About community councils

A community council is a group of local people who volunteer to help improve the area they live in and the public services they use. 

They find out residents' views on issues and share those views with organisations that deliver services in the area - for example, Renfrewshire Council, the NHS, Police Scotland, and local businesses. They usually meet once a month.

Community councils also act as a focal point for community activity. They organise galas and events, deliver local community improvement projects, and mobilise community efforts to reduce the effects of severe winter weather.

How a community council is established

Renfrewshire Council organises community council elections every four years. During elections, all current members must stand down, but they can go for re-election again.

If a community council receives more nominations than their maximum number of members, we'll hold a ballot election. If the number of nominated candidates is between the minimum and maximum number for that council, then those candidates will be elected automatically.

If there aren't enough nominations for a particular community council, that community council won't re-establish. We'll then call for more nominations.

What happens after an election

After an election, Renfrewshire Council will verify the eligibility of all candidates before publishing the results of the election.

Newly elected community council members are then invited to attend the first meeting of the new community council.

Community councils in Renfrewshire

Renfrewshire has 25 distinct community council areas, with 21 currently having an active community council that represents all residents within their area.

Each community council has a set number of minimum and maximum members. 

Charleston, Glenburn, Gallowhill, and Hunterhill currently do not have active community councils.

Contact us at community-council.cs@renfrewshire.gov.uk if you're interested in establishing a community council in these areas.