BOSSES at Barrhead’s local authority have defended a controversial shake-up of community councils as one of the “most ambitious” schemes in Scotland.

Community activists branded East Renfrewshire Council’s initiative as a “failure” in last week’s News.

They claimed the project undermines democracy, rather than supporting it, and has been poorly received.

However, ERC has strongly denied that there is a lack of support for the scheme, saying more than 80 residents have registered their interest in a new community council being established.

A spokesman added: “We are seeing strong interest in our community councils, which was illustrated when more than 80 local residents registered their support for the establishment of a new community council in Broom, Kirkhill and Mearnskirk.

“Our newly-established community councils already have a broad spectrum of members, with the new guidelines attracting greater diversity from across our communities.

“It will also provide more opportunities for people who have a passion for their area to become officer bearers.

“This allows the responsibilities of key roles to be shared and also gives valued long-serving members the chance to share their experience and skills with new office bearers, whilst remaining a part of the community council.”

The council had also been accused of squandering nearly £100,000 in public cash on the project.

However, ERC says the figure is actually closer to £30,000 and the introduction of the scheme has run alongside the authority’s most thorough training regime.

Around £30,000 was invested to undertake an “independent” review of the old scheme, carry out a consultation in which ERC says more than 1,000 residents participated and put in place legal documentation for the new scheme of establishment.

The spokesman said: “The new scheme, which has been supported by our most extensive programme of training and support ever, is one of the most ambitious in the country and will improve how community councils operate and represent their communities.

“We are looking forward to working with residents to establish the final three community councils.”

Barrhead and Neilston community council chairpersons Rosaleen Reilly and John Scott both claimed the new scheme is “tying community councils hands”.

The scheme includes powers to sack community councillors, limit terms of office and dissolve organisations if they don’t meet requirements.

The changes arose after three of the 10 community councils tried to amend their constitution.