Community Council Scheme and Boundary Review 2023

Overview

Community Councils are voluntary organisations set up by statute by the Local Authority to act on behalf of their areas. They are involved in a range of activities which promote and protect the well-being and identity of their communities; and help bring local people together to make things happen. They advise, petition, influence and advocate numerous causes and cases of concern on behalf of local communities.

Edinburgh currently has 46 community council areas. All local authorities must provide a Scheme for Community Councils, which outlines their governance arrangements, which also includes details on boundaries for Community Council areas. The last review of the scheme was carried out in 2019.

As the city’s population increases, the scheme needs to be reviewed to make sure that our Community Councils are the right size to fairly represent our new and growing neighbourhoods.

Why your views matter

The council has a statutory requirement to consult with affected stakeholders as part of the review. There are three phases to the consultation process. This is the first phase, where City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) wants to hear your views on community councils and any suggestions on how we can improve the scheme and boundary areas.

Phase 2 will then ask for views on any proposed changes to the scheme and boundaries. These proposals will be based on the initial feedback received during Phase 1. Phase 3 will give you the opportunity to make any last comments before the final scheme is adopted.

You can find more information on Community Councils in the related section below. You can also download the current scheme for Community Councils and access a map tool where you can see the boundaries for community councils.

Give us your views

 

Inaugural meeting of New Leith Links Community Council

On Monday 28 October 2019 Councillor Gordon Munro, acting as Returning Officer for the Leith Links Community Council election of 2019, declared eleven members of our community to be elected unopposed as elected members of Leith Links Community Council.

Also at the inaugural meeting members elected office bearers, and appointed members to key roles & sub committees, which are as detailed below:

 

  • Gail Clapton – Treasurer.
  • Abby Cunningham – Parks & Greenspaces Sub Committee.
  • Angus Hardie – Planning Sub Committee.  Community Councils Together on Trams representative.
  • David Igoe – Parks & Greenspaces Secretary.
  • Rafiqul Islam
  • Sally Millar – Secretary. Planning Sub Committee.
  • Andrew MacKenzie – Planning Secretary.  Community Councils Together on Trams representative.
  • Christine Reid – Parks & Greenspaces Sub Committee.
  • Jim Scanlon – Chair. Planning Sub Committee. Seafield co-lead.
  • Eileen Simpson – Seafield co-lead.
  • Michael Traill – Engagement Officer. Licensing Secretary.

We currently have eleven elected Community Councillors out of a possible twelve.

We also have six vacancies for nominated representatives of local interest groups.

Community Council elections 2019: Last few days to submit nomination papers

Over recent weeks we have been promoting the Edinburgh Community Council elections 2019, click here to view our blog posts on the subject.

Leith Links Community Council have seats for twelve elected members, as does Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council. Leith Central Community Council have seventeen seats available for elected members. 

Being a Community Council is a great way to support your local community, learn new skills & gain an insight into local democracy as well as being a great way to learn more about your community.

Nominations close at 4pm on Monday 30 September 2019.  So there is still time to get your nomination papers submitted.  You can find the nomination form for your local Community Council by clicking here.  Please be aware that you can submit your nomination paper by scanning it & emailing it to the returning officer, handing it to them personally or handing it into the City Chambers.Image may contain: 5 people, people smiling, people standing and indoor

Please do read some of the posts on our website about the elections and being a Community Councillor, and please do give serious consideration to joining us.

 

 

 

Community Council elections 2019: A message from Community Councillor Andrew MacKenzie

Nominations to become an elected member of Leith Links Community Council are currently being accepted until 30 September 2019.

The last LLCC election was held in 2016 when seventeen candidates stood for election (with twelve positions available). 586 members of our community voted which represented a turnout of 6.9%.


Ever find yourself standing on the street in your neighbourhood, looking at something you think is being done badly – or could be done better – and scratching your head and thinking: “Now why are they doing that like that? Who the hell’s idea was it? And who are they anyway? Where is the department of joined-up thinking when you need them? And how come it’s the first we’ve ever heard about it?”

 

I don’t mind admitting that the main reason I became involved in the community council was because I’d become bored of my own belly-aching about this, that and the other thing, standing on the fringes and feeling frustrated at the sorry state of affairs that sometimes seems to pass for progress and development in our public and civic realm.

 

It’s not all bad of course. And if I’d really wanted to change anything I might have gone into actual politics. One of the great things about community councils is that they are non-political. Which doesn’t mean that we don’t have political views, it’s just that they are not material to the voluntary work that community councils do. No time is wasted on ideological dispute or partisanship. Pragmatism is the currency of a well-functioning parish pump.

