Community Councils: of the people, by the people, for the people

Angus is home to 25 Community Councils.

They are a focal point for their community and represent residents’ views, opinions, concerns and wishes to the local authority – that’s us, Angus Council.

Community Councils make a wide range of activities possible and promote the well-being of local people. They bring local people together to help make things happen locally. Many of them work tirelessly to protect and promote the identity of their community.

They advise, petition, influence and advocate numerous causes and concerns on behalf of their neighbours and townspeople.

Community councils in Angus have and continue to –

• Carry out projects to enhance their community for people of all ages and background, including the elderly, young people, single mums, minority groups, and others.
• Deliver community newsletters and distribute notices.
• Carry out local surveys (Local Development Plan).
• Campaign on local issues.
• Highlight infrastructure issues such as potholes, dropped kerbs.Organise community events at all times of the year.

At their best Community Councils are brilliant.

But it’s no secret that some need support as they face challenges that include attracting enough volunteers, which in turn makes it harder to engage with their communities. Sadly, Aberlemno and Friockheim have no community councils operating at present because not enough people have volunteered.

As part of our efforts to develop and support our community councils, we are carrying out an Angus Community Councils survey to gather information about what you think about your community council, the influences and barriers that you think exist around it and, hopefully a bit about yourself.