Deadline set for community council nominations
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RESIDENTS in Caithness who want to have a say in the future of their communities have three weeks to nominate themselves for the forthcoming community council elections.
Candidates wishing to serve on one of 11 in the county for the next four years have until Tuesday, October 4, to present their nominations.
For the first time elections will be held across the Highlands at the same time on Wednesday, November 16. Each elector will be entitled to vote for a number of candidates up to and including the number of vacancies on the community council.
Counting will take place locally from Thursday, November 17.
The decision to hold elections across the Highlands at the same time was a key feature of a new scheme for the establishment of community councils agreed by the Highland Council earlier this year.
The new scheme also allows people aged 16 at the time of the nomination deadline to seek election.
To be eligible to stand, young people need to have completed a voter registration form.
The returning officer for the elections is Alistair Dodds, chief executive of the Highland Council.
He said: "Community councils play an important role in the democratic process, offering a local perspective on a range of issues. I am sure there will be significant interest in the elections, which for the first time are being held across the Highlands on the same day and for the first time will involve 16 and 17-year-olds."
Nomination forms are available at www.highland.gov.uk
They can also be obtained from any council service point, or by contacting the council service centre on 01349 886606.
