Consultation On The Proposed Community Empowerment - Scottish ...

3.48 A number of community councils asserted that since they were the only
community bodies to have a statutory role to represent the views of their
communities, they should be the first port of call for all public bodies on any
engagement issues. However, some felt that they were not taken seriously by
many public bodies and were seen as “talking shops”.
“Community councils currently exist somewhere between
representative and participatory democracy. Members are
not formally part of our representative democracy yet
structures seem to reinforce that they are a lower tier of
elected representatives. On the other hand, at a time when
their role as facilitators of participatory democracy should be
developing, they appear to be struggling to understand this
role and lack the skills and resources to deliver it.”
(Carnegie UK Trust)
3.49 Others felt their current role was too constrained and were of the view that they
should have greater powers and be able to influence decisions in relation to the
design and delivery of public services. However, it was acknowledged that to
take on a greater role significant resources would be required to build capacity
and expertise.
“Generally the role of community councils is too constrained
by lack of resources and powers to be a real force in these
matters.”
(Luing Community Council)
3.50 A common theme that emerged from responses across most stakeholder
groups (with the exception of community councils themselves) was the
unrepresentative nature of community councils. Many respondents (particularly
executive agencies/ NDPBs, individuals and third sector organisations) felt that
community councils were not representative of their wider communities, as they
were not democratically elected. Others referred to them as ‘self selecting’ and
‘closed shops’.
“Many equality groups and individuals however feel
disassociated and disenfranchised from community councils.
They have expressed that they are often cliques who do not
represent nor discuss anything of relevance to them, and
only those with the loudest voices are acted upon.”
(NHS Lothian)
3.51 Glasgow City Council felt that if community councils were to play a greater role,
then development would be required to enable community councils to be more
inclusive and representative, to ensure the active engagement and involvement
of communities of interest not normally organised along community boundaries.
This view was share by a number of third sector/ equality organisations.
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