THIS REPORT RELATES COUNCIL TO ITEM ON THE AGENDA

STIRLING COUNCIL CHIEF EXECUTIVE

14 SEPTEMBER 2006 NOT EXEMPT

REVIEW OF POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES

1 PURPOSE

1.1 To seek approval of the polling districts and polling places detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.

2 SUMMARY

2.1 The Local Government elections in May 2007 will be conducted on the basis of new multi-member wards. On 28 April 2005 the Council considered the Local Government Boundary Commission’s proposals for the division of the Stirling Local Government Area into 7 multi-member wards as part of its statutory review of election boundaries. The Council agreed with the Boundary Commission’s proposals subject to a few minor amendments put forward on the basis of local knowledge. Following a lengthy consultation process the Stirling (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2006 was approved by the Scottish Ministers and came into force on 14 July 2006.

2.2 The Council is required to designate polling districts and polling places for each parliamentary constituency or part thereof situated in the Council’s area and for the wards within each Council area. The new polling districts and polling places need to be confirmed to allow the register of electors to be prepared and published for the combined election next year.

2.3 In formulating the proposals for polling districts and polling places, Officers have tried to provide all electors with reasonable and practicable facilities for voting. The Council is asked to approve the proposed polling districts and polling places, which will form the polling scheme for the Local Government Area. Copies of the maps showing the electoral wards and proposed polling districts are on display in the Members’ Lounge.

3 RECOMMENDATION(S)

3.1 To approve the proposed polling districts and polling places detailed in Appendix 1.

3.2 To delegate authority to the Returning Officer to approve any minor alterations or adjustments to polling places where privately owned or grant aided premises prove to be unavailable or where otherwise necessary in the interests of the efficient conduct of elections. 4 CONSIDERATIONS

4.1 The Local Governance () Act 2004 made provision for the establishment of multi-member wards and introduced a proportional Single Transferable Vote system of election for local government. The Act also required that the Local Government Boundary Commission undertake a review of electoral arrangements for all council areas. The Boundary Commission submitted its final report to the Scottish Ministers on 9 March recommending the division of the Stirling Council area into 7 wards for the election of Councillors. The Stirling (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2006 which came into force on 14 July 2006 put in place the following electoral wards for the Local Government elections in May 2007:-

Ward 1 (Trossachs and Teith) – 3 Councillors to be elected Ward 2 (Forth and Endrick) - 3 Councillors to be elected Ward 3 ( and ) - 4 Councillors to be elected Ward 4 (Castle) – 3 Councillors to be elected Ward 5 (Stirling West) - 3 Councillors to be elected Ward 6 (Stirling East) - 3 Councillors to be elected Ward 7 () – 3 Councillors to be elected

4.2 Polling Districts – The Local Authority has a duty to divide its area into polling districts with a view to giving all electors in the area such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances. In drafting the proposed polling districts Officers have attempted to minimise changes for electors.

4.3 Although the Westminster constituency boundary (Stirling County) is coterminous with the Stirling Local Government boundary, the Scottish Parliament constituency (Stirling) boundary cuts across four of the new multi- member wards. This affects wards 3, 4, 6 and 7. In some areas this has resulted in very small polling districts having to be created with very few electors. Copies of the maps showing the electoral wards and proposed polling districts are on display in the Members’ Lounge.

4.4 GIS are currently digitising the proposed polling district boundaries. Officers from Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling Council will agree a naming convention for the polling districts to ensure consistency in the electoral register. Once this has been finalised the polling districts in the Stirling Council area will be re-named accordingly.

4.5 Polling Places – Election legislation defines a polling place as a geographical area within a polling district although in practice the term is usually applied to the building in which voting takes place and the immediate surrounding area e.g. school playground. A polling place should normally be situated within the polling district for which it is designated but, in some circumstances, for example where no suitable premises can be found, the polling place may be designated outside of the polling district.

4.6 In designating polling places, the Council must have regard to the convenience of the electors voting and, in particular, should ensure that the polling place is as accessible as it can be for electors with disabilities.

4.7 In preparing the list of proposed polling places Officers have looked at the following key issues:-

accessibility to the polling place and polling stations, particularly for those

N:\DEMSUPP\NEWDECISIONS\SCOUNCIL\REPORTS\SC20060914REVIEWOFPOLLINGDISTRICTSANDPOLLINGPLACES.DOC electors with mobility difficulties;

distance to travel to vote;

adequacy of the parking facilities;

minimising the use of primary schools where possible and the associated disruption caused to education.

4.8 It has not always been possible to identify suitable premises for use as polling places within each polling district. As a result, the proposed polling scheme attached as Appendix 1 includes the use of some premises which are located close to ward boundaries and lend themselves for use by electors in more than one polling district.

