What is the New Town & Broughton Community Council?

The New Town and Broughton Community Council is a voluntary group of local people which has the role of promoting the interests of the community it represents. The Community Council meets ten times a year (usually the first Monday of each month, except January and July), and it’s 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.

Recently the New Town and Broughton Community Council has discussed and commented on a wide range of issues affecting the local community. Below is a list of some examples;

If you are interested in any of these issues, or you have a similar issue you wish to bring to the attention of the Community Council, contact the Secretary (click here for details).

More Information...

To find out more about our committees, our constitution, our current membership (and how you can become a member of the Community Council), follow the links in the left-hand menu.

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.”

To this purpose, Community Councils actively seek the opinions of the full cross-section of their community and should be able to demonstrate that steps have been taken to consult the local community when appropriate. In all cases, Community Councils should seek to ensure that the views they express are representative of the community they serve.

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 (the next elections to be held in Autumn 2009). 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.