is as follows: 1 Notice Published I June 2023 2 Representations by interested parties were sought by 1 August 2023 3 Council will consider a report on the initial proposals on 28 September 2023 4 The Council will consider all representations received and will produce draft proposals for public consultation by 2 October 2023 5 Further comments/suggestions on these proposals must be received by 1 December 2023 6 Final proposals, having regard to any comments/suggestions received will be considered by Council on 14 December 2023 3.6 In accordance with the timetable, public notice was given in the week commencing 1 June 2023 of the Council’s intention to undertake the review and inviting preliminary comments on the existing polling arrangements. 3.7 Public notice was given by advertisement in local libraries, the Council’s website, and Council offices, and maps and documents showing the current polling arrangements were made available for public inspection. 3.8 In addition, individual notice was given to councillors, community councils, the local Disability Liaison Group and Capability Scotland, for their interest. 3.9 An inspection of polling places has been carried out by officers prior to this meeting of Council with regard to location, suitability of access and availability. 3.10 To date all polling places have been found to be fully accessible by persons with disabilities either through existing permanent arrangements in place or enhanced by temporary ramping or additional signage where possible. 3.11 Arising from the preliminary consultation exercise, only one comment has been received, from Johnstone Community Council, advising that it had no objections to the proposals. 3.12 In relation to the review of polling districts, the 2023 Review of UK Parliament Constituencies Boundary Commission for Scotland Final Recommendations were laid before Parliament on 28 June 2023. The UK Government is required within a four month period to submit to the Privy Council an Order that gives effect to recommendations of the four UK Commissions. The recommendations will inevitably result in the renaming of a number of polling districts within Renfrewshire.
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Details of this element of the statutory review will be included within the report to be submitted to the meeting of Council to be held on 14 December 2023. 3.13 In terms of the statutory review, the Returning Officer is required to comment on the proposals. Although the location of the proposed polling districts and polling places are the responsibility of the local authority, the number and location of the polling stations within the polling places is the responsibility of the Returning Officer, and it is recommended by the Electoral Commission that the review process be undertaken in a joint manner in recognition of the fact that, although the Returning Officer is an officer of the local authority, it is a distinct role and the responsibility for conducting the review rests with the local authority. Accordingly, the proposals presented here represent the joint view of the officers and the Returning Officer. 3.14 Following approval of the proposals, a further public consultation exercise will take place in which the draft proposals will be published and further detailed comments invited from the public generally, the organisations and individuals contacted in the preliminary stage, and any others who have responded to or commented upon the proposals at that stage. 3.15 In conclusion therefore it is recommended that the polling places and polling stations instanced in appendices 3 and 4 to this report be approved for public consultation and the comments received to date, and their disposal, be noted. 3.16 It should also be noted that, in seeking final approval of the polling arrangements in December 2023 it will be proposed that the approval extends to the adoption of these arrangements for any election called thereafter until the next review and, in accordance with normal practice, delegated authority will be sought for the Chief Executive to alter or amend any polling place if an approved place becomes unavailable or unviable, e.g. through fire, flood, pandemic or otherwise. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - none. 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – none 4. Legal – none 5. Property/Assets - the current Polling Plan involves the use of various council properties and consultation will take place with the appropriate officers as part of review. 6. Information Technology – none
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7. Equality & Human Rights – (a) The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety - the premises currently used as polling places have been inspected and appropriate arrangements and/or adaptations have been made as necessary to obviate risk to staff and voters. 9. Procurement – none 10. Risk – n/a 11. Privacy Impact – none 12. Cosla Policy Position – none _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers 6 (a) . ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Dave Low Democratic Services Manager 0141 487 1118 David.low@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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APPENDIX 1 Respondent Polling Place Suggestion/Comment Johnstone Community Council All polling places within the Johnstone CC area No objections Evaluation N/A Recommendation N/A Respondent Polling Place Suggestion/Comment N/A St Ninian’s Hall That the Tannahill Centre replace St Ninian’s as the polling place for the relevant polling district(s) Evaluation St Ninian’s Hall became unavailable following approval of the last polling plan in 2019. Utilising delegated powers, it was possible to change the polling place to the Tannahill Centre which is located nearby. The Tannahill Centre has been used as a polling place for the last two elections without incident or comment. Recommendation That the Tannahill Centre become the polling place for the relevant polling district(s). Respondent Polling Place Suggestion/Comment N/A Linwood Parish Church Hall That Our Lady of Peace Primary School replace Linwood Parish Church Hall for the relevant polling district(s) Evaluation Linwood Parish Church Hall became unavailable as a result of serious vandalism following approval of the last polling plan in 2019. Utilising delegated powers, it was possible to change the polling place in the first instance to Linwood High
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School for the Scottish Parliamentary Election in 2021. When the High School became unavailable as a result of an exam diet, Our Lady of Peace Primary School was used for the Scottish Local Government Elections in 2022. The School was used without incident or comment While the date of the next UK Parliamentary Election cannot be determined, the dates for the next Scottish Parliamentary and Scottish Local Government elections are known. The current practice of aligning school in-service days would help minimise the impact of elections upon school life. Recommendation That Our Lady of Peace Primary School, Linwood become the polling place for the relevant polling district(s).
