Time to educate our community councils

Community council members in Renfrewshire need greater education on the rules under which the groups are operating, a veteran politician has admitted.

- JACK THOMSON, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

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 nonparty 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

More training Councillor Andy Doig

councils operate really well. There are some community councils within my own ward that are first class, they're excellent.