A special information evening will be held at Aberdeen’s Town House next week for folk interested in becoming a community councillor in the city.
Aberdeen City Council Leader Councillor Jenny Laing will lead the Monday 31 August session, which starts at 7pm.
The election notice will be published next Wednesday [02 Sept] for the forthcoming community council elections on Thursday 29 October, with nomination forms available for candidates on Thursday 03 September. Close of nominations is on Thursday 01 October.
Aberdeen is covered by 30 community council areas, of which 24 are active. Community councils are statutory bodies, set up by an Act of Parliament, with a term of office of three years. They receive annual grants from the City Council – a minimum sum of £500 plus a further 11p per elector in the community council area.
Anyone who lives in the community council area and whose name is on the electoral roll can be nominated or apply to become a community councillor. There are also places for young people aged 16 and 17, and other co-options are allowed.
Councillor Laing said: “The vast majority of the city is covered by active community councils, which play a vital role in representing the views of their communities to local authorities and other public bodies.
“They are a key part of a strong local democracy and I would urge anyone interested in local issues to come along to the information evening next week to find out more about becoming a community councillor and the important role they can play in helping to shape the area in which they live.”
Councillor Laing will talk about the importance of community engagement to the life of the city. The City Council’s community council liaison officer, Karen Rennie, will then explain general information about the role.
John Gerrie, Chair of the Aberdeen City Community Council Forum, and City Centre Community Council Chair Dustin MacDonald will then talk about their experience as community councillors. City councillor Martin Greig will explain the links between community councils and the elected members of Aberdeen City Council.
The session will be held in Committee Room 2 in the Town House, Broad Street. Each topic will last for about 15 minutes and the evening will close with a question-and-answer session Anyone with queries about the event, or wishing to register for the event, can contact Karen Rennie on 01224 522723. Registration is not required and folk can simply turn up on the night.