DATA LABEL: PUBLIC
COUNCIL EXECUTIVE
REFERENDUM ON THE UK'S MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
REPORT BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE
A. PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of the report is to advise the Council Executive of the work being carried out to ensure the effective delivery of the referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union, the date of which has now been confirmed as 23 June 2016.
B. RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Note the work being done to prepare for the referendum 2. To consider the council’s position and any action which should be taken
C. SUMMARY OF IMPLICATIONS Focusing on our customers' needs I Council Values Providing equality of opportunities Working in partnership
II Policy and Legal (including Representation of the People Act 1983 Strategic Environmental The European Union Referendum Act 2015 Assessment, Equality The Political Parties Elections and Issues, Health or Risk Referendums Act 2000 Assessment) The European Union Referendum (Conduct) Regulations 2016
III Implications for Scheme of Delegations to Officers
IV Impact on performance and performance Indicators
V Relevance to Single Outcome Agreement
VI Resources - (Financial, Staffing and Property)
VII Consideration at PDSP
VIII Other consultations
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D. TERMS OF REPORT
D1 Background
The referendum on whether the United Kingdom should remain in the European Union will be held on Thursday 23 June 2016.
This is 7 weeks after the Scottish Parliamentary election, which is on 5 May 2016. Much of the work to deliver the polls will need to take place concurrently which does add an extra level of complexity to the delivery of both polls. However the planning process has considered the potential for the polls to be close together and work continues to be done to ensure the delivery of neither poll is compromised.
D2 The Referendum
The referendum will be a significant event, with a potentially high level of national and international interest in the outcome.
D2.1 Referendum Legislation
The European Union Referendum Act received Royal Assent on 17 December 2015. It makes additions and amendments to the framework set out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) to establish a regulatory framework for the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU.
D2.2 Referendum Question
The referendum question will be:
Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?
Remain a member of the European Union
Leave the European Union
PPERA required the Commission to consider the wording of the referendum question, and after considering the question originally proposed in the European Union Referendum Act when it was first introduced as a Bill, they recommended the wording above.
D2.3 Management Structure
The Chair of the Electoral Commission is the Chief Counting Officer (CCO) with responsibility for the management of the referendum.
The CCO has appointed Regional Counting Officers (RCO’s) for each electoral region who will co-ordinate the planning and administration of the poll across that region. In Scotland the RCO is the Chair of the Electoral Management Board
The local government Returning Officer for each local authority in Great Britain will be the Counting Officer (CO) for that area. The CCO has a power of direction over RCOs and COs relating to the discharge of their functions and preparations for the referendum.
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D3 Referendum Planning
Following speculation that the referendum was likely to be held in 2016, planning and preparation activities have already been taking place in conjunction with those already taking place for the Scottish Parliamentary election.
D3.1 Polling Scheme and other accommodation
A polling scheme is an essential building block for any poll and the polling places agreed by the Council Executive in January 2016 will be used for the Referendum. The date of the referendum can now be confirmed to all polling places, and other essential accommodation such as the count venue
D3.1 Chief Counting Officer
Liaison has already started with the CCO.
The Electoral Management Board and Electoral Commission held a seminar for Returning Officers in January 2016 primarily on the Scottish Parliamentary election, but it also covered issues relating to the referendum; the Electoral Commission has published Guidance for Returning Officers; and an initial test of the CCO’s count collation system is scheduled for 7 March 2016
There are currently Directions from the CCO in 8 areas When the notice of referendum is published Content of and ordering ballot papers Allocation of voters to polling stations Date poll cards are despatched Date postal ballots are despatched Timing of the count Method of verification and count Provision of performance information to the CCO
Arrangements are in place to ensure that all Directions can be met.
D3.2 Awareness Raising
The Awareness Raising Group has considered what the key messages for the referendum might be but will work closely with the Electoral Commission and other partners in the run up to the referendum. The CCO, RCOs and COs all share the duty to encourage participation in the referendum.
D3.3 Contractors and Suppliers
All necessary contracts are in place with suppliers for the referendum. These include postal votes printing and issue, ballot papers, and the Absent Vote Identifier Checking system. Meetings with key contractors have also been arranged where considered appropriate
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D3.4 Staffing
Staff being appointed to work at the Scottish Parliamentary election have also been asked about their willingness to work at the referendum and now that the date has been confirmed, they can be asked to confirm their availability.
