Your Community Council Needs You!

There’s Still Time to Get Involved - Community Council Nominations Deadline is Extended

Your Community Council needs you and that is why we have extended the deadline of Orkney’s Community Council Elections to enable more people to get involved.

At the foundation of a strong community are residents who are willing to give their time and local knowledge to ensure their communities flourish – this can be done by getting involved in Community Councils.

The nomination period has been extended to 30 June at 5.00pm so there’s still time to come on board and help be part of your community’s future.

The Council’s Democratic Services Manager, Maureen Spence, said: “It is vital that we try to ensure that we have enough nominations for available seats on our Community Councils, which play such an integral role in our communities. Community Councillors hear first-hand of the nitty gritty grass roots issues which can have a real impact on people’s lives and as has been witnessed on many, many occasions they help resolve those issues.

“Community Council Elections take place following the Local Government Elections and the invitation for nominations to Community Councils was announced on Monday, 16 May 2022, excluding the four community council areas which use the alternative system (Flotta, Eday, Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay).

“Following the deadline for nominations on 15 June 2022, there are still a number of areas where the number of nominations is less than the number of available seats.  In a handful of areas, the number of nominations received would not form the minimum required to establish a Community Council – the last thing any of us would want is for areas to miss out. Therefore, the decision has been taken to extend the deadline for nominations in the hope that the remaining seats are filled.  It would be preferable to see an election in most, if not every area.”

As a result of this the ballot papers for the four areas which use the alternative voting system will also be delayed until the beginning of July.

The new dates are:

• Deadline for nomination forms – Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 5pm
• Ballot papers will be sent to all electors on Tuesday, 5 July 2022
• Return date for ballot papers –    Friday, 5 August 2022
• The declaration will be made Wednesday 8 August 2022

Anyone who wants a nomination paper can get these at www.orkney.gov.uk/CCE22, the Council Reception at School Place, Community Council Clerks or by contacting Democratic Services on 01856 886622 or email at communitycouncils@orkney.gov.uk