All the new Edinburgh polling places proposed as fewer schools to be used
A new polling place near Edinburgh Airport and another to avoid staff working in a portakabin with no flush toilet are among over a dozen the city is planning to set up.
The city is undertaking a review of its polling places and electoral districts, which it does every five years.
Residents can comment on the proposed changes, which look to ensure polling places are best serving their communities, until 18 July.
A total of 14 new polling places are proposed, with some being entirely new, and others representing polling places that are set to stop running.
Some polling districts are set to change their boundaries, but retain their polling places.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Council said: 'We have a legal responsibility to review our polling arrangements every five years. This is to encourage and support turnout at elections, whilst also addressing issues such as accessibility and capacity.
'We'd encourage all residents to engage with the public consultation and make their views heard.'
The differences in polling places listed below are versus the ones used at the 2024 General Election. Some polling places changed between the council's last review and then.
The write-up also contains details on the new polling places set to be established.
Almond ward
In Almond ward, several new voting districts are proposed, with two in the stretch of land between Edinburgh Airport and Cammo, one along Turnhouse Road and one in Queensferry.
The new districts near the airport cover the site of a massive residential development planned for the city in coming years, which will see up to 11,000 new homes built.
No polling place has been determined for the site of the new development, but for the Turnhouse Road district, one is proposed at Turnhouse Golf Club.
And in Queensferry, part of the town is suggested to be split off into a new voting district, with a polling place at the Queensferry Sports and Community Hub.
In Muirhouse, the council is proposing moving the polling place back to North Edinburgh Arts Centre, which the city replaced with Muirhouse Millennium Centre during renovation works.
Pentland Hills ward
In Pentland Hills, the council is proposing that Wester Hailes voters use the Calder Gardens Sheltered Housing Community Room, after polling staff faced difficulty in 2022.
During the council elections that year, no site for the election could be found, as both schools in the area – according to the city, the only sizeable community buildings in the district – could not host the polls.
As such, the city set up a temporary cabin structure, with polling staff enduring the 'absolute minimum of welfare facilities', drinking bottled water and using a temporary toilet outside.
In a report, Edinburgh Council said the generator noise at the temporary cabin was distracting for voters, that the temporary facility was expensive, and that it gave 'minimal space' for voter privacy.
Drum Brae/Gyle ward
In Drum Brae/Gyle, one merged polling district is proposed for voters currently going to the Lothian Valuation Joint Board building and a mobile library to cast ballots.
The polling place for the district is proposed to be at Forrester Rugby Club, with the changes intended to avoid use of the council's new mobile library vehicles for elections due to their lack of toilets.
And, a new polling district is suggested in the south of the ward near South Gyle, where it is recommended that voters also go to Forrester Rugby Club to vote.
Forth ward
In Forth ward, the council is proposing that some voters in Newhaven cast ballots at Newhaven Parish Church instead of the current Heart of Newhaven.
Inverleith ward
No changes to polling places are suggested in Inverleith ward. However, the council suggests that in future, voters who currently use Bristo Baptist Church to cast votes may be moved to the nearby Dean Building.
Corstorphine/Murrayfield ward
In the Corstorphine/Murrayfield ward, the council is proposing that voters currently using Murrayfield Parish Church Centre are moved to the Dean Building.
And, they're suggesting that voters who currently use Corstorphine Library are moved to the 10th Craigalmond Scout Hall.
Further, a new polling district is suggested, which would see voters in part of the ward cast ballots at St Ninian's Church Hall instead of St Thomas' church.
Sighthill/Gorgie ward
No changes of polling places are suggested for the Sighthill/Gorgie ward.
Colinton/Fairmilehead ward
In Colinton/Fairmilehead, a new polling place is suggested at Fairmilehead Parish Church Hall to serve a new voting district, which would take in some voters curently using Charwood.
Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart ward
No changes to polling places are proposed for Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart.
Morningside ward
In Morningside ward, it is proposed that two polling districts – those around the Church Hill Theatre and Studio and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – are split in two. But each would retain its existing polling place.
City Centre ward
In the City Centre ward, the council is suggesting that voters using the Greyfriars Charteris Centre are moved to the Braidwood Centre, due to the latter reopening.
Leith Walk, Leith, Craigetinny/Duddingston and Southside/Newington wards
No changes to polling places are suggested for the Leith Walk ward, the Leith ward, the Craigetinny/Duddingston ward or the Southside/Newington ward.
Liberton/Gilmerton ward
In Liberton/Gilmerton ward, a new polling place at Tron Kirk, Moredun is proposed to be created to support an expected new development in both that ward and Portobello/Craigmillar, and another one – centred around a new polling district – is proposed to be established at Tron Kirk, Gilmerton.
Portobello/Craigmillar ward
In Portobello/Craigmillar ward, a new polling place near Tron Kirk, Moredun is proposed, to accommodate the new development that also stretches into Liberton/Gilmerton ward.
And Niddrie Bowling Club is proposed as a polling place, to replace Newcraighall Primary School – stepped away from as the council is looking to stop using schools for elections.
The details can be found in a write-up here and in maps here. Residents can voice their views on the proposed changes here.
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