Jackie Weaver to give evidence as Committee marks 50th Anniversary of Scotland's Community Councils

18 May 2023

The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee is holding a session on community councils to coincide with the 50th anniversary of their establishment in Scotland, with two panels of witnesses scheduled to give evidence.

As part of the first panel the Committee will hear from Jackie Weaver who rose to fame after a video of her managing a virtual meeting of Handforth Parish Council went viral in 2021.

The Committee has invited Jackie Weaver to share her insights and experiences in local governance and management, particularly in relation to supporting parish councils.

The Committee will also hear from a panel of community councillors representing Edinburgh, Shetland, Aberdeenshire, West Lothian, Moray, Clackmannanshire and Cambuslang in South Lanarkshire who will provide evidence in a roundtable format.

The session is part of the Committee’s ongoing work looking at the Scottish Government’s Local Governance Review which aims to reform the way that Scotland is governed to give greater control to communities.

Commenting ahead of the meeting, Committee Convener, Ariane Burgess MSP said:

“Fifty years on from the establishment of Community Councils, it’s important that we recognise and celebrate the contributions that individuals and groups involved make to their communities.

“We also hope this session can contribute towards shaping the Scottish Government’s Local Governance Review, ensuring communities continued to be empowered and supported to do so in the decades ahead.

“The Committee are looking forward to welcoming Jackie Weaver and Community Councillors from all over Scotland to share their experiences of community involvement in decision making, and their views on how this can be improved.”

Notes to editors

Photo-Opportunity: 11:45am Tuesday 23rd May 2023 - Committee Room 6

Following the evidence session the Committee will host a short photo-opportunity in Committee Room 6 of the Scottish Parliament with Community Councillors and Committee Members cutting a 50th anniversary cake.

Community Councillors and the Committee Convener, Ariane Burgess MSP will be available for stills and a short on-the record, off-camera media huddle following the photo-op.

Media should register in advance by emailing john.erskine@parliament.scot by 4pm on Monday 22nd May.

The session coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Community Councils in Scotland following the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The Committee has closely tracked progress on the Scottish Government’s Local Governance Review. The Review includes several different pieces of work and the Scottish Government has confirmed that it is intended to result in a New Deal for Local Government which will include a Fiscal Framework. A Local Democracy Bill is also expected to be introduced during the current parliamentary session.

Further information, including links to relevant meeting papers and correspondence can be found on the Committee website

The Committee meeting on the 23rd May will take evidence from two panels of witnesses, with Jackie Weaver appearing remotely.

Community Councils: The Committee will take evidence from—

Brian Davey, Communications Officer and Emma Swift, Communications Officer, Improvement Service;
Dr Oliver Escobar, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, University of Edinburgh;
Andrew Paterson, Policy and Research Officer, Scottish Community Development Centre;
Jackie Weaver, Chief Officer, Cheshire Association of Local Councils;

and then from—

John Bachtler, Chair, Cambuslang Community Council;
Debra Duke, Community Council Liaison Office, Moray Council;
Steve Kerr, Chair, Edinburgh Association of Community Councils;
Alastair Kennedy, Chair, Joint Community Councils of Moray;
Shayne McLeod, Vice Chair, Association of Shetland Community Councils;
Bill Pitt, Chair, New Aberdour, Tyrie, and Pennan Community Council;
Donald Stavert, Treasurer, Joint Forum of Community Councils in West Lothian;
Ewart McAuslane, Treasurer, Tillicoultry, Coalsnaughton & Devonside Community Council.

Jackie Weaver to give evidence as Committee marks 50th Anniversary of Scotland's Community Councils

Background