Be a local hero and get involved with your community council

SNP councillor for Trossachs and Teith Evelyn Tweed is urging people who live in the area to consider joining their local community council.

The elections, which take place every four years, are underway and nomination papers are now available. Anyone over 16 can take part.

To stand as a community councillor you must live in your chosen community council area and be named on the electoral register in the area.

Councillor Tweed said: “Community councils are grass roots organisations set up to represent local people, to act as their voice in the area and improve services.

“I am worried that some community councils may fold if people don’t come forward. Last week I was at a Thornhill and Blairdrummond Community Council meeting and members were unsure if they would be able to continue operating due to some long standing members stepping down which is really sad and worrying for the area. This is a great community council which I would not like the area to lose.

“Community councils are involved in a wide range of activities and issues, including planning and licensing applications, and can help support local initiatives through securing funding.

“From a councillor point of view, community councils act as‘eyes and ears’in the community and pass on vital information on what problems need resolved. It’s really important that local people of all ages and opinions get involved so that a variety of ideas from each community are heard.”

Nomination forms are available now from all libraries or from the Stirling Council headquarters at Old Viewforth and the deadline for nominations is Friday, October 19.