Community Councils

What is a Community Council?

A community council is a group of local people set up to promote the interests of the community. They meet, usually once a month, and their chief role is representative; to consult the local community and to make known to the local authority and other organisations the views of local people on all matters affecting them.

Background

Community councils were introduced through the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The Act defined the purpose of a community council as: “to ascertain, co-ordinate and express to the Local Authorities for its area and to public authorities the views of the community which it represents, in relation to matters for which those authorities are responsible.”

The Local Government Scotland Act, 1973 empowered all local authorities to assist community councils, both with funding and administrative support.

Community Councils in Edinburgh

Community council representatives are elected for a period of three years. Each community council receives an annual grant from the City Council intended to cover its administrative expenses.

Community councils have a statutory right to be consulted on local planning issues. The City Council’s Planning Division sends out a weekly list of all planning applications submitted. While there is no statutory requirement for local authorities to consult them on licensing matters, community councils are considered as ‘competent objectors’. They may appoint representatives to attend meetings of the Licensing Board and speak in support of objections.

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