The process of forming a community council in an area that does not have one begins by a local person asking for a petition - you can get the petition form to start the process from community council support staff (CCSS) by emailing a request to this link - ccrc@glasgow.gov.uk or calling 287-0060.
Once the petition is signed by twenty local people who are on the electoral register, it can be submitted to the City Council, requesting that a community council is established in the named area.
Those signing the petition are not committing themselves to become community councillors – however petitioners are committing themselves to form a steering committee whose task is to comment on and adopt a Constitution which will govern the affairs of the proposed community council. This part of the process may take several meetings.
Glasgow City Council may provide funding to facilitate the steering committee phase, such as allow for a venue to be booked, and pay for any administrative costs.
Once the Constitution is in place, the steering committee is then dissolved, having fulfilled its purpose. The City Council will then handle the election phase, issuing a call for nominations, and making arrangements to hold an election meeting.
Below provides an indication of the process to form a community council.
1) Request for a petition by a local resident.
2) Completed petition (signed by 20 local people who are on the electoral register) is returned to the City Council
3) Call petitioners to the inaugural meeting to form a steering committee.
4) Inaugural meeting
- provide funds for operation of steering committee if appropriate;
- adopt constitution;
- elect interim office bearers for the period of the steering committee’s operation.
5) Subsequent steering committee meeting(s)
- constitution (further comments)
- set arrangements for nominations
- Community Council Support Service (CCSS) set date for election meeting
6) Election arrangements
- CCSS arrange issue of nomination forms
- CCSS arrange posters for nominations
- Glasgow City Council appoint Independent Returning Officer (IRO)
- publicity process arranged by CCSS as appropriate
7) Election Meeting
- contested election by ballot, if nominations exceed places available
- declaration of election results
8) Initial meeting of new community council, organised by CCSS
- Office bearers elected
- Copy of Governance documentation provided to all members
- Set dates of future meetings
- Consider any need for sub committees