West Dunbartonshire: Stage 1 - Consultation report
Scottish Community Development Centre has been working with West Dunbartonshire Council to review the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils (the Scheme) and related materials.
The Review will build on the previous work to help the Council produce a local Community Empowerment Strategy and Action Plan.
The overall aim of the review of the Scheme is to strengthen Community councils so that they are well supported, resourced and effective as possible, in support of the West Dunbartonshire Community Empowerment Strategy https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/council/strategies-plans-and-policies/cw-strategy-and-action-plan/
During 2021 SCDC has been supporting Community councils and wider community groups/agencies to put forward their ideas for what should be in the new Scheme as part of Stage 1 of the engagement process. The draft Scheme has been informed by this and sets out the issues and opportunities under the broad headings below:
How the legal rights and responsibilities of Community Councils are understood and implemented.
Representing and engaging communities (including membership, equalities and diversity).
Influence and liaison with the Council and Community Planning partners.
Working collaboratively with other local community-based organisations.
Administrative arrangements and support like finance, training and elections.
The engagement report is available to download here: Engagement report
The report on stage one was presented to a Special Meeting of the Council for approval on Thursday 26 August. Listen to an audio recording of the meeting here (it is the 13:00 recording on 26th August).
Now that the report and arrangements for stage two of the public consultation have been approved. Stage two will take place from 31 August to 21 December (16 weeks). This will focus on the first draft of the Scheme (which is available here). Related documents such as an accompanying Handbook for community councils, draft constitution and model standing orders will be published shortly. Over this period SCDC will speak to a wide range of stakeholders through individual meetings with Community Councils and wider community events to get views on the draft Scheme and to suggest amendments where appropriate.
If you wish to comment on the Engagement report above or arrangements of stage two please do so below:
The subsequent timings for the next stages will be confirmed soon.
Please note that anybody participating in these complementary engagement activities will of course also be free to express their own views directly to the Council You’ll find more information about that process on the Councils Statutory Notice page: https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/council/public-notices/scheme-for-establishment-of-community-councils/.
