Every 5 years, the local authority requires all Community Councils (CCs) in D&G to stand down and new Community Councils are elected. Existing Community Councillors may stand for election again, but it is an opportunity for new people to also consider standing. There are a max of 11 posts on Borgue Community Council (BCC) and we need a minimum of 4 posts to run.
To stand for BCC you must be a minimum age of 16 or above, included on the Register of Electors and live within the CC boundary.
Not sure what CCs do? Read the FAQs further down the page or contact an existing member of BCC or email us at borguecommunitycouncil@gmail.com
The Election takes place on Thurs 3 Oct 2024. If you wish to stand, you must complete the Nomination Form and read the Notice of Election (available via the download buttons below). Nomination forms must be sent to the Returning Officer at the address shown on the nomination form by no later than 5pm on Tues 3 Sept 2024.
Your Electoral Registration Number can be obtained by emailing Community.Councils@dumgal.gov.uk or by calling on 030 33 33 3000 and asking to speak to a member of the Community Council Support Team.
If applications exceed the number of vacancies, a contested election will take place on 3 Oct in Borgue Public Hall (unless otherwise advertised). This is where the community vote for their preferred candidate at the ballot box. Staff from D&G Council will administer the election process including any contested elections. If nominations are less than the total number of posts available, then they will be elected uncontested.
Note: The First Meeting of the new BCC will be held within 2 calendar months of the date of the election – look out for notice of the meeting date. The Returning Officer from Dumgal or a representative, will Chair the First Meeting until the newly established BCC have appointed a Chair.
Frequently Asked Questions taken from info written by D&G Council
What is a Community Council? CCs give local people a say about what goes on in their area. In the most basic sense, a CC is an unincorporated, constituted group made up of volunteers who are elected to the CC through a formalised election process.
How Do CCs Run in D&G? There are rules and regulations that govern CCs in the form of a legal document called ‘The Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils’ in D&G (known as ‘the Scheme’) which is the responsibility of and administered by the local authority. You can view the document here https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/ReviewScheme2020
In D&G, an administration grant is paid by the local authority to every CC to help with running costs. The CCs are expected to apply for funding to various grant bodies if they need more money. CCs work in partnership with the local authority, voluntary groups, statutory organisations and the local community.
Why do we need CCs? CCs form a tier of democracy at local level that encourages interaction between the CC, Local Authority and the Scottish Government. CCs can feed back on national and local consultations, planning and licencing applications and host consultations to find out the views of the community on matters of importance. This is referred to as Community Engagement within the scheme and plays a large part of the responsibilities of a CC. In addition, CCs have access to some external funding sources.
What difference do CCs make? As a consulting body, a CC can collectively voice the opinions of the local community on a wide range of issues of public concern including planning and licensing issues and make representation to the Local Authority, other public sector bodies and private agencies. With Windfarm benefits (Note: eligibility depends on the location of the CC concerned) they can support local voluntary groups through monetary awards and continue to maintain their community where in the past this may have been carried out by the local authority. Through regular engagement with the local community, the CC can address issues of importance and listen to and consider the views of the community, finding positive solutions where possible.
Where can I find out more about CCs? www.dumgal.gov.co.uk/communitycouncils for info on CCs in D&G. This shows who to contact at your local CC, and a boundary map which shows the boundary lines between CCs as well as lots of other info.
You can also find more info at www.communitycouncils.scot – the Scottish Government CC website. This has up to date information on news, events, guidance and grants as well as advice on how to be a Community Councillor.
Do I stay on for 5 years? Every year the CC will hold an AGM (Annual General Meeting) and this allows for any changes to office bearer roles or for anyone to formally exit from the CC. However, as the role of a Community Councillor is voluntary, you can leave at any time by resigning in writing.
What about CC meetings? The Scheme requires a minimum of 6 meetings per year, one of which must be an AGM. CCs may meet more frequently depending on the roles and responsibilities they perform on behalf of the local community eg BCC has run additional meetings on significant development applications and the Galloway National Park proposals.
Will I get a job to do? CCs have a specific ‘line up’ and this includes members who are nominated to office bearer roles – the Chairperson, Secretary and the Treasurer. They all have very specific roles to undertake to meet the requirements of the Scheme. Usually the Chairperson is the spokesperson, the Secretary takes care of all the administration and the Treasurer looks after the finances. But other members may have roles dependent on the needs of each CC eg managing social media, make funding applications, running community events etc. This may also be dependent on the number of Community Councillors.
CCs make efforts to engage with all members of the community to encourage election of a diverse body of members, and regular community engagement is one of the main functions of a CC.
Training is available and provided by Dumgal for CCs as a group or on an individual basis. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the Scheme is important and the training is focussed on this. Note: All BCC members will have training as soon as possible after the Election.
Do you need to have a ‘specific skills’ set to become a Community Councillor? CCs are inclusive and comply with the Equality Act 2010, which means that if the criteria to become a Community Councillor is met you can become a Community Councillor. The Equality Act 2010 refers to the nine protected characteristics – age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.