This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Debate sparked on role of community councils
03/11/2005
Debate started today on the role of community councils to ensure they are as effective as possible.
Community councils play an important role in expressing the views of the people they represent on local issues. Views are now sought on a range of issues relating to community councils, including:
- electoral process
- whether a code of conduct is required for community councillors
- how to harness the views of the people they represent
- their role in the decision making process at a local level
- the role, remit and operation of the Association of Scottish Community Councils (ASCC)
Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform Tom McCabe said:
"Community councils are one of the most local tiers of representation in Scotland and that is one reason why we want to ensure good practice and identify areas which prevent them from being as effective as possible.
"For example, we need to look at the various systems that are used for elections to ensure that community councils are genuinely representative of the communities they represent. It is also important that we encourage people and organisations to become involved in their local community council.
"In addition to the publication of the discussion paper, Ministers and officials will speaking to representatives of local authorities, community councils and other public bodies to enable us to determine what action needs to be taken to support community councils in their role."
Community Councils were established by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and were formed to bridge the gap between local authorities and local communities and to make local authorities and other public bodies aware of the opinions, needs and preferences of the communities they represent. The provisions required local authorities to introduce community council schemes for their area and provided them with a fair amount of discretion in determining the arrangements for their area, such as elections and procedures for meetings.
In addition to their primary role of obtaining and expressing the views of the community which they represent on issues of local interest, community councils can also involve themselves in a wide range of other activities including organising civic and charitable events and the provision and maintenance of flower beds.
Following analysis of the various responses to the discussion paper Ministers will determine what further action is required to improve the effectiveness of community councils, including whether there is a need for any changes to the existing legislation and/or the publication of good practice guidance.