9 community councils under threat due to lack of nominations,
Press Release, Convention of Perth & Kinross Community Councils, 30 September 2011
Nine community councils in Perth and Kinross may fold if they cannot attract more nominations. Under Perth & Kinross Council's election rules, a community council may only operate if there are nominations for at least half of the available places. However when the deadline passed at 5pm on Thursday 29 September, the returning officer had received insufficient nominations for nine of the county's 44 active community councils, leaving them potentially at risk of folding.
The nine community councils facing possible dissolution are: Inchture, Meigle & Ardler, Burrelton & District, Rannoch & Tummel, Dunkeld & Birnam, Auchtergaven, Crieff, Auchterarder & District, Abernethy and Earn.
Three of the 'at risk' community councils - Inchture, Auchterarder & District and Earn - are members of the Convention of Perth & Kinross Community Councils, the collective body funded by Perth & Kinross Council to improve relations between it and community councils.
Convention Chairman Michael Gallagher commented, "This is really worrying. Community councils are the only democratically elected bodies that represent Scots at community level. However it really isn't any wonder that community councils are struggling to attract members. They have no power and virtually no money, and are therefore regarded by many people as irrelevant. I really feel it is time for Scotland's 1200 community councils to get together to demand meaningful powers and a commensurate share of council tax, as England's parish councils have."
In addition to the nine community councils currently under threat, a further eight areas do not currently have community councils established. Five of these are in Perth City, including Central, Tulloch, City South (comprising Friarton/Craigie and Viewlands), Letham and North Muirton. A further two, Luncarty, Redgorton & Moneydie and Invergowrie & Kingoodie are rural. Pitlochry & Moulin Community Council folded in April this year due to lack of interest (click here).
Community councils with insufficient nominations have until 10 October to find further volunteers.
The nine community councils facing possible dissolution are: Inchture, Meigle & Ardler, Burrelton & District, Rannoch & Tummel, Dunkeld & Birnam, Auchtergaven, Crieff, Auchterarder & District, Abernethy and Earn.
Three of the 'at risk' community councils - Inchture, Auchterarder & District and Earn - are members of the Convention of Perth & Kinross Community Councils, the collective body funded by Perth & Kinross Council to improve relations between it and community councils.
Convention Chairman Michael Gallagher commented, "This is really worrying. Community councils are the only democratically elected bodies that represent Scots at community level. However it really isn't any wonder that community councils are struggling to attract members. They have no power and virtually no money, and are therefore regarded by many people as irrelevant. I really feel it is time for Scotland's 1200 community councils to get together to demand meaningful powers and a commensurate share of council tax, as England's parish councils have."
In addition to the nine community councils currently under threat, a further eight areas do not currently have community councils established. Five of these are in Perth City, including Central, Tulloch, City South (comprising Friarton/Craigie and Viewlands), Letham and North Muirton. A further two, Luncarty, Redgorton & Moneydie and Invergowrie & Kingoodie are rural. Pitlochry & Moulin Community Council folded in April this year due to lack of interest (click here).
Community councils with insufficient nominations have until 10 October to find further volunteers.