http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Tag: community councils - Recent Posts en Mon, 18 May 2026 17:25:38 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-379335 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 09:24:05 +0000 chdot 379335@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2025/04/enough-members-nominated-for-new-old-town-community-council/?" rel="nofollow">https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2025/04/enough-members-nominated-for-new-old-town-community-council/?</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-379010 Wed, 19 Mar 2025 10:17:43 +0000 chdot 379010@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Acknowledges, with thanks to officers, the completion of the Community Council Elections process that took place across the City, last month. </p> <p>Notes that due to a late surge in applications during the last two days of the allotted nomination period the election results were delayed.</p> <p>Recognises that 39 out of 47 Community Councils will be able to go forward and continue their good work over the next 4 years. Is disappointed that 8 Community Councils did not manage to attract enough members from their local communities to be convened or re-convened.</p> <p>Further notes that there will be a further opportunity for those 8 Community Councils to be established, with another round of nominations. The period for these nominations is the 31st of March 2025 to the 21st of April 2025.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx" rel="nofollow">https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-378833 Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:41:37 +0000 acsimpson 378833@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A reminder for anyone thinking of standing that the deadline is 4pm tomorrow (Thursday 27th) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-378628 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 23:59:24 +0000 urchaidh 378628@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm a (soon to be former) community councillor. They can make a positive difference and while they can be useful in acting as a focus for local issues I'm no longer convinced they're fit for purpose on wider planning issues, other than sharing and encouraging people to respond individually.</p> <p>One thing I will say is that community councillors are not elected representatives, though a lot of them appear to think they are. They CC scheme is quite clear on this, the CC is there to reflect the views of a community, not the views of the community councillors.</p> <p>There have been several cases recently where CCs have taken positions which I didn't feel was backed by any sort of community consultation. I think holding them to account over this sort of thing is probably more useful than trying to get on the inside to influence them. The complaints scheme ispretty robust, use it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-378566 Fri, 07 Feb 2025 19:29:15 +0000 gembo 378566@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Certainly what MORNINGSIDE needs is More CARS. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-378564 Fri, 07 Feb 2025 17:15:16 +0000 pringlis 378564@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The "Keep Morningside Moving" Facebook group are rallying members to join the Morningside Community Council to try and influence them into being more pro-car... Unfortunately I haven't time to get involved, but I really hope they don't succeed. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-378563 Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:37:13 +0000 chdot 378563@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>The nomination period runs from tomorrow (6 February) until 27 February. This is when you can nominate yourself to stand for election as a community councillor or nominate representatives from local interest groups </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/14151/community-council-election-period-begins" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/14151/community-council-election-period-begins</a></p> <p>Various CCEers have been CCers. </p> <p>Can be ‘hard going’, but always possible to improve things locally. </p> <p>Each one is different </p> <p>Some find it hard to get members. Usually better if you been to a meeting (open to public) but not essential </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-374334 Sat, 30 Mar 2024 15:31:33 +0000 chdot 374334@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Parish and town councils will spend almost £800m in the next financial year after increasing their average council tax surcharge by 8.5%, according to official figures that illustrate how a new tier of local government in England has emerged to carry out basic duties abandoned by cash-strapped local authorities. </p> <p>From street cleaning to managing public toilets, the 8,866 parish and town councils are “the unsung heroes” filling in the gaps opened up by central government funding cuts, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) said. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/30/england-parishes-and-towns-raise-council-tax-surcharge-local-services" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/30/england-parishes-and-towns-raise-council-tax-surcharge-local-services</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-368736 Fri, 16 Jun 2023 22:22:54 +0000 chdot 368736@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>The challenge now is for @Edinburgh_CC , our local cllrs, TEC, @WOLCT , ourselves, other interested parties &amp; anyone who wants to help, to get this river crossing built. Bring T7 active travel link to life. Great the developer has enshrined the route in the plans. Easy win for CEC. