Review of the Community Council Scheme of Establishment

Formartine Community Council Forum

Wednesday 3 September, 2014

Who we are?

Short-life Working Group– Ian Rogan Area Project Officer (Banff & Buchan)– Maureen StephenArea Committee Officer (Buchan)– Caroline Smith Community Planning Officer (Banff & Buchan)– Claire Robertson Area Committee Officer (Formartine)– Sandy Munro Senior Solicitor (Governance)

Why do we need a review?

Government legislation A number of national publications have been

published since the last review which have an impact upon the role of Community Councils.

In recent times a number of Community Councils have requested a review of their boundaries.

There is a need to clarify and provide guidance on the role of Community Councils within the wider Community Planning approach.

The Review Process

The review process is based upon the Scottish Government Good Practice Guidance Document.

3 phases Begins on 1 September, 2014 Ends on 29 May, 2015

Phase 1.

8 weeks from 1 September, 2014 – 24 October, 2014

Focus upon Boundaries and Composition Seek opinion and agreement from Area Committees

on any proposed CC Boundary Changes during November.

Council to consider suggestions from the first consultation period and agree a draft amended scheme for consultation 22 January, 2015

Phase 2.

8 weeks from 26 January, 2015 – 20 March, 2015 Focus upon whole scheme and associated

documentation. Council to consider suggestions to the draft

amended scheme and agree a final draft amended scheme for consultation. (30 April, 2015)

Phase 3. (if necessary)

4 weeks 4 – 29 May, 2015 Focus on Final Draft Amended Scheme Council to consider suggestions to the final draft

amended scheme; alter if required; and formally approve the amended scheme. June, 2015.

Give public notice of the Council’s amended scheme; and invitation to electors to apply for establishment (where there is no community council currently in existence). 6 July, 2015

3 August, 2015 - New Scheme Comes into Effect

Phase 1. Areas & Composition

Focus upon Areas– Questions you might like to consider are:

Is your Community Council Boundary still fit for purpose? e.g. are there recent residential and/or commercial developments which straddle boundaries?

Are there any plans for future residential and/or commercial developments which may overlap boundaries?

Have there been significant demographic variations since the boundaries were last reviewed which could impact upon the work of the Community Council?

Phase 1. Areas & Composition

Focus Upon Composition– Questions you might like to consider are:

Are the proposals under Section 5. Membership of Community Councils sufficiently clear?

Are the number of members proposed under schedule 1. appropriate for the work your Community Council undertakes.

Is the eligibility criteria under Section 7.1 sufficiently transparent?

Phase 1. Areas & Composition

When considering your response, at this stage, we would particularly welcome comments on the following sections:– 4. Community Council Areas within Local

Authority Areas– 5. Membership of Community Councils– 7.1 Eligibility– 7.7 Co-option to Community Councils– 8. Additional Membership

Review of the Community Council Scheme of Establishment

Thank you

Any Questions?