West Linton Community Council
Welcome to the web page for your Community Council. We hope you find it useful in explaining what the Community Council does and how you can contact us if you need our help or support.
Here is the agenda for the next meeting of the Community Council which will be held on 9th August 2010.
What is the Community Council?
Community Councils were introduced through the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. Part IV, paragraph 51 of the Act states that "...the general purpose of a Community Council shall be to ascertain, co-ordinate and express to the local authorities for its area, and to public authorities, the views of the community which it represents and to take such action in the interests of the community as appears to it to be expedient and practicable."
West Linton Community Council was created in 1974 and consists of 9 elected members together with various ex-officio and co-opted members, as required, including our local Councillors.
Unlike Councillors, MSP's etc, Community Councillors are elected for their three-year term of office as individuals, without the support of any political party: Party politics plays no part in Community Councils.
West Linton Community Council is, like other Community Councils in Scotland, is a voluntary organisation, made up of people who give time to, and have a genuine interest in, the well-being of the West Linton community. The Community Council members are residents of the area who act on behalf of local people to try and preserve those aspects of the community that they believe are worth retaining whilst also encouraging developments which will benefit the community and ensure that it will continue to thrive.
Our primary role is representative - to consult the local community and to make known to public bodies, Scottish Borders Council in particular, the views of local people on all matters affecting them. These public bodies have a duty to consult the Community Council on how local services are delivered and on other issues affecting our area. Community Councils have the statutory right to be consulted on any planning applications in their areas. We monitor all such applications and, where appropriate, suggest amendments or submitt written objections. We are also kept informed about other issues such as licensing applications.
Meetings and Members
We meet on the second Monday of each month, at 7.30pm in the Visitor Centre. These meetings are open to all local residents. A period is set aside for members of the public to raise matters of concern and to question the Community Council on any topic on the agenda. This is one of the ways you can "have your say" on any decision or question which affects the public life of the area. Our typical agenda includes discussion on environmental issues, greens and public areas, roads and footpaths and transport matters.
You can contact any member of the Community Council to discuss relevant issues or ask for a matter to be raised at our meetings. Download an Acrobat PDF of the current membership of the Community Council.
Our meetings are normally attended by a member of Lothian and Borders Police, other officials may also attend as necessary. top
Other Community Council Activities
Other than planning, the Community Council also monitors environmental issues and has a role in providing a number of amenities in the village, for example:
- Christmas lights,
- Litter bins and
- Seats and benches.
Information
The Community Council provides information to support community life. The documents below in Acrobat format are provided for advice:
- Scottish Borders Homlessness Services NEW
- Volunteer Centre Borders NEW
- Anti-Social Behaviour
- Benefits Advice (0ver 60)
- Home Visiting Advice (over 60)
- Nominated Neighbour Scheme
Funding
The Community Council also has a role in supporting:
The Alice Hamilton Trust, which manages a fund from which monies can be drawn to be spent on projects that benefit the whole of the community. Recently, the Trust has funded the cost of a new bridge over the Lyne and the cost of a new public address system for the Whipman; and
The Betty Aikman Fund, which disburses funds to school leavers to assist in the cost of moving on into higher or further education. Click here to download a pdf with further details.
Please contact the Community Council for more details. top
