Hello,
It's been a few weeks since our first newsletter, informing you about our petition calling for Scotland's community councils to have the same discretionary powers as England's parish councils. Many thanks to the 292 people who have signed so far - https://secure.avaaz.org/community_petitions/en/the_scottish_parliament_give_scotland_s_community_councils_real_powers_and_budgets_like_england_s_parish_councils/.
As a follow-up action, Balloch and Haldane CC suggested drafting a template letter that fellow campaigners could send to [for example] MSPs and elected members of Scotland's 32 local authorities.
So here it is in Word format - see attached. Feel free to use or modify it as you see fit, or compose your own entirely!
The total powerlessness of Scotland's community councils needs to be on everyone's minds as we approach the May elections. Therefore feel free to suggest how we can build momentum and raise awareness of this issue.
YOUR CONCERNS
A couple of CCs have expressed concern that additional powers would become a burden on volunteers who are already overstretched. This is a justifiable fear, given the way that CCs have been treated in the past.
Hopefully, though, if CCs had commensurate budgets to go with any new powers, they would be able to pay for admin support. English parish councils typically employ a paid clerk who handles all the administrative and financial work. The clerk's role is not just secretarial; they are the responsible officer who ensures the council acts lawfully, implements decisions, and manages daily operations, with the size of the role depending on the council's size.
Best wishes
Michael Gallagher
Disillusioned former community councillor
(Just let me know if you don't want to be on the mailing list for future newsletters)
It's been a few weeks since our first newsletter, informing you about our petition calling for Scotland's community councils to have the same discretionary powers as England's parish councils. Many thanks to the 292 people who have signed so far - https://secure.avaaz.org/community_petitions/en/the_scottish_parliament_give_scotland_s_community_councils_real_powers_and_budgets_like_england_s_parish_councils/.
As a follow-up action, Balloch and Haldane CC suggested drafting a template letter that fellow campaigners could send to [for example] MSPs and elected members of Scotland's 32 local authorities.
So here it is in Word format - see attached. Feel free to use or modify it as you see fit, or compose your own entirely!
The total powerlessness of Scotland's community councils needs to be on everyone's minds as we approach the May elections. Therefore feel free to suggest how we can build momentum and raise awareness of this issue.
YOUR CONCERNS
A couple of CCs have expressed concern that additional powers would become a burden on volunteers who are already overstretched. This is a justifiable fear, given the way that CCs have been treated in the past.
Hopefully, though, if CCs had commensurate budgets to go with any new powers, they would be able to pay for admin support. English parish councils typically employ a paid clerk who handles all the administrative and financial work. The clerk's role is not just secretarial; they are the responsible officer who ensures the council acts lawfully, implements decisions, and manages daily operations, with the size of the role depending on the council's size.
Best wishes
Michael Gallagher
Disillusioned former community councillor
(Just let me know if you don't want to be on the mailing list for future newsletters)
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