Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places
Polling District
In Scotland, a polling district is a geographical area created by the sub-division of an electoral ward. The electoral ward must be divided into two or more polling districts unless there are special circumstances. In Falkirk, there are currently 9 electoral wards (Bo'ness & Blackness, Grangemouth, Denny & Banknock, Carse, Kinnaird & Tryst, Bonnybridge & Larbert, Falkirk North, Falkirk South, Lower Braes, Upper Braes) with each electoral ward is divided into several polling districts.
Polling Place
A polling place is the building or area within a polling district where you will go to vote. A polling place must be designated so that it is within easy reach of and accessible to all electors.
Polling Station
A polling station is the room or space in the building where voting takes place.
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View our current Polling Districts and Polling Places on this Interactive Map.
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Phases
Publication of outcome of Review
Phase 4: Publication of outcome of Review
Following the consultation period, all submissions will be reviewed and a report containing proposals, together with details of all responses received, was considered by Falkirk Council. The outcome of this meeting is summarised in the report below.
Polling Districts and Polling Places
A report was prepared for Council that incorporated responses to the survey and comments from participants into the Polling Scheme proposal. Falkirk Council debated the review of polling districts and polling places at the meeting of Falkirk Council on 01 February 2024. You can watch a recording of this session below (advance to timestamp 6:17:45 for this agenda item).
Council considered a report by the Chief Executive which advised of the review of the current scheme of polling districts and polling places. This is a necessary activity, required by the Representation of the People Act 1983 and the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013. The report also outlined the responses received during the consultation process (Appendix 2a) and proposed a number of amendments to the existing polling scheme, for consideration.
Decision Council:
(1) noted the requirements of the Representation of the People Act 1983 and the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 to review the existing UK parliamentary polling districts and polling places within the period 1 October 2023 and 31 January 2025, and
(2) approved the proposed polling scheme as detailed within Section 8 of the report subject to further consideration of the proposals for Bo’ness Recreation Centre and Dalgrain Community Hall having heard from local members, for use at elections, by-elections and referendums held between its approval and the next review, scheduled to be held between 1 October 2028 and 31 January 2030, with any ad hoc changes being reported to Council in the interim period.
You can download the report and minute of the session HERE.
In summary, the outcome of this meeting was an agreement of the proposed polling scheme, with the exception of two polling places. The decision on two final polling places was deferred to the next meeting, held on 27 March 2024. You can watch a recording of this session below (advance to timestamp 2:27:50 for this agenda item).
An amendment was put forward and voted on at the meeting.
Amendment
Council is instructed to action option 2 in respect both Grangemouth & Bo’ness and provide Mobile units on the Dalgrain Community Hall site and the Bo’ness Recreation Centre site.
Decision: the amendment was carried.
You can read the detail of the vote HERE.
Polling Scheme
The polling scheme is now agreed.