4.9 The Appendix includes proposals to use a number of privately owned or grant aided premises as designated polling places. Preliminary contact has been made with the owners and occupiers regarding the use of the premises at election time. It is recommended that the Returning Officer should have delegated authority to approve changes in the designation of polling places where the privately owned or grant aided premises prove to be unavailable or where otherwise necessary in the interests of the efficient conduct of the election.

4.10 All Elected Members and Community Councils were invited to submit comments/suggestions on premises suitable for use as polling places. The comments received are outlined in the Appendix.

4.11 The proposed changes in polling places can be summarised as follows:-

Blairdrummond Village Hall (new hall) to be used instead of Kincardine-in- Menteith Primary School;

Brig O’Turk Village Hall (recently refurbished) to be used instead of Trossachs Primary School;

Fintry Hall (refurbishment nearing completion) to be used instead of Primary School;

Killearn Church Hall (modern extension to Church) to be used instead of Primary School;

Edmonstone Hall to be used instead of Primary School;

Dunblane Centre to be used instead of Dunblane Primary School (all electors who currently vote at the Primary School will now vote at the Dunblane Centre – all other electors in Dunblane will continue to vote at Victoria Hall);

Old Viewforth will no longer be a polling place – electors will now use St Ninians Primary School

N:\DEMSUPP\NEWDECISIONS\SCOUNCIL\REPORTS\SC20060914REVIEWOFPOLLINGDISTRICTSANDPOLLINGPLACES.DOC 5 POLICY IMPLICATIONS

5.1 The process of reviewing polling districts and polling places is in line with the Council’s strategic aims of promoting local democracy and community leadership.

6 CONSULTATIONS

6.1 Elected Members and Community Councils.

7 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

7.1 Staffing resources required in conducting the review of polling districts and polling places have been accommodated within existing staff allocations.

8 BACKGROUND PAPERS

8.1 Minutes – Special Council, 29 April 2005 The Stirling (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2006 Responses from Community Councils

Author(s) Name Designation Tel No/Extension

Joyce Allen Committee Officer 3370

Paul McNamara Research Officer 2724

Approved by Name Designation Signature

Keith Yates Returning Officer

Date 21 August 2006 Reference

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New Electoral New Current Polling Place Comments Received Officer Ward Polling In the area Recommendation District Ward 1 (Trossachs and S1/1 Primary School Callander Community Council – Callander Primary Teith) In favour of continued use (good School parking, central location and disabled access)

S2/1 Village Hall No comments received Strathyre Village Hall

S3/1 Village Hall No comments received Lochearnhead Village Hall

McLaren Hall, Killin Community Council – Hall S4/1 has ample parking and disabled Mclaren Hall, Killin access

S5/1 Village Hall Balquhidder Community Council – Balquhidder Village Hall Village Hall is acceptable Village Hall S6/1 Crianlarich Village Hall Strathfillan Community Council – Village Hall is satisfactory Primary School S7/1 Doune Primary School Kilmadock Community Council – School is the most suitable location

S8/1 Primary School Kilmadock Community Council – Deanston Primary School is the most suitable School location

N:\DEMSUPP\NEWDECISIONS\SCOUNCIL\REPORTS\SC20060914REVIEWOFPOLLINGDISTRICTSANDPOLLINGPLACES.DOC S9/1 Kincardine-in-Menteith No comments received Blairdrummond Village Primary School Hall (new hall now built)

S10/1 Thornhill Village Hall Thornhill and Blairdrummond Thornhill Village Hall Community Council – Schools should not be used – support use of the Hall

S11/1 Village Hall No comments received Port of Menteith Village Hall

S12/1 Village Hall No comments received Gartmore Village Hall

S13/1 Aberfoyle Primary School Strathard Community Council – Aberfoyle Primary Prefer not to disrupt education – School Aberfoyle Memorial Hall could be (still considered to be best used location)

S14/1 Village Hall No comments received Kinlochard Village Hall

Brig O‘Turk Village Hall S15/1 Trossachs Primary School No comments received (Hall has now been refurbished)

N:\DEMSUPP\NEWDECISIONS\SCOUNCIL\REPORTS\SC20060914REVIEWOFPOLLINGDISTRICTSANDPOLLINGPLACES.DOC Ward 2 S16/2 Community Gargunnock Community Council Gargunnock Community (Forth And Centre – No other suitable buildings in Centre Endrick) the Village

S17/2 Village Hall Arnprior Community Council – Kippen Village Hall Village Hall is satisfactory

S18/2 Village Hall No comments received Buchlyvie Village Hall

S19/2 Fintry Primary School No comments received Fintry Hall (refurbishment nearing completion – will have disabled access and adequate parking)

S20/2 Primary School Balfron Community Council – Balfron Primary School School is a good venue, easily accessible and with reasonable parking Library S21/2 Drymen Library Councillor Lonsdale – Church Hall (Officers Looked At Village might be a suitable alternative Hall – Parking Inadequate And Disabled Access Very Narrow) (Church Hall up for sale)

