Community councils make people's voices count
Thursday, July 13 2006
Representatives from the Scottish Borders Community Councils' Network (SBCCN) met recently to share news and ideas at the organisation's fourth Annual General Meeting. The SBCCN's eighth annual seminar will be held in October.
Over the past 12 months, the network has lobbied on, or contributed towards, a wide range of issues, including rural Post Offices, water and sewerage services, affordable rural housing, the switch to digital TV and Broadband connection. Members have also contributed to the new Scottish Borders Transport Forum, the Borders Community Grid for Learning and a Scottish Borders Council Scrutiny review on consulting with the public.
Network Chair Bridget Darling attended an SBC meeting to consider the response of community councils to the Scottish Executive's review of the community council scheme. Recommendations are expected to be published this Autumn.
In her report to the AGM, Mrs Darling also highlighted the increasing involvement of community councils in New Ways, the Borders Community Planning Partnership and many key aspects of Borders life.
She emphasised the importance of responding to those public consultations which directly affect a community council's local area.
Mrs Darling thanked Community Councillors for representing their communities. Stressing the importance of the voice of Community Councils, she acknowledged that sometimes membership can be seen as a low priority, but that the work is interesting and to be commended.
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