Garelochhead Community Council to be suspended after failing to recruit members

A community council with only three members is set to have its constitution suspended by Argyll and Bute Council.

Garelochhead Community Council became inquorate in June 2024 after all its office bearers resigned at its AGM.

A by-election was due to be held later that year to encourage members of the community to come forward, but no candidates stood. It resulted in the group having only three members from a maximum of 16.

The community council remains dormant, and the council is now recommending that its constitution be suspended.

A report will go before the authority’s policy and resources committee at its meeting on February 19.

Executive director Douglas Hendry said: “Attempts to encourage the local community to stand in a by-election did not identify any candidates, and the view expressed from the community was that although the by-election had been widely discussed, there was no current interest, as it was difficult to find people willing to take on these roles.

“As a result, it was agreed that the community council be placed in a dormant state, with the three members remaining elected, pending there being sufficient local interest in place to form a sustainable community council.

“To date, there has not been any interest expressed from the community in holding a further electoral process to get the community council back up and running.

“Since becoming dormant, the ex-treasurer has been trying to encourage those remaining members to become signatories on the bank account, as none of the current signatories was serving community councillors.

“Those requests were not responded to, and the ex-treasurer reached out to the community council liaison officer (CCLO) to seek advice and assistance as to next steps.

“The CCLO also reached out to the three members to encourage them to become custodians of the account, as this arrangement would allow the funds to be held locally and would see those three members in a position to authorise any new signatories required further down the line. Again, no response was received.”

Mr Hendry then said that after seeking legal advice, two options were to hold another by-election or suspend the constitution of the community council.

The latter scenario would see the Bank of Scotland accept transfer of the community council’s bank account to Argyll and Bute Council, subject to two signatories being identified.

Mr Hendry added: “The CCLO reached out to the three remaining members, setting out those options, pointing out that she had not received any expressions of interest from the community, but asking whether locally there might be any discussions that may suggest otherwise.

“One member responded to this correspondence, confirming that in his view there remained little interest in a further by-election within the village, suggesting that the second option to suspend the constitution would be an appropriate way forward.

“If the recommendation to suspend the constitution is agreed, it is further recommended that the executive director and head of legal and regulatory support (David Logan) become the council’s nominated signatories for the bank account.”

Garelochhead Community Council’s website currently consists of a single page, saying: “Garelochhead Community Council is currently in a dormant state and unable to formally function.

“If there is sufficient interest submitted, which may result in a strong and sustainable community council being formed, the local returning officer may agree to run a by-election in respect of vacant positions on the community council.

“Should you be interested in becoming a member please email communitycouncils@argyll-bute.gov.uk”