Community Council Elections 2023 - Opportunity To Be The Voice Of Your Community

4th September 2023

From Monday 4 September, nominations are invited from people seeking election to all Community Councils. This is your chance to help represent the views of your community to The Highland Council and other public agencies.

Community Councils are voluntary organisations that act as a voice for their local area. They express views and concerns of local people within their area across a wide range of issues such as new buildings and roads to local services and facilities. They also have legal duties: by law, The Highland Council must consult with Community Councils on planning and licensing applications in their area.

In some areas, Community Councils receive Community Benefit money from windfarm projects which they can reinvest in the community. Others are involved in setting up Community Development Companies which can lead on larger scale projects to improve the area.

Community Councils also work to make positive changes in their local communities. Some Community Councils have worked to improve patient transport, dental services and care services as well as looking at ways to improve their environment for the good of the community and visitors to the area.

The Highland Council is responsible for running the Community Councils election, which must be held every 4 years. The maximum membership of each of the Highland Community Council's is determined by the population it serves and varies from 7 to 13 members.

The notice of Election and Online Nomination Form to be completed for candidates wishing to serve their local Community Council's in the Highlands for the next four years is published on our website at www.highland.gov.uk/ccelections.

Those wishing to stand as a Candidate must be 16 years of age, be a reside within the Community Council boundary and must be a registered voter. Please contact the electoral registration office on 0800 393783 or email ero@highland.gov.uk to check if you are a registered voter.

The deadline for submitting nomination papers online is 12noon on Tuesday 3 October 2023.

Guidance and full details on the role of a community council is available from the Council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk/ccelections

The statements of persons nominated for each Community Council will be published thereafter by Wednesday 4 October 2023.

A postal ballot will be held in instances where the number of nominations exceeds the maximum membership. Ballot papers will be issued by post on Tuesday 31 October 2023 and must be returned no later than 12noon on Monday 27 November 2023.