E. CONCLUSION
The date of the referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union has been confirmed as Thursday 23 June. The proximity of this date to the date of the Scottish Parliamentary election does present some extra challenges, but the planning process for the delivery of the referendum is already underway, and partners are already engaged in working together.
F. BACKGROUND REFERENCES
None
Appendices/Attachments: None
Contact Person: Caroline Burton; 01506 281651; [email protected]
Name of CMT Member: Graham Hope, Chief Executive,
Date: 01/03/2015
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Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts
Polling Polling Proposal District Place
Ward 1 Linlithgow
LFL1A Chalmers Hall , Main Street, Linlithgow Bridge No change to polling place
LFL1E Linlithgow Primary School , Preston Road, Linlithgow No change to polling place
LFL1F Newton Community Centre , Duddingston Crescent, No change to polling place Newton
LFL1G Philpstoun Community Centre , Main Street, No change to polling place Philpstoun
LFL1C Queen Margaret Hall , Blackness Road, Linlithgow No change to polling place
LFL1D Springfield Primary School , Springfield Road, No change to polling place Linlithgow
LFL1B St Ninian's Craigmailen Parish Church Hall , No change to polling place Longcroft Hall Philip Avenue, Linlithgow
LFL1I Bridgend Village Hall , Bridgend, No change to polling place LVL1H
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Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts
Polling Polling Proposal District Place
Ward 2 Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh
LVL2D Bridgend Village Hall , Bridgend, No change to polling place
LVL2J Broxburn Primary School , School Road Off West No change to polling place Main Street, Broxburn
LVL2K Broxburn Sports Centre , Church Street, Broxburn No change to polling place
LFL2A Dechmont Memorial Hall , Main Street, Dechmont No change to polling place LVL2B
LVL2C Ecclesmachan Community Hall , Ecclesmachan, No change to polling place
LVL2H Kirkhill Primary School , Rashierig, Broxburn No change to polling place
LVL2I Strathbrock Partnership , West Main Street, No change to polling place Broxburn LVL2E Uphall Community Centre , Strathbrock Place, No change to polling place Uphall
LVL2F Uphall Primary School , Crossgreen Drive, Uphall No change to polling place
LVL2G Uphall South Church Hall , East Main Street, Uphall No change to polling place
LFL2N Winchburgh Community Centre , Craigton Place, No change to polling place LVL2M Winchburgh
LVL2L Winchburgh Primary School , (Nursery Wing) No change to polling place Glendevon Park, Winchburgh
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Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts
Polling Polling Proposal District Place
Ward 3 Livingston North
LVA3B Carmondean Connected , Carmondean Centre, No change to polling place Livingston
LVA3E Carmondean Community Centre , Nether Dechmont No change to polling place Farm, Fells Rigg
LVA3A Livingston Station Community Centre, Main Street, No change to polling place Deans, Livingston
LVA3C Livingston Village Primary School , Kirkton North No change to polling place Road, Livingston
LVA3F Mosswood Community Centre , Knightsridge, No change to polling place Livingston
LVA3G Newyearfield Farm Community Centre , No change to polling place Newyearfield, Livingston
LVA3D Peel Primary School , Garden Place Eliburn East, No change to polling place Livingston
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Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts
Polling Polling Proposal District Place
Ward 4 Livingston South
LVA4I Bankton Mains Pavilion , Bankton Walk Murieston, No change to polling place Livingston
LVA4D Bankton Primary School , Kenilworth Rise Dedridge, No change to polling place Livingston
LVA4J Bellsquarry Village Hall , Calder Road, Bellsquarry No change to polling place
LVA4F Crofthead Farm Community Education Centre , No change to polling place Templar Rise Dedridge, Livingston
LVA4C Dedridge Primary School , Dedridge East, Livingston No change to polling place
LVA4A Harrysmuir Primary School , Willowbank Ladywell, No change to polling place Livingston
LVA4H Murieston Village Hall , Murieston, Livingston No change to polling place
LVA4B St.Andrew's R.C. Primary School Com Wing , No change to polling place Kingsport Avenue Howden, Livingston
LVA4G Williamston Primary School , Bankton Lane No change to polling place Murieston, Livingston
LVA4E Livingston Village Primary School, Kirkton North No change to polling place Road, Livingston
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Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts
Polling Polling Proposal District Place
Ward 5 East Livingston and East Calder
LVA5D Riverside Primary School, Craigshill, Livingston No change to polling place
