Community councils need education on rules they are operating under, says councillor
Councillor Andy Doig believes recent events suggest certain aspects of the regulations are not widely understood.
Community council members in Renfrewshire need greater education on the rules under which the groups are operating, a veteran politician has admitted.
Councillor Andy Doig, an independent representative for Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, believes recent events suggest certain aspects of the regulations are not widely understood.
Reflecting on sagas in Renfrew and Ferguslie, the elected member is concerned there is a "lack of knowledge" over the ins and outs of a rulebook known as the scheme for the establishment of community councils.
In particular, he has pointed to the directive that the bodies should be non-party political – insisting they should instead focus on "civic issues" within their communities.
Councillor Doig said: "I want to say at the outset that the vast majority of community councils operate really well. There are some community councils within my own ward that are first class, they're excellent.
"They're committed to the community, they're full of volunteers who have expertise in other fields of life, other professions, that they bring to the table and they work effectively for their communities.
"But I think it's clear from recent events in Renfrew and Ferguslie there seems to be a lack of knowledge about the fact that community councils themselves are meant to be very strictly non-party political.
"When they start to enter into the realm of making political commentary or trying to promote or push certain political lines, they're really acting ultra vires and outwith their capacity.
"They're actually breaching the laws under which community councils are established."
It comes following the brief suspension of Renfrew Community Council earlier this year after it landed itself in hot water over a series of comments from members on social media.
In addition to that episode, a former chair of Ferguslie Community Council resigned after taking aim at Renfrewshire Council and its administration on Facebook.
Asked if there was a need for greater education on the rules, Councillor Doig responded: "Absolutely, I think that community council members should be made aware at all times that they should be acting in a non-political way.
"Their purpose is not to talk about the politics of the day, it's really to focus on civic issues in their own community."
The scheme, which is currently under review, could feature a more robust complaints process once a revised version is eventually agreed.
Councillor Doig believes this job should be officer-led as opposed to the suggestion of a panel of members drawn from other community councils.
He added: "We oversee them, therefore, if there's any issues, it's only correct and proper it's council officers who should set up procedures to deal with them.
"I don't think it's fair to expect a neighbouring community council to investigate issues within a community council in any given location. I don't think that's the way forward."
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