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APPENDIX 2 Relevant Council services were consulted to identify planned developments which might impact on polling arrangements. New dwellings may not necessarily result in a significant increase in electors as the majority of new dwelling sales go to people already resident in Renfrewshire. These changes should also be viewed in the context of the National Records of Scotland population projections which suggest an overall population growth for Renfrewshire from 177,790 to 182,256 (2.5%) between 2018-2028. Against this backdrop, 9 wards have been identified which may experience high levels of new house building over the five year period of this review. These wards, the number of new dwellings, and the estimated increases in electors are as follows: Ward New dwellings New population* Additional Electorate** 1. Renfrew North & Braehead 306 630 473 2. Renfrew South & Gallowhill 29 60 45 3. Paisley Northeast & Ralston 5 10 8 4. Paisley Northwest 527 1086 815 5. Paisley East & Central 462 952 714 6. Paisley Southeast 140 288 216 7. Paisley Southwest 36 74 56 8. Johnstone South & Elderslie 374 770 578 9. Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood & Lochwinnoch 104 214 161 10. Houston, Crosslee & Linwood 410 845 634 11. Bishopton, Bridge of Weir & Langbank 1293 2664 1998 12. Erskine & Inchinnan 116 239 179 Total 3,802 7,832 5,877 Note * Based on average number of persons per household of 2.06. Note ** Based on 75% of estimated population. These increases should be able to be accommodated within the existing arrangements.
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Appendix 3 Polling District Reference Existing Polling Place Proposed Polling Place Comments NN01 Renfrew Town Hall & Museum Renfrew Cross Renfrew PA4 8PF Renfrew Town Hall & Museum Renfrew Cross Renfrew PA4 8PF No change NN02 Kirklandneuk Community Centre Ness Road Renfrew PA4 9DE Kirklandneuk Community Centre Ness Road Renfrew PA4 9DE No change NN03 Renfrew Town Hall & Museum Renfrew Cross Renfrew PA4 8PF Renfrew Town Hall & Museum Renfrew Cross Renfrew PA4 8PF No change NN04 McMaster Centre Robertson Park Donaldson Drive Renfrew PA4 8LX McMaster Centre Robertson Park Donaldson Drive Renfrew PA4 8LX No change NN05 King George V Sports Pavilion Dean Park Road Renfrew PA4 0AN King George V Sports Pavilion Dean Park Road Renfrew PA4 0AN No change NN06 St. James' Primary School Brown Street Renfrew Renfrewshire PA4 8HL St. James' Primary School Brown Street Renfrew Renfrewshire PA4 8HL No change NN07 Gallowhill Community Centre 210 Netherhill Road Paisley PA3 4SF Gallowhill Community Centre 210 Netherhill Road Paisley PA3 4SF No change NN08 Glynhill Hotel 169 Paisley Road Renfrew PA4 8XB Glynhill Hotel 169 Paisley Road Renfrew PA4 8XB No change NN09 Arkleston Primary School 125 Cockels Loan Renfrew PA4 0EL Arkleston Primary School 125 Cockels Loan Renfrew PA4 0EL No change NN10 Newmains Primary School 8a Lang Avenue Renfrew PA4 0DA Newmains Primary School 8a Lang Avenue Renfrew PA4 0DA No change NN11 St James' Primary School 10 Brown Street Renfrew PA4 8HL St James' Primary School 10 Brown Street Renfrew PA4 8HL No change NN12 St Catherine's Primary School 28a Brabloch Crescent Paisley PA3 4RG St Catherine's Primary School 28a Brabloch Crescent Paisley PA3 4RG No change NP01 Williamsburgh Primary School Lacy Street Paisley PA1 1QF Williamsburgh Primary School Lacy Street Paisley PA1 1QF No change Proposed Revisals to Polling Places Ward 1 ‐ (Renfrew North and Braehead) Ward 2 ‐ Renfrew South and Gallowhill Ward 3 ‐ Paisley Northeast and Ralston
