Dear Community Councillor,
Newsletter 9 – Are you being ignored?
As you know, community councils are consulted on all sorts of things. The question is, does anyone really listen to your opinions?
FINDOCHTY FINDS OUT….
Findochty Community Council wants to know about your experience as a community councillor. Are you listened to? Click here to fill in a short questionnaire.
The results so far
The results so far are shocking! Most community councillors feel ignored. You can see the interim report HERE. It will be updated as more responses are received.
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NEW POWERS SURVEY – CAN I REASSURE YOU?
My personal view is that community councils will never really be listened to until they have the power to act as proper municipal authorities, like England’s parish councils.
However, many community councils are horrified by the idea of taking on more powers. “We’re already swamped with work” [they tell me] “And now you want us to do a whole lot more!!”
Not so !!! In fact the opposite is true, for two reasons:
Powers are not duties
First, powers are not duties. They give you freedom to do things if you want to! England’s parish councils have dozens of statutory powers, but very few duties.
Parish clerks
English parish councils usually employ a ‘clerk’ who takes on most of the administrative burden. The Scottish Forum of Community Councils (scroll down) has identified the need for an independent clerking system for community councils.
Invitation
Have I put your mind at ease about new powers? If so, I would like to invite your community council to take part in the New Powers Survey. Just let me know, and I will set up a questionnaire for you to distribute in your local community, for example through your mailing list, website and social media presence.
For more information about the New Powers survey, please read the latest newsletter from the Scottish Forum of Community Councils.
-------------------------------------
JOIN THE SCOTTISH FORUM OF COMMUNITY COUNCILS – IT’S FREE !!!
This excellent organisation was established 3 years ago by the Joint Forum of Community Councils in West Lothian. Now, more than ever, they need your help as they push for greater Government support for community councils.
Join the Forum for zero cost now!
-------------------------------------
That’s all for now.
Bye.
Michael
Michael Gallagher
New Powers for Scotland's Community Councils? (Facebook group)
Scotland's Community Councillors Chewin' The Fat (website)
Newsletter 9 – Are you being ignored?
As you know, community councils are consulted on all sorts of things. The question is, does anyone really listen to your opinions?
FINDOCHTY FINDS OUT….
Findochty Community Council wants to know about your experience as a community councillor. Are you listened to? Click here to fill in a short questionnaire.
The results so far
The results so far are shocking! Most community councillors feel ignored. You can see the interim report HERE. It will be updated as more responses are received.
-------------------------------------
NEW POWERS SURVEY – CAN I REASSURE YOU?
My personal view is that community councils will never really be listened to until they have the power to act as proper municipal authorities, like England’s parish councils.
However, many community councils are horrified by the idea of taking on more powers. “We’re already swamped with work” [they tell me] “And now you want us to do a whole lot more!!”
Not so !!! In fact the opposite is true, for two reasons:
Powers are not duties
First, powers are not duties. They give you freedom to do things if you want to! England’s parish councils have dozens of statutory powers, but very few duties.
Parish clerks
English parish councils usually employ a ‘clerk’ who takes on most of the administrative burden. The Scottish Forum of Community Councils (scroll down) has identified the need for an independent clerking system for community councils.
Invitation
Have I put your mind at ease about new powers? If so, I would like to invite your community council to take part in the New Powers Survey. Just let me know, and I will set up a questionnaire for you to distribute in your local community, for example through your mailing list, website and social media presence.
For more information about the New Powers survey, please read the latest newsletter from the Scottish Forum of Community Councils.
-------------------------------------
JOIN THE SCOTTISH FORUM OF COMMUNITY COUNCILS – IT’S FREE !!!
This excellent organisation was established 3 years ago by the Joint Forum of Community Councils in West Lothian. Now, more than ever, they need your help as they push for greater Government support for community councils.
Join the Forum for zero cost now!
-------------------------------------
That’s all for now.
Bye.
Michael
Michael Gallagher
New Powers for Scotland's Community Councils? (Facebook group)
Scotland's Community Councillors Chewin' The Fat (website)