About community councils
Information on community councils and how to get involved
About community councils
A Community Council is a voluntary organisation set up by statute by the Local Authority and run by local residents to act on behalf of its area. As the most local tier of elected representation, Community Councils play an important role in local democracy. Community Councils are made up of people who care about their communities and want to make their area a better place to live. Community Councillors represent local people, voice peoples’ views on important decisions which affect them and work with others to improve services. A range of people must be part of a Community Council so different opinions and ideas are heard.
Your Community Council
There is provision for 42 Community Council within the Stirling Council area which are based on identifiable communities as far as possible. Elections for Community Councils take place approximately every four years (dependent on local elections) where people are nominated to stand as new Community Councillors. If there are more nominations than places on the Community Council, a postal ballot takes place. The next Community Council elections will take place in 2023.
Community Councils are always keen to hear from local people and want more people to get involved in their work and local projects that improve the area.
Governance
Community Councils are independent voluntary organisations set up by the Local Authority and governed by a Scheme of Establishment. The Scheme sets out guidance for the mutual exchange of information between the Council and each Community Council and guides on other administrative matters.
- Scheme of Establishment (incorporating Constitution, Code of Conduct and Standing Orders)
Being involved
Community Councils
Every community in the Stirling area can have a Community Council. They represent the communities' views represent local people, voice peoples’ views on important decisions which affect them and work with others to improve services. They also have an important role to play in commenting on how plans and issues affect their communities - for example, Stirling Council must consult them on planning and some licensing issues.
Coming along
All Community Council meetings are public meetings where residents can come along to listen to business, give their views or bring concerns to the notice of the Community Council. Meetings are usually monthly with an Annual General Meeting (AGM) once a year. For more information on when and where your local Community Council meets choose your area in the Your Community page.
Joining your Community Council
Every four or five years (dependent on local elections) people who are interested in improving their communities are nominated as Community Councillors to represent that community's views and work with others to improve their area.
To be a Community Councillor you need to be:
- over 16 years of age; and
- on the electoral register for the area you wish to represent; and
- living in the Community Council area you wish to represent.
The next Community Council elections will take place in 2023.
At other times anyone interested in joining can be co-opted by the Community Council if they have vacancies. If you are interested in being involved contact your local Community Council. Contact details are in the Community pages.
Review
Following the conclusion of an extensive consultation exercise, on 23 August 2018 Stirling Council agreed to adopt an Amended Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils.
Adopted Governing Documents
- Scheme of Establishment (incorporating Constitution, Code of Conduct and Standing Orders)
Adopted boundary changes -
History
The review started in September 2017 and subsequently, there were two 8 weeks and one 4 week consultation periods. All of the information generated through these consultations were reported back to Council at Special Meetings.
An overview of findings from the review (September 2017 to August 2018) can be found here.
- Special Council - 15 March 2018
- Special Council meeting 28 June 2018
- Special Council - 23 August 2018
Elections
Getting Involved in your Community Council
Approximately every four years people who are interested in improving their communities are asked to come forward as Community Councillors to represent that community's views and work with others to improve their area.
The last Community Council elections took place in 2018 and the next full elections will take place in 2023 following local elections.
2022 Community Council Vacancy Elections
Community Council Vacancy Elections 2022 results
2019 Community Council Follow Up Elections
Community Council Follow-up Election 2019 Results
Community Council Ballot 2019 Results