Future Opportunities for Community Councils

The current Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition UK government's 'big society' policy is just the latest version of what seems to be a constant ambition of governments of all political complexions in both UK and Scotland to encourage the voluntary sector to flourish. All parties these days recognise that governments, central or local, cannot alone solve the major issues of the day and that they need the cooperation of voluntary activity by citizens to have healthy and thriving local communities.

Scotland's community councils are run by the voluntary activity of thousands of citizens across the country and are elected within the framework of local government laws. They provide a framework across the country through which local people can voluntarily get involved in tackling the issues confronting their neighbourhoods by liaising with local authority councillors and MSPs to tackle such issues as crime, traffic, planning, litter and anti-social behaviour.

Whatever the outcome of the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2011 community councils will be available partners with the new government and local authorities to help tackle the constant flow of issues that need resolution in local communities. With the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties committed in England to the 'big society', with Labour having demonstrated interest in promoting local citizen involvement, with the current Scottish SNP administration demonstrating interest in the potential development of community councils, the signs are positive for further developing the partnership between local and central government and local communities through the channel of elected community councils.

Community councils and the weather emergency

Scotland's 1100 or so community councils constitute an important channel of two way communication between local authorities and local communities during the extended current weather emergency in Scotland.

Edinburgh City Council, is for instance, using email contacts with the city's community councillors to send information to local communities in the city about school closures, community centre opening arrangements, library opening hours, road and pavement clearing, and who to contact about help for vulnerable people.

Contacts between local community councillors and their elected local authority elected members and council officials are helping to make local difficulties and needs known and to shape local authority responses.

These are just some examples of how community councils are a valuable local resource for assisting local communities and local government to involve residents in dealing with the challenges and opportunities which they confront.