Residents of the small Somerset village of Hawkridge, located within Exmoor National Park, will need to travel approximately four miles to reach their nearest polling station in the forthcoming local elections scheduled for 6 May 2027.
Somerset Council has undertaken a comprehensive review of polling stations across the county, aiming to ensure that all facilities meet required standards for voters. At a meeting of the council’s constitution and governance committee held in Taunton on Thursday afternoon (24 September), the final list of polling venues was agreed upon, resulting in a reduction from 382 to 348 polling places.
One significant change includes the removal of Hawkridge Village Hall, situated on Broad Lane in the heart of the village, as a designated polling station. This decision has drawn criticism from Councillor Steven Pugsley, one of the two Conservative representatives for the Dulverton and Exmoor division. Councillor Pugsley highlighted the difficulty residents would face accessing alternative polling locations or relying on postal voting.
The council’s consultation on the proposed polling stations took place between 23 July and 3 September, receiving 112 responses-a notably high number compared with the national average of 30.
Councillor Pugsley, formerly leader of West Somerset Council, emphasised the importance of maintaining accessible polling stations in rural areas. He said, “There is a crucial difference between typical rural polling stations and those in extremely rural settings. Even if costly, guaranteeing that democracy is accessible in every corner of the county, including west Somerset and Exmoor, is absolutely vital.”
He noted that although 16 polling stations are retained in this extensive area, the removal of the Hawkridge venue is concerning. “The parish clerk responded to the consultation stating the village should continue to have its own polling station, as has been the case for decades, but this was not reflected in the final list or officers' comments.”
Councillor Pugsley pointed out that despite Hawkridge benefiting from good broadband, the terrain between the village and the nearest polling station is challenging, involving a four-mile journey. “It’s a distinct community, somewhat isolated from Dulverton, the next nearest polling station. Preserving polling stations in these deeply rural locations is important given the limited alternatives. Ultimately, this is about ensuring democracy is accessible to everyone.”
Approximately 40 residents are registered to vote in Hawkridge parish. Somerset Council cited the community’s relatively small electorate as a factor in removing its polling station, considering the number insufficient to justify maintaining a dedicated venue.
Councillor Pugsley acknowledged Exmoor as one of the county’s most sparsely populated regions but argued this necessitates enhanced provision for rural constituencies. “It reflects Somerset Council’s commitment to rural democracy.”
Under the revised arrangements, residents of Hawkridge will need to cast their votes at Dulverton Town Hall, which is also near the village’s closest post office.
Concerns were also raised about the reliability of postal voting in rural areas. Councillor Sue Osborne (Conservative, Ilminster) remarked, “Currently, the rural postal service is quite inconsistent, and there is a real risk that postal votes may not be delivered on time.”
In response, Councillor Ross Henley (Liberal Democrat, Blackdown and Neroche), who chaired the meeting, acknowledged challenges with Royal Mail but affirmed the postal voting process remains robust despite isolated issues. “It’s not as problematic as some might believe.”
The full list of candidates standing in the 2027 local elections is anticipated to be published by early April 2027.