Make a difference – join your community council

Portobello Community Council, along with all community councils in Edinburgh, is looking for new members, so take part and help improve your neighbourhood.

Nominations are open from 5 September 2016 and close on 26 September 2016.

The election, by public vote, will be held on 27 October 2016.

Individuals and groups are welcome to join.

Interested?

Portobello Nomination Form  (If you wish to stand for election as an individual)

Local Interest Group Nomination Form  (If you wish to contribute as part of a constituted group)

Find out more about how to join your community council at: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/ccelection2016

www.edinburghnp.org.uk/community-councils or call 0131 469 3838.

The Returning Officer for Portobello is:

Cllr Maureen Child
City Chambers
High St
Edinburgh
EH1 1YJ

0131 529 3268

maureen.child@edinburgh.gov.uk

How does a community council work?

They are part of the Neighbourhood Partnership for their area and work
with local elected members, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue
Service, NHS Lothian and the voluntary sector. Together they identify issues
and ways to tackle them, making the area a better place to live.

There are 46 community council areas in Edinburgh. Each community
council receives a small annual grant from the Council to support engaging
with the local community, promotion and general administrative costs.

Community councils fundraise locally to deliver activities to benefit the
community. Community councils are also supported by the Edinburgh
Association of Community Councils, which brings community councils
together to share interests and discuss issues.

Examples of community council activities

Marchmont and Sciennes – successfully lobbied for an increase in frequency of
the number 24 bus.

Juniper Green – initiated the Pentlands Book Festival and supported the
Baberton Mains History Group, where local volunteers researched the history
of their estate and produced a book and website.

Wester Hailes – helped improve accessibility in the area, including lower
kerbs and ramp access at bus stops.

Portobello – their community engagement was rated ‘excellent’ by the Scottish Community Development Centre, reflecting the regular consultations they have on a wide range of issues.

Firrhill, Currie and Colinton – Community Councils in Pentlands Neighbourhood
Partnership area have taken turns to deliver an annual health fair, giving the
local community a chance to find out about local services first hand.

Drum Brae – worked with the Drum Brae Library Hub and Clermiston Primary
School to hold an exhibition celebrating 60 years of the Clermiston estate.

Leith Central, Leith Links and Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community
Councils – since 2010 they have supported delivery of £eith Decides,
a successful annual participatory budgeting programme giving local
people the power to decide on how Community Grants are allocated.

Forms

Portobello Nomination Form  (If you wish to stand for election as an individual)

Local Interest Group Nomination Form  (If you wish to contribute as part of a constituted group)