Cllr Alastair Majury on Dunblane Community Council Adopts a Consultation Policy

Dunblane Community Council Consultation Policy Ruling Out Consultations

I am disappointed to learn that the Dunblane Community Council has now formally adopted a ‘Consultation Policy’ that does not require them to consult the wider community using recognised consultative mechanisms as mentioned in the Scheme of Establishment that they signed up to.

DCC Adopting the Policy

I am also disappointed that they have singled me out with respect to the criticism that they have been receiving in the press. Only one of the letters below is by myself, the rest are from my fellow members of the community. Unfortunately the Dunblane Community Council have decided to address these concerns by formally adopting a policy where they will not make any changes to how they consult, or rather don’t consult the community.

Here is the policy that Dunblane Community Council has adopted.

DCC Consultation Policy

DCC says that they are not resourced enough

However, the community council does not receive any less support or fewer resources than other community councils in the Stirling Council area, and they manage to consult their local communities using recognised consultation mechanisms.

For example, this is a brief summary of one such consultation exercise that the Bridge of Allan Community Council performed.

A total of 621 surveys were completed, 20 of which were paper copies submitted at the library. 361 are residents, 206 are visitors, 21 are merchants or business owners and 31 are employed by businesses in Bridge of Allan.

The Stirling Council Scheme of Establishment also highlights some examples of recognised consultative mechanisms that the Dunblane Community Council could have adopted in their policy.

Excerpts from the Scheme of Establishment

Instead the Dunblane Community Council have decided to adopt the following approach.

DCC confirm that they won’t use recognised consultative mechanisms to consult the community

I am not sure why the Dunblane Community Council thinks that this approach will mean that they are complying with the Scheme of Establishment and also be in accordance with the statutory purpose of community councils.

The statutory purpose of community councils.

As they are required to “to ascertain, co-ordinate and express” and “the views of the community which it represents”. As given the track record of the DCC with respect to: “We use our members to establish general community views on most matters, using their networks (physical and virtual), as appropriate, as well as considering the evidence presented and otherwise available, on specific issues, taking a reasonable and proportionate approach.”

(Relates to the previous CC) On multiple occasions but including when Stirling Council (funded by SUSTRANS) consulted on ‘Community Led’ ideas and we (the community) rejected these twice, and the then CC representative on the Steering Group wanted to ignore this majority community view and proceed with the proposals anyway, which would have been against the wishes of a majority of the community.

The Scheme of Establishments also states:

Extract from the Scheme of Establishment

Are you happy with the Consultation Policy that the Dunblane Community Council has adopted?

Or do think they should be using one or more of the mechanisms mentioned in the Scheme of Establishment (below)?

Recognised Consultative Mechanisms

Do you think that the Dunblane Community Council’s response to the concerns that have been raised by members of the community is appropriate?

Do you believe that the Dunblane Community Council is operating in compliance with respect to the Statutory Purpose of Community Councils or Stirling Council’s Scheme of Establishment?

I would be interested in knowing what your thoughts are.

I am sure that the Stirling Observer would be keen to know what your thoughts are as well. Letters to the Editor — john.rowbotham@reachplc.com

And if you don’t think that the Dunblane Community Council is operating in compliance with respect to the Statutory Purpose of Community Councils or Stirling Council’s Scheme of Establishment then you can also let the council know at — info@stirling.gov.uk

Alastair Majury resides locally in the historic Scottish city of Dunblane, and is a Senior Regulatory Business Analyst working across the country. Alastair Majury is also a volunteer officer at the local Boys’ Brigade company, a charity which focuses on enriching the lives of children and young people, and building a stronger community. Alastair Majury also serves on the local council (Stirling Council) as Councillor Alastair Majury where he represents the ward of Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, topping the poll.