Seventeen communities across Falkirk are still looking for community councillors to represent them.
At the close of nominations in September 2022, only one community council was formed: Bo'ness Community Council. A further five community councils were formed following agreement by Falkirk Council's Executive.
The nomination period has now been extended until 9 December 2022.
Almost anyone can stand as a community councillor. Making a nomination is quick, easy and can be completed online.
2022 election results
The Executive of the Council has agreed that for those Community Councils where nominations for two-thirds or more of the vacancies were received can form and fill the remaining places. These are:
- Airth Parish 4 nominations for 6 places
- Banknock, Haggs and Longcroft 6 nominations for 7 places
- Brightons 4 nominations for 6 places
- Grangemouth 9 nominations for 12 places
- Polmont 5 nominations for 7 places
For those Community Councils where the number of nominations is fewer than two-thirds of the number of vacant positions the nomination process has been extended to 9 December 2022 with places filled on a first come first served basis. These are:
- Avonbridge and Standburn 0 nominations for 6 places
- Blackness 0 nominations for 6 places
- Bonnybridge 0 nominations for 8 places
- Camelon, Bantaskine and Tamfourhill 1 nomination for 9 places
- Carron and Carronshore 0 nominations for 7 places
- Denny and District 4 nominations for 10 places
- Falkirk Central 0 nominations for 7 places
- Falkirk South 0 nominations for 7 places
- Grahamston, Middlefield and Westfield 0 nominations for 8 places
- Langlees, Bainsford and New Carron 1 nomination for 8 places
- Larbert, Stenhousemuir and Torwood 1 nomination for 11 places
- Lower Braes 0 nominations for 7 places
- Maddiston 0 nominations for 6 places
- Reddingmuirhead and Wallacestone 3 nominations for 6 places
- Shieldhill and California 3 nominations for 7 places
- Slamannan and Limerigg 1 nomination for 6 places
- Whitecross 0 nominations for 6 places
Nominations can be made using the online form.
What is a community council?
A community council is a voluntary organisation set up by statute by the local authority and run by local residents to act on behalf of its area. As the most local tier of elected representation, community councils play an important role in local democracy.
Community councils are comprised of people who care about their community and want to make it a better place to live. Community councils must represent all people in the area without prejudice. Therefore they should:
- be non-party political and non-sectarian
- represent a full cross-section of the community and encourage the involvement of people regardless of gender, race, age, disability, nationality or sexual orientation
They must ascertain and express the views of the community to local authorities and other public bodies, and to take action which is in the interests of its community. They can complement the role of the local authority but are not part of local government. They should have a positive working partnership with the local authority - therefore they must be informed on the council's policies, and keep the council updated on their activities.
To effectively represent their community they must be proactive in consulting and engaging with local residents.
As well as representing the community to the local authority, community councils facilitate a wide range of activities which promote the well-being of their communities. They bring local people together to help make things happen, and many community councils protect and promote the identity of their community. They advise, petition, influence and advocate numerous causes and cases of concern on behalf of local communities. Here are some examples of their work from across the country:
- carry out projects to enhance their community for all types of citizens such as elderly, single mothers, minority groups, youths
- issue community newsletters
- conduct local surveys
- campaign on local issues
- organise community events such as local galas
Community councils are the strongest means of becoming involved with your local area. It will give you a good understand of the workings of local government and what is going on locally and nationally. All local authorities in Scotland encourage citizens to become a member of their community council.