Introduction 

These Good Practice Guidelines have been produced for Community Councils across Inverclyde to assist them to carry out their role as effectively and successfully as possible. These guidelines should be used in conjunction with other governing documents such as the scheme for establishment of community councils

It is a Community Councillor’s responsibility to ensure that they are aware of the rules and guidelines necessary to carry out their role. As a group they have responsibility to ensure that their organisation is operating well, is financially sound and complies with all requirements. 

The scheme for establishment of community councils was updated in 2023 and can be accessed by clicking here

Inverclyde Council  have also produced the Community Councillor Handbook which can be accessed by clicking here

A good practice guidance for Community Councils has been created by the improvement service which can be accessed by clicking here

This document will continue to be developed and any content suggestions should be discussed with the  Inverclyde Council Community Learning & Development department:

 Community Learning & Development.

Enterprise Centre

Port Glasgow Shared Campus

Kilmacolm Road

Port Glasgow

PA14 6PP

Phone (office) - 01475 715450

email- Community.Councils@inverclyde.gov.uk

Background to Community Councils

A Community Council is a group of people who give their time to, and have a genuine interest in, the well-being of their community. It is a public representative body and acts as a voice for the local community.

 Community Councils were introduced through the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and their purpose is defined as:

“To ascertain, co-ordinate and express to the Local Authorities for its area and to public authorities, the views of the community which it represents, in relation to matters for which those authorities are responsible, and to take such action in the interests of that community as appears to it to be expedient and practicable.”


Community Councils:

  • ascertain, co-ordinate and reflect the views of the community which it represents, liaises with other community groups within the area and fairly expresses the diversity of opinions and outlooks of local people.
  • expresses the views of the Community to the Local Authority, Public Authorities and other organisations;
  • acts in the interests of its community;
  • promotes the well-being of the community and fosters community spirit.
  • are a means whereby local people shall be able to voice their opinions on any matter affecting their lives, their welfare, their environment, its development and amenity. 

Role of the Community Council

 Community Councils can achieve this through a variety of methods including:

  • writing letters following a meeting of the Community Council in order to highlight an issue;
  • attend meetings with public officials.
  • hold a public meeting either at regular intervals or in response to a specific issue, or to find out what are the areas of concern within the community;
  • carry out surveys in the area, typically by using questionnaires;
  • meet with other community councils or community groups;
  • write in response to a draft policy report or consultation document;
  • receive and respond to enquiries and problems raised by members of the public;
  • send representatives to attend Inverclyde CC meetings;
  • attending an advisory group or regeneration partnership;
  • produce a newsletter and distribute it to all homes in the area, or have a website or social media page;
  • arrange for public officials or others to attend meetings of the Community Council;
  • negotiate Codes of Practice with local authorities

 

Community Councils not only represent the views of their community but also to inform the community of the work and decisions they have taken.

 In addition to this statutory function, Community Councils can undertake a range of other activities which can enhance their effectiveness for example organising community events or becoming involved in Community Led Action Plans.

 Criteria and types of membership

 Qualification to become a Community Councillor is by residency within the specific Community Council area. The minimum age to stand is 16. All candidates must be named on the Electoral Register.

 If there are unoccupied spaces within the a Community Council, increasing the number of Community Councillors via Co-opting is an option.

 Associate members may be appointed where there is a need for a particular skill or knowledge. They need not live within the area but are not entitled to vote, make motions or amendments or hold office.

 Inverclyde Councillors, MPs, MSPs and MEPs whose wards or constituencies fall wholly or partly within the geographical area of the Community Council area are ex- officio members and are unable to become full or co-opted members and have no voting rights.

Community Councillors are not eligible to be members if they no longer reside within the Community Council boundaries or they become an elected member. The Community Council has the discretion to terminate a Community Councillor's membership in accordance with the Scheme (Section 9 - Disqualification of Membership).

 Code of Conduct

 The Code of Conduct for Community Councillors is based largely on the Code of Conduct for local authority councillors and relevant public bodies as provided for in The Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000.

Community Councillors, as elected representatives of their communities, have a responsibility to make sure that they are familiar with, and that their actions comply with, the principles set out in this Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct and its principles shall apply to all Community Councillors and those representing the Community Council. These principles are as follows:

  • Service to the Community (Public Service)
  • Selflessness
  •  Integrity
  • Objectivity
  • Accountability and Stewardship
  • Openness
  • Honesty
  • Leadership
  •  Respect

Click here to access the Code of conduct 

Furher support 

 The first point of contact for Community Councils for advice in relation to the constitution, scheme of establishment and finance (grants) is the Community Council liaison officer, community.councils@inverclyde.gov.uk

 Community Councils will have an allocated CLD Officer, providing development Support. The role of Community Learning & Development workers is to assist Community Councillors to ensure that their Community Council operates as successfully and efficiently as possible.