NTBCC Governance Guide

This is how NTBCC works (adopted November 2025), Firstly, here is the PDF version. Next, here is the full text.

The City of Edinburgh Council Scheme for Community Councils, known as The Scheme, forms the constitution for all community councils across City of Edinburgh Council (CEC). The Scheme establishes the governance framework under which community councils in the City of Edinburgh Council local authority area are to comply.

This note sets out to give clarity to how The Scheme specifically impacts on New Town and Broughton Community Council, from now on referred to as NTBCC.

The Scheme

This is found on the City of Edinburgh website at https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/36248/scheme-for-community-councils-effective-28-march-2025-pdf-version

Boundaries

The boundaries of NTBCC are shown on the CEC map of community councils found at https://cityofedinburgh.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=06d64c0a7ae1405cb243c18e3fa2cd97

General purposes

These are determined by Section 51(2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which provides the statutory basis for the establishment of community councils. This extract is from The Scheme:

In addition to any other purpose which a community council may pursue, the general purpose of a community council shall be 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, and to take such action in the interests of that community as appears to it to be expedient and practicable.

Roles and Responsibilities

(extracted from The Scheme)

  • Community councils have a statutory right to be consulted on planning applications.
  • Community councils are competent objectors to all licence applications lodged with the City of Edinburgh Council in terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, which includes applications for House in Multiple Occupation licences.
  • Community councils are the key community representative bodies within the local community planning arrangements across the City of Edinburgh Council area.
  • Community councils may carry out other activities that are in the general interests of the communities they represent, provided that these activities fall within Section 3 of The Scheme.
  • Community councils should engage widely with their local communities to represent their views when engaging with the City of Edinburgh Council. It is essential that these views are demonstrated to be representative of the community, and each community council should expect to be able to explain why it has taken any particular position on behalf of its community. Community councils will endeavour to devise strategies to secure greater involvement by all sectors of their communities.
  • Community councils should be able to demonstrate how they are fulfilling their responsibilities as representative bodies by provision of an annual report and other forms of engagement such as newsletters, surveys, websites and use of social media.

Membership

Membership of NTBCC, determined by The Scheme, translates as

  • Up to 16 (SIXTEEN) Elected and Co-opted Members.
  • Up to 8 (EIGHT) Nominated Representatives of Local Interest Groups. Local Interest Groups must be registered with CEC.
  • CEC Councillors, MPs, MSPs, and SYPs whose wards fall wholly or partly within the boundaries of NTBCC are ex-officio members They do not have voting rights.
  • Associate Representatives, also without voting rights.

Election procedures are laid down in Section 6 of The Scheme. All elections are administered by CEC. Elections are held on a four-yearly cycle.

Section 6 of The Scheme also covers; eligibility for election criteria, the filling of elected member vacancies, the co-option of members to fill vacancies, and the election of office bearers.

There is discretion with NTBCC on whether to fill Elected Member vacancies, unless the number of Elected and Co-opted Members falls below 8 (EIGHT) – members who are Nominated Representative of Local Interest Groups are not included in this number. In the event of the number of Elected and Co-opted Members falling below this number CEC shall decide whether an interim election is required to be held.

Elected Member vacancies can be filled by co-option. The number of Co-opted Members on NTBCC cannot exceed 8 (EIGHT).

Co-opted members have to be elected onto the community council by a two-thirds majority of Elected Members and Nominated Representative Members of Local Interest Groups present. Co-opted Members ordinarily have full voting rights, but not on the occasion of voting on the co-option of new members. Co-opted Members serve until the next round of elections.

Elected Member vacancies can also be filled by NTBCC convening an Extraordinary General Meeting, having publicised vacancies and invited nominations – but in the event of an election being necessary, is required to seek the authority of CEC for running an interim election.

Office Bearers

Section 6 of The Scheme determines all community councils have the following office bearers:

  • Secretary
  • Chair
  • Treasurer
  • Engagement and Inclusion Office Bearer.

Office bearers are elected are elected on an annual basis, but without limitation of time.

Meetings

Meetings may be held on an in-person, online or hybrid basis.

All meetings are open to the public, with the exception under circumstances outlined in The Scheme.

The quorum for meetings is at least one third of the current eligible voting membership, or 3 (THREE) eligible voting members, whichever is the greater.

In addition to the Annual General Meeting there should be at least six ordinary meetings a year. NTBCC has discretion to hold more meetings.

Schedule 4 of The Scheme provides Model Standing Orders for all community councils to follow. Alterations require the authority of CEC.

Elected, Nominated and Co-opted Members have voting rights. (The one exception for Co-opted Members is noted under Membership above). Ex-officio and Associate Members do not have voting rights. All decisions are decided by a simple majority of those eligible to vote, and present and voting. The Chair has the casting vote if required.