Time to get to the heart of the community
It seems Community Councils have never been as popular.
These volunteers get right to the heart of their areas.
And they act both as a promoter and a watchdog on things happening at parish level including planning issues. Almost all towns and villages across South Ayrshire have one - and now is the time to through your name in the hat as election time approaches. Candidates must be over 18 by February 21 and be on the current electoral roll as well as being resident on the community council’s patch. Nominations cannot be made by bankrupts or prison convicts where a fine was not an option. Community Councils members are elected for a three year term and nomination forms must be in to the South Ayrshire Council Returning Officer no later than 5pm on Thursday February 21.
In 2016 a full election process took place for South Ayrshire Community Councils, whereby existing Community Councillors stepped down and new members had the opportunity to take up office.
A South Ayrshire Council spokesman said: “At these elections an additional Community Council was established in Minishant.
“During the year 2017/ 18 a further Community Council was established in Tarbolton, and this year Monkton re- established their Community Council which takes the current number of active Community Councils to 28.”
The councils meet around ten times a year, usually in a local hall.
Bigger Community Councils such as Troon also run major events such as Wintertainment and the summer gala in Troon.
Normally the meetings will be attended by the South Ayrshire Councillors for that ward and the local police officer. See the South Ayrshire Council website for nomination details.