Voters are being encouraged to have their say on new proposed polling districts and places across North Yorkshire as part of a push to improve access.
North Yorkshire Council is consulting on 62 polling districts and 49 polling stations to ensure equal access and facilities for voters.
Launched today, the consultation mainly focuses on polling districts within the divisions in the Harrogate and Scarborough areas to enable elections to take place for the two newly-created town councils in May 2025.
Draft recommendations have also been made to amend polling districts where boundary anomalies have been corrected relating to the parishes of Eastfield, Newby and Scalby, and Osgodby.
Meanwhile, changes to a number of designated polling stations have been suggested where the existing venue is no longer available or suitable for voting in local and national elections.
The council is inviting voters – particularly those who find it challenging to travel to or access their local polling station – to have their say.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, said: “It is crucial that everyone has an equal opportunity to take part in the democratic process.
“With elections to be held for the first time for the new Harrogate and Scarborough town councils next year, that means we are especially keen to hear from voters in those areas to make sure the proposed polling stations meet the needs of those communities.
“There are also recommended changes to polling places in a number of other divisions across the county as part of this consultation as we try to ensure venues are suitable and accessible for all.”
The feedback and recommendations from the consultation will be shared with members of the council’s standards and governance committee for approval in November, before the register of electors is re-published in December.
To see the consultation page, view the suggested changes and share opinions as part of the consultation, voters are asked to visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/PollingPlacesReview.
The closing date for responses is Thursday, October 31.
Paper versions will also be available upon request at the following North Yorkshire Council offices:
- 1 Belle Vue Square, Broughton Road, Skipton, BD23 1FJ.
- Mercury House, Station Road, Richmond, DL10 4JX.
- Civic Centre, St Luke’s Avenue, Harrogate, HG1 2AE.
- Civic Centre, Stone Cross, Rotary Way, Northallerton, DL6 2UU.
- Ryedale House, Old Malton Road, Malton, YO17 7HH.
- Civic Centre, Doncaster Road, Selby, YO8 9FT.
- Town Hall, St Nicholas St, Scarborough YO11 2HG.
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