Far North MSP urges government to protect community volunteers before local democracy collapses

Lib Dem MSP David Green has challenged the Scottish Government to protect community councils from the threat of legal liability after major issues facing Ardgay Community Council. 

Community councils across Sutherland have begun postponing their AGMs due to fears that if they are subject to legal action they could be left footing the bill amid questions about legal liability and insurance cover. 

A judicial review brought by Samantha Kane over the alleged unlawful dissolution of Ardgay Community Council reportedly left the local body and its members facing a bill of more than £68,000.

With no insurance cover for such costs, some councils warn they may have to disband altogether: a crisis one described as an "existential threat to local grassroots democracy."

With ministers this week setting out proposals to reshape local government, Mr Green used General Questions to press for practical protection for the volunteers those communities depend on.

David Green, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP asked if the government will therefore “support Highland Council in addressing the uncertainty surrounding the enforcement of a code of conduct? And will the Cabinet Secretary also commit to examining the case for giving community councillors the same legal protection and financial indemnity as elected local councillors?"

Ivan McKee, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform responded that he would be “happy to look into the matter more extensively” and Mr Green has subsequently written to him.

Speaking after the exchange, Mr Green said:

"Community councils are the most local layer of democracy we have, run entirely by people willing to give up their time to serve their communities." 

"If the government is serious about empowering communities, it has to start by protecting the people who make them work and not leave them personally liable for thousands of pounds. I therefore welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s willingness to look further into the case.”

ENDS.