Community Council elections
What is a Community Council ?
Community Councils are voluntary organisations that express the views and concerns of local people within their area across a wide range of issues from new buildings and roads to local services and facilities.
Every local community can request their local authority to establish a Community Council in their area.
What is involved?
The Community Council meets regularly to discuss issues affecting their area, including planning and licensing. All meetings are held in public, and residents are encouraged to attend their local meeting.
The maximum membership of each of the 156 Highland Community Councils is determined by the population it serves and varies from 7 to 13 members.
For more information on the roles and responsibilities of a community councillor, please see our Community Council page or view our Frequently Asked Questions.
Here is the link to a short video on what is a Community Council
How can I apply to be a Community Councillor?
The Election Office is responsible for running the Community Council elections, which must be held every 4 years.
Those wishing to stand as Candidate must be:
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aged 16 years and over;
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a resident within the boundary of the Community Council area;
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named in the Electoral Register for that Community Council.
Follow the link to view the map and search details on your community council.
Detailed below are the current elections that are scheduled to be held.
Community Council Elections 2023
Notice of Election
Detailed below is a copy of the Notice of Election and the Election Timetable for elections that has been scheduled to take place for the 156 Community Councils across the Highland Council local authority area.
Nomination Period
To stand as Candidate, all you needed do was self-nominate yourself by completing and submitting the online nomination paper by the deadline of midday on Tuesday 3 October 2023.
Close of Nominations
Following the deadlines for the close of the nominations and withdrawal period, the notices of persons nominated for each community council can now be viewed below for each Community Council.
Notices of Candidates Nominated
Uncontested Councils
116 Community Councils did not exceed their maximum membership and therefore no ballot is to be held. The old existing Community Council’s dissolved at 11.59pm on Tuesday 10 October 2023 and the new Community Council can now be formed from Wednesday 11 October 2023.
Ballots for Contested Councils
A postal ballot was held for the 10 Community Councils listed below as the number of nominations received exceeded their maximum membership.
- Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra
- Croy and Culloden Moor
- Dunvegan
- Glengarry
- Kiltearn
- Melvich
- Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry
- Thurso
- Watten
- Wester Loch Ewe
Further information on contested elections
Councils that failed to form
A further ballot will commence in January 2024 for the 30 Community Councils listed below that failed to form.
- Balintore and Hilton
- Ballachulish
- Ballifeary
- Bower
- Carrbridge
- Cawdor and West Nairnshire
- Creich
- Cromdale and Advie
- Dalneigh and Columba
- Dalwhinnie
- Dornie and District
- Dulnain Bridge
- East Nairnshire
- Glendale
- Golspie
- Grantown On Spey
- Inver
- Muir of Ord
- Muirtown
- Nairn West and Suburban
- Nigg and Shandwick
- Portree
- Resolis
- Sleat
- Small Isles
- Smithton
- Stromeferry and Achmore
- Sunart
- Tain
- Waternish
To stand as Candidate, all you need do is self-nominate yourself by completing and submitting the nomination paper which will be available online from Monday 15 January 2023 until midday on Tuesday 30 January 2023.
Digital Toolkit
The Election Team have prepared a publicity toolkit to help communities spread the word with lots of helpful information for anyone considering standing.
Questions or advice
Please contact the Elections Team if you have any questions about the election process
Email: ccelection@highland.gov.uk
Tel: 01349 886657