Edinburgh’s Community Councils play an important role in grassroots democracy.
A Community Council is a voluntary group made up of local people and interest groups. It works to represent the views of local residents to the Council and other organisations, such as Scottish Government, NHS Lothian and the police.
It advocates and influences on local causes of concern by: communicating with the Council to highlight issues; meeting with public officials; holding public meetings; carrying out surveys; meeting with other Community Councils; and arranging events to promote local interests and issues.
Community Councils have statutory roles and powers in accordance with Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. A Community Council has a right to be consulted on local planning, and the local authority has a duty to consult and inform the Community Council on services, licensing and other issues in its area.
Local authorities are required by statute to have a scheme which provides the governance framework for Community Councils. View Edinburgh’s Scheme for Community Councils here (effective from 28 March 2025).
Community Council elections are held every four years, and anyone residing in the area and named on the Electoral Register can stand for election as a Community Councillor. Office bearers including a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer and Engagement and Inclusion Office Bearer are elected at the Annual General Meeting in May or June. For more about these roles, see the Scheme.
For more information about Community Councils, go to: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/communitycouncils and www.communitycouncils.scot