Every local authority is required to carry out a review by the end of January 2025 and every fifth year after that to ensure both reasonable facilities for voting and that polling places are accessible to all electors, including voters with a disability, so far as is practicable. The Election Team have conducted a preliminary review which took account of feedback from recent elections, experience of using the current places and any recent changes in circumstances.
Each polling district must have a designated polling place that can be brought into use on election days for local people. Polling places must, in general terms, be within the designated polling district, and the building/facilities used should be as accessible as possible.
The aim of the review is:-
-
Seek comments on the present division of polling districts, and the suitability of the buildings and rooms presently used on election days for polling purposes.
-
Ensure that all electors in the County have reasonable facilities for voting (as far as practicable in the circumstances).
-
Ensure that (in as far as is reasonable and practicable), the polling places used are accessible to all electors, including those who are less able or have particular needs.
The Council has always aimed to locate polling stations within a convenient distance from the majority of electors’ homes, with the premises being easy to find and accessible to all. However, it is not always possible to find (or to get permission to use) perfect premises in every area. A best compromise is however always sought.
The Council welcomes relevant comments from residents in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute, and any individuals or bodies who have a particular expertise in relation to the use of premises or facilities for those who have different forms of ability or disability. This is now your opportunity to comment of your polling facilities and to suggest alternatives if you are unhappy with your current facilities. Political parties, existing elected representatives and other interested parties are also invited to contribute.
The review will run from Monday 2 October 2023 and all representations must be submitted by 30 October 2023 by post to the Election Office, Customer Services, Kilmory Headquarters, Lochgilphead PA31 8RT or by e-mail to elections@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Draft proposals for the revised scheme of Polling Districts and Polling Places together with a statement of reasons will then be published and final recommendations will be presented to Full Council in November 2023. Once the Council has agreed the proposals, the new polling districts and polling places will be made available to the public and the Register of Electors will take into account any changes made.
The Statutory Notice and documentation and maps will be available for public inspection from 2 October 2023 here and in various Customer Service Points.
Timetable
Preparatory work: Now – September 2023
Notice of Review: 2 October 2023
Consult: 2 October – 30 October 2023
Consider responses: 30 October – 3 November 2023
Prepare final proposals: 6 November – 10 November
Council Meeting and decision: 23 November 2023
Conclude review: End November 2023
Amend polling scheme: End November 2023
Publish register: 1 December 2023
Executive Director – Customer Services, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ PA31 8RT
August 2023
Documentation and maps
- Current and Proposed List of polling districts and polling places
- Notice of Review
- Polling District Review – Notes – 2 Oct
- Returning Officer submission – 2 Oct
- Letter to stakeholders – 2 Oct
- Letter to Returning Officer(s) – 2 Oct
Maps
- Interactive electoral boundary maps – 2 Oct
- Ward 1 (South Kintyre) - Current Arrangements
- Ward 1 (South Kintyre) - Proposed Arrangements
- AA02 (Drumlemble) - Permanent Move to Stewarton & District Village Hall
- Ward 2 (Kintyre & the Islands) - Current Arrangements
- Ward 2 (Kintyre & the Islands) - Proposed Arrangements
- AA11 (Gigha) - Proposed Move to Gigha Village Hall
- AA13 (Clachan) - Proposed Move to Whitehouse Village Hall
- AA14 (Dunmore) - Proposed Move to either Templars Hall, Tarbert OR Ormsary Estate Hall
- AA19 (Bowmore) - Permanent Move to Islay Customer Service Point
- Ward 3 (Mid ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥) - Current Arrangements
- Ward 3 (Mid ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥) - Proposed Arrangements
- AA24 (Achahoish) - Proposed Move to Ormsary Estate Hall
- AA27 (Lochgilphead) and AA33 (Kilmichael Glassary) - Proposed Change of Boundary Line
- AA30 (Kilmartin) - Permanent Move to Glassary, Kilmartin & Ford Parish Church Hall
- Ward 4 (Oban South & the Isles) - Current Arrangements
- Ward 4 (Oban South & the Isles) - Proposed Arrangements
- AA36 (Oban Central) and AA37 (Oban West) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts and Permanent Move to The Rockfield Centre
- AA46 (Lochdonhead) and AA47 (Lochbuie) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts and Permanent Move of Voters from AA47 to Craignure Hall
- Ward 5 (Oban North & Lorn) - Current Arrangements
- Ward 5 (Oban North & Lorn) - Proposed Arrangements
- AA55 (Lochawe) and AA56 (Dalmally) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts and Proposed Move of Voters from AA55 to Dalmally Community Centre
- AA57 (Bridge of Orchy) - Permanent Move to Bridge of Orchy Village Hall
- AA64 (Oban North) - Permanent Move to the Corran Halls
- AA72 (Barcaldine) and AA73 (Lochnell) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts
- Ward 6 (Cowal) - Current Arrangements
- Ward 6 (Cowal) - Proposed Arrangements
- AA75 (Glendaruel) and AA84 (Rashfield Part - 17 Voters) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts to replicate the community council boundary and removal of Uig Hall as a Polling Station
- AA79 (Strachur) and AA80 (Strathlachlan) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts and removal of Strathlachlan Community Centre as a Polling Station
- AA81 (Kilfinan) and AA82 (Tighnabruaich) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts and removal of Kilfinan Community Hall as a Polling Station
AA83 (Kirn) and AA83A (Hunters Quay) - Permanent Move to Cowal Dog Training Club - AA84 (Rashfield Part) and AA86 (Strone) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts and Removal of Uig Hall as a Polling Station
- AA85 (Ardentinny) - Permanent move to Ardentinny Village Hall
- Ward 7 (Dunoon) - Current Arrangements
- Ward 7 (Dunoon) - Proposed Arrangements
- AA90 (Dunoon) and AA93 (Dunoon South) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts and Permanent Move to Queen's Hall
- AA91 (Ardenslate) - Proposed Permanent Move to Hanover Street Hall
- Ward 8 (Isle of Bute) - Current Arrangements
- Ward 8 (Isle of Bute) - Proposed Arrangements
- AA95 (Port Bannatyne) - Proposed Permanent Move to Community Hub
- AA96 (Rothesay Central) AA97 (Bute West) and AA98 (Bute East) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts
- AA99 (Kingarth) - Permanent Move to St Blaine's House
- Ward 9 (Lomond North) - Current Arrangements
- Ward 9 (Lomond North) - Proposed Arrangements
- AD01 (Rhu South) and AD07 (North Rhu & Shandon) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts
- AD03 (Cove) and AD08 (Kilcreggan) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts
- AD04 (Arrochar), AD06 (Tarbet & Ardlui) and AD10 (Glencroe) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts and Removal of Arrochar Primary School as a Polling Station
- Ward 10 (Helensburgh Central) - Current Arrangements
- Ward 10 (Helensburgh Central) - Proposed Arrangements
- AD12 (Kirkmichael) and AD13 (Helensburgh Lower East) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts and Permanent Change to Templeton Building Annex
- AD14 (Helensburgh Upper West) and AD15 (Helensburgh West) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling Districts
- AD18 (Helensburgh Lower West) - Proposed Permanent Change to Victoria Halls
- Ward 11 (Helensburgh & Lomond South) - Current Arrangements
- Ward 11 (Helensburgh & Lomond South) - Proposed Arrangements
- AD20 (Colgrain) - Permanent Move to Helensburgh Community Hub
- AD21 (Helensburgh North East) and AD22 (Helensburgh Upper East) - Proposed Amalgamation of Polling District and Proposed Permanent Change of Voters from Victoria Halls to Drumfork Centre