| CHAPTER 3: |
| ACTION BY COMMUNITY COUNCILS:
CHECKLIST |
|
| This checklist is intended to help community
councils enhance their relationship with local government, as well as develop their
ability to serve their communities. |
|
| Community councils should: |
| 1. Positively support local government and
try to establish close, constructive relationships with their local authority, with their
local councillors and with other organisations active in the area. |
|
| 2. Recognise the importance of developing a
wider range of contacts than simply with local authorities. For instance, they can develop
important relationships with the statutory utilities such as the suppliers of water, gas
and electricity, or with a range of bodies with an interest in local amenity issues (for
example, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Area Tourist Board, housing associations), both to
communicate local views and to seek the widest possible range of possible means of
support. |
|
| 3. Actively seek the views, opinions and
aspirations of the full cross-section of the community and be able to demonstrate that
steps have been taken to consult the local community when appropriate, and in all cases be
sure as far as possible that the views they express are representative of those of the
community they serve. |
|
| Good
Practice Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council
in Argyll and Bute, and indeed many other community councils, have undertaken a community
survey. |
|
| 4. Consider how best to reflect the spectrum
of interests of the community and of other local community groups. |
|
| Good
Practice Blackness Community Council, in the
Falkirk Council area, issue a regular newsletter. |
|
| 5. Ensure that their work is visible and
accessible to their communities, holding their meetings in public and encouraging
community attendance and participation, issuing newsletters and questionnaires. |
|
| 6. Identify a contact point through whom
consultation on planning, licensing etc can be co-ordinated and ensure that they are able
to respond effectively to requests for views or for information. |
|
| Good
Practice Dunblane Community Council has
specifically delegated to individuals or to subcommittees matters such as publicity,
planning and their newsletter. |
|
| 7. Notify changes in personnel/contact point
and make arrangements to provide holiday cover. |
|
| 8. Encourage contested community council
elections. |
|
| 9. Consider the need for public liability
insurance and legal cover, seeking advice from the local authority where necessary. |
|
| Good
Practice Scottish Borders Council arranges
public liability insurance for its community councils. |
|
| 10. Express the views of their community on
proposed plans or projects for that community. This should include positive support for
acceptable schemes as well as criticism for those which are opposed by the local
community. Where appropriate, suggestions for changes should also be put forward. |
|
