INSURANCE – IMPORTANT NOTICE
With immediate effect, the ASCC is not currently able to process requests for additional insurance coverage (for events). This is because of preparations underway for the closure of the ASCC insurance scheme at the end of April 2012.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS DOES NOT AFFECT THE STANDARD INSURANCE COVER CURRENTLY BEING PROVIDED TO HUNDREDS OF CCs ACROSS SCOTLAND.
In the meantime, we urge CCs seeking insurance cover for events such as bonfire nights, firework displays, seasonal light ceremonies and so on to seek insurance from an insurance agent specialising in simple coverage solutions for single events.
We regret the inconvenience this will cause to the many CCs who undertake events in the autumn and winter, and emphasise this is the result of our enforced closure following a 40% cut in funding by the Scottish Government.
Liz Murray
Hi
This is a question re elections. A CC member wants to know how local authorities scruitinise the degree of work carried out by Community Councils. Someone is not happy re the way and election was carried out.
I am very new and cannot find an answert o this.
Posted 18 October 2011
NDO
Hi Liz
Thanks for this enquiry. There are two seperate questions here.
A local authority has no right or jurisdiction to supervise or pass judgement on the work of a Community Council. Our Councils are statutorily independent in fulfilling their remit under the terms of the 1973 Act.
The same Act makes the local authority responsible for the conduct of CC elections. So it is they who must conduct elections to CCs using the terms set out in the document every local authority must publish called “Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils”. The local authority appoints the returning officer for CC elections, who is responsible for all stages, from nominations to counting of ballots (where applicable); this applies regardless of whether there is a contested election or not.
The Act gives the local authority complete jurisdiction and discretion in how it arranges CC elections, and therefore, so long as the authority follows the procedure set out in its “Scheme”, the electoral process is valid.
Hope this answers your questions. PLease get in touch if we can be more help.
Posted 25 October 2011
Andrew Blankenstein
As a former Community Councillor I am very disappointed to read of the forthcoming closure of the ASCC but understand the reason.Assuming ASCC spends it ’s budget prudently this reflects a lack of appreciation of the good work that can be done by CCs. It is perhaps a reflection of how little local authorities appreciate the effort of CCs. For 10 years as a Community Councillor in a well run CC with virtually no self interest agenda by any of the members and good representation at regular meetings from both County Councillors and local authority officers it was often frustrating to find how long it took to get low cost common sense matters actioned. Conversely, funds and action resulted in many local issues being beneficial for the community in general, very often being taken for granted. Good Community Councillors who have no self interest other than their community at large are a very valuable asset and they are volunteers. Their demise will be sadly missed but not until it is too late.
Posted 14 November 2011
Ron Chisholm
Good morning,
Ref. – Insurance,
Am I reading your header note correctly? after this year’s term CCs must find public liability/indemnity cover in the general insurance market, in other words go it alone.
Rgds Ron Chisholm, treasurer Largs CC
Posted 18 November 2011
NDO
Hi Ron,
At the end of April the ASCC will cease to exist. At that point, the ASCC’s Scheme of Insurance for Community Councils will naturally end.
We have been researching a number of potential solutions for CCs. We are concerned at one or two “solutions” being proposed by some within or wishing to sell to the CC sector; all of the options currently being proposed are either seriously deficient in terms of legality or coverage, and are significantly more expensive than the cover the ASCC offered in our scheme.
We will not recommend a replacement insurance solution for CCs unless it is both adequate and good value for CCs.
Posted 19 November 2011