Your Community Needs You!

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This autumn sees elections to the Royal Burgh of Cupar & District Community Council (the deadline to nominate to stand as a Community Councillor is the 31st August – see below) and Cupar’s Councillors – Margaret Kennedy, Stefan Hoggan-Radu and John Caffrey – are among those keen to encourage locals to consider standing for membership.

PLEASE NOTE: The Returning Officer has decided to extend the nomination period for community council elections for one week to 4.00 pm on 7 September. 

The town’s three elected Fife Councillors have issued a joint call to action, saying …

Community Councils are comprised of people who care about their community and want to make it a better place to live.

As well as representing the community to the local authority, Community Councils facilitate a wide range of activities which promote the well-being of their communities. They also help to celebrate achievements that promote the town.

They are the strongest means of becoming involved with your local area. It is an introduction to gaining a good understanding of the workings of local government and what is going on in Cupar, in Fife and nationally working closely with your Fife Council Elected Councillors.

Most importantly, being part of a Community Council provides the membership with the opportunity of bringing local people together to help make things happen; striving to protect and promote the identity of the town. Some of the activities which a Community Council can become involved in:

  • Advise and influence on causes and cases of concern on behalf of the community.
  • Promote and initiate projects for and on behalf of the community in partnership with other local organisation to enhance the environment, economy, and wellbeing of the town.
  • Conduct local surveys
  • Campaign on local issues
  • Organise community events (such as local galas)
  • Interact with other community groups

Is it for me?

  • Do you have a desire to help out in your community?
  • Can you give a commitment of 3-4 hours per month?

Then yes, it is for you and in return you will gain a great sense of achievement.

Need more? Feel free to contact any of your three Cupar Fife Councillors, the current Chair, Gina Logan, of any of the current Community Councillors if you have any questions or would like further information.

Signed by: Margaret Kennedy, Cllr; Stefan Hoggan-Radu, Cllr; and John Caffrey, Cllr.

Cupar & Country …

The current community council is made up from 18 members of the public who have an interest in the well-being of their community. All community councilors are volunteers and serve for a period of up to 4 years. Current Chair, Gina Logan says: “I am honoured to be Chair of the The Royal Burgh of Cupar and District Community Council. Each of us volunteers to work for the benefit of our town and villages – Cupar, Cuparmuir and Foodieash – seeking to represent their respective views, aspirations and concerns.”
The Council meets on a monthly basis – excluding July and December – and all meetings are open to the public. Gina adds: “In seeking to represent community interests, care is taken to reflect the views of the whole community and to achieve this we are guided by good practice such as the Standards for Community Engagement. I welcome the Councillors joint statement and look forward to this autumn’s elections.”

Developing support …

The Councillors call has been echoed by Cupar’s Development Trust. Former councillor and now Board member of the Trust, Tony Miklinski, says: “Community councils provide a great opportunity for engagement. There are a few rules. You have to be 16+ and be on the electoral register at an address in the area of Fife Council where you wish to stand. Also, you cannot be an existing elected member of Fife Council. Beyond that, it is down to you. Passionate about your town and its future? Then getting elected to the Community Council is a great way to help.”

It’s the business …

James Hair, Chair of ABCD, Cupar’s Business Association, has given his support to the collective call, adding: “No part of the town is an island. We are all interdependent – and decisions discussed and made by Cupar’s Community Council affect us all – as businesses, employers, employees, customers and families. Strong, positive representation at a local level helps to raise Cupar’s profile and undoubtedly benefits the town.”

Need more?

Wish to stand? Visit Fife Council’s website on or after the 14th August 2023 and you can download a candidate nomination pack.

You can also request a nomination pack from the Electoral Services team by telephoning 03451 55 55 11 or emailing election.enquiries@fife.gov.uk.

Nominations must be received by the Returning Officer by 4pm on Thursday 31 August 2023.

Interested in the current work of the Royal Burgh of Cupar & District Community Council? Just click on this link to visit their website.

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