Consultation on revised scheme for community councils

Orkney Islands Council is running a public consultation on its revised Scheme for Community Councils.

The Scheme has been recently reviewed to reflect Covid-19 restrictions which meant that meetings could only be held online – a clause has been added to permit meetings via online platforms.

In addition, there have been some other minor amendments made in response to feedback from the community over recent years. These include:

Reducing the minimum age to stand for or vote in Community Council elections from 18 to 16 years of age.

Reducing the period of absence permitted without a satisfactory explanation from one year to six months, as is common throughout Scotland.

Maureen Spence is Democratic Services Manager for Orkney Islands Council: “Community Councils are the lifeblood of the Orkney community and offer a vital sounding board for the Council on a wide range of issues important to residents, from transport to community wellbeing.

"During the Council’s response to Covid-19 they provided essential support and communication mechanisms which were invaluable to the Council and their communities.

"We encourage anyone interested in community councils and grass roots local democracy to take a look at the revised Scheme, including the recent changes, and get in touch with any comments and perhaps consider standing as a candidate during the next Community Council Elections which will be held in 2022.”

Full details of the changes and the complete revised Scheme are available on the Council website.

Members of the public are invited to comment on the Scheme before the consultation closing date of 16 July by emailing the Community Council team or writing to Maureen Spence, Democratic Services Manager, Orkney Islands Council, School Place, Kirkwall KW151NY.