Community Council elections
What is a Community Council ?
Community Councils are voluntary organisations that express the views and concerns of local people within their area across a wide range of issues from new buildings and roads to local services and facilities.
Every local community can request their local authority to establish a Community Council in their area.
What is involved?
The Community Council meets regularly to discuss issues affecting their area, including planning and licensing. All meetings are held in public, and residents are encouraged to attend their local meeting.
The maximum membership of each of the 156 Highland Community Councils is determined by the population it serves and varies from 7 to 13 members.
For more information on the roles and responsibilities of a community councillor, please see our Community Council page or view our Frequently Asked Questions.
Here is the link to a short video on what is a Community Council
How can I apply to be a Community Councillor?
The Election Office is responsible for running the Community Council elections, which must be held every 4 years.
Those wishing to stand as Candidate must be:
-
aged 16 years and over;
-
a resident within the boundary of the Community Council area;
-
named in the Electoral Register for that Community Council.
Follow the link to view the map and search details on your community council.
Interim elections are held if a community council has fallen below half the maximum permitted membership and the notice of election will be published here with further guidance on how to apply.
Dates for Interim Elections
Scheduled interim elections for any community councils that fall into abeyance will be held in Spring and Autumn 2025. The timetable for the next scheduled interim election is detailed below.
Interim Spring Election – Monday 31 March 2025
Interim elections are being held to fill vacancies for the Community Councils listed below that have fallen into abeyance since the last round of elections in 2024 and to reform those that have submitted a petition to be re-established which are indicated with an asterix *.
- Bower*
- Carrbridge*
- Conon Bridge
- Kilmuir and Logie Easter
- Lochalsh
- Portree and Braes*
- Resolis
- Sinclairs Bay
- Smithton*
- Tannach and District
The notice of election and online nomination form will be published online here on Monday 27 January 2025. To stand as Community Councillor, all one needs to do is self-nominate themselves by completing and submitting the online nomination paper which will need to be submitted by 12noon on Monday 10 February 2025.
Notification of Election Petition
In accordance with Section 52(7) of the Local Government Act 1973, petitions have been submitted to the Highland Council from persons residing in and appearing on the electoral registers for the areas of those Community Council's listed below hereby requesting elections for representatives to re-establish these community councils.
- Bower Community Council
- Carrbridge Community Council
- Portree and Braes Community Council
- Smithton Community Council
On receipt of this request the Returning Officer has arranged for those elections to be included in the spring interim elections scheduled above.
Dissolution of Community Councils that failed to form - 2023/24
The following Community Councils have dissolved as the total number of validly nominated candidates was less than the minimum number required:
- Ballifeary
- East Nairnshire
- Glendale
- Inver
- Muirtown
Subsequently to re-establish any of the community councils listed above, twenty or more electors will need to submit a requisition to The Highland Council in accordance with Section 52(7) of the Local Government Act 1973, on receipt of which the Returning Officer shall arrange a date for a further election to be held. A copy of the template is available here. Failing such a requisition a further election would be held after the current 4 year term in 2027.
Questions or advice
Please contact the Elections Team if you have any questions about the election process.
Email: election@highland.gov.uk
Tel: 01349 886657