Review of Community Councils

The Highland Council has agreed a review of the Highland Scheme of Establishment for Community Councils as required under section 53 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The draft proposals to amend the Scheme are based on the feedback from Community Councils during the initial phase of engagement between August and November 2018.

A three-month public consultation will now take place on the draft proposals to amend the Scheme.  Community Councils and members of the public will have the opportunity to comment and submit representations on the draft proposals and also submit any further proposed amendments to the Scheme.

The draft proposals include formalising youth membership as a positive way to hear youth voices, to focus on youth issues and to build links with schools. This would give the option to allow two additional places for 14-18 year olds with full voting rights.

The feedback will be reviewed by the Community Council Steering Group and any proposed changes will be considered by the May meeting of the Council prior to a final period of public consultation on the amendments. Members will be asked to agree to the revised Scheme at a Special Meeting of the Council in June. The new Scheme is proposed to commence from the November 2019 elections.

Deputy Leader Cllr Alasdair Christie said: “I am delighted with the very positive engagement that we have had so far with Community Councils on the review.  The discussions to date have been open and honest and I look forward to the next phase of the public consultation.  I would encourage all Community Councils and the wider public to respond and to have their say on the draft proposals agreed and also other ideas they may have.”

Details of the consultation can be found on the Council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk/schemereview