Consultation On The Proposed Community Empowerment - Scottish ...

“Their constitution makes it difficult for community councils to
run public services, but many have been involved in
establishing community development trusts which would
have the potential to run certain services.”
(The West Harris Trust)
3.56 Many respondents (including community councils, local authorities, other
community organisations and third sector/ equality organisations) felt that they
did not have the capability or expertise to deliver services; others suggested
that this might compromise their role as a representative voice of the
community.
“The strength of the community council, if it is in any way
effective lies in knowing its area and its people and being
able to represent and convey the needs and priorities of
these people.”
(Glenfarg Community Council)
“Changing the role of community councils would have a
significant impact on the way that they are run and managed,
raising justifiable concerns about their ability to take on the
responsibility for holding budgets, managing and monitoring
services, without significant capacity building mechanisms
being put in place.”
(Society of Local Authority Chief Executives Scotland)
3.57 A number of respondents questioned whether there was even an appetite
among community councils to take on such a role.
3.58 A small number of community councils did however say that they would
welcome the opportunity to play a greater role in delivering public services, but
acknowledged that this would require considerable training and support, funding
and a greater degree of accountability, which may not be welcomed by those
who volunteer to be community councillors.
“Scotland’s communities need greater powers of self
governance. To that end we propose that communities
should have freedom to take on a range of powers and
responsibilities.”
(Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council)
“The principle of co-production with community councils in
Midlothian has been taken forward through joint community
resilience planning, following successful work on the winter
weather emergency two years ago. This provides a basis for
potentially wider involvement in various aspects of service
delivery.”
(Midlothian Council)
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