Community Councils - Scottish Parliament Information Centre

Fifty years ago, the Local Government (Scotland) Act created community councils in order to provide a ‘bridge’ between communities and local authorities.  In May 2023, the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee held an evidence session to both celebrate this milestone and to hear from a range of community councils about what difference they make in their communities.  Jackie Weaver, one of the online stars who emerged during the pandemic, was there to tell the Committee about the stark contrast between community councils in Scotland and the powers that parish and town councils have in England.

This article describes some of the key issues that community councils face 50 years on, and the opportunities that the Committee heard there might be to transform them.  [There is a link to a recording of the committee meeting].

Read the article