What are Community Councils?

Community Councils are made up of local people from age 16 onwards, who are elected to support their local community through consultation. This means that a Community Council are both a consultor and a consultee. They are consulted by law on issues that are important to communities and citizens and are also requested to consult with their communities on issues important to them.

Many Community Councils may be involved in local projects and also administer funding for their community, for example from windfarms. All Community Council meetings are open to the public and residents are encouraged to attend and support their local Community Council.

1. Community Councils are voluntary bodies which exist within a legal framework and have been granted legislative rights of consultation.
2. The general purpose of a Community Council is to find out the wider views of the community within its agreed boundaries. Although they are elected bodies, Community Councils do not have the status of local authorities nor are they part of local authorities. Community Councils are a separate legal entity with their own rights and responsibilities.
3. Community Councils are included in the consultation process for all planning applications. They have the right to receive notification of applications and will be recognised as competent bodies to make representations regarding applications.
4. Community Councils are also statutory consultees in terms of section 21 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 and are consulted on the development of the Licensing Policy Statement and any supplementary Licensing Policy Statement.
5. It is the responsibility of a Community Council to follow the Amended Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in Dumfries and Galloway.
6. Community Councils have a great deal of scope to get involved in a variety of local issues and promote partnership working at local level with other groups.

How to get involved

There are different ways to get involved in your local community council:

• attend your Community Council's regular public meetings
• email your local community council or visit their website
• become a Community Council member

All Community Council meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend their local Community Council.