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Highland community council nominations open


By Tom Ramage

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New community councillors are now being sought in Strathspey and Badenoch, along with other Highland areas.

Nominations are invited from people seeking election to all community councils across Highland this autumn.

highland council headquarters,glenurquhart road
highland council headquarters,glenurquhart road

"This is your chance to help represent the views of your community to the Highland Council and other public agencies," said a spokesperson today (Monday, September 23).

The councils are voluntary organisations acting as a voice for their local area. They express views and concerns of local people within their area across a wide range of issues such as new buildings and roads to local services and facilities.

They also have legal duties: by law, Highland Council must consult with them all on planning and licensing applications in the local areas covered.

In some areas, community councils receive community benefit money from windfarm projects which they can reinvest in the community. Others are involved in setting up community development companies which can lead on larger scale projects to improve the area.

Community councils also work to make positive changes in their local communities. Some have worked to

improve patient transport, dental services and care services as well as looking at ways to improve their environment for the good of the community and visitors to the area.

Highland Council is responsible for running the elections, which must be held every four years. The maximum membership of each is determined by the population it serves and varies from 7 to 13 members.

The deadline for submitting nomination papers is noon on Tuesday, October 8.

Those wishing to stand as a candidate must reside within the community council boundary and must be a registered voter – anyone can contact the electoral registration office on 01463 703341 to check if there are a registered voter.

Those aged 16 and 17 at the time of the nomination deadline are also eligible to seek election and to register to vote in the election. However 16 and 17 year olds must be registered on the supplementary register. Registration forms are available on the Highland Council website and are being distributed through secondary schools.

The statements of persons nominated for each Community Council will be published after 12noon on Wednesday, 9th October 2019. Anyone wishing to withdraw their candidacy must complete the relevant form contained in the pack and return it by no later than noon on Friday, October 11.

A ballot will be held in instances where the number of nominations exceeds the maximum membership and ballot papers will be issued by post on Tuesday, October 20 and must be returned no later than Wednesday, November 20.


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