Community Council guidelines met with mixed reaction

While the chair of Giffnock Community Council welcomes the input from East Ren, he says more “practical” support is needed.

The announcement comes after a review of how community councils should operate.

A spokeswoman told The Extra: “An extensive consultation has shaped the new arrangements, with more than 1,000 residents and community councillors contributing.”

The council says the aim of the review of guidelines – called a Scheme of Establishment – is to make community councils more accessible, increase representation, establish firmer procedures to address issues that arise, and offer more support.

The revised scheme also gives community councils new powers and has led to the creation of a second community council for Newton Mearns.

The new groups will be called Broom, Kirkhill and Mearnskirk CC and Crookfur, Greenfarm and Mearns Village CC.

Communities convener Mary Montague, said: “This scheme will ensure we are supporting CCs in running accessible, diverse organisations.”

Yet Giffnock CC chair Savio D’Souza says the cost of the consultation process would have been better spent on giving practical support in terms of resources to get the community involved.

He added: “Surveys have shown that more than 90 per cent of people are unaware of their community council.”