Cefn Meiriadog

What are the role and functions of a community council?

Community Councils represent individual communities within a county. Therefore Cefn Meiriadog Community Council represents the interests of the areas which make up Cefn Meiriadog – Cefn, Groesffordd Marli, Glascoed, Cae Onnen, (part of) Bontnewydd – to Denbighshire County Council. As well as representing the interests of their community to the local authority, Community Councils can facilitate a range of activities which promote the well-being of their communities. Examples in Cefn Meiriadog include the annual bonfire and summer fete. They aim to bring local people together to help make things happen, and protect and promote the identity of their community.

What is the difference between a community council and a county council?

While Community Councils have legal powers to deliver some services, it is the County Council which has a legal responsibility to provide services such as education, environmental health, social services and town and country planning for their whole county. Community councils represent individual communities and work closely with the county council in the area to represent the interests of their communities. Thus Cefn Meiriadog Community Council comments on all planning applications submitted to Denbighshire County Council for developments within or affecting Cefn Meiriadog and, for example, reports problems and requests action on roads, lighting and similar issues.

What powers do community councils have?

Community Councils have the scope to deliver a limited range of services, depending on the size of the community they represent and their budget. Examples of services provided by community and town councils include: public information signs and noticeboards; public seating and bus shelters; war memorials; community centres and indoor recreation facilities. They can also work in partnership with other organisations (including other community or town councils in the area) to deliver services. By offering support, including funding, equipment or premises, community councils can also help other bodies to provide services, such as environmental initiatives and arts and sports activities.

Cefn Meiriadog is one of the smallest communities within Denbighshire County Council, so the Community Council has a correspondingly limited budget. It helps fund a range of local organisations and activities, including an annual bonfire, and facilities such as the notice boards around the community and the defibrillator at Neuadd Owen [and the school.

What does a community councillor do?

Councillors represent everyone who lives in the area they are elected into, and depending on the Council’s activities may work with local schools, community and residents’ groups to help to improve the community.

Who can become a community councillor?

To become a community councillor, you must be over 18 and a British national or qualifying citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union.

How do people become community councillors?

Community Council seats are awarded either through election or by co-option. Co-option is when the council chooses from a list of volunteers if there are not enough candidates at election time or the electorate does not call for an election when a seat falls vacant. Elections are held every five years, but only if there are more people seeking election than there are places on the Community Council concerned. In the case of Cefn Meiriadog Community Council, there are seven places, so an election only takes place if more than seven candidates put their names forward.

Community councillors can represent a political party or be politically independent.

How can I tell my community council my views?

Community Councils must consider the views of everyone in their community, including both electors and those who cannot vote, such as young people. The council may call a meeting of the community at which electors can discuss the work of the council and what is going on in the area, and such a meeting can also be called by the electorate itself, if 10% or 50 electors, whichever is fewer, ask for one.

Meetings of the council are open to the public, except when very sensitive matters are being discussed, although members of the public may only speak to the meeting if invited to do so by the Council’s Chairperson.

You can also speak to, write to or email a community councillor, or write to or email your Community Council through the clerk. All the contact details for Cefn Meiriadog’s seven community councillors and the clerk can be found on this web site.