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/longstone_cc/status/1669788026849959937" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/longstone_cc/status/1669788026849959937</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-368429 Fri, 02 Jun 2023 21:42:57 +0000 chdot 368429@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ever wondered why people don’t join Community Councils?</p> <p>“</p> <p>The AGM and the next ordinary meeting of the community council will be held on Wednesday 21st May at 7pm. Note that this meeting will be at Stockbridge Parish Church, in person only (i.e. joining via Zoom won’t be available). </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.stockbridgeandinverleithcc.org.uk/meetings/" rel="nofollow">https://www.stockbridgeandinverleithcc.org.uk/meetings/</a></p> <p>ACTUALLY, it’s still to come THIS MONTH. </p> <p>I hear they are keen/desperate for new members. </p> <p>ESPECIALLY under 60.</p> <p><img src="https://www.stockbridgeedinburgh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Stockbridge-and-Inverleith-community-council-map.jpg"> </p> <p>Wednesday 21st June, Stockbridge Parish Church 7b Saxe Coburg Street, 7pm </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-368235 Wed, 24 May 2023 10:34:34 +0000 Yodhrin 368235@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's a pretty uncharitable characterisation. There have been stories of young people trying to join up with CCs and being treated with barely concealed contempt/bullied off again by the wise elder types. Many won't even know the CC exists or what it does, and sure part of that is their currently limited responsibilities, but if you expand those without also dealing with the other issues it's not going to improve things, just reinforce existing disenfranchisement.</p> <p>If it's going to be more than nimbyism and bake sales then it will become a proper job and proper politics, so it should be properly elected and have a proper salary. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-368233 Wed, 24 May 2023 07:13:13 +0000 gembo 368233@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In 1968 Balerno was a small village that required two buses to get to from Edinburgh. The railway company had gone bust but had stopped taking passengers previously. The famous six villas from the 18th century, the Victorian development along the Lanark Road, and the Johnsburn road and some artisanal dwellings. The first farm fields were then sold and the first modern estate built. The people who moved in are still here on the Community Council and are losing the fight to prevent Primrose Roseberry divest himself of his remaining land for more housing before he snuffs it.</p> <p>However, the same people and some middle aged people have also set up The Village Trust. This attracts funding in a slightly disproportionate manner and does good deeds. New footbridge, farmers market, community centre, so a balance between Nimbysism and improving local ammenities. People having to work all day or the youth are not represented, some like me go along and can’t stand the boredom of it. But most don’t bother,at all? Wi fi speed seems to be the big issue for the demographic? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-368232 Wed, 24 May 2023 00:57:53 +0000 Yodhrin 368232@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I just don't think they're compatible with genuine responsibility in their current form. No matter how much power you give them, they'd remain voluntary organisations which will inevitably skew their membership old and wealthy, which inevitably shapes their aims and priorities. They're opaque and not particularly democratic, even in the context of the often miserable turnouts and participation of local democracy.</p> <p>In the context of a broader reform of local democracy I certainly think local areas should have more say over how they're run(to an extent - "local folk don't want X" should have sod-all impact on large projects or you end up with the farce you see in London with RBKC obstructing the cycle network for half the city), but I think that would probably be better achieved by reformatting the whole system of *elected* representation so current councils end up somewhere between their current size/area of responsibility and those of CCs and a new "medium" layer of representation on a regional basis is added between them and the SG with meaningful powers &amp; budget for things like transport &amp; health. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-368230 Tue, 23 May 2023 18:41:33 +0000 Frenchy 368230@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>When they stop being exclusionary social clubs for pensioners to stymie progress, sure. Until then I rather prefer them toothless. </em></p> <p>It's not <em>completely</em> clear that "Community Councils are exclusionary social clubs for pensioners to stymie progress" isn't the chicken to the "Community Councils are toothless" egg. So perhaps giving them teeth would help stop them being "exclusionary social clubs for pensioners to stymie progress".</p> <p>(I'm not actually sure whether I agree or not.) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-368228 Tue, 23 May 2023 17:03:20 +0000 Yodhrin 368228@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>When they stop being exclusionary social clubs for pensioners to stymie progress, sure. Until then I rather prefer them toothless. