Community Councils are the most local level of governance in Scottish communities. They are organisations set up by Local Authorities and run by local people. Community Councillors are generally people who care about their community and want to make it a better place to live. They are elected by the community to represent the community in a wide range of settings.
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 promote the community. They inform, coordinate and advise on public consultations and concerns for the local communities.
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. Being a Community Councillor means you have shared responsibility for the success of the Community Council and you should contribute to discussions and decisions concerning the work of the Community Council.
There are various ways in which you can play your part in your Community Council. Each Community Council must have a Chairperson, a Treasurer and a Secretary (the office bearers) and these roles carry the most responsibility. The office bearers, as elected members representing their local communities are responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the Community Council by following the Scheme of Establishment for Community Councils.
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.
Community Councils act as a voice for their local area. Their specific role can vary according to their local area’s needs. Their size, in terms of area and population, differs across the country. In some areas there are Federations of Community Councils, allowing them to work together over larger areas.
The work of the Community Council includes:
- Representing the community in a wide range of issues
- Informing the community of the work of the Community Council
- Keeping proper financial records of the Community Council
- Responding to planning applications within their area
- Responding to public consultations on issues such as the Local Development Plan, Emergency Response Plans and Visitor Management
- Organising public consultations on major issues within the area
- Managing local project funding schemes
- Disseminating information to the community
Callander Community Council:
- The Callander Community Council area includes the settlement of Callander as well as the surrounding areas from Landrick to Ardchullarie and Loch Ruskie.
- The maximum number of Community Councillors in Callander is 14 and the minimum number is 7.
- The minimum age for a Community Councillor is 16 years and the person must reside within the Community Council area and be on the Register of Voters for the area.
- Community Councillors are elected by a postal ballot organised by Stirling Council an serve a term of 4 years. The next election will be held in July 2027.
- If the number of Community Councillors falls below the maximum number then the Community Council can arrange to co-opt additional members.
- If the Community Council needs specialist skills for certain issues then it can appoint non-voting associate members.
- Callander Community Council meets every month (excluding January) with the meeting open to the public.
- Callander Community Council holds an AGM, the next being April 2026, when the previous year’s work is reported, accounts presented and office bearers elected.
- Administration of the Community Council is funded by a grant from Stirling Council which includes fees for a minute taker.
- The Community Council is able to apply for funds from other sources to fund specific areas of work.
- Callander Community Council also operates the Braes of Doune Community Fund by advertising the fund, receiving funding applications, agreeing on funding awards in association with the agents of the wind farm, Foundation Scotland.