 

And while it’s true that they only have very limited powers, community councils do continue to have some influence and can be a power for good. There are plenty of positives. And that’s certainly been my experience of Leith Links Community Council in the three years that I’ve been one of its elected members.

 

It may be the bottom rung of the democratic ladder, but it’s an important rung, and a solid one. Grounded in the grassroots. We’re not nosey neighbours but we care about our neighbourhoods, we’re not Nimbies but we do want the best for our backyards. We try to pay attention, we are bothered, and we’d be glad if you joined us.


Could you be a Community Councillor?  On Wednesday 25 September 2019 from 7pm in Leith Community Centre we are hosting an informal information evening for those members of our community thinking about becoming a Community Councillor.  The event is being hosted jointly with Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council.  All welcome.

 

Click on the image for more information.

Community Council election 2019: A message from Jim Scanlon, Chair of Leith Links Community Council

Nominations to become an elected member of Leith Links Community Council are currently being accepted until 30 September 2019.

The last LLCC election was held in 2016 when seventeen candidates stood for election (with twelve positions available). 586 members of our community voted which represented a turnout of 6.9%.


My name is Jim Scanlon, I have had the pleasure to Chair Leith Links Community Council for over 10 years and have lived and worked in Leith for over 30.

I respect the area and the people who try to make things better. Being part of a Community Council has given me a greater understanding of the problems of others and has given me the opportunity to try to make things better working together with the other Leith Community Councils, City of Edinburgh Council officials and elected politicians of all parties.

Leith Links Community Council were the only elected group when the last elections took place. We have a fantastic group of individuals who like me give up our free time to help the community. If you have an interest in a wide range of local issues and can commit to giving up free time for your community please think about standing as a community councillor. Please contact me through Chair@leithlinkscc.org.uk if you want a chat.

Click on the picture for more information.

Community Council Elections 2019: Information evening for candidates

Are you thinking about standing as a candidate in the Community Council elections for either Leith Links Community Council or Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council?

We are partnering with our neighbouring Community Council to jointly host an informal information evening for those thinking about standing.

Come along to the Leith Community Education Centre on the evening of Wednesday 25th September (7-8:30pm) to find out about the roles & responsibilities of being a Community Councillor. You will hear from current Community Councillors about their experiences and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

 

Community Council Elections 2019: Event to support greater diversity in Community Councils

Snacks/Refreshment will be provided. Due to limited spaces booking is essential. Crèche/Childcare may be available (subject to prior confirmation). Please contact us if you have any specific requirements.

To book: https://diversityincc.eventbrite.co.uk

For further information contact:  Mizan Rahman, Project Coordinator, Equalities engagement, ELREC, 14 Forth Street, Edinburgh EH1 3LH, Tel: 0131 5560441 | Email: mrahman@elrec.org.uk | www.elrec.org.uk

City of Edinburgh Council publish nomination papers for Leith Links Community Council 2019 election

The City of Edinburgh Council have now published the nomination papers for this years Leith Links Community Council elections.

Elected members

Individuals seeking election to a community council must be nominated by a proposer and seconder, both of whom must be on the electoral register for the community council area. Each elector may only propose one nominee and second one nominee. Nominations require to be submitted with the candidate’s consent. Self-nomination is not permitted.

The nomination form must be completed and a scan returned by email to Gordon.Munro@edinburgh.gov.uk. Alternatively a hard copy can be returned to Cllr Gordon Munro, City Chambers, High Street, EDINBURGH, EH1 1YJ by 4pm Monday 30 September 2019.

The timetable for the election process for elected members is as follows:

  • Monday 9 September –  publication of Notice of Election (start of nomination period)
  • Monday 30 September 4pm  –  deadline for nominations (forms to Returning Officer)
  • Monday 30 September 4pm  – deadline for withdrawal of nominations
  • Thursday 10 October – publication of Notice of Poll (if a poll is required)
  • Thursday 31 October – polling day (if a poll is required)

Download the nomination form here.

Nominated members (local interest groups)

Registration forms for local interest groups should be returned to the Council’s Elections Team who will ensure that qualifying organisations are appropriately registered by the close of nominations (30 September 2019).  The Elections Team will inform the Returning Officer of the number of valid application forms received. Where the number of nominations does not exceed the maximum number of nominated members those nominees will be declared duly elected.

Should the number of nominees registered exceed the maximum number of nominated members, the Returning Officer will convene a meeting of representatives from all registered local interest groups and the elected members of the community council. Participants at this meeting will vote by ballot to determine which local interest groups will become members.

The timetable for the election of representatives of local interest groups is as follows:

  • Monday 9 September – Notice of Election
  • Monday 30 September – Close of Registration

Download the nomination form here.

 

Questions or advice

If you have any questions about the election process please contact the Elections Team

 

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