And a call has gone out to anyone who thinks they would be suited to represent their community’s views on a wide variety of subjects, such as planning applications and public transport.
Community councillors are local people elected by members of their community who may be involved with local projects and events, and many are in receipt of community windfarm benefits which are used to benefit their communities.
There are currently over 80 active community councils across the region and members on them must be nominated by the public.
Anyone age 16 years or over, living in the community council area and registered to vote in local government elections, can be nominated. If elected, training will be provided to enable people to fulfil their role.
Dumfries and Galloway Council leader Ronnie Nicholson said: “Community councils are a strong voice in their local communities.
“We as a council understand the importance of local priorities and we want to encourage people from the age of 16 to stand for election to represent local people and to communicate their views to us.”
The deadline for nominations is Friday September 25. Nomination forms will be available from area framework offices and customer service centres or to download from the council’s website.
Where there are more nominations than places on individual community councils there will be a poll (ballot box election) which will take place on Thursday October 22.
There are some areas of the region where there are no active community councils, but if there are sufficient people in one of those areas who are interested in developing one, support can be provided to set up a new community council.
For more information visit www.dumgal.gov.uk/communitycouncils
