Today Aberdeenshire Council approved a new scheme of establishment for community councils. This might seem none too interesting but it is important as community councils can be the voice of our villages, towns and rural areas.
It is has taken a lot of consultation and discussion to agree on the new constitutions for community councils – it was rightly described today at full council as a long and tortuous process.
The changes include membership numbers, junior members, co-option of members, assets, elections etc. It comes into force on 1 April next year, with six months for implementation.
Under the new scheme Newtonhill, Muchalls & Cammachmore Community Council will have 11 members, North Kincardine Rural nine, Portlethen & District 15. The totals vary to reflect the size of electorate in each area. Should a community council feel they have been allocated too few members, they can appeal to the council’s area manager and area committee for a variation.
Portlethen Community Council was among those who took part in a short life working group to update the scheme of establishment.
There are 71 community councils across Aberdeenshire.
Further information can be found at item 9 on today’s reports to full council: http://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx…