Welcome
toWelcome to
Cambusbarron Community Council
Community Councils were first established in Scotland following the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. Thereafter, the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act, 1994, which produced the current system of unitary local authorities, made provision for the continuation of community councils
The statutory purposes of community councils
established under the Model Scheme are set out in Section 51 (2)
of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as follows: -
‘’In addition to any other purpose which a community council may
pursue, the general purpose of a community council shall be to
ascertain, co-ordinate and express to the local authorities for
its area, and to public authorities, the views of the community
which it represents, in relation to matters for which those
authorities are responsible, and to take such action in the
interests of that community as appears to it to be expedient and
practicable’’
The Role of Cambusbarron Community Council, as established under the above legislation, is detailed as follows:
The general purpose of community councils is to act as a
voice for their local area. This will involve them articulating
the views and concerns of local people in their area on a wide
range of issues of public concern and make representations to
their local authority, other public sector bodies and private
agencies on matters within their sphere of interest.
It is essential that these views be demonstrated to be
accurately representative of the community. Accordingly,
the community council will have in place, in consultation with
the local authority, recognised consultative mechanisms to
validate their views and devise strategies to secure greater
involvement by all sectors of the community.
Community councils have a statutory right to be consulted on
planning applications. Licensing matters and any other
matters may also be jointly agreed between community councils,
the local authority and other public sector and private
agencies.
Community councils may carry out other activities that are in
the general interests of the communities they represent,
provided these activities fall within the objects of their
Constitution and the terms of the Council’s Scheme for the
Establishment of Community Councils.
There should be mutual engagement in the establishment of
working relationships with the local authority and other
agencies.
In carrying out their activities community councils must at all
times adhere to the law, the terms of the Council’s Scheme for
the Establishment of Community Councils and the Community
Councillors’ Code of Conduct.
Each community council is required to adopt a Constitution,
based upon the Model Constitution (Appendix I), which has been
produced for national use, together with Model Standing Orders
(Appendix II), to encourage and maintain consistency for all
community councils and to facilitate their proceedings being
properly structured and regulated, to ensure that items of
business relevant to the community are properly debated and
decisions reached in a democratic manner. The
community council’s Constitution is required to be approved by
the local authority.
Community councils have a duty under statute to represent the
views of their local community. It is vital therefore,
that they reflect the broad spectrum of opinion and interests of
all sections of the community. In order to fulfil their
responsibilities as effective and representative, community
councils shall: -
Inform the community of the work and decisions of the community
council by posting agendas and minutes of meetings in public
places, such as libraries and notice boards and, subject to the
provisions contained within the Data Protection Act 1998,
provide contact details of community council members.
- Agendas and draft minutes of community councils’
meetings must be presented to the local authority within 14 days
from the date of that meeting and be circulated to community
council members, relevant elected members and other interested
parties.
- Seek to broaden both representation and expertise by
promoting the Associate Membership of the community council of
persons for specific projects/issues.
- Make particular efforts to encourage young people and
other under-represented groups to attend/participate in
community council meetings and to ensure equality of opportunity
in the way the community council carries out its functions.
- Maintain proper financial records and present financial
reports at community council meetings. An example of a
standard format for community councils’ financial record-keeping
is featured in the Guidance Notes accompanying the Model Scheme.
- Inform the local authority of any change in membership (resignations, Associate Membership, etc.) and circumstances, as soon as is practicable.