Community Council Administrative Scheme

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Community Councils

Community Councils were introduced in 1975 when local government was reformed and the former, smaller town councils, were abolished. The objective was to ensure there could be input from the "grassroots" to the then new two-tier structure of Regional and District Councils.

The Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 continued the role of the Community Councils in the new single-tier organisations. In June 1999, the McIntosh report, dealing with the relationship between the new Parliament and local government, recommended that the system of community councils should be retained, taking into account the requirement for local Councils to draw up decentralisation plans under the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994.

There are 25 community councils in Angus all of which are currently operational.

Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils

Following local government reorganisation, Angus Council inherited two community council administrative schemes from its predecessors. In recognition of the need to provide a standard approach, the Council agreed, as an interim measure, to develop a single Angus Council Community Council Administrative Scheme. This was achieved in 1997. The revised Scheme was seen as a first phase of a two stage review which would lead to a complete reappraisal of the administrative scheme, taking into account changes which had occurred since community councils were first set up in 1976.

The second phase of the review of the administrative scheme introduced a number of changes such as model constitutions and standing orders and sought to realign council ward boundaries and those of community councils. This was seen as an important element in emphasising the link between community councils and Angus Council ward councillors.

In September 2007, Angus Council agreed that it would be appropriate to undertake a further review of the Scheme to consider the amendment of community council boundaries, in light of the introduction of multi-member wards in May 2007. Also, the Council recognised that it was time to look at the whole Scheme given the last review was completed in 2000 (Committee Report 855/07 (65 KB PDF) refers).

A review of the existing Community Council Scheme has now been completed. The initial twelve week public consultation process (Phase 1) resulted in consideration of responses by the Joint Working Group at a meeting on 6th October 2009. After due considerations, a draft revised Scheme of Establishment for Community Councils was submitted to and approved by the Council on 5 November 2009 (Committee report 801/09 (50 KB PDF) refers). The revised draft Scheme was subject to a further six week public consultation (Phase 2).

The period of public consultation ended with no representations being received in respect of the revised draft Scheme. Accordingly the final draft Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils was submitted for approval on the 11th February 2010 (Committee report 118/10 (50 KB PDF) refers).

This final approved Scheme as detailed below came into effect on the 4 October 2010.

Copies of the Scheme are also available in all Council libraries, ACCESS and local Housing Offices. Maps showing the boundaries for all community councils are also available in the libraries.

Good Practice Agreement with Community Councils

As part of its Best Value development, Angus Council has carried out a review of corporate communications with community councils. One of the recommendations in the improvement plan stemming from that review was to develop a Good Practice Agreement with community councils. Its aim is to demonstrate the commitment of both Angus Council and the community councils in the area to work together for the good of the community. The Good Practice Agreement will be subject to review by the community councils and Angus Council at regular intervals.

Community Council Guidance - Update

For further information, contact:

Rachel Green
Senior Community Planning Officer
Corporate and Community Planning
Angus House
Orchardbank Business Park
Forfar DD8 1AX

Tel: (01307) 476128
Fax: (01307) 46468272
e-mail: greenr@angus.gov.uk

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