BUTE has been left without a functioning community council after too few islanders came forward to fill the places needed for it to continue operating.
Bute Community Council confirmed this week in a social media post that it had failed to attract sufficient members to remain viable and will now cease operating until another election is held in six months’ time.
Convener Jean Moffat said she believed a lack of awareness about the role of community councils – and misconceptions about the amount of work involved – may have contributed to the shortage of candidates.
She told the Isle of Bute News: “I’m very sorry to say that the Isle of Bute was unable to provide a sufficient number of locals to step forward for the community council.
“I think that may well have been insufficient knowledge of the importance and need for such an organisation, coupled with a fear of the task being onerous and perhaps only suitable for older people. Neither is true.”
Jean stressed that the community council exists to represent the views and needs of islanders to local government, rather than simply expressing the opinions of those who sit on it.
She said there was a particular need to encourage younger people to become involved.
“There is a need for younger blood to help put across the island’s requirements to local government,” she said.
“It is a community council whose job is to raise the feelings and needs of the community, not the views of the committee but the views and needs of the community.”
Jean also sought to reassure anyone who might be interested in standing at the next opportunity that becoming a community councillor does not necessarily involve a significant time commitment.
The council normally meets just once a month, with individual members contributing as much additional time as they are able to give.
She added: “I fervently hope that at the next ballot in six months’ time, we shall muster sufficient interest within the community.”
The failure to secure enough members means Bute will now be without its community council during the intervening six-month period, before islanders are given another opportunity to come forward.
Bute Community Council’s plight is not an exceptional one, as other community councils across Argyll and Bute are also struggling to attract members, with many devoid of any young voices or representation.
