EDI NBVRGH THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL European Parliamentary Election 4 June 2009 - Polling Places City of Edinburgh Council 30 April 2009 Purpose of report 1 To provide the Council with a list of places designated as polling places for the European Parliamentary election on 4 June 2009. Background 2 Local authorities have a duty under the Representation of the People Act legislation to divide their areas into polling districts for the purpose of parliamentary and local government elections and to designate a polling place for each of the polling districts. These arrangements must give all electors reasonable facilities for voting and, so far as is reasonable and practicable, access for electors who are disabled. Unless there are special circumstances, polling districts should be the same for all elections. Any changes to polling districts or places require to be published in the areas affected. 3 Following a statutory review and public consultation exercise, the Council approved a scheme of polling places on 22 November 2007. Main report 4 A number of changes are required to the approved scheme of polling places for the purposes of the European Parliament Election to be held on 4 June 2009. The changes are mainly a consequence of a loss of premises, as a result of closures or new-build projects involving schools over the last year. The Local Returning Officer has authority, under the Electoral Administration Act 2006, to make minor or emergency changes to an approved scheme without necessity for a full review and public consultation exercise. Using these powers, I have made a limited number of changes to the scheme of polling places. In each case where change is proposed, the ward members were consulted and asked for views on any possible alternatives. 5 The next full review of the scheme of polling districts, and their respective polling places, will take place once the findings of the current Boundary 1 +EDINBVRGH+ THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL European Parliamentary Election 4 June 2009 - Polling Places City of Edinburgh Council 30 April 2009 Purpose of report 1 To provide the Council with a list of places designated as polling places for the European Parliamentary election on 4 June 2009. Background 2 Local authorities have a duty under the Representation of the People Act legislation to divide their areas into polling districts for the purpose of parliamentary and local government elections and to designate a polling place for each of the polling districts. These arrangements must give all electors reasonable facilities for voting and, so far as is reasonable and practicable, access for electors who are disabled. Unless there are special circumstances, polling districts should be the same for all elections. Any changes to polling districts or places require to be published in the areas affected. 3 Following a statutory review and public consultation exercise, the Council approved a scheme of polling places on 22 November 2007. Main report 4 A number of changes are required to the approved scheme of polling places for the purposes of the European Parliament Election to be held on 4 June 2009. The changes are mainly a consequence of a loss of premises, as a result of closures or new-build projects involving schools over the last year. The Local Returning Officer has authority, under the Electoral Administration Act 2006, to make minor or emergency changes to an approved scheme without necessity for a full review and public consultation exercise. Using these powers, I have made a limited number of changes to the scheme of polling places. In each case where change is proposed, the ward members were consulted and asked for views on any possible alternatives. 5 The next full review of the scheme of polling districts, and their respective polling places, will take place once the findings of the current Boundary 1 Commission’s review of the Scottish Parliamentary constituencies has been published. 6 A summary of changes for the election on 4 June 2009 and the reasons for these changes are attached as Appendix 1. 7 Notification of any change of polling place for a voter will be contained on the polling cards to be issued by the Electoral Registration Officer. In addition to general advertisement of the scheme in newspapers, the Election Office will also arrange to put up relevant notices, referring to any change, in the public libraries and community centres in the affected areas. On polling day itself, notices will also be attached to premises not being used, to advise voters of the alternative polling place to be in use. Recommendations 8 That the Council - 8.1 note the scheme of parliamentary polling districts and polling places as amended and contained in Appendix 2, for the forthcoming European Parliament Election on Thursday 4 June 2009; 8.2 note that a full review of the scheme of polling districts will take place once the findings of the Boundary Commission’s review of the Scottish Parliamentary constituency boundaries has been published, and 8.3 agree that the scheme should be used for any election that might take place prior to the review being completed. ,.