MANY North Ayrshire residents will have to go to a different place to cast their vote in the next UK general election, it's been revealed.

North Ayrshire Council is looking for replacement venues as polling stations as a result of the Church of Scotland's plan to shut many of its buildings in the area over the next few months.

And there are only a few days left for people to have their say on proposed new venues.

Three changes to polling places are set to affect three different voting districts in the area.

A deadline has been set of Thursday, November 30 for public comments.

Saltcoats and Stevenston

With the High Kirk building due to close next year, a new polling place must be found for those who would typically vote at the historic church building.

As far as possible, schools should remain open on polling day so as not to disrupt education provision - so no educational facilities are being suggested as part of the changes.

Instead, the proposed new polling place in Stevenston would be the Ardeer Neighbourhood Centre on Shore Road - around a kilometre away from the High kirk.

The Garnock Valley

With Kilbirnie's historic Auld Kirk building also earmarked for closure by the Church of Scotland a new station must also be found for those who previously used this facility.

North Ayrshire Council have proposed a move just over half a kilometre away for locals - to the Garnock Community Charitable Society on Loadingbank Court.

The North Coast

Again, due to closures of Church of Scotland buildings, the Dunn Memorial Hall in Largs can no longer be used as a polling place moving forward - with the hall to close alongside the building at St John's Church.

The Returning Officer has suggested a move of this polling place to the Clark Memorial Church Hall on Bath Street.

 

Once the November 30 deadline has passed, all views will be considered by North Ayrshire's returning officer before approval is sought in the spring to rubber-stamp the changes.

The new polling places will be used for the first time when voters across the UK go to the polls in the next General Election - which must be held by early 2025 at the latest, although following the Autumn Statement by the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, there is mounting speculation that the election could be called in the spring of next year, not long after the polling place changes are due to be ratified.

Those wishing to give feedback on any of the proposed changes should email these to elections@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or send them in writing to The Returning Officer, Chief Executive’s Office, North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine, KA12 8EE.