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Nominations sought for community council elections


By Staff Reporter- NOSN

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PEOPLE with a desire to help their area are being urged to stand as community councillors.

Nominations are now invited from those seeking election to community councils across Highland this autumn.

Community councils are voluntary organisations that act as a voice for their local area. They express views and concerns of local people across a wide range of issues, from new buildings and roads to local services and facilities. They also have legal duties: by law, the Highland Council must consult with community councils on planning and licensing applications in their area.

In some areas, community councils receive community benefit money from wind farm projects which they can reinvest in the community. Others are involved in setting up community development companies which can lead on larger scale improvement projects.

Burn of Whilk wind farm. In some areas, community councils receive community benefit money from renewable energy projects which they can reinvest in local projects. Picture: Alan Hendry
Burn of Whilk wind farm. In some areas, community councils receive community benefit money from renewable energy projects which they can reinvest in local projects. Picture: Alan Hendry

Highland Council is responsible for running the community council elections, which must be held every four years. The maximum membership of each of the groups is determined by the population it serves, and varies from seven to 13 members.

Nominations are now open and the deadline for submitting nomination papers to the local ward manager is noon on Tuesday, October 8.

People wishing to stand as a candidate must live within their local community council boundary and must be a registered voter.

Those aged 16 and 17 at the time of the nomination deadline are also eligible to seek election and to register to vote in the election. However 16 and 17 year olds must be registered on the supplementary register. Registration forms are available on the Highland Council website and are being distributed through secondary schools.

The list of people nominated for each community council will be published after noon on Wednesday, October 9. Anyone wishing to withdraw their candidacy must complete the relevant form and return it by noon on Friday, October 11.

If the number of nominations for a community council is higher than the membership, an election will be held. Ballot papers will be issued by post on Tuesday, October 29, and must be returned no later than Wednesday, November 20.

To find out more about the community council elections and to download a nominations pack, go to www.highland.gov.uk/elections


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