Appeal for community councillors as nominations fall drastically short

There have been just 16 valid nominations for the forthcoming elections, with some community council areas having no nominations at all.

Notice of Election was published earlier this month, but so far there has been a distinct lack of interest from the public, with just 16 nominations lodged.

In many community council areas across the county, no nominations have been submitted.

There are 25 Community Councils in Angus and to have them all work successfully for all their communities requires a combined minimum of 140 community councillors.

A council spokesperson said: “Time is running out and, with a deadline of 4pm on Wednesday, August 31, the window of opportunity is even smaller due to planned Royal Mail postal strikes on Friday, August 26.

Nomination forms can be requested from the Returning Officer (Community Council Elections), Elections Office, Digital Reprographics Unit, Sylvie Way, Orchardbank Business Park, Forfar, DD8 1AY, [email protected] or via the council’s Community Council Election webpages.

The spokesperson added: “Community Councils can be at their best when the councillors combine to be truly representative of the community they serve – benefitting through both youth and experience.

“To apply to be a Community Councillor you must be 16 years old or over, on the electoral roll and resident within the relevant community council area.

“Community Councils make a wide range of activities possible and promote the well-being of local people. They bring local people together to help make things happen locally. Many of them work tirelessly to protect and promote the identity of their community.

“Local democracy is as important now as it has ever been – be part of it.”