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.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
In the light of the financial forecast for 2025-26, Highland Council is inviting you to tell us more in the budget preparation for the coming financial year. The budget engagement builds on extensive budget participation which took place in the winter of 2023-24.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Every year Highland Council invites all tenants to have their say on the rent levels for the following year. The Council encourages everyone that lives in a council house to take this chance to have their say.
Communities and Place Committee met yesterday (Wednesday 27 November 2024) and Members agreed the Highland Local Child Poverty Action Report which includes actions for delivery in 2024/25. Reducing child poverty is a priority for the Council and its partners.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Members of the Highland Council's Community and Place Committee have given their support to an action plan focusing on the operating of public conveniences over the next 10 years. Whilst not a statutory function, the Council is the main provider of public conveniences located throughout Highland, operating 74 sites.
A report published on 27 November 2024 by LGIU (Local Government Information Unit) looks at the state of funding for councils by the Scottish Government. Confidence in the sustainability of council finances is critically low.
At today's (Wednesday 27 November 2024) Communities & Place Committee, Members agreed the most appropriate long-term strategic direction for residual waste management is to continue to utilise a merchant provider solution. Communities & Place Committee Chair, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: "After careful consideration and analysis it has been agreed that a merchant provider solution is considered the most appropriate long term solution to our statutory waste management obligations, and that an energy-from- waste facility within the Highlands is not considered to be a suitable course of action.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
The Highland Council welcomes confirmation by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison that the Scottish Government will enable The Highland Council to use up to £28m of its funding through the Inverness & Highland City Region Deal to deliver a new electric Corran Ferry. The vessels used on the route are in need of replacement and this funding announcement, alongside the existing investment commitments.