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Kingswells Community Council at Risk
Several of Aberdeen's Community Councils are at serious risk of collapse, election officials warned today.
Several of Aberdeen's Community Councils are at serious risk of collapse, election officials warned today.
With nominations due to close in little more than 48 hours, just a handful of the city's existing council areas have returned enough nominations to continue.
The news leaves the city facing a similar situation as it did following the last round of nominations in 2003, when late and incorrect applications forced the dissolution of several councils.
Despite a major drive by Aberdeen City Council to avoid that scenario in 2006, officers today warned that now seems inevitable groups will fold, unless there is a significant surge in applications.
Nominations close at 4pm on Thursday.
Each area requires nominations for two-thirds of available seats to continue. If that is not achieved, the council will be disestablished and cannot be resurrected except by a petition signed by at least 20 local residents.
As of Tuesday, September 18, only Braeside, Bridge of Don, Culter, Cults, Ferryhill, Garthdee, Mastrick, Rosemount and Tillydrone Community Councils were certain to continue – although there are still vacancies on all and there is no sign that any will require a poll.
Both Bucksburn and Cove groups need one more nomination to meet the minimum two-thirds threshold and survive. Next closest to safety are Castlehill, which needs three nominations, and Torry, which requires seven.
However, Ashley, Kingswells, Old Aberdeen, Queen's Cross, Seafield and Seaton all currently have just one or two nominations at present and must now be considered in serious jeopardy, with only days to go.
The lack of interest in two communities is particularly surprising – with Seafield residents petitioning Aberdeen City Council to establish a new Community Council just a few weeks ago and Seaton requiring a ballot in 2003.
At the last elections, in 2003, many nominees returned their forms after the deadline and, unfortunately, several councils were forced to disband. Although most were later recovered, the City Council has been determined to do all it can to help communities avoid problems in 2006.
Officers had already taken the unusual step of making the crucial forms available on its website early as part of a bid to make sure no interested party misses out – the Council also held two major information sessions for prospective candidates; publicised the election push, and urged existing groups to get their nominations in early.
Today Senior Depute Returning Officer Crawford Langley said: "This really is the last chance for prospective community councillors to get their nominations in.
"Any that are not in my hands by 4pm on Thursday must be rejected and, if any one area does not have sufficient nominations at that point, the Community Council will be disestablished.
"I urge anyone still holding a form to submit it as soon as possible – as the last minute will be too late to allow us resolve any mistakes in nominations."
Already this year, officials have been forced to reject some nominations – mainly due to names and addresses being incorrectly completed, or individuals not appearing on the Register of Electors.
Nominees are reminded to use their full name, as it appears on the register, rather than any shortened form they might use - and to double check the name of the Community Council for which they intend to stand.
Those who have recently changed address must ensure they provide an address at which they are registered.
For help and advice, contact Aberdeen City Council on (01224) 522559 or 523040.
Written By: claire.burt
Date Posted: 20/09/2006
Number of Views: 173
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