Community council elections to take place in Thurso and Watten and eight other areas in the Highlands
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THURSO and Watten will be among the ten community council areas in the Highlands which will have elections next month to decide their membership.
That was confirmed this week by Highland Council after the period for candidates to withdraw from the contest closed on Tuesday.
Ballot papers will be posted out to voters on October 31 and have to be returned by noon on Monday, November, 27.
Candidates have been invited to submit a statement to support their candidacy which will be published online at the community council elections section of the local authority’s website: www.highland.gov.uk/ccelections when the ballot papers are dispatched.
The counting of the votes will start from 2pm November 27 and will be broadcast live. Detailed information will be published on the council’s website nearer the time.
In Caithness, contests will take place in Thurso and Watten while there will also be elections in two areas of Sutherland – Melvich, as well as in Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra.
A total of 116 community councils have now formed without requiring a ballot. They include Castletown and District; Dunnet and Canisbay; the Royal Burgh of Wick; Latheron, Lybster and Clyth as well as Berriedale and Dunbeath.
However, 30 community councils across the Highlands will not be established as they failed to attract half the maximum membership.
Included in the list is Bower; Balintore and Hilton; Golspie; Grantown-on-Spey; Muir of Ord; and Tain.
The next opportunity for nominations to be made to those community councils will be in January next year.
Community councils are voluntary organisations which act as a voice for their local area. They express views and concerns of local people within their area across a wide range of issues such as new buildings and roads to local services and facilities. They also have legal duties: by law, Highland Council must consult with community councils on planning and licensing applications in their area.
In some areas, the councils receive community benefit funding from wind farm projects which they can reinvest in the area. Others are involved in setting up community development companies which can lead on larger-scale projects.
Highland Council is responsible for running the community council elections, which must be held every four years.