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-368226 Tue, 23 May 2023 14:27:30 +0000 chdot 368226@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Jackie Weaver speaks to Scottish Parliament committee and says Scotland's community councils should be given more autonomy </p> <p>Ms Weaver, who became an unlikely social media star after a town council meeting went viral, said their equivalents in England have more resources.</p> <p>She was giving evidence to Holyrood’s local government, housing and planning committee in her capacity as chief officer of Cheshire Association of Local Councils.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://archive.is/7tMPv" rel="nofollow">https://archive.is/7tMPv</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-366030 Wed, 25 Jan 2023 10:42:24 +0000 chdot 366030@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>It’s fifty years since the first cohort of community councillors were elected to ‘fill the gap’ that was created when the previous most local tier of governance - that eclectic mix of county, burgh and town councils - were swept away in the interests of (presumably) efficiency. It would be fascinating to compare the hopes and aspirations of those early pioneers with the experience of today’s community councillors (See piece below). That ‘gap’ became a yawning chasm twenty years later when local councils were once again restructured, establishing the least ‘local’ system of local government of any in the developed world. It’s worth noting just how comfortable our politicians, both local and national, seem to be with this remarkable anomaly. That community councils have been virtually untouched (some might say ignored) for half a century tells its own story. A community councillor myself, I’m all too aware of how we are perceived - perfectly illustrated by this recent evidence session at Scottish Parliament (<a href="https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/local-government-housing-and-planning-committee-december-13-2022">starts at 11:30:25</a>). Fifteen years ago, the launch of <a href="https://tinder.cazinc.co.uk/t/r-l-tjhhjlut-ukcjtokh-i/">this Plan</a> heralded an era of community empowerment and since then, there’s been some significant progress. None of which however, should be mistaken for that missing tier of local democracy.</p> <p>Best wishes</p> <p>Angus Hardie, Director</p> <p><a href="http://scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk" rel="nofollow">http://scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk</a></p> <p>“ </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-357674 Wed, 22 Dec 2021 13:01:56 +0000 acsimpson 357674@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>What I find hard about CC's is that their primary role is often against progress. If consultation responses show that a majority is against change then the CC will presumably be stuck fighting the change. Meanwhile the City Council has responsibilities beyond that and will make change regardless. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-357660 Tue, 21 Dec 2021 17:35:14 +0000 jonty 357660@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yeah - it's not particularly clear how useful CC's consultative role is now that proposals can be sent directly to residents for instant feedback. </p> <p>I understand that policymakers value having a few nominated people who they can run early proposals past prior to wider release for quick feedback which catches obvious issues. However, it sounds like CCs struggle to be this dynamic - so what's the point? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-357657 Tue, 21 Dec 2021 16:30:02 +0000 Morningsider 357657@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Funny, because I've seen little evidence of any community council ever fulfilling its statutory duty to:</p> <p><blockquote>ascertain, co-ordinate and express to the local authorities for its area, and to public authorities, the views of the community which it represents.</blockquote> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-357656 Tue, 21 Dec 2021 15:17:18 +0000 chdot 357656@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/edinburgh-city-council-accused-of-snubbing-community-councils-around-key-issues-affecting-their-areas-3502376" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/edinburgh-city-council-accused-of-snubbing-community-councils-around-key-issues-affecting-their-areas-3502376</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-341713 Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:27:08 +0000 jonty 341713@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@SRD: yuck. I hope things have improved at least slightly since then. I wonder - if their "foreign" name implied they didn't grow up in the UK - whether they had come in with experience of more personal and inclusive local government elsewhere. </p> <p>@Wout: yes - this government seems generally to be in favour of devolution to Holyrood and no further.</p> <p>Just found <a href="http://whatworksscotland.ac.uk/publications/strengthening-community-councils-and-democratic-renewal-in-scotland/">this</a> while googling which seems to make similar suggestions. I guess this means there maybe some momentum for things to improve over the next decade. