Community councils

Community councils are independent organisations and are run by local residents aged 16 and above who care about their community.

They are elected to act on behalf of their local area and play an important role in local democracy through consultation. 

The role of a community council

Community councils:

• are set up under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 but are not part of the local council
• are consulted by law on issues that are important to communities
• consult with their communities on issues important to them
• receive and can comment on planning and licensing applications relevant to their community council boundary

Many community councils are involved in local projects and they may also administer external funds for their community, in particular from wind farms.

Find your local community council

There are 83 community councils with 645 community councillors.

You can search for your local community council to find out:

• who to contact
• when they meet
• the boundaries of their community council area

Find your community council

How to get involved

There are different ways to get involved in your local community council:

• attend your community council's regular public meetings – they meet at least 6 times a year
• become an elected community council member
• contact them directly 

If your area does not have a current community council

A by-election can take place where:

• a community council does not exist
• there is interest by members of the community to be involved in establishing a community council for that area

To establish a community council, submit a written application of at least 20 electors who:

• are 16 years of age or over
• live within the community council area
• are on the current register of electors for that community council area

You can submit an application by email or post:

Email: [email protected] 
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Education, Skills and Community Directorate
Militia House
English Street
Dumfries
DG1 2HR