Opportunity To Represent Your Local Community With Interim Community Council Elections

15th January 2024

Nominations are invited from people seeking election to the Community Councils which did not form during the 2023 Community Council Elections and the ones that fell into abeyance.

This is your chance to help represent the views of your community to The Highland Council and other public agencies.

The Community Councils looking to form are:

Balintore and Hilton

Ballachulish

Ballifeary

Bower

Carrbridge

Cawdor and West Nairnshire

Creich

Cromdale and Advie

Dalneigh and Columba

Dalwhinnie

Dornie and District

Dulnain Bridge

East Nairnshire

Glendale

Golspie

Grantown On Spey

Inver

Merkinch

Muir of Ord

Muirtown

Nairn West and Suburban

Nigg and Shandwick

Portree

Resolis

Sleat

Small Isles

Smithton

Stromeferry and Achmore

Sunart

Tain

Waternish

Community Councils are voluntary organisations that act 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, The Highland Council must consult with Community Councils on planning and licensing applications in their area.

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 Community Councils 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.

The Notice of Election and Online Nomination Form to be completed for candidates wishing to serve their local Community Council's in the Highlands for the next four years is published on the Council's website

www.highland.gov.uk/ccelections

Anyone considering putting themselves forward has until 12noon on Tuesday 30 January 2024 to complete and return their application form.

The statements of persons nominated for each Community Council will be published on the Council's website by Wednesday 31 January 2024.

A postal ballot will be held in instances where the number of nominations exceeds the maximum membership.

To help explain more about the important role community councils play, the Council has created an online digital toolkit with lots of helpful information. This is now available on the Council's website . There is also detailed information about the role community councils play and a short video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxvko4vijqQ