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Polling District Reference Existing Polling Place Proposed Polling Place Comments NP02 Ralston Community Sports Centre Penilee Road Ralston Paisley PA1 3AX Ralston Community Sports Centre Penilee Road Ralston Paisley PA1 3AX No change NP03 Ralston Community Centre 6 Allanton Avenue Paisley PA1 3BL Ralston Community Centre 6 Allanton Avenue Paisley PA1 3BL No change SP01 Williamsburgh Primary School Lacy Street Paisley PA1 1QF Williamsburgh Primary School Lacy Street Paisley PA1 1QF No change NN13 Beechwood Community Centre 26 Shortroods Road Paisley PA3 2NT Beechwood Community Centre 26 Shortroods Road Paisley PA3 2NT No change NP04 Beechwood Community Centre 26 Shortroods Road Paisley PA3 2NT Beechwood Community Centre 26 Shortroods Road Paisley PA3 2NT No change NP05 Disability Resource Centre Love Street Paisley Renfrewshire PA3 2EA Disability Resource Centre Love Street Paisley Renfrewshire PA3 2EA No change Please note that the Resource Centre was not available for the last election NP06 St Ninian's Church (St Ninian's Centre) 85 Blackstoun Road Paisley PA3 1NR Tannahaill Centre 76 Blackstoun Road Paisley PA3 1NT Change to polling place SP02 Martyrs Church Hall 5 King Street Paisley PA1 2LS Martyrs Church Hall 5 King Street Paisley PA1 2LS No change SP03 St Mary's Primary School 4 Maxwellton Road Paisley PA1 2RJ St Mary's Primary School 4 Maxwellton Road Paisley PA1 2RJ No change SP04 St Charles Church Hall 5 Union Street Paisley PA2 6DU St Charles Church Hall 5 Union Street Paisley PA2 6DU No change SP05 St Ninian's Church (St Ninian's Centre) 85 Blackstoun Road Paisley PA3 1NR Tannahaill Centre 76 Blackstoun Road Paisley PA3 1NT Change to polling place SP06 West End Community Centre 5A Underwood Lane Paisley PA1 2SL West End Community Centre 5A Underwood Lane Paisley PA1 2SL No change SP07 St Andrew's Academy 125 Barrhead Road Paisley PA2 7LG St Andrew's Academy 125 Barrhead Road Paisley PA2 7LG No change SP08 Hunterhill Community Centre Blackford Road Paisley PA2 7EP Hunterhill Community Centre Blackford Road Paisley PA2 7EP No change SP09 Paisley Marriage Suite Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1BU Paisley Marriage Suite Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1BU No change SP10 Todholm Primary School 260 Lochfield Road Paisley PA2 7JE Todholm Primary School 260 Lochfield Road Paisley PA2 7JE No change SP11 South End Action Centre Stock Street Paisley PA2 6NL South End Action Centre Stock Street Paisley PA2 6NL No change Ward 4 ‐ Paisley Northwest Ward 5 ‐ Paisley East and Central
