Community Map Scotland
The Improvement Service and Geoxphere have launched Community Map Scotland, an easy mapping tool that will enable Community Councils and other community interest groups to map what is important to them and use these insights to have more of a say in what happens in their local areas.
The tool, which is already used widely across the parish communities in England and Wales, has been adapted for Scotland and will be useful in enabling communities to easily create Local Place Plans, a legislative mechanism to have their views considered for councils’ Local Development Plans. It incorporates many useful and interesting datasets about the environment, pollution, planning, transport and community features, and will also enable anyone to look at how far they can travel from any point in their neighbourhood in 5, 10 or 15 minutes by different modes of transport.
Find out more here.
tellmescotland
Provides access to public information notices including planning. This may be relevant to community councils.
Scottish Government
For information on the planning system in Scotland, visit the Scottish Government website. The DPEA have also recorded a webinar for Community Councils and other community groups on how they can engage with the planning appeals process.
In 2024, the Scottish Government published guidance to assist with engagement activities in the preparation of local development plans. Effective Community Engagement in Local Development Plans aims to support planning authorities and all users of the planning system, including communities, and is part of measures introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 to put community voices at the heart of the planning system in Scotland.
Alcohol Focus Scotland
Alcohol Focus Scotland has launched an updated toolkit on how alcohol licensing works, along with practical tips to help people get involved. The new guidance includes enhanced tools, resources, and hyperlinks to important reference materials for easy access.
Licensing plays a vital role in regulating alcohol sales to protect communities, and Community Councils have a statutory role within this system. Licensing boards are required by law to consult with Community Councils on licensing matters that affect your area, and this toolkit can help ensure your voice is heard during these consultations.
Planning Aid Scotland
Provides a free and impartial advice service about planning, environmental and related matters which may be useful to community councils.
Planning Aid Scotland delivered a webinar on Local Place Plans for community councillors which you can watch below.