The Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in Fife (the ‘Scheme’) describes how Community Councils in Fife are formed, the conditions under which they operate, and the minimum standards to be met for recognition as a Community Council.

It includes the following:

• Schedule 1 – Boundaries, Population and Number of Elected Members
  • Membership of Community Councils is determined in accordance with population, allowing for exceptions to suit local circumstances. See also Section 3.0 of the Scheme – Establishment and Membership of Community Councils
• Schedule 2 – Model Standing Orders
  • Standing orders are the written rules of a community council. They are used to confirm a community council’s internal organisational, administrative and procurement procedures and procedural matters for meetings. See also Section 2.0 of the Scheme – Standing Orders
• Schedule 3 – Code of Conduct for Community Councillors
  • The Code of Conduct and its principles apply to all Community Councillors and those representing the Community Council. See also Section 2.0 of the Scheme – Code of Conduct; and our Supplementary Guidance relating to Unacceptable Behaviour (link)
• Schedule 4 – Complaints Procedure
  • If you are dissatisfied, or have concerns, about the behaviour of your community council or one or more of its members, these can be reported through the community council complaints process. See also Section 14.0 of the Scheme – Comments and Complaints
• Schedule 5 – Consultation on Planning Applications
  • Community councils have a key role in consultation on planning applications – this details Fife Council’s arrangements to consult community councils on major scale developments of significance to its community.  See also Section 7.0 of the Scheme
• Schedule 6 – Election Rules
  • Find details on how Fife Council administers ordinary and interim elections for community councils. See also Section 4.0 of the Scheme – Community Council Elections

The Guidance for Community Councils includes information on the background to Community Councils; membership; office bearer roles; data protection; equality; report writing; media and publicity; engagement and consultation; and finance.

Appendices:

• Appendix 1 - Good Practice Agreement
• Appendix 2 - Financial Guidelines for Community Councils
• Appendix 3 - The Data Protection Act 1998 – Guidance Note for Community Councils
• Appendix 4 - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – Top 12 Tasks for Community Councils
• Appendix 5 - Retention Guidelines for Community Councils
• Appendix 6 - Summary of Insurance Cover for Community Councils
• Appendix 7 - Guidance for the Use of Social Media by Community Councils
• Appendix 8 - National Standards for Community Engagement
• Appendix 9 - Community Council Meetings Guidance

These are the forms and templates you will need to help administer a community council. We are working on these and will update soon.

• Declaration of Acceptance of Office - Form
• Agenda template
• AGM agenda template
• Minute template
• Recording public notice
• Cashbook and Statement of Accounts template

These are currently under review and the Council has not yet adopted them. The CommunityCouncils.scot website has provided the following information, for reference only:

• Model Scheme Documents 2023

Planning:

• Planning applications - Community Council training presentation
• Planning Policy
• Planning FAQs

Governance, Finance, Data Protection, and Licensing:

• Governance, Finance, Data Protection, and Licensing - Community Council training presentation
• Governance, Finance, Data Protection, and Licensing FAQs

Free courses for all community councillors are available through the Scottish Improvement Service via Skills and Learning | Community Council (communitycouncils.scot)

All you have to do is register for a free account and then you can begin your learning journey with the Open University (OU).

• Information Commissioner’s Office
• Fife Voluntary Action (fva.org) – for general assistance relating to community based volunteering
• Scottish Government – Community Empowerment: Community Councils