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:

• aged 16 years and over

• a resident within the boundary of the Community Council area

• named in the Electoral Register for that Community Council.

You can view the map and search details on your community council.

Interim elections are held if a community council has fallen below half the maximum permitted membership and the notice of election will be published here with further guidance on how to apply.

Interim Notice of Election - Tuesday 19 August 2025

The timetable for the next interim election is detailed below to fill vacancies for community councils since the last round of interim elections and to reform those that have submitted a petition.

Timetable

The Notice of Elections and Nomination Form will be available here thereafter.

Results from Interim Election – Monday 31 March 2025

Following the deadline for the close of the nominations and withdrawal period, the notices of persons nominated for the Community Councils are now published below.

Uncontested Councils

The following Community Councils did not exceed their maximum membership so therefore no ballot will be held:

• Carrbridge
• Kilmuir and Logie Easter
• Portree and Braes
• Resolis
• Sinclairs Bay
• Tannach and District

Councils that failed to form

The following Community Councils have failed to form: -

• Bower
• Conon Bridge
• Lochalsh
• Smithton

There will another opportunity to try and form those 4 listed above in August when the notice of election will be published.

Dissolution of Community Councils

The following Community Councils have dissolved as the total number of validly nominated candidates was less than the minimum number required

• Ballifeary
• East Nairnshire
• Glendale
• Inver
• Muirtown

Subsequently to re-establish any of the community councils listed above, twenty or more electors will need to submit a requisition to The Highland Council in accordance with Section 52(7) of the Local Government Act 1973, on receipt of which the Returning Officer shall arrange a date for a further election to be held. You can download a template. Failing such a requisition a further election would be held after the current 4 year term in 2027.

Questions or advice

Please contact the Elections Team if you have any questions about the election process.

Email: election@highland.gov.uk
Tel: 01349 886657