Want to get involved in supporting your local community?
Want to help shape local services and help in speaking up for residents?
Merchiston CC invites residents to apply to become members of MCC!
Membership appointments for all 46 Community Councils throughout Edinburgh take place soon. Residents are invited to apply to become members of the re-constituted Merchiston Community Council (MCC) from March 2025.
Membership – 16 membership vacancies will be available for appointment to the re-constituted MCC, which will automatically replace existing MCC memberships, which will expire on 27th March 2025.
A re-constituted team of new and previous members is anticipated will be appointed. Reconfiguration of MCC’s activities, projects and resources, aligned to new membership appointments and their skills, are envisaged. Members can choose activities and projects in which they wish to specialise.
Places are also available for Nominated Representative Members (NRM) of constituted Local Interest Groups, such as residents’ associations, local voluntary and amenity associations, etc.
Background – MCC’ area covers Merchiston, Polwarth, Bruntsfield, Shandon, Greenhill, Fountainbridge and parts of Viewforth. MCC is one of the largest CCs in Edinburgh, covering 18,000 residents, larger than many towns!
MCC is a statutory public body, which operates on a non-political basis to support our local community. Legislation states: “The general purpose of a community council shall be to ascertain, coordinate and express to the local authorities for its area, and to public authorities, the views of the community which it represents – – “.
Activities – Wide range of MCC activities, including participative public meetings (8 per year; currently online), reviewing Planning Applications and Licence Applications, several active community projects including Leaf Clearing Project, Polwarth Junction Improvement