Dunoon Community Council (DCC) has issued an appeal for new members to help keep the council alive. Recent membership has fallen due to health and personal reasons, and numbers are now close to the minimum required to continue operating.
Under Argyll and Bute Council’s Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils, at least half of the council’s seats must be filled for it to remain active. Dunoon currently has 10 serving members, but one more resignation would take it below that threshold, meaning the council would become dormant.
Community councils play a vital role as the grassroots voice of local people, representing residents’ views to the local authority and other public bodies. They are often the first to be consulted on major issues such as planning, roads, transport and local services.
If membership falls below the required number, DCC would be temporarily suspended, unable to hold meetings or make formal decisions until new members are in place.
Right now, with so many varied issues impacting on the town, it’s vital that local residents step forward and keep the community council alive.
A spokesperson for DCC explained: “Last year we campaigned tirelessly in the local transport forum, taking local concerns to the decision-makers.
“Residents from Cragroy were anxious that there was no bus service from Kirn Brae to the town. As a result of the community council’s work, there is now a bus running along the promenade.
“Many of you will remember the fabulous VE Day celebrations in the town, and we contributed to the council’s upgrading of the play park at West Bay. We ran several surveys during the year on Argyll Rally, the proposed Giants Burn wind farm, and CalMac ferries — each time informing the community council of what locals want to happen in the town.
“Residents complained about vandalism in the Rose Gardens and, as a result of the community council working with Argyll and Bute Council and the police, this area has now been cleaned up and the vandalism has stopped.
“We worked closely with Dunoon Presents to ensure Argyll Rally ran safely and brought many spectators into the town — all good for the economy. We are also partners with the Scottish Poppy Appeal and last year we raised a fantastic £14,356.50 for this appeal.”
Takki Sulaiman, Chief Executive of Argyll and Bute TSI, said: “Community councillors are the unsung heroes of our democracy. We need our community councils to function to help ensure that each locality is able to have an input into how our vital local services are delivered. In addition, they can help articulate and shape the future aspirations for our towns and villages.”
If you are interested in becoming a Dunoon community councillor and you are over 16, on the electoral register and live in the community council area of Dunoon, then you are eligible to apply. The nomination pack can be found on the Argyll and Bute Council website.
The closing date for nominations is Thursday, November 20.
