Item 13 - Interim Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places 2025
West Dunbartonshire Council · 29 October 2025
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration Council: 29 October 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: Interim Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places 2025 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to advise the Council of the response to the consultation on the interim review of polling districts and polling places involving the Dumbarton, Kilpatrick, Clydebank Central and Clydebank Waterfront Wards and to seek approval of the final polling scheme. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Council agrees: (a) to adopt the changes to the scheme of polling districts and polling places as shown in Appendix 1 as detailed in paragraph 4.8 to this report and to the deletion of polling district DU23C as shown in the maps in Appendix 2; and (b) to grant the Chief Executive delegated authority to vary the polling scheme where an approved polling place is no longer deemed suitable or available and a suitable contingency venue has been identified, where practicable, in consultation with local members. 3. Background 3.1 At its meeting on 18 June 2025, the Council approved the arrangements for conducting the interim review and accordingly copies of the Returning Officer’s representations were sent to the local MP, local MSPs, and a range of local community organisations including those which represent disabled and elderly people, for comment. The consultation was also published in the Council Offices, Church Street and the main libraries in the relevant areas. The deadline for submission of responses was 5 October 2025. 3.2 The review focussed primarily on those areas where the polling places were no longer available to the Council or where issues had been raised at previous elections. The election team also took the opportunity to inspect some other buildings within these districts which previously had not been available for use. Local elected members were invited to comment on these suggestions prior to the Returning Officer publishing his representations as part of the wider public consultation. ITEM 13
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3.3 This interim review focussed on: Bowling Community Hall (DU23D), West Kirk Church Hall (DU13D); Abbotsford Hotel (DU21D); Glenhead Community Centre (KP1C), Onslow Community Hall (CC10C), Parkhall Library (CC6C) and Napier Hall (CW12C). 4. Main Issues Polling Districts 4.1 There has been a small positive change to the boundary between the Clydebank and Milngavie Scottish Parliamentary constituency and Dumbarton Scottish Parliamentary constituency which now aligns the boundary with the Dumbarton Ward boundary line thus removing the need for a separate polling district (DU23C). This resolves what was an anomaly due previous changes to the Ward boundaries. The maps shown in Appendix 2 detail the proposed new boundary for polling district DU23D. Polling Places 4.2 As previously stated, in order to identify the various options which could be considered as part of this review, local members from the Dumbarton, Kilpatrick, Clydebank Central and Clydebank Waterfront Wards were asked to submit their views on some of the initial proposals put forward by the election team and were invited to suggest other alternatives, if any. 4.3 The following issues were raised in respect of the Dumbarton Ward: 4.3.1 Bowling Community Hall (DU23D) – The Council has agreed that the hall be sold or leased in order to achieve a saving and is currently on the market. If leased, the lease will include a clause requiring the hall to be used as a polling place (as has happened in other leased premises). However, there is a risk that the hall could be sold prior to the next election in May 2026 and therefore, alternatives needed to be considered. 4.3.2 West Kirk Church Hall (DU13D) – The Church of Scotland has closed West Kirk Church, but the hall remains available as a polling place until the building is sold or leased to a third party. The Concord Community Centre is the current contingency polling place. 4.3.3 Abbotsford Hotel (DU21D) – this polling place was not used during the Covid pandemic due to space limitations and prior to that time concerns had been expressed about the lighting within the room used for the poll. This was improved by the use of additional lighting supplied by the Council. However, at the recent general election, the hotel increased its price for the hire of the hall which exceeded the amount normally paid to other external venues. Therefore, views were sought on alternative venues including St. Patrick’s Primary School which was used during the Covid pandemic.
