Community Council elections will take place across Argyll and Bute in October 2022. Taking part in these elections – whether as a voter or a candidate – gives you an opportunity to have your say in local representation and community life. Here’s all the information you need, whether you’re interested in standing for election or want to have a say in who represents your local area.

What are Community Councils?

Community Councils are voluntary organisations which are set up by statute by local authorities, but which are run by local people to act on behalf of their community. Their general role is to act as a voice for their local community.

As well as representing their area to the local authority, Community Councils also support and contribute to a wide range of activities in various aspects of local life. This includes taking forward specific projects, running surveys or campaigning on local issues of interest, and organising events.

Who can become a Community Councillor?

If you are 16 or over, live within your Community Council area, and are listed on the electoral register for local government elections for the area where you live, you can stand for election as a Community Councillor.

So that your Community Council can carry out its role as a local voice as effectively as possible, it’s important that it includes people from all walks of life including young people.

Community Councillors are invariably people who are passionate about their local area and who want to play their part in making it a better place to live.

If you care about your community and want to get more involved in local life, why not consider standing for election?

How can you get involved?

Standing for election

If you are interested in standing for election to your local Community Council, you can find out more information and get a Nominations Pack online at Community Council Elections 20 October 2022

You can also contact Argyll and Bute Council Election Team (who are administering the election) by email at elections@argyll-bute.gov.uk or by phone on 01546 603264.

Nominations are open from Thursday 18th August to 4pm on Thursday 8th September 2022.

Voting in the Community Council Elections

People who are already registered to vote in local government elections in their local area are able to vote in the 2022 Community Council Elections.

The Notice of Poll will be published on 15th September 2022. This will list the candidates who are standing for election to each of Argyll and Bute’s 56 community councils.

People will be able to vote in areas where there is a ‘contest’ – where there are more candidates standing for election than there are Community Council seats.

In some areas there may not be a contest – the number of people standing for election is the same as, or fewer than, the number of Community Council seats. In these cases, all candidates are automatically elected.

Where an election is needed, postal voting packs will be sent out to people who are listed on the electoral register for the area. Voting packs will be issued from 29th September. They must be returned by Polling Day, Thursday 20th October 2022, in order for votes to be included in the overall count.

Votes will be counted on Tuesday 25th October 2022 with results available as soon as possible.

Key dates – quick note

Thursday 18th August to Thursday 8th September – nomination period for people who want to stand for election.

15th September – A Notice of Uncontested Election or a Notice of Poll will be published, with information about candidates in each area, and indicating where there will be a need for an election.

From 29th September – postal voting packs will be issued to registered voters in the areas where elections are required.

20th October – Polling Day, and the date by which postal voting packs must be returned.

25th October – Votes will be counted and results published.

Useful links

Here are some useful links about Community Councils in Scotland and the forthcoming elections:

Community Council Elections 20 October 2022
Community Councils Scotland
Community Councils – Community Empowerment

Lochgoil Community Council serves the communities of Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle and the surrounding district. There are 374 registered electors with up to eight positions to be filled. If there are more than eight nominations, there will be an election by postal votes.

Click this link for overview of Lochgoil Community Council