COMMUNITY council elections are set to commence in early February, with locals given the chance to stand as community councillors.
There are currently 46 community councils within Edinburgh, reaching as far as Queensferry in the north-west, to Portobello in the east
The notice of election will be published next week, before a nomination period in which locals can nominate themselves to stand for election.
Community councillors are able to represent their communities to the City of Edinburgh Council and advocate their interests and areas of concern.
The election date is on 27 March and will only be held in areas where there are more people nominated than places on the community council.
In September last year, a new scheme was approved, accounting for the provision of a slight alteration to the boundaries that separate the areas.
Set to take effect from 28 March this year, the scheme means that Inch will no longer be included in the Gilmerton and Inch community council, but will be united as one area and subsumed by the Liberton and District council.
The City of Edinburgh council provides a map outlining the boundaries of each community council, so residents can ascertain which they belong to.
Each council is a voluntary organisation run by residents who play an important role in grassroots local democracy.
Community councillors are responsible for issuing community newsletters, conducting local surveys, carrying out promotional projects, campaigning on local issues, and organising community events.
All councils also have a statutory right to be consulted on local planning issues and are considered “competent objectors” when it comes to licensing matters.
Balerno, Queensferry, and Ratho are the largest councils in terms of area, whilst districts such as Tollcross, Drylaw/Telford, and Longstone are much smaller.
The council states that: “Candidates wishing to stand for election or co-option must be 16 years and over and reside in the community council boundary and be named on the electoral register for that area.”
The next community council elections after this year will be held in 2029.