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4.3.4 Comments were received from elected members from the Dumbarton Ward as follows: Cllr Chris Pollock – For the West Kirk Church Hall I can’t really think of any suitable alternatives in that area. The Concord seems like a suitable option. If Bowling Hall was unable to be used I would say we would need a portacabin with appropriate access. I feel it is unreasonable to ask the whole village to turn out to Milton which is across a busy road and poor public transport links. Is there any space within Bowling Harbour that could be used? Could the Abbotsford be approached and asked to reduce their price as £700 is still better than nothing for them as an unused room. Cllr David McBride – I agree with the election team’s proposals regarding the Abbotsford Hotel. I believe in the other two locations we should hire a temporary Portacabin. Provost Karen Murray Conaghan – I don't believe expecting voters from Bowling to travel to Milton is fair. For those with access to a car it's perhaps more feasible but to get to Milton Hall by bus isn't easy and lots of people prefer to vote in person. It needs to be a temporary portacabin. Westbridgend - I have less of an issue with using the Concord Centre but my preference if West Kirk halls are unavailable is for a portacabin type building. With respect to the Abbotsford, I agree with using the school for planned elections. Has the Crosslet Centre been considered? It is closer to the properties on the other side of the A82 and I think it is fully accessible. 4.4 The following issue was raised in respect of the Kilpatrick Ward: 4.4.1 Glenhead Community Centre – the centre has now been leased and is undergoing a major refurbishment at present. It is not clear whether the works will be completed in time for the Scottish Parliamentary Elections in May 2026, therefore it was proposed that St. Mary’s Primary School be used as a contingency polling place. 4.4.2 The undernoted comments were received from local members serving the Kilpatrick Ward: Cllr Lawrence O’Neill – I am happy to advise that St. Mary’s Primary School would be used as a contingency venue if the aforementioned major works haven’t been completed in time. 4.5 The following issue was raised in respect of the Clydebank Central Ward: 4.5.1 Parkhall Library (CC6C) - Parkhall Library has now closed and is not available as a polling place. It is proposed that the former Parkhall Tenant's Hall (now known as Rose Hall) be designated as the primary polling place for the Parkhall area unless another suitable venue is proposed.
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4.5.2 Onslow Road Community Hall (CC10C) - Complaints were received by polling staff on the poor condition of the hall and in particular the toilet and kitchen areas. Following inspection, the election team arranged for these areas to be cleaned during the day of poll and thereafter wrote to the hall keeper about the unacceptable condition of the hall. 4.5.3 The following comments were made by elected members serving the Clydebank Central Ward: Cllr Sophie Traynor – Onslow Road Community Hall - my understanding is that it is part of the lease agreement that the current user group must allow for the space to be used for the elections. There is a real lack of community venues in the Drumry area which may make finding alternative accommodation for this purpose difficult. Personally, I believe that the venue should remain in use as the polling space and the necessary checks happen in advance of the elections. Voters are used to this location being where they go and I would worry that any possible alternative venues will be too “out the way” for many of those living within the South Drumry area which will then discourage them further from going out to vote, especially when this is an area which already has a relatively low turnout compared to other parts of my ward. Further, regarding Parkhall Tenants Hall (Rose Hall) – I feel like this is an appropriate venue for this to take place as it also has disabled access from the Limetree Drive side of the property. 4.6 The following issues were raised in respect of the Clydebank Waterfront Ward: 4.6.1 Napier Hall (CW12C) - Napier Hall is now leased to Old Kilpatrick Community Foodbank and is available for use as a polling place due to a clause in the lease agreement. However, it was apparent at the recent by-election that the amount of space available in the main hall, after furniture was moved to the rear of the hall, was limited and could cause issues at a busier election where there will be higher turnout and an increased number of polling stations in the hall. The election team has suggested that the hall could be used for unplanned by-elections and that Gavinburn Primary School is used for larger planned elections with in-service days. 4.6.2 The undernoted comments were received from members in the Clydebank Waterfront Ward: Councillor Kevin Crawford – I have no objections to the above suggestions. Councillor Lauren Oxley - I am concerned that Napier Hall is being considered unsuitable for use as a polling station for planned elections, particularly given that its continued use formed an important part of the Council’s lease agreement with the Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels (OKFP). Napier Hall has served as a longstanding and well-recognised polling place for residents in
