Item 13 Appendix 4 - EIA 1334 - Interim review of polling districts and polling places
West Dunbartonshire Council · 29 October 2025
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Assessment No 1334 Owner GHAWTHORN Resource Transformation Service Regulatory FirstName Surname Job Title Head Officer George Hawthorn Manager of Democratic and Registration Services Members Alan Douglas (Please note: the word 'policy' is used as shorthand for strategy policy function or financial decision) Policy Title Interim Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places The aim, objective, purpose and intended out come of policy Report on review those polling districts where polling places are no longer available to the Council and those where issues were raised at previous elections. To seek approval of the final polling scheme. Service/Partners/Stakeholders/service users involved in the development and/or implementation of policy. All community groups and equality groups in the relevant areas of West Dunbartonshire, elected members, local MSPs, MP, were consulted directly and members of the public were invited to comment on notices in libraries, council offices and the council website. Does the proposals involve the procurement of any goods or services? No If yes please confirm that you have contacted our procurement services to discuss your requirements. No SCREENING You must indicate if there is any relevance to the four areas Duty to eliminate discrimination (E), advance equal opportunities (A) or foster good relations (F) Yes Relevance to Human Rights (HR) Yes Relevance to Health Impacts (H) Yes Relevance to Social Economic Impacts (SE) Yes Who will be affected by this policy? All persons entitled to vote in those polling places affected by the review. Who will be/has been involved in the consultation process? All community groups and equality groups in the relevant areas of West Dunbartonshire, elected members, local MP and MSPs were consulted directly and members of the public were invited to comment on notices in libraries, council offices and the council website. Appendix 4
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Please outline any particular need/barriers which equality groups may have in relation to this policy list evidence you are using to support this and whether there is any negative impact on particular groups. Specific group to consider Needs Evidence Impact Age All persons, including older people, should be able to vote in person at a polling place if they so choose and are fit enough to do so. All polling places should be accessible to wheelchair users i.e should be level or have access via ramps. No adverse comments received from any elderly group. Most polling districts have their own polling place located within their boundary thus reducing distance to travel. Voters have option to vote by proxy or by post. Neutral impact. No new polling place will be introduced unless the existing place is not available. All permanent contingency polling places referred to in the report have been assessed and are accessible. Voters have option to vote by post or proxy. Disability All persons, including disabled people, should be able to vote in person at a polling place if they so choose and are fit enough to do so. All polling places should be accessible to wheelchair users i.e. should be level or have access via ramps. No adverse comments received from any disabled group or WD Access Panel. Most polling districts have their own polling place located within their boundary thus reducing distance to travel. Voters can opt to vote by post or proxy. Neutral impact. No new polling place will be introduced unless existing place is not available. All permanent contingency polling places have been assessed and are accessible. Voters have option to vote by post or proxy. Gender Reassign All polling places will have either a private room or privacy screen to allow private discussions if need be. Voters can also choose to vote by post or proxy. Arrangements are accessible Neutral impact Marriage & Civil Partnership No needs different to those under other headings No evidence of different needs Neutral impact Pregnancy & Maternity Cross cuts will sex Cross cuts with sex Neutral Impact Race All persons of all ethnic groups should be able to vote in person at a polling place if eligible and if they so choose. All polling places will have translations of key voting instructions available to assist those who cannot read Englssh. No adverse comments were received from any ethnic minority group on the Council's list of equality groups. Neutral impact Religion and Belief All polling places will have either a private room or privacy screen to allow a person to remove a face covering to be identified at UK elections. Voters can also choose to vote by post or proxy. No adverse comments were received from any group on the Council's list of equality groups. Neutral impact Sex Needs to be accessibile to all Arrangements are accessible to those pushing buggys etc. Neutral impact
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Sexual Orientation No needs different to those under other headings No evidence of different needs Neutral impact Human Rights All persons who meet the criteria have the right to vote. There are no barriers to voting other than those contained in statute i.e. election franchise. Neutral impact Health All persons, including those in poor health, should be able to vote in person at a polling place if they so choose and are fit enough to do so. All polling places should be accessible to wheelchair users i.e. should be level or have access via ramps. Voters can opt to vote by proxy or by post. No adverse comments received from any group or individual concerning health being a barrier to vote in person. Neutral impact Social & Economic Impact All persons including those on low incomes should be able to vote in person at a polling place if they so choose. No adverse comments received. Most polling districts have their own polling place located within its boundary thus reducing distance to travel. Voters have option to vote by proxy or by post at no additional cost if they cannot afford to travel to their nearest polling place. Neutral impact Cross Cutting Important to assess any elements which through cross cutting may magnify any impacts. Scottish Consumer Duty: We have screened for relevance to the Duty and concluded that there nothing that might be relevant that it is not already addressed in this impact assessment. Given that the impacts across all areas are neutral, unlikely that there will be any cross cutting effects. Staff at all polling stations, will receive appropriate training and support on accessibility. Neutral impact
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Policy has a negative impact on an equality group,but is still to be implemented, please provide justification for this. Will the impact of the policy be monitored and reported on an ongoing bases? The polling scheme is reviewed on a regular basis and any permanent changes to the scheme are subject to a public consultation exercise and must be suitable and accessible to all. Staff at all polling stations, will receive appropriate training and support on accessibility. Q7 What is you recommendation for this policy? Intoduce Please provide a meaningful summary of how you have reached the recommendation EIA 1134: No negative impacts for any protected group or in any of the other areas we assess are anticipated. The proposed changes to the polling scheme have been subject to a public consultation involving equality groups in West Dunbartonshire. No new polling places will be added to the scheme unless existing places are unavailable for use. All new polling places will be subject to inspection by the election office and only recommended for use if accessible and fit for purpose.