More about Community Councils

Community Councils were established under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, but the first community councils in Edinburgh were established in 1980.

This Act made it a responsibility of each local authority to prepare a ‘Community Council Scheme’ for their area. This set-out the purpose of a community council and the rules governing; membership, meetings, finance and the sharing of information. In more detail, these rules included a 'Code of Conduct' similar to those of City Councillors governing declarations of interests, expenses, allowances, receipt of gifts, favours or hospitality.

The Act stated the purpose of a community council is ‘to ascertain, co-ordinate and express to the local authorities the views of the community it represents, on matters for which those authorities are responsible and to take what it considers to be appropriate action in the interest of the community’.

Consequently, community councils have a statutory right to be consulted on local planning matters affecting their area and are listed as ‘competent objectors’ on licensing issues.

Community councils are non-party political.

Our community Council has four elected office bearers: Chairperson, Vice-chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. We also have 2 voluntary positions for people with an interest or specialism in planning and licensing; at present there are 2 people in each position.

It is the role of every community council member to:

• bring ideas to the meeting and contribute to the discussion

• listen to others and allow them to express their views

• assist office-bearers in carrying out their duties

• assist with the distribution of information and promotion of the Community Council

In Scotland Community Councils are regarded as public bodies and have a duty to promote equality in terms of race, disability, gender, age, faith and sexuality.

In practical terms, this means we should have:

• an open membership

• a composition of volunteers representative of the area

• discussions that are unbiased in terms of race, disability, gender, age, faith and sexuality.

• the ability to take a stance against prejudice within the community council

• an awareness that we can always do more to promote equality.

Community Councils are legally required to “eliminate sex discrimination and harassment from their activities and promote equality of opportunity between men and women”

For more information on Community Councils in General see the City of Edinburgh Council's website.