Colleague Community Councillors
I am pleased to have been elected as area representative for Edinburgh Community Councils on the Association of Scottish Community Councils and I thank those who supported me, particularly Graham Dane of Currie Community Council who withdrew from the race and backed my campaign.
The campaign has indicated to me that there is considerable dissatisfaction among the city community councils with the operation of the Association of Scottish Community Councils. With your suppport I shall be attempting to make the organisation more accountable and transparent.
I wish to compliment my opponents, Terry Tweed and Norman Tinlin, for fighting a good campaign.
Some of the discussion around this election has demonstrated that ASCC needs to improve its election procedure. The introduction of a single transferable vote system for area representatives is needed to strengthen the mandate of those elected. A clear set of election rules need to be formulated. The voting procedure is like an American presidential nominating convention in that each community council must cast a vote for a candidate in public as part of its public proceedings. This means that results can be easily verified and ASCC needs to be organised to enable verification speedily to any interested person.
It was made clear to me in the campaign that ASCC also needs to be much more open in constitutional matters. The constitution should be readily available on the website as should the names and email addresses of all the area representatives across Scotland. There should not be administrative impediments requiring community councils to formally request this information of the National Secretary.
ASCC should be a members' organisation not a national officers' organisation.
Best wishes to you all in the good work that you do on behalf of your communities.I look forward to working with you.
Norman Bonney
Member, Edinburgh West End Community Council
