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.
I have made a number of comments. I initially wished to add them all together but the system would only allow a certain number of characters. As a consequence, I have had to add my comments individually.
There appears to be no version control. 70 pages have been reduced to 60 without any form of explanation or indication where there have been changes or omissions.
I have made a number of comments. I initially wished to add them all together but the system would only allow a certain number of characters. As a consequence, I have had to add my comments individually.
The consultation has been seriously flawed from the outset. It has not been available in a number of libraries, including Carnegie. Perhaps it has never been available anywhere. When the original consultation was issued, there were fewer than 10 respondents online and I suspect that the grand total of respondents wouldn’t have been many more. This isn’t good enough.
The Scheme has been available in my local library in Forehill for many months.
For clarification.
The current Scheme has indeed been available in many locations for some time. However, this part of the consultation concerns the Draft Scheme 2026 which has not been so readily available.
Forehill Library has had a copy of the Draft Scheme 2026 for a few weeks.
The hard copy is only available as a library copy.
Under section 3 of the proposed draft add under Contested Election Process the part from the Guidance 16.4 and include if not received on time will not be counted towards the vote.
To be added
Current Scheme page 10 part 3.5 appears to be omitted from the draft proposal. Suggest this is added in part under Election Process as detailed below:
3.5 Members of a Community Council will represent that Council area as a whole and will be elected by a confidential ballot. For the purpose of the election Process, South Ayrshire Council have the ability to remove sub-warding within affected Community Council areas if required.
Proposed Change to:
3.9 Community Council membership should reflect the various wards within the council area. However, if there are insufficient nominations from a sub-ward during an election, or if representation is lacking, the Service Lead, Thriving Communities of South Ayrshire Council may, at the Community Council’s request, remove sub-warding within the affected areas.
Unless there is a major issue which is of detriment to a community there is a complete lack of engagement. We must move to a 21st century format of blended engagement and let residents feel empowered. There is a lack of transparency in the planning and change of use processes which appears to start at the top of council.
Having read through the minutes from several community councils it strikes me there are so many diverse styles of minute taking. I suggest a standardised template be included as an appendix that CC's would follow. I think a formal training package for community council office bearers would be beneficial for new appointees and those who have been in office previously. Finally I think community councils should use a standardised and generic email address to identify office bearers at each community council.
Sample template to be included in updated Good Practice Guidance
An online training package is currently being developed.
Generic email addresses should be used for office bearers. This will be addressed in the final phase of consultation
Responsibilities Part A - states members should be non-political. Yet in reality not all Councillors identify as independents rather they tack themselves to a political party. Would like to see Councillors represent their communities as independent people rather than using Councils as a training platform for Scottish Parliament or Westminster roles. I.E. folk to nominate and be elected locally and for the right reasons.
While I can see the issue, I don't see any young people on Community councils. What we have is an old guard because no young people will commit, Ther is also clear personal bias and I would like to see that being addressed
Been added to Good Practice Guidance that compliments the Scheme.