‘Community Voices’ Urged to Step Forward for Community Council Elections

“Community Councils give the people who have boots on the ground within their community – and who really understand the issues that affect those communities – a voice.”

Wise words from Hoy’s Grace Robertson, has recently been the chairperson of the Graemsay, Hoy and Walls Community Council.  With the nomination period now underway for Orkney’s Community Council elections, she’s just one of those ‘community voices’, urging others to step forward to make  their communities heard.

“I’ve now done two terms on the community council,” explained Grace. “Local community councils provide an ongoing dialogue with elected members and council services – allowing local people to influence decisions and put pressure on where it’s needed.”

Elections for Orkney’s 20 community councils are now underway – with nominations closing on 15 June at 5pm.

Community Councils play an important role in local democracy by representing local views which can influence decisions in planning and the provision of local services. The Community Councils provide an effective, strong voice within each community area offering sound, local advice on a range of community issues.

Orkney Islands Council consults and depends on information and views from Community Councils, and these are used in shaping local authority policies. Community Councils are regularly consulted by other public agencies on a wide range of community related issues.

Angus Firth has spent 15 years on the Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Community Council and describes himself as ‘just a local lad doing his bit for the community’.

Angus points to transportation as one of the key issues that community councils can play a role in. He said: “My main highlight in my time with the community council has been securing a Sunday run for the Rousay ferry last year – that just would not have happened had it not been for the persistence of the community council.

“For anyone planning to stand for community council, don’t expect things to change overnight.  Persistence and teamwork are the key – the best projects I’ve been involved in are ones where the community council has worked alongside others to achieve something.”

Jacqui Hirst has been on the Holm Community Council for ten years – and was urged to put herself forward by other members of her community.

“It was a great privilege for folk to put that faith in me to be a reasonable and measured champion for the community.  My Dad – Jack Scott – was a councillor and so I had grown up around local politics and always had an interest in them.

“From my point of view being on the community council is less about the big projects and it’s more about supporting the smaller things – local sports clubs for example – to build up a bigger community picture.  I like walking around the village and seeing little things like flower planters etc. that I know I’ve had a hand in making happen.”

“Vital to that are the Council’s Democratic Services team – where we provide the voice for the community, they provide the link into the council to get action taken – they are invaluable. The relationship with the local councillors is also really important – I’ve always found them to be really supportive.

Each Community Council meets approximately every six to eight weeks and holds an average of seven meetings per year. Public or Special meetings are arranged, when necessary, to facilitate the discussion of controversial issues. Members of the public are entitled to attend and observe proceedings at any Community Council meeting.

Nomination forms are available from the Council website www.orkney.gov.uk/CCE22 and must be returned to Democratic Services, Orkney Islands Council, no later than 5pm on Wednesday 15 June 2022.