THE poll to elect a new community council in Lochgelly will take place on Thursday March 21.

Fife Council’s Co-Leaders, Councillors David Alexander and David Ross are calling on the people of the town to get involved and stand for election in the upcoming Community Council poll.

If you’re interested in becoming a member of Lochgelly Community Council nomination papers and more information is available online at www.fifedirect.org.uk/communitycouncils or from the Returning Officer, Fife Council, North Street, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 5LT, phone 03451 55 55 55 ext. 442176.

Nomination papers should be returned to the Council by no later than 4pm on Thursday February 21.

The old community council ceased to exist in October when there was not enough people came forward to form it but hopefully there will be plenty people from the town prepared to get involved.

Councillor Alexander commented: “Community Councils are an important part of giving our communities a voice. They can provide us, as Councillors, and statutory bodies with the grassroots' viewpoint and opinions that are essential to shaping services and making decisions about issues that matter to local people".

Councillor Ross added: “If you want to stand you must be 16 years-old or over, be on the electoral roll for, and live in the community council area.

“I would encourage anyone who is interested in being an independent advocate for the Lochgelly community to come forward and stand as a candidate.”

A Community Council is a voluntary organisation set up by statute by the Local Authority – in this case Fife Council. The local authority is responsible for running the elections and dealing with the notification of election, nomination papers and the results. The Community Council is run by local residents to act on behalf of its area.

As the most local tier of elected representation, Community Councils play an important role in local democracy.