Proposal to Review the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in Argyll and Bute Phase Two Feedback
Argyll and Bute Council · 26 November 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 26 November 2025 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL LEGAL & REGULATORY SUPPORT 26 NOVEMBER 2026 PROPOSAL TO REVIEW THE SCHEME FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY COUNCILS IN ARGYLL AND BUTE: PHASE TWO FEEDBACK 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Policy & Resources Committee agreed at the meeting on 21 August 2025 to conduct a second stage 8-week public consultation on further proposed amendments to the current Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in Argyll and Bute. That consultation period ended on 19 October 2025 with the only feedback relating to seek an increase in the grant levels (see Appendix 4). As previously reported, any decision to increase the grant levels would require additional budgetary provision. There are no other implications and proposals for the amendments already proposed have been assessed via the council’s impact assessment tool with no implications arising. The Council is invited to agree the version of the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in Argyll and Bute for the next for 4 year term (2026 to 2030) and associated documents, and refer the question of grant levels (that the Policy & Resources Committee agreed be provided when reporting back on the outcome of the second stage consultation) to the council’s budget meeting. Should the recommendations be agreed, it will be necessary to give notice of the adoption of the amended scheme. As previously agreed, the amended Scheme should take effect from 20 August 2026, to coincide with elections taking place on that date. There is a legal requirement that a decision to amend a Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils “shall be by resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members voting thereon at a local authority meeting specially convened for the purpose with notice of the object”. In most cases, that specially convened meeting would coincide with an existing meeting date but called separately.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL LEGAL & REGULATORY SUPPORT 26 NOVEMBER 2025 PROPOSAL TO REVIEW THE SCHEME FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY COUNCILS IN ARGYLL AND BUTE: PHASE TWO FEEDBACK 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 This report updates the Council on feedback received following a second phase of 8-week public consultation on the proposals to amend the local Scheme the Establishment of Community Councils. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS The Council is invited to: 3.1 Consider the feedback at Appendix 4 which relates to increasing grant allocations and agree to refer the setting of the administration grant levels for 2026-2030 to the council’s budget meeting in February 2026; and 3.2 Approve the final proposed amended Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in Argyll and Bute for the 2026-2030 term (appendix 1), the amended Best Practice Guidance 2026-2030 (appendix 2); the boundaries for community councils for term 2026-2030 (appendix 3), noting that these will take effect as of 26 August 2026. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 Phase two of the consultation process was carried out between 22 August and 19 October 2025 based on proposals taking account of some of the representations received during the first phase of consultation. During the second
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consultation phase additional feedback was received from 2 community councils proposing increases to grant levels, with one additional response confirming general satisfaction with proposals. The existing budget position, together with information on the submitted proposals to increase grant levels are set out in more detail within Appendix 4. 4.2 The amendments made during the consultation process have been minimal and therefore the volume of response perhaps reflects that. There are no other implications and proposals for the amendments already proposed have been assessed via the council’s impact assessment tool with no implications arising. The Integrated Impact Assessment is set out in Appendix 5. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 Having considered all feedback received during two phases of public consultation, the final proposed amended Scheme has been prepared and submitted for approval along with the Best Practice Agreement, the boundary map for community councils (noting that the only boundary change was a minor adjustment between Lochgilphead and Dunadd Community Councils). Further information on grant levels is contained at appendix 4. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy - None 6.2 Financial – proposals to increase administration grant funding would require additional budgetary provision. 6.3 Legal – Proposals are consistent with the Local Government Act (Scotland) Act 1973 6.4 HR – None, the review will be conducted from within existing staff resource. 6.5 Customer Service – None 6.7 Climate Change – None 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty - None 6.9 Equalities - protected characteristics - None 6.10 Consumer Duty - None 6.11 Islands Communities - None 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing - None Douglas Hendry Executive Director with responsibility for Legal & Regulatory Support Councillor Mark Irvine - Policy Lead for Community Planning and Corporate Services 24 October 2025
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For further information contact: David Logan, Head of Legal & Regulatory Support, Kilmory, Lochgilphead – 01546 604322 or Melissa Stewart, Democratic Services Manager, Kilmory, Lochgilphead – 01546 604331 APPENDICES Appendix 1 – Proposed final amended Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in Argyll & Bute Appendix 2 – Proposed final amended Best Practice Agreement Appendix 3 – Proposed CC Boundary Maps Appendix 4 – Administration Grant considerations Appendix 5 - Integrated Impact Assessment