Communities invited to get involved in community elections

Residents in Northfield and in the city centre areas of Aberdeen are being invited to stand in the forthcoming community council elections on Thursday, May 23.

Community councils act as a voice for their local area and articulate the views of local people on issues of public concern to the local authority, other public sector bodies and private organisations. They are also a statutory consultee on all planning applications and liquor licensing applications.

Community councils are established under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 with each council comprising up to 12 members, dependant on the size of the population for that location and are elected to serve for a period of three years.

Anyone who is considering standing for election should have a keen interest in their local community and be public spirited. Community council candidates must be at least 16 years old and named on the current electoral register for the Community council area in which they reside.

Community councils usually meet once a month, to discuss the issues of concern in their local area. They should aim to encourage public involvement and feedback to ensure engagement from all sectors of the local community. This could include consultations, questionnaires, public meetings and effective communications to publicise and promote the work of the community council.

Northfield Community Council and City Centre Community Council 2019 election timetable

Publication of Notice of Election	Wednesday, March 27
Close of Nominations	4pm on Thursday, April 25
Closing date for withdrawal of nominations	4pm on Wednesday, May 1
Notice of Poll (or uncontested election)	Friday, May 3
Polling Day (8am-8pm)	Thursday, May 23

For further information on the forthcoming community council elections and the relevant documents, please visit: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/communitycouncilelections