WEST Dunbartonshire Council have appointed a new guru to oversee and promote community councils within the area.

Suzanne Greer, WDC community council liaison officer, is working her way around all community councils within the authority in a bid to help them become more proactive and obtain more publicity for their activities.

“We are split into two teams,” explained Suzanne. “We are rolling out a community model, which is going to be quite intensive. We are identifying identity issues for community councils and giving them advice as to where improvements can be made. We are working with various community groups and bringing together a community plan.”

At present West Dunbartonshire has 13 active community councils. They are: Dumbarton East and Central; Silverton and Overtoun; Bowling and Milton; Bonhill and Dalmonach; Balloch and Haldane; Clydebank East; Old Kilpatrick; Dalmuir and Mountblow; Duntocher and Hardgate; Faifley; Kilmaronock; Linvale and Drumry; and Parkhall, North Kilbowie and Central.

Among the topics under discussion is setting up workshops for community councillors to help them in the role. She is also aiming to help the various council’s set up their own websites.

As part of West Dunbartonshire Council’s “Your Communities Team Structure”, Suzanne will be playing a lead role with the title communities empowerment officer.

Overall, communities manager will be Elaine Troup, with team leader for Dumbarton and the Vale being Sonya Peddle.

Suzanne will be assisted by Karen Prior, communities project worker and Brian McQuillan, who has a role to improve community transport.

Suzanne recently spoke to the Silverton and Overtoun Community Council, where her talk and advice was well received by councillors present.