Consultation process
Review of Scheme for Establishment of Community CouncilsPlease leave details of your feedback
Comments that are specific to a certain section of the Scheme should be numbered for easier reference eg section 2 part 2.9.
Consultation process
Review of Scheme for Establishment of Community CouncilsComments that are specific to a certain section of the Scheme should be numbered for easier reference eg section 2 part 2.9.
7.3 and 7.4 Needs looking at. The full election via SAC has taken place at a date concluded by SAC for CC member nominations say by mid-March. SAC advise on numbers (is an election necessary) Nominations must come from persons who have attended at least some previous CC meetings. We can’t have someone who hasn’t attended any meetings applying to be a member, that doesn’t make sense or show commitment. AGM - What usually happens in our case, where everything takes place at the AGM in April/May outside of an election year where 7.3 states the meeting takes place in April only. The Chair opens the meeting with the usual and hands the gavel to the SAC representative. The SAC representative in the April AGM could indicate at this point what nominations have been received for officer positions and a vote takes place should there be more than one applicant for a position with the applicants leaving the room or having given a short introductory speech beforehand.
Provided by A Russell
For a full-election SAC/Community Councils cannot stipulate those interested in applying need to have attended previous meeting.
7.3 This is at year 1 after a full election as with everyone stepping down at year 4, some may not have re-applied their technically is no chair or any other office bearers.
This would be years 2,3 and 4 when it is only re-election of office bearers. 2 different things.
7.1 Good (private business should be discussed, if possible, prior to meetings of carried over so as not to disrupt public meetings)
7.2 All meeting notices will indicate the date, time, venue, agenda and draft minutes sent to a regular attendee agreed mailing list or on request to the secretary of Community Council meetings ---------- under Special Meetings see Scheme 7.13). You can now dispense with duplication of 7.5 and amend the remaining para numbers
provided by A Russell
Proposed combine to 1 point - Notices for Community Council meetings will be published at least seven working days before the meeting and will include the date, time, and location. Agendas and draft minutes will also be made available to members and the public within the Community Council area during this time
6.1 -------every 4 years in January thru March So here it is suggested in January SAC advertise for new members with an election in March where interested members of the CC area turn up at the March meeting to vote as described elsewhere in these notes should the numbers exceed the allowable CC maximum which can be intimated on the March meeting agenda if there is a need and advertised by SAC. (we now don’t hold a meeting in January due to holidays, our AGM has always been in April previously, which makes more sense allowing for some meetings after the Christmas period. The election mentioned in 7.3 all having taken place in April or May and convened by the link officer) This also links in with finances 8.1 the financial YEAR. Priovided by A Russell
7.3 refers to the first meeting (not necessarily stating it needs to be an AGM this is more to get office bearers etc in place before the AGM, and would only happen in year 1 after a full-election
Example of full-election timetable will be included in the updated Good Practice Guidance
4.4 Co-opted members must be eligible for membership of the Community Council as detailed in Section 2 of the Scheme. In addition, they must have attended some previous CC meetings. Reserves may initially be taken from the 4 yearly elections if still available and thereafter there is a need to advertise for co-option.
4.10 Good and sensible. Saves embarrassment of having to go back into a vote with other new applicants in 4.12. Here also the unsuccessful could become ready reserves. 4.12 In the event of there being more nominations than the number of vacancies, a draw by lot must take place. In the first instance applicants who have attended some previous CC meetings, ie more than one, in the present year could take preference in the lot to fill vacancies. The appointed officer --- 4.13 This is not necessary for the following reason. Delete At no time do I remember having to advertise the names of the CC membership even after a yearly AGM for office bearers or 4 year elections. AR
4.4 This point will be considered in the final phase of the consultation.
4.13 This will remain and should be carried out, it is also in current Scheme 4.19
Should also be added that names should be displayed after a full election propose to add within Election Process (3)
Successful applicants following a full-election should have their names (only) advertised with the community for a period of at least 21 days. This notice is provided by South Ayrshire Council.
Cont. from A Russell
Existing members should be advised before the March meeting the state of play. I say this because some members may resign after the March meeting and before the AGM in April in view of the extra numbers thereby negating an election. Everything written in this handbook should give the best opportunity to retain membership at the highest level, hence consideration of reserves.
3.11 and 3.12 This appears to be over the top for an election of community councillors in a contested process and expensive. In 3.11 entitled to vote for candidates in CC elections by attending an advertised meeting where this vote will take place by filling in a ballot paper containing all the names of existing and any new applicants to join by ticking boxes up to the CC maximum. In the case of a draw for the last available place a draw will take place. Those extras not ticked becomes eligible reserves.
What is stated in draft covers SAC to conduct the secret ballot as determined appropriate at that time.
With regards to reserve list a proposal has been added to the draft for final consultation.
3. Elections
Election Process
3.6 Please pay careful attention. I fear this will have a detrimental effect on membership giving existing members an ideal opportunity to leave by having to fill in paperwork. By all means every four years advertise for new members in January to join the CC. A provisor should be that any new member/s should have at least attended a prerequisite number of meeting/s beforehand. Should the then numbers exceed the upper limit for the CC then conduct an election at the March meeting by all area residents invited to attend that meeting by advert for the purpose of a vote. Tick named boxes to the max CC allowable. I suggest up to two or three reserves be considered for continuity purposes. A draw for the last place should there be an equal number of votes. TBC
Provided by A Russell
The current process for a full-election in that all members need to stand down and re-apply is correct, otherwise it would just be a continual by-election.
Part 2 from Barr CC
Community councils are meant to be independent, self-governing entities that work in partnership with the local authority but not subordinate to it. The Model Scheme used successfully by the majority of Scottish local authorities demonstrates that a simpler approach can function effectively without the need for extensive internal complaints processes or overly prescriptive guidance. The ordeal that we were put through by South Ayrshire Council off the back of complaints was completely wasteful and still leaves us baffled of what it was meant to achieve.
We therefore recommend that South Ayrshire Council adopt the Model Scheme, focusing on clarity, brevity, and trust in local self-governance.
In a full election will personal address be published
In changes it mentions bi election - When with these new changes would a bi election be called
Under the admin grant i think we should be able to claim for a poppy wreath
Successful candidates should have their names only advertised .
Where between elections membership falls below the minimum 50% if been unsuccessful to fill vacancies via co-option
Wreath has been included
Feedback from Internal Audit:
There is a procedure for complaints from the general public and one for internal complaints but there is no specific procedure for complaints from organisations. I accept that it is reasonable to consider these under the procedures for complaints from the general public, but to ensure clarity it would be useful to specifically include organisations within the existing procedure.
Process has been updated.
further proposal for section 10
10.8 Appropriate support costs, e.g. meeting venues, may be eligible for consideration of financial assistance from South Ayrshire Council.
Been added