Nominations for Edinburgh’s Community Councils will open tomorrow (Monday 9 September) and people passionate about their local area are being encouraged to apply.
Community Councils give residents the opportunity to influence what happens in their part of the city with members playing an active role in a wide range of activities, including commenting on planning and licensing applications, taking part in community campaigns and working with others to improve the local area.
There are currently 45 Community Councils in the Capital with more than 500 members. They are made up of local residents and community groups including youth forums, parent councils and student bodies. Each one is represented on the Neighbourhood Partnership for the area, where they work with local elected members, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Lothian and the voluntary sector to identify and deliver local priorities.
Meetings are usually held once a month and members are expected to build consensus on key issues through local engagement. Each Community Council receives an annual grant to help them engage with the local community and to support promotion and administration costs. They can also apply for additional funding towards projects and events to further benefit the local area.
Councillor Cammy Day, Depute Leader of City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Democracy is a powerful force at all levels. By joining your local community council you can make a real difference to your neighbourhood, meet new people, learn new skills and take action on issues raised by local residents. You can be the voice of the community and also act as an important sounding board.
“We are looking for people of all ages and from all walks of life to get involved. Ideas, energy and enthusiasm are welcomed and we will provide you with support to get the best from being a Community Council member. I’d encourage anyone who’s interested in local democracy to get involved – after all Community Councils play an important role in holding public bodies to account. I hope lots of residents take up the opportunity to apply and help make Edinburgh an even better place to live.”
Anyone aged 16 years or older and registered to vote can join. The nomination period for the Community Council elections runs from Monday 9 September to Monday 30 September 2019. Voting, if required, will take place on Thursday 31 October 2019.
You can apply as an individual or as a local interest group, such as a Parent Council, Friends of Parks group or sports club.
Nomination forms are available from
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/communitycouncils
where information on each individual community council, including maps, can also be found.
Residents can also visit community.councils@edinburgh.gov.uk.
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