Item 15 Interim Review of Polling Districts and Polling Stations 2025
West Dunbartonshire Council · 18 June 2025
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer – Regulatory & Regeneration Council: 18 June 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: Interim Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places 2025 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek the Council’s approval to conduct an interim review of polling districts and polling places within its area and to outline the timetable and processes for carrying out this review. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Council: (a) approves the Notice of Review and timetable as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; and (b) notes that a report containing the final proposals and representations will be submitted for approval to the meeting of Council in October 2025. 3. Background 3.1 The previous scheme of polling districts and polling places approved by this Council was published in December 2023, following a full review of the scheme which is required every five years. This interim review is necessary to update the scheme as some of the existing polling places are no longer available to the Council and there has been a small change to the boundary line between the Dumbarton and Clydebank and Milngavie Scottish Parliamentary constituencies which will affect the existing polling districts. 4. Main Issues 4.1 The updated electoral registers will be published on 1 December 2025 and therefore the review requires to be completed in ample time for any changes affecting polling districts to be included in the revised registers. 4.2 A copy of the proposed timetable and public notice for the conduct of the review is attached as Appendix 1 to this report, for approval. Appendix 2 provides, for information, a list of those polling places approved following the review in 2023. Members will note that alternative polling places were also proposed for those polling places subject to lease or transfer or closure. ITEM 15
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4.3 When carrying out such a review, the Council is required by law to consult the local Parliamentary Returning Officer, who must submit representations to the authority on the polling scheme. These representations must be published by the authority with relevant parties being given the opportunity to comment on them. The Returning Officer’s representations will be published on the Council’s website and made available in offices and libraries in accordance with the proposed timetable. A copy of the Returning Officer’s representations will also be issued, for comment, to all elected members and a range of local organisations which represent disabled people, elderly people and ethnic minorities. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no implications for employees of this Council. 6. Financial Implications 6.1 There are no financial implications arising from the consultation but there may be some implications from any proposals to be considered in due course. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 The Council is expected to review its polling scheme on a regular basis to ensure it is fit for purpose. Failure to do so could result in reputational damage to the Council. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 The Council must ensure that, so far as is reasonable and practicable, every polling place within the area is accessible to electors who are disabled. Accordingly, local organisations representing disabled people, the elderly and other groups will be invited to comment on the Returning Officer’s representations and thereafter an EIA will be completed for consideration prior to the revised scheme being approved. 9. Consultation 9.1 Officers from legal and finance have been consulted on the content of this report. 9.2 A formal public consultation will take place once the Returning Officer’s representations are made available for inspection in August 2025. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 This report does not have a direct impact on the Council’s Strategic priorities. Alan Douglas Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration Date: 1 May 2025
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Person to Contact: George Hawthorn, Manager, Democratic and Registration Services. Telephone 01389 737204 or e-mail: george.hawthorn@west- dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: 1. Proposed public notice and timetable for the review of polling districts and polling places. 2. List of approved Polling Places following the full review in 2023. Background Papers: None Wards Affected: Those wards affected will be identified during the review and specified in a future report to the Council.
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Appendix 1 WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL INTERIM REVIEW OF POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES 1. Notice is hereby given that the Council is carrying out an interim review of polling districts and polling places the West Dunbartonshire Council area. 2. The Returning Officer will make comment on the proposed polling places. 3. Electors in the West Dunbartonshire Council area may make representations on the Council’s proposals or on the Returning Officer’s comments. 4. The Council particularly welcomes representations from any person or organisation with expertise in access for persons with disabilities. 5. Persons or organisations making representations should, if possible, suggest alternative locations for the polling places. 6. A list of proposed polling places will be made available online at https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/council/voting-and-elections or for inspection at main libraries and at the Council Offices, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton. 7. Any representations should be addressed in writing to Alan Douglas, Chief Officer, Regulatory & Regeneration by email to elections@west- dunbarton.gov.uk or by letter to the Council Offices, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton. . 8. Proposals will be available in accordance with the following timetable: Existing arrangements available for inspection and commencement of the review. 25 August 2025 Publication of the Returning Officer’s representations. 25 August 2025 Closing date for representations by electors and consultees. 5 October 2025 Proposals submitted to Council Meeting. 29 October 2025 Publication of final proposals 1 December 2025 Peter Hessett Chief Executive