Memorial Hall, Milton of S21a/2 Memorial Hall, Community Council – Buchanan Buchanan Memorial Hall is a suitable venue

S22/2 Nursery No comments received Croftamie Nursery

N:\DEMSUPP\NEWDECISIONS\SCOUNCIL\REPORTS\SC20060914REVIEWOFPOLLINGDISTRICTSANDPOLLINGPLACES.DOC S23/2 Killearn Primary School Killearn Community Council – Killearn Church Hall opinion split – disruption to (Church Hall is a modern education do not want school building with disabled used. Others feel introduction of access and adequate new voting system enough parking) without changing polling place. Killearn Village Hall a possible alternative.

S24/2 Strathblane Primary School Strathblane Community Council – Edmonstone Hall Using the school disrupts (extra signage would be education – are access and required as premises are parking issues with the located off the main road – alternatives (Village Club and to a adequate parking and lesser extent, Edmonstone Hall). disabled access) Part of play ground could be used for a mobile polling station allowing the school to stay open.

Ward 3 O25/3 Allan Centre, Bridge of No comments received Allan Centre, Bridge of (Dunblane and Allan Allan Bridge of Allan) S26/3 Allan Centre, Bridge of No comments received Allan Centre, Bridge of Allan Allan

O27/3 The Reading Room, No comments received The Reading Room, Blairlogie

O28/3 Murray Hall, Stirling No comments received Murray Hall, Stirling University University (Officers looked at other locations within the campus – Murray Hall still

N:\DEMSUPP\NEWDECISIONS\SCOUNCIL\REPORTS\SC20060914REVIEWOFPOLLINGDISTRICTSANDPOLLINGPLACES.DOC the most appropriate – Additional signage to be provided on election day)

O29/3 Community Centre No comments received Kinbuck Community Centre

S30/3 Dunblane Primary School No comments received Dunblane Centre (New building with disabled access and excellent parking)

S31/3 Victoria Hall, Dunblane No comments received Victoria Hall, Dunblane

Ward 4 (Castle) S32/4 Cornton Community Centre Cornton Community Council – Cornton Community Community Centre is the best Centre location for the polling place

S33/4 Logie Kirk Hall No comments received Logie Kirk Hall

S34/4 St Mark’s Church Hall, Drip No comments received St Mark’s Church Hall, Road Drip Road

S35/4 St Mary’s RC Primary No comments received St Mary’s RC Primary School, Raploch School, Raploch

S36/4 Albert Halls No comments received Albert Halls

S37/4 Cowane Centre No comments received Cowane Centre

N:\DEMSUPP\NEWDECISIONS\SCOUNCIL\REPORTS\SC20060914REVIEWOFPOLLINGDISTRICTSANDPOLLINGPLACES.DOC S38/4 Village Cambuskenneth Community Cambukenneth Village Hall Council – Village Hall is adequate Hall

O39/4 Logie Kirk Hall No comments received Logie Kirk Hall

Ward 5 S40/5 Albert Halls No comments received Albert Halls (Stirling West) S41/5 Cambusbarron Community No comments received Cambusbarron Centre Community Centre

S42/5 St Ninians Primary School No comments received St Ninians Primary and Old Viewforth School

S43/5 Borestone Primary School No comments received Borestone Primary School

S44/5 Whins of Milton School No comments received Whins of Milton School

Ward 6 S45/6 Riverside Primary School Riverside Community Council – Riverside Primary (Stirling East) Primary School is convenient – School need to ensure ramp is provided

O46/6 Alpha Centre, Fallin No comments received Alpha Centre, Fallin

O47/7 Braehead Primary School Craigs Community Council – Braehead Primary maintain current provision School

S48/6 St Mary’s RC Primary No comments received St Mary’s RC Primary School, Bannockburn School, Bannockburn

S49/6 Whins of Milton School Whins of Milton School Whins of Milton School

N:\DEMSUPP\NEWDECISIONS\SCOUNCIL\REPORTS\SC20060914REVIEWOFPOLLINGDISTRICTSANDPOLLINGPLACES.DOC S50/6 Mayfield Centre Broomridge Community Council – Mayfield Centre Mayfield Centre is a convenient location

Ward 7 (Bannockburn) O51/7 Alpha Centre, Fallin No comments received Alpha Centre, Fallin

O52/7 Cowie Community Centre No comments received Cowie Community Centre

O53/7 Balfour Centre, No comments received Balfour Centre, Plean

O54/7 Bannockburn Primary No comments received Bannockburn Primary School School

S55/7 Bannockburn Primary No comments received Bannockburn Primary School School

* Polling Districts with prefix O are in the Ochil Scottish Parliament Constituency

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