Polling stations changes planned for Bracebridge Heath, Doddington and Whisby

A four-week consultation is taking place in North Kesteven on a range of proposals for polling stations in the area.

From Monday, September 1 North Kesteven District Council (NKDC) will be welcoming comments from electors on proposals that emerged from a review of polling districts, places and stations.

The council is particularly wishing to hear feedback from electors with disability issues.

Comments are welcomed up until September 29 and will be considered by NKDC’s full council in November.

Comments can be made via the online questionnaire, or by emailing [email protected].

Any changes will be enforced in time for next May’s District and national General Elections.

There are currently 97 polling stations across North Kesteven which are used for local, national and European elections.

The proposals will increase these by four, with new ones set up in Sleaford and Bracebridge Heath and a couple suggested for re-location.

The review proposes:

• Bracebridge Heath – a new polling station at the Pavilion off Bath Road, with the village hall continuing to be used.
• Doddington and Whisby – relocating the polling station from the Old Rectory to Doddington Hall’s Coach House to offer better facilities and access.
• Sleaford Holdingham Ward – a new polling station at Greenfield Road Communal Rooms, with the Jolly Scotchman remaining in use.
• Sleaford Westholme Ward – the TA Centre at The Drove being used for people closest, with Northgate Methodist Chapel Room remaining in use.
• Sleaford, Castle Ward and Quarrington & Mareham Wards – two new polling stations at St Botolph’s Primary School to serve electors from both wards, with existing polling stations on Grantham Road and in Quarrington village remaining in use.

Although there are no specific proposals for other locations, comments can still be made on the suitability of the current arrangements.

Returning officer for elections in North Kesteven, the district council’s chief executive Ian Fytche, said: “The review aims to ensure that all electors have reasonable facilities for voting and to ensure, as far as possible, the polling places are accessible to disabled electors.

“Ideally there would be a choice from a range of fully accessible buildings, conveniently located for electors in the area, however, in reality this is not always the case and in some instances there is little or no choice available.

“I hope people take the opportunity to review these proposals and comment on their suitability so that we can support the highest possible engagement of electors in elections.”

Anyone hoping to vote at next year’s elections needs to ensure they are included in the revised electoral register before December 1.

The City of Lincoln Council are not proposing any changes to the area’s polling stations.