Residents across North Yorkshire are being encouraged to share their views as part of a review of polling districts and places to ensure voting arrangements remain suitable for future elections.
North Yorkshire Council is holding a countywide consultation on its polling districts and polling stations to ensure voters have appropriate and accessible facilities.
The review follows changes made by the Local Government Boundary Commission to 14 parish ward boundaries, as well as the completion of a recent Community Governance Review involving 19 parish council areas.
The consultation will consider about 800 polling districts and approximately 500 polling stations across the county, with between 50 and 100 polling stations expected to be affected by proposed changes.
Launched today (Monday, August 3), the 10-week consultation will give residents the opportunity to comment on polling arrangements in their area and help ensure they remain suitable ahead of the full council elections in May 2027.
The authority 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, whose responsibilities include elections, said:
It’s vital that we make it as easy as possible for people to vote and ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in local democracy.
Following recent changes to electoral and parish boundaries, we want to make sure that our polling districts and polling stations are suitable ahead of future elections and that they continue to provide good accessibility for voters.
We would encourage residents to take part in the consultation, particularly anyone who may experience difficulties travelling to or accessing their polling station, as their feedback will help inform our final recommendations.
As part of the review, a number of polling district boundaries will need to be updated to align with revised parish ward boundaries, while some polling stations may also need to change.
The council is inviting residents, community groups and organisations to comment on the proposals.
Views are also being sought from parish and town councils, elected members, local MPs and key partners including health organisations, blue-light organisations, and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Feedback received during the consultation will help shape the final recommendations, which will be presented to members of the council’s standards and governance committee in late November.
To find out more information about the proposed changes and to take part in the consultation, voters are asked to visit North Yorkshire Council’s website at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/PollingPlacesReview.
The closing date for responses is Monday, October 12.
Paper copies of the consultation 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.
• Ryedale House, Old Malton Road, Malton, YO17 7HH.
• County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AD.
• Civic Centre, Doncaster Road, Selby, YO8 9FT.
• Town Hall, St Nicholas St, Scarborough YO11 2HG.
