Consultation by South Lanarkshire Council on Polling Places

Added on 14 October 2013

There is a statutory duty on all local authorities to review their Polling Districts and Polling Places between 1 October 2013 and 31 January 2015 and every fifth year after that.  This review is being undertaken now to ensure the best possible arrangements are in place to assist voters in 2014. The purpose of the review is to ensure reasonable facilities for voting and the accessibility of polling places to all electors, including those with a disability, so far as is reasonable and practicable.

An important part of the process, therefore, is to gather views from persons or organisations on the current Polling Districts and Polling Places in the South Lanarkshire Council area.  In particular, it is important to obtain expert opinion in respect of access to premises for people with different forms of disability.

Accordingly, you are invited to make representations on these matters.  I should advise, of course, that it is normal practice to informally review the suitability of Polling Districts and Polling Places after each election event or at any time when these are brought to my attention.I have invited feedback from electors and the following stakeholders within the South Lanarkshire Council area:-

¨       all elected members (including MPs, MSPs, MEPs and Councillors)

¨       disability and minority groups

¨       Police Scotland

¨       Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

¨       neighbouring local authorities (ie Dumfries and Galloway Council, Glasgow City Council, North Lanarkshire Council)

¨       private premises (used in the Elections in May 2012 as Polling Places)

¨       Community Councils

¨       Chief Executive/Returning Officer of South Lanarkshire Council

¨       existing Polling Place Partners ie

    South Lanarkshire Council Election Team
    South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture
    Housing and Technical Resources
    Education Resources
    Community and Enterprise Resources
    Electoral Registration Officer

If you consider a change should be made, you are invited to suggest alternative Polling Districts/ Polling Places and encouraged to give a reason for the alternative proposal so that it may be given appropriate consideration.

The following documents are available on the Council’s website at  www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk and may assist you to consider the matter:-

¨       Notice of the Review – published in the local press, Council’s website and local offices

¨       Consultation Document – provides detailed information on the Review

¨       Polling Scheme – lists the current Polling Districts and Polling Places

¨       Maps containing each of the Polling Districts in South Lanarkshire

¨       Online survey

Alternatively, you may wish to make representations as follows:-

¨       By email - elections@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

¨       By telephone - 01698 455745

¨       By post – Election Office, South Lanarkshire Council, Almada Street, Hamilton ML3 0AA