-- Appendices Appendix I: Summary of Changes to Polling Places. Appendix 2: Scheme of polling districts and polling places for the European Parliament Election 2009. Contactlte I Alex Thomson, Senior Depute Returning Officer - Tel: 0131 529 4450 e-mail: [email protected] Scott Macvean, Depute Returning Officer - Tel: 0131 529 4376, e-mail: [email protected]. u k Wards affected City-wide Background Minutes of meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council 22 November Papers 2007. GIELECTIONIPOLLING PLACES/2009/rptCouncil 2 APPENDIX 1 Summary of Changes to Polling Places European Parliament Elections 4 June 2009 EDINBURGH EAST CONSTITUENCY 1. Holyrood Abbey Church Hall, 83 London Road. (Ward 14) (Polling district ref. EE14D, electorate 827.) Voters from this district used to be placed at the Holyrood Abbey Church Hall but as a result of major renovation work to the hall, begun in 2004, they were re-located, firstly, to the former Abbeyhill Methodist Church, Lower London Road, and, latterly, to St Ninian’s Church Hall, at Marionville Road. With the recent completion of the renovations, there is now an opportunity to return to Holyrood Abbey Church. The new church hall should better suit voters’ convenience and be available for the longer term. 2. Bingham Community Centre, Bingham Avenue. (Ward 17) (Polling district ref. El7D, electorate 2227.) The closure of Lismore Primary School required that an alternative place be identified. The Bingham Community Centre, Bingham Avenue, lies very close to the school building and offers a good alternative, for the convenience of voters . 3. Brunstane Primary School, 106 Magdelene Drive. (Ward 17) (Polling district ref. EEI7F, electorate 503.) This area was served by the Jewel and Esk Valley College (Sports Centre), the demolition of which required an alternative to be found. It was considered that the area could be allocated to Brunstane Primary School in the adjoining polling district. The distance from the main body of houses to the school is approximately a quarter of a mile further than to the Jewel College; a main road (Milton Link) separates the two areas, but has a pedestrian crossing on the route. There is sufficient accommodation at the school and it is proposed to merge the two polling districts (EEI 7E and EEI 7F)), and increase the number of polling stations in the school from two to three. 4. Hays Business Centre, 4 Hay Avenue. (Polling district EEI 7L, electorate 1614.) The closure of the former Niddrie Mill Primary School building required that an alternative be found. The Hays Business Centre has been proposed as it can offer good accommodation, on the ground floor, and lies fairly close to the old school building. The use of the Hays Centre would also avoid any need to close of the new primary school on polling day. 3 EDINBURGH NORTH AND LEITH CONSTITUENCY 5. Elsie Clarke Halls, Royal British Legion, 33 Rodney Street. (Polling district NL05L, electorate 549.) The closure of Canonmills School required that an alternative be found. The Elsie Clarke Halls, Royal British Legion, 33 Rodney Street, are situated next door to the old school building and should offer a convenient alternative for voters, with good accommodation internally. 6. St Stephen’s Comely Bank Church Hall, 10 Comely Bank Road. (Polling district NC05H, electorate 3892.) Representations were received on behalf of parents to find an alternative place, to avoid closing the school on polling day. It is proposed to re-locate the polling place to St Stephens Comely Bank Church, which is now contained within the boundaries of the polling district, and is available. The hall offers a good alternative with, improved, level access and having sufficient accommodation internally for the high electorate. 7. Ebenezer United Free Church of Scotland Hall, 31 Bangor Road. (Polling district NL12B, electorate 51 7.) The closure of Bonnington Primary School required that an alternative be found. A readily identifiable alternative could not be found within the polling district, nor within Ward 12. Following consultation with the members for Ward 12 and Ward 13, it is proposed that the Ebenezer United Free Church Hall, 31 Bangor Road, be adopted as the polling place. The hall lies just inside the boundaries of Ward 13, and about 200 yards from the former Bonnington School building. In order to minimise any possible voter confusion within Ward 13, I would propose to send a letter to the households in the streets immediately surrounding the new polling place, to explain the situation; the polling place for Ward 13 voters would remain as the South Leith Parish Church halls, at 6 Henderson Street.