THE FIRST 10 YEARS of Colinton Community Council
In January 2015, a group of Colinton residents gathered in Dreghorn Loan Hall for the first meeting of the Colinton Community Council. Office bearers were elected, and the council aimed to address the needs of local residents and work collaboratively with the City of Edinburgh Council.
Previously, various active local organisations met the community's needs, but there was limited direct access to public decision-making processes at the City Chambers. In 2015, the council was involved in addressing the local issue of opening a new Co-op in a conservation village. The council helped balance environmental concerns with the need for a comprehensive local store to support the business life of the Village and reduce car travel.
Since then, the council has accomplished several initiatives: some small but effective such as an eight-second right-turn time at the main traffic lights, and others more significant like establishing a regular Bonaly bus service. Public toilets were also saved from closure through collective effort.
Monthly meetings open to the public serve as the primary mechanism for engagement. The three ward councillors regularly attend these meetings, and MSPs occasionally participate. Presentations from the Police and senior council officers are also featured; a presentation on potholes last year saw high attendance. To maximize accessibility, meetings alternate between face-to-face sessions at the Bowling Club and Zoom meetings.
With the Community Council Elections this month, nominations are due by 27th February. Both co-chairs will be stepping down, allowing for new ideas and perspectives to benefit the Colinton community in 2025. It is essential to make local views count.
David Houston, Co-Chair (edited from C&B News)
Community Council elections 2025
Community Council elections
Support YOUR Community Council. New members are needed to support the community and make Colinton a better place to live.
Nominations are open for candidates who would like to stand for election as a Community Councillor from 6 February 2025. Nominations will close on 27 February 2025.
Resources are available, including a nomination form at https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/download/13203/community-councils
It is intended that where a poll is required an election will be held on 27 March 2025.
A new Community Council Scheme and Boundaries was approved by Council on 26 September 2024 and will take effect on the conclusion of the Community Council election process on 28 March 2025.
The new Community Council term will proceed from 28 March 2025 for four years with the next Community Council elections intended for 2029.
It should be noted that whilst all efforts will be made to maintain the four year term for Community Councils that timescales are indicative and subject to change if circumstances arise which affect the intended timescales of the Community Council term.
Links to recent local publications
It has been suggested that website visitors might find the following links to local online publications helpful. These are the C & B News, Colinton Newsletter and Dell Directory
Other links to relevant websites are in our LINKS page
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