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-341711 Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:23:59 +0000 SRD 341711@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@jonty what I remember is (a) how suspicious they were about the student, who had a 'foreign' name and (b) their glee when he missed three meetings in a row and they could expel him. it was unseemly, and created a most unwelcoming environemnt, given that most of them introduced themselves by saying "and I've been a member since xxxx' . </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-341709 Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:21:56 +0000 Wout Van Aerthur Seat 341709@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Jonty - There was a proposal years ago to legislate to hold all CC elections nationwide on the same day, this would raise the profile. Not sure what ever happened to it but I presume it wasn't prioritised by ScotGov decision makers. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-341707 Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:09:55 +0000 jonty 341707@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's pretty grim! And would be a very illuminating submission to an investigation about why Community Councils are so unrepresentative, if anyone cared enough to hold one. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-341706 Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:06:03 +0000 SRD 341706@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>a few years ago, I was really dismayed at how my community council policed 'non-attendance'. they had a student member who they were clearly very dubious about, and when the student missed meetings they jumped to expel them. Likewise, when I missed meetings - because they kept scheduling them over half term breaks and other holidays - they made it very clear that I wasn't up to their standards. I eventually resigned rather than have them harass me and then expel me. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=3#post-341705 Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:03:55 +0000 jonty 341705@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On the one hand yes, but on the other as a relatively engaged person I read that elections were "coming up" a while back and then, checking again later on, realised that I'd missed them. I've certainly never been invited to take part in an election.</p> <p>Could the terms be aligned with and piggy back on top of the council elections to increase their profile?</p> <p>I think you've got to the root of it though - there's no real current political will to reform Scottish local government in any particular direction, so rocking the boat in any way is simply not done so things stay as they are. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=2#post-341704 Thu, 10 Dec 2020 14:53:58 +0000 Wout Van Aerthur Seat 341704@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There aren't stats but there is definitely a skew - it's male retirees that make up the vast majority. </p> <p>The Council tried to address this as part of the most recent governance review (encouraging engagement, youth membership, addressing poor individual behaviour and links with schools.) but ultimately you can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink; if a diverse selection of folk don't want to join CCs then little can be done to force them. </p> <p>I would hazard a guess that the government just isn't that interested. CCs were set up in an age where people weren't able to communicate with local authorities by email and report a missed bin on the website. In their current state they don't achieve a lot but by the same measure they don't cause much harm. To get rid of them would cause a backlash. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=2#post-341692 Thu, 10 Dec 2020 13:52:29 +0000 jonty 341692@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I wonder if there are statistics on the makeups of CCs in terms of age, gender and ethnicity with respect to the communities they are intended to represent?</p> <p>If the anecdotal evidence is correct and there is a significant skew in at least one of these areas then ought the CEC/government attempt to try to do something about it? </p> <p>What could they do? I think my perhaps counterintuitive-seeming suggestion would be to give them powers and a budget. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=811&page=2#post-341682 Thu, 10 Dec 2020 13:09:35 +0000 Wout Van Aerthur Seat 341682@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In response to one of the old queries above, minutes of CCs are supposed to be public. They are also supposed to send these to the Council. If you are struggling to find certain minutes then email <a href="mailto:community.councils@edinburgh.gov.uk">community.councils@edinburgh.gov.uk</a> and they will do their best to help.</p> <p>chdot - cooption sits entirely within the gift of the CCs themselves. Thus if a majority of the members of the CC choose to proceed on this basis then it is legal. </p> <p>Of course they cannot block you from joining at election time. Problem is, the next one of these isn't for 3 years or so.</p> <p>Worth mentioning that if you wish to join as a local interest group then this is controlled by the Council, not the CC. As long as you have been in existence 12 months, have a publicly available constitution, operate within the boundaries of the CC and can fill in the required paperwork you will be approved. Again email <a href="mailto:community.councils@edinburgh.gov.uk">community.councils@edinburgh.gov.uk</a> if interested. </p> <p>Agree with the sentiment of the post about the amenity association above. </p> <p>Community Councils aren't well funded or supported. They are also bound by specific legislative requirements which limit their flexibility. A community council isn't always going to be the best use of your time if you want to bring about change in your community. I'd head along and get a feel for things first before deciding to commit. </p>