THE closing date for nominations to Merkinch Community Council is Tuesday 31st October and local people are being urged to consider putting their names forward.
Any elector whose name appears in the Electoral Register covering the Merkinch Community Council area is entitled to stand for nomination.
A total of 16 members is required and it is hoped that all the newly-formed tenants' associations within the area will be represented by at least one member as well as other individuals with an interest in seeing Merkinch flourish.
For the last year the present Community Council has often struggled to have enough members present to effect decisions, and it is hoped that local people will recognise the need to support the council if Merkinchers are to have a say in the matters which affect their everyday life. Nomination papers, which are available from the Returning Officer, Ivor Souter, at mp33 in Grant Street, must be returned to him, duly completed and signed, no later than 5pm on the 31st.
Withdrawals of persons nominated must be intimated in writing to the Returning Officer not later than 5pm on Thursday 2nd November.
If more than 16 valid nominations are received a postal ballot will take place on Thursday 23rd November to determine the successful candidates.
In the event of the number of candidates validly nominated being below 50% of the total number being sought, the effect will be that no Community Council can be established.
Community Councillors should have an interest in the community in which they live and represent the views of local people.
The Community Council is provided with an annual grant from the Highland Council which can be used to enhance facilities in the local area. Councillors are formally consulted by the Highland Council on all planning applications for their area as well as on other more general matters.