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Polling District Reference Existing Polling Place Proposed Polling Place Comments SP12 Williamsburgh Primary School Lacy Street Paisley Renfrewshire PA1 1QF Williamsburgh Primary School Lacy Street Paisley Renfrewshire PA1 1QF No change SP13 Glenburn Community Centre 30 Fairway Avenue Paisley PA2 8DX Glenburn Community Centre 30 Fairway Avenue Paisley PA2 8DX No change SP14 Glenburn Resource Centre 19 Donaldswood Road Paisley PA2 8EA Glenburn Resource Centre 19 Donaldswood Road Paisley PA2 8EA No change SP15 Bushes Primary School Grampian Avenue Paisley PA2 8DW Bushes Primary School Grampian Avenue Paisley PA2 8DW No change SP16 South Parish Church, Rowan Street, Paisley, PA2 6RZ South Parish Church, Rowan Street, Paisley, PA2 6RZ No change (formerly known as Lylesland Church) SP17 St Charles Church Hall 5 Union Street Paisley PA2 6DU St Charles Church Hall 5 Union Street Paisley PA2 6DU No change SP18 Brediland Community Centre 30 Cardell Road Paisley PA2 9AF Brediland Community Centre 30 Cardell Road Paisley PA2 9AF No change SP19 Brediland Primary School 9 Achray Drive Paisley PA2 9DJ Brediland Primary School 9 Achray Drive Paisley PA2 9DJ No change SP20 Foxbar Rivers Community Building Spey Avenue Paisley PA2 0PA Foxbar Rivers Community Building Spey Avenue Paisley PA2 0PA No change SP21 Heriot Primary School 10 Heriot Avenue Paisley PA2 0DS Heriot Primary School 10 Heriot Avenue Paisley PA2 0DS No change SP22 Foxbar Community Centre 30 Amochrie Road Paisley PA2 0LB Foxbar Community Centre 30 Amochrie Road Paisley PA2 0LB No change SP23 Langcraigs Primary School 245 Glenfield Road Paisley PA2 8QE Langcraigs Primary School 245 Glenfield Road Paisley PA2 8QE No change SS01 Elderslie Village Hall Elderslie Village Hall No change SS02 Johnstone Castle Community Centre Pine Crescent Johnstone PA5 0BX Johnstone Castle Community Centre Pine Crescent Johnstone PA5 0BX No change SS03 St David's Primary School West Johnstone Shared Campus Beith Road Johnstone PA5 0BB St David's Primary School West Johnstone Shared Campus Beith Road Johnstone PA5 0BB No change Ward 6 ‐ Paisley Southeast Ward 7 ‐ Paisley Southwest Ward 8 ‐ Johnstone South and Elderslie
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Polling District Reference Existing Polling Place Proposed Polling Place Comments SS04 Cochrane Castle Community Centre 1 Burns Drive Johnstone PA5 0HJ Cochrane Castle Community Centre 1 Burns Drive Johnstone PA5 0HJ No change SS05 Fordbank Primary School, 23B Teviot Terrace, Johnstone, PA5 0NP Fordbank Primary School, 23B Teviot Terrace, Johnstone, PA5 0NP No change SS06 Spateston Bowling Club Spateston Road Johnstone PA5 0SX Spateston Bowling Club Spateston Road Johnstone PA5 0SX No change SS07 Thorn Primary School 4A Thorn Brae Johnstone PA5 8HE Thorn Primary School 4A Thorn Brae Johnstone PA5 8HE No change NP07 Elderslie Village Hall Stoddard Square, Elderslie, PA6 9AS Elderslie Village Hall Stoddard Square, Elderslie, PA6 9AS No change NP08 St Ninian's Church (St Ninian's Centre) 85 Blackstoun Road Paisley PA3 1NR Tannahaill Centre 76 Blackstoun Road Paisley PA3 1NT No change SS08 Howwood Village Hall 10 Station Road Howwood PA9 1BB Howwood Village Hall 10 Station Road Howwood PA9 1BB No change SS09 St Margaret's Church Hall 49 Graham Street Johnstone PA5 8RA St Margaret's Church Hall 49 Graham Street Johnstone PA5 8RA No change SS10 Johnstone Town Hall 26 Church Street Johnstone PA5 8EG Johnstone Town Hall 26 Church Street Johnstone PA5 8EG No change SS11 Thorn Primary School 4A Thorn Brae Johnstone PA5 8HE Thorn Primary School 4A Thorn Brae Johnstone PA5 8HE No change SS12 McKillop