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Old Kilpatrick, and I am concerned that the proposal to move to Gavinburn Primary School will present practical and accessibility challenges for voters. One of the key benefits of Napier Hall is its central location as it is situated in the heart of the village and provides a more equal walking distance for the majority of residents. Gavinburn Primary, while nearby, is situated further out and up a gradual hill, creating a more difficult journey for many voters, particularly older residents or those with mobility issues. I would also question whether the reported space limitations at Napier Hall could be addressed more proactively. As the building is still leased by the Council and the lease clause allows for its use during elections, is it not reasonable to expect that OKFP clear out or temporarily store furniture to an agreed standard in advance of elections? Was this not part of the original lease agreement? I am concerned that this could create inequality between groups leasing Council-owned venues which are also designated as polling places. In some cases, organisations will be expected to vacate venues for elections, while in this instance, a more lenient approach appears to be taken. That inconsistency could give rise to confusion and unfairness, and I am worried about the precedent this may set regarding upholding clauses within leases. Furthermore, while I appreciate the desire to avoid disruption to education by utilising in-service days, I have concerns about the inconsistency that this approach may create. Voters may become confused by the change in venue from one election to another and could risk reducing turnout. I have already had some comments about the changes in polling stations from residents in recent elections. Feedback from consultation 4.7 No responses were received from the public or community groups in response to the consultation. Returning Officer’s Comments and Recommendations 4.8 Copies of the layouts for all the proposed polling places above are detailed in Appendix 3 to this report. As Members will be aware, the use of portacabins as polling places is always the last option to be considered in the event that there are no suitable venues available. However, in the case of Bowling Community Hall, given the distances involved and the strong views of local members, the Returning Officer is willing to make an exception in this case. The Returning Officer has also considered local elected members views in relation to the use of the Crosslet Centre as opposed to Abbotsford Hotel or St. Patrick’s Primary School and the continued use of Napier Hall for all future elections. 4.8.1 Bowling Community Hall – continue to use but if the hall is no longer available or suitable, use a portable polling place as an alternative. The election team has identified a suitable public location (car park) within the centre of the village to accommodate a portable polling place.
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4.8.2 West Kirk Church Hall – continue to use but if the hall is not available or no longer suitable, use the Concord Community Centre as the contingency polling place. 4.8.3 Abbotsford Hotel (Leven Suite) – use the Crosslet Centre, Crosslet Road, Dumbarton as the main polling place and use St Patrick’s Primary School as the contingency polling place. 4.8.4 Glenhead Community Centre – continue to use as the designated polling place but if not available use St Mary’s Primary School as the contingency polling place. 4.8.5 Onslow Road Community Hall – continue to use, subject to advance inspection and cleaning, if required. 4.8.6 Parkhall Library – use the former Parkhall Tenant’s Hall (Rose Hall) as the primary polling place for the Parkhall area. 4.8.7 Napier Hall - continue to use for all elections and ensure the main hall is cleared to allow sufficient space for four/five polling stations. 4.8.8 Merge polling districts DU23D and DU23C to form new polling district DU23D. See revised map of polling districts (Appendix 2). 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no implications for employees of this Council. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 The only elections funded by the Council are the local government elections and any local government by-elections which may occur from time to time. The proposals contained within this report may increase these costs by approximately £4500 as the Council may need to hire a portacabin and ramp for use as polling place In Bowling. 6.2 There are no procurement implications for the Council arising from this report. The portacabin and ramp will be hired and fitted by Building Services. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 The Council is required 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.
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8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 The Council must ensure that, so far as is reasonable and practicable, every polling place within its area is accessible to electors who are disabled. 8.2 An EIA (Appendix 4) was carried out in respect of the proposals and no impacts on equality groups were identified. All proposed polling places have been inspected by members of the election team and all have been assessed as suitable. Although some voters may have to travel further to vote, the above proposals should not prevent anyone from being able to vote regardless of their circumstances as anyone can apply for a postal vote and disabled persons will be also able to appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf, if they so choose. The Returning Officer will ensure that all voters are notified of any changes to their polling place via their poll card which will also contain full information on how to apply for a postal vote or a proxy vote in advance of any forthcoming election or referendum. 9. Consultation 9.1 Officers from legal and finance have been consulted on the content of this report. 9.2 The public consultation process commenced on 25 August 2025 and concluded on 5 October 2025. All comments received from the elected members have been included in this report. There were no comments received from members of public and community groups. 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: 6th October 2025 Person to Contact: George Hawthorn, Manager of Democratic and Registration Services, Municipal Buildings, College Street, Dumbarton. Telephone 01389 737204 or e-mail: george.hawthorn@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: 1. Proposed list of polling places and districts for Dumbarton, Kilpatrick, Clydebank Central and Clydebank Waterfront Wards. 2. Map of changes to polling District DU23D. 3. Layouts of proposed polling places. 4. Equality Impact Assessment
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Background Papers: Interim Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places 2025 - Returning Officer’s Representations. Wards Affected: Dumbarton, Kilpatrick, Clydebank Central and Clydebank Waterfront.