* Common Noun: It refers to a group of people assembled for a particular purpose, like a "city council" or a "council of elders." In this case, it's simply a general name for such a group.
* Collective Noun: It represents a single, unified entity, even though it consists of multiple individuals. For example, you might say, "The council voted on the new policy." Here, "council" acts as a single unit making a decision.
So, depending on the context, "council" can function as either type of noun.