Forres and Finderne Community Councils are looking for new members to represent the public in their areas

HOW can you tell Moray Council what your community needs and wants as soon as it needs and wants it?

Elected every four years, community councils made up of members of the public get involved in local issues, from environmental projects to campaigning, conducting surveys, organising public meetings and other events, and making public bodies aware of the opinions and needs of the communities they represent.

Local authorities are required to consult community councils about matters such as planning applications and licensing.

And Forres and Finderne Community Councils have places available for new members.

Outgoing Forres secretary Jo Lenihan confirmed the group is looking to fill its remaining quota of four from a total of 12 members.

She said: “Being a community councillor is very rewarding.

“It is a really worthwhile group to be involved with and everyone helps where they can.

“We would like to have wider representation from across Forres so that all areas get involved.”

Moray Councillors attend FCC’s meetings, typically running from 7-9pm on the third Thursday of the month in the Green Room at Forres House Community Centre.

“There is the opportunity to ask them to advocate on behalf of the community on issues,” said Mrs Lenihan. “It’s good to be able to work on behalf of the community and help address local issues.

“Over the last year, Forres Community Council has been drawing up a resilience plan for the town and working with the wider Moray resilience group.

“Community Councillors also attend transport forum meetings and joint community Council meetings.”

See http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_60791.html for more information.

Finderne Community Council - covering Rafford, Easter Lawrenceton, Dunphail, Edinkillie, Logie, Cathay, Altyre, Burgie, Blairs, Blervie, Brodieshill, Relugas, Glenerney, Braemoray - has two of seven places left for new members.

Secretary Howard Davenport pointed out that community councils also make the people they represent aware of issues affecting their area.

He said: “Some of our current members are planning to retire and most are based in the Rafford area so we could do with more members from the Edinkillie, Logie and Dunphail areas.”

Since forming in 2021 Finderne CC has: organised consultations on issues such as wind farm developments, housing, traffic safety and resilience; arranged for traffic management initiatives including new pavement and signage; campaigned for better broadband connectivity; pressed Moray Council into resurfacing a cemetery car park; established a wild flower area; won a grant to improve resilience in the area.

The previous Finderne Community Council campaigned against a planned route for the dualled A96; consulted on wind farms, the local area plan and core paths; initiated the Blairs Loch improvement project and the Finderne Development Trust.

“Please be part of our team working to improve the local area,” finished Mr Davenport. “It would be good to get additional help in implementing projects we have in mind.”

See https://findernecc.com/ or http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_45710.html for more information.