Community Councils in North Ayrshire
Each local authority in Scotland is required to have in place a Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils within their area. In North Ayrshire, the Scheme currently in force, which was approved in March 2016, provides for 17 Community Councils in North Ayrshire. There are currently 11 active community councils in North Ayrshire.
The North Ayrshire Council Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils includes a boundary map showing community councils across North Ayrshire as well as a detailed map for Arran to illustrate the extended villages referred to the Scheme).
A map showing how community council boundaries relate to the new North Ayrshire Council Elected Member ward boundaries is also available. (Please note that this map does not show Arran Community Council's boundary, which is coterminous with that of North Ayrshire Council Ward 4)
A Guide to the formal Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils, is also available. This provides more detailed information on some of the provisions within the Scheme and offers information/officer advice on matters not explicitly covered in the Scheme itself.
The Role of Community Councils
Community Councils are provided for in statute by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. Community Councils are entirely independent from the local authority.
In terms of Section 51(2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the purpose of a Community Council, in addition to any other purpose which it may pursue, shall be “to ascertain, co-ordinate and express to the local authorities for its area, and to public authorities, the views of the community which it represents, in relation to matters for which those authorities are responsible, and to take such action in the interests of that community as appears to it to be expedient and practicable”. You can find general information about Community Councils on the Scottish Government website or on the Scottish Community Councils website at www.communitycouncils.scot.
Getting Involved
You can contact your local community council for further information on meeting dates and arrangements.
If the community council in your area is not currently active and you are interested in helping to re-establish it, please contact the Committee Services team (committeeservices@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or tel 01294 324131) to find out how.
Community Council Elections
Community Councils are established via an initial election and , thereafter, an ordinary election takes place every four years.
Ordinary elections took place in Autumn 2021 for Arran, Beith and District, Cumbrae, Dalry, Fairlie, Irvine, Kilbirnie and Glengarnock, Kilwinning, Largs, Saltcoats, Skelmorlie and West Kilbride Community Councils and in 2022 for Stevenston Community Council. Please note that, since the Election Results Notification, some vacancies may have been filled by co-option and some new vacancies may have arisen. Please contact individual community councils for current membership information.
Review of Community Council Scheme
From time to time the Council will review the Scheme for the establishment of Community Councils in North Ayrshire. The last such review was undertaken in 2015/16.
Meetings of Community Councils
Community Councils meet regularly in local venues and generally their meetings will be open to the public. Please see the "Getting Involved" section above for more information on contacting your local community council.
Some community councils have their own websites and post information on meetings and copies of their Minutes. The Minutes of several community councils are also available to view at http://www.northayrshire.community.
Training for Community Councillors
A programme of training is provided to assist community councillors in their role. Induction presentation slides are are also available for reference and informal networking sessions are also held twice a year for community council chairs/vice chairs.
Recordings of webinar events on the subjects of Roads and Planning are available for community councillors to view. Futher events are in the pipeline on the subject of Licensing. and Public Engagement/Social Media.
Dalry Community Council Election
North Ayrshire Council has received a request from 20 local electors for a community council to be established in the Dalry area.
Nominations to serve on Dalry Community Council closed at 5pm on Tuesday 19 November 2024. The number of nominations received (12) exceeded the maximum number of vacancies to be filled (7):-
A ballot will, therefore, take place at the undernoted election meeting. Local electors are invited to attend, to cast their vote for up to 7 community councillors.
Time: 7.30pm
Date: Tuesday 26 November 2024
Venue: Dalry Community Centre
Further information on nominations and on the election process is available by contacting the Election team at elections@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or by phone (01294) 324729.
Dreghorn Community Council Election
North Ayrshire Council has received a request from 20 local electors for a community council to be established in the Dreghorn area.
An election meeting will be held to formally confirm the candidates from 7pm to 9pm on Thursday 28 November 2024 at Townend Community Centre, Dreghorn KA11 4EQ.