LVA5H East Calder Primary School , Langton Road, East No change to polling place Calder
LVA5J Kirknewton Village Hall , Main Street, Kirknewton No change to polling place
LVA5C Letham Primary School , Forth Drive Craigshill, No change to polling place Livingston
LVA5I Youth Club Building , Linburn, Wilkieston No change to polling place
LVA5F Mid Calder Institute Hall , Market Street, Mid Calder No change to polling place
LVA5G Mid Calder Primary School , Spottiswoode Gardens, No change to polling place Mid Calder
LVA5B Pumpherston and Uphall Station Community Primary No change to polling place School, Drumshoreland Road, Pumpherston
LVA5A Uphall Station Institute Hall , Marrfield Terrace, No change to polling place Uphall Station
LVA5K West Calder Community Centre , Young Street, No change to polling place West Calder
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Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts
Polling Polling Proposal District Place
Ward 6 Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley
LVA6G West Calder Community Centre , Young Street, No change to polling place West Calder
LVA6H Parkhead Primary School , Harburn Road, West No change to polling place Calder
LVA6F Addiewell Community Centre , Church Street, No change to polling place Addiewell
LVA6D Woodmuir Primary School, Woodmuir Road, Breich No change to polling place
LVA6A Fauldhouse Salvation Army Hall , BlackFaulds No change to polling place Place, Fauldhouse
LVA6C Fauldhouse Training Centre , Eastfield Road, No change to polling place Fauldhouse
LVA6B St John the Baptist Church Hall , Main Street, No change to polling place Fauldhouse
LVA6E Longridge Primary School (Community Wing) , No change to polling place School Road, Longridge
LVA6J Stoneyburn Community Centre , Main Street, No change to polling place Stoneyburn
Polbeth Village Hall , Polbeth Road, Polbeth No change to polling place LVA6I
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Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts
Polling Polling Proposal District Place
Ward 7 Whitburn and Blackburn
LFL7E Brucefield Church Hall , East Main Street, Whitburn No change to polling place
LFL7F Burgh Hall , East Main Street, Whitburn No change to polling place
LFL7G East Whitburn Community Centre , Hen's Nest No change to polling place Road, East Whitburn
LFL7A Greenrigg Primary School , Polkemmet Road, No change to polling place Harthill
LVL7J Murrayfield Primary School , Rowan Street, No change to polling place Blackburn
LFL7H Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Primary School , No change to polling place LVL7I Hopefield Road, Blackburn
LFL7B Whitburn Bowling Club , West Main Street, Whitburn No change to polling place LVL7C
LFL7D Whitburn South Parish Church Hall , Manse Road, No change to polling place Whitburn
LVA7K Seafield Community Centre , Redhouse Road, No change to polling place Seafield
LVA7L Polbeth Village Hall , Polbeth Road, Polbeth No change to polling place
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Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts
Polling Polling Proposal District Place
Ward 8 Bathgate
LFL8D Balbardie Primary School , Torphichen Street, No change to polling place Bathgate
LFL8E Bathgate High Church Hall, Gideon Street, Bathgate No change to polling place
LFL8H Boghall Primary School , Elizabeth Drive, Boghall No change to polling place
LFL8K Simpson Primary School , Wester Inches, Bathgate No change to polling place LVL8G
LFL8A St Columba's Episcopal Church , Glasgow Road, No change to polling place Bathgate
LFL8I St Johns Church Hall , Mid Street, Bathgate No change to polling place LFL8J
LFL8C St Marys Catholic Church Hall , Livery Street, No change to polling place Bathgate
LFL8F St Marys RC Primary School , Whitburn Road, No change to polling place Bathgate
LFL8B Windyknowe Primary School , Windyknowe No change to polling place Crescent, Bathgate
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Preparing for Elections: Appendix1 – Scheme of Polling Places and Districts
Polling Polling Proposal District Place
Ward 9 Armadale and Blackridge
LFL9H Armadale Bowling Club , South Street, Armadale No change to polling place
LFL9B Armadale Community Centre , North Street, No change to polling place Armadale
LFL9I Armadale Primary School , Academy Street, No change to polling place Armadale
LFL9A Craig Inn Centre , Main Street, Blackridge No change to polling place
LFL9E Methodist Church Hall , East Main Street, Armadale No change to polling place
LFL9G St Anthony's Primary School , South Street, No change to polling place LFL9F Armadale
LFL9D Torphichen Community Centre , Bowyett, No change to polling place Torphichen
LFL9C Westfield Primary School , Lomond View, Westfield No change to polling place
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