To some extent, the success of community councils may reflect whether or not an area actually has a sense of community to begin with.
A small town or village with a sense of identity and, perhaps, a well-read local newspaper may provide fertile ground for a community council. In contrast it may well be harder to establish a community council in parts of a large town or city with a somewhat transient population.
The Scottish government intends to establish a working group on the future of community councils soon. But is this a chicken and egg situation? Which comes first - a sense of community or a community council?
Some community councils genuinely play a role in local life - but how hard is it for a community council which is both unelected and largely unknown or unreported within its area, to claim any credibility?
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