Opportunity to represent your local community with Interim Community Council elections - Sinclairs Bay, Tannach and Bower in Caithness

22nd January 2025

Nominations are invited from people seeking election to the Community Councils that have fallen into abeyance since the last round of interim elections and to reform those that have submitted a petition to be reformed.

This is your chance to help represent the views of your community to The Highland Council and other public agencies.

The Community Councils looking to form are:

Conon Bridge
Kilmuir and Logie Easter
Lochalsh
Resolis
Sinclairs Bay
Tannach and District

As per the Scheme of Establishment, petitions can be submitted for re-establishment. The Highland Council has received petitions to include those Community Councils listed below in the interim elections to be re-established.

Bower Community Council
Carrbridge Community Council
Portree and Braes Community Council
Smithton Community Council

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 Notice of Election and the Online Nomination Form to be completed for candidates wishing to serve their local Community Councils in the Highlands will be published on the Council's website www.highland.gov.uk/ccelections from Monday 27 January 2025.

Anyone considering putting themselves forward has from Monday 27 January 2025 to 12 noon on Monday 10 February 2025 to complete and return their online form.

The statements of persons nominated for each Community Council will be published on the Council's website by Tuesday 11 February 2025.

A postal ballot will be held in instances where the number of nominations exceeds the maximum membership.

For any questions or candidates experiencing issues with accessibility or the nomination process itself, please contact to the Election Office
by Email: ccelection@highland.gov.uk or Tel: 01349 886657.

To help explain more about the important role community councils play, the Council has created an online digital toolkit with lots of helpful information. This is now available on the Council's website . There is also detailed information about the role community councils play and a short video .

Separate to these Interim Community Council elections, The Highland Council is running a public consultation on how Community Councils in the area are created and governed (The Community Council Scheme Review).

Any changes to the scheme will not come into effect until after a special meeting of the Highland Council on Thursday 18 September 2025.

A summary of minor amendments and scheme documentation with all proposals can be found at: Community Council Scheme Review 2025 | Highland Place Planning
https://engagehighland.co.uk/cc-scheme-review

The Council invites feedback on the proposals by completing a short survey which is available online at: https://engagehighland.co.uk/cc-scheme-review