Local Authorities and Community Councils: Enhancing the Relationship

FOREWORD
One of this Government's key aspirations, which has been supported by COSLA, the Association of Scottish Community Councils, and others, is to bring government closer to the people. This matters both for central government and local government.
Community councils are an important part of this. They are the most local tier of statutory representation. They can be a powerful voice for their communities, and a creative agent for change. To reach their full potential they need commitment to - and from - the communities they serve. They need a strong relationship with the local authority, and public recognition of the value of their role.
The Commission on Local Government and the Scottish Parliament is currently taking a fundamental look at how our new Parliament can develop the most effective relations with local government, and how local government in turn can best make itself responsive and democratically accountable to the communities of Scotland. We believe that promoting the best of what is happening at community council level is an important part of that agenda.
We are therefore pleased to put our names to a new guidance booklet which we hope will help local authorities and community councils to promote strong local democracy.
Henry McLeish MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Devolution and Local Government	Councillor Keith Geddes, President, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities	Mr John MacKintosh, Chairman, the Association of Scottish Community Councils