Community Council Homepage

Establishment
GCC was set up by the Midlothian District Council Scheme for the establishment of Community Councils, August 1976.

Objects
Unlike the parish councils and community councils in England and Wales, Scottish community councils are not local authorities. Their purpose as defined in statute is to ascertain and express the views of the communities which they represent, and to take in the interests of their communities such action as appears to be expedient or practicable. Over 1000 community councils have been established under schemes drawn up by district and islands councils in Scotland.

Since April 1996 community councils have had an enhanced role, becoming statutory consultees on local planning issues and on the decentralisation schemes which the new councils have to draw up for the delivery of services. (Whitaker's Almanack 1998, page 527)

How it Works
GCC deals with a wide range of business, such as: planning applications affecting their areas; strategic and local plans that have major influence on quality of life throughout Midlothian; maintaining a dialogue with Midlothian Councillors on matters affecting their areas; playing an active part in the embedding of local community planning in Midlothian Council's procedures.

GCC also is involved in supporting and initiating projects aimed at quality of life improvement for all residents; reports from Community Police Officers and discussion on how to achieve a safer community; cooperating with Midlothian Federation of Community Councils over matters of common interest, such as building safe, healthy communities; siting of wind farms and telecommunications masts; consultations initiated by Scottish Executive on such matters as access to the countryside, areas of search for opencast coal and review of the planning system.

It is evident that these and many other issues dealt with by community councils can make a genuine difference to the lives of everyone. A strong, representative community council is one of the best safeguards of the values and aspirations of its people.