Angus community councils at risk

Just one group would be able to re-form as nominations stand

Angus is on the brink of a community council wipeout.

With less than 72 hours before nominations close for election to the 25 groups across the county, the current level of response would allow only one to re-form.

Prospective candidates have until 4pm on Wednesday to put their name forward but, so far, a meagre 45 nominations have been submitted – almost 100 short of the figure required to maintain the current position of a full house of operational community councils. Lunanhead and District, on the outskirts of Forfar, would be the only group with sufficient members.

Angus Council leader David Fairweather has branded the apathetic response as “disastrous” for the area.

“Now, more than ever, the voice of community councils is important and we cannot risk losing it.

“We can only hope that there is a late rush of nominations before they close.”

The contribution of every community council is valuable and I would encourage people to put themselves forward. COUNCIL LEADER DAVID FAIRWEATHER

The public in Angus are facing the prospect of their voice falling silent in an annihilation of the area’s community councils.

With elections to the 25 community councils across the area due next month, it has emerged the current level of interest would only be sufficient to establish a single group.

Nominations close on Wednesday and the possibility of a wipeout has been declared “disastrous” by council leader David Fairweather, who said the connection between the authority and communities is more important than ever.

Just 45 nominations have been received from across Angus – almost 100 short of that needed to form all the area’s community councils.

As it stands, only Lunanhead and District has achieved even the minimum number of nominations required to reform.

All of Angus’s community councils are currently operational.

There have been no nominations received from Friockheim and District; Glamis, Hillside, Dun and Logie Pert; Monifieth, Muirhead, Birkhill and Liff.

And only a single expression of local interest has come forward from Auchterhouse, the City of Brechin and District, Letham and District, Newtyle and Eassie, and Strathmartine.

Potential candidates, who must be aged 16 or over, on the electoral role and resident in the community council area they want to represent, have until 4pm on Wednesday to register.

Mr Fairweather said his hope is that there will be a late flood of interest to secure the future of as many local groups as possible.

“Community councils make a difference and that voice should not be lost,” said the Arbroath West and Letham Independent.

“Everyone is aware of the challenges the council is facing – we cannot do everything that we used to and it is hugely important that we have as much communication with our local communities as possible.”

He added: “Community councils play a vital role in local democracy and have an important voice when it comes to representing your fellow citizens’ thoughts and opinions, as well as issues, to Angus Council and other groups and organisations.

“The contribution of every community council is valuable and I would encourage people to put themselves forward.”