Institute 2 Main Street Lochwinnoch PA12 4AJ McKillop Institute 2 Main Street Lochwinnoch PA12 4AJ No change SS13 Kilbarchan Scout Hall Barn Green Kilbarchan PA10 2HG Kilbarchan Scout Hall Barn Green Kilbarchan PA10 2HG No change NN14 Houston and Killellan Kirk Halls. Houston and Killellan Kirk Halls. No change NS01 Tweedie Hall Ardlamont Square Linwood Paisley Renfrewshire PA3 3DE Tweedie Hall Ardlamont Square Linwood Paisley Renfrewshire PA3 3DE No change NS01 Tweedie Hall Ardlamont Square Linwood Paisley Renfrewshire PA3 3DE Tweedie Hall Ardlamont Square Linwood Paisley Renfrewshire PA3 3DE No change NS02 Linwood Parish Church Blackwood Avenue Linwood PA3 3JX Our Lady of Peace Primary School, Erskinefauld Road,Linwood PA3 3PR Change to polling place NS03 Brookfield Village Hall 45 Woodside Road Brookfield PA5 8UB Brookfield Village Hall 45 Woodside Road Brookfield PA5 8UB No change Ward 9 ‐ Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch Ward 10 ‐ Houston, Crosslee and Linwood
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Polling District Reference Existing Polling Place Proposed Polling Place Comments NS04 Houston & Killelan Kirk Halls,Main Street Houston, PA6 7EL Houston and Killellan Kirk Halls Main Street Houston, PA6 7EL No change SS14 Linwood Parish Church, Blackwood Avenue Linwood PA3 3PY Our Lady of Peace Primary School, Erskinefauld Road,Linwood PA3 3PR Change to polling place SS15 Brookfield Village Hall 45 Woodside Road Brookfield PA5 8UB Brookfield Village Hall 45 Woodside Road Brookfield PA5 8UB No change SS16 Brookfield Village Hall 45 Woodside Road Brookfield PA5 8UB Brookfield Village Hall 45 Woodside Road Brookfield PA5 8UB No change NN15 Bridge of Weir Primary School 7 Warlock Road Bridge of Weir PA11 3QB Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Crescent, Bridge of Weir, Pa11 3LJ No change NN16 Langbank Village Centre 51 Middlepenny Road Langbank PA14 6XB Langbank Village Centre 51 Middlepenny Road Langbank PA14 6XB No change NN17 Dargavel Primary School, Arrochar Drive, Bishopton, PA7 5HP Dargavel Primary School, Arrochar Drive, Bishopton, PA7 5HP No change NN18 Bishopton Community Centre 25 Gledstane Road Bishopton PA7 5AU Bishopton Community Centre 25 Gledstane Road Bishopton PA7 5AU No change NN19 Bishopton Community Centre 25 Gledstane Road Bishopton PA7 5AU Bishopton Community Centre 25 Gledstane Road Bishopton PA7 5AU No change SN01 Cargill Hall Lintwhite Crescent Bridge of Weir PA11 3LJ Cargill Hall Lintwhite Crescent Bridge of Weir PA11 3LJ No change NN20 Inchinnan Primary School 96 Old Greenock Road Inchinnan PA4 9PH Inchinnan Primary School 96 Old Greenock Road Inchinnan PA4 9PH No change ‐ please note that Inchinnan Parish Church was used for the last two elections NN21 Erskine Baptist Church. Erskine Baptist Church. No change NN22 St Anne's Primary School 97 Park Drive Erskine PA8 7AL St Anne's Primary School 97 Park Drive Erskine PA8 7AL No change NN23 Bargarran Primary School 4 Barrhill Road Erskine PA8 6BX Bargarran Primary School 4 Barrhill Road Erskine PA8 6BX No change Ward 12 ‐ Erskine and Inchinnan Ward 11 ‐ Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank
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Polling District Reference Existing Polling Place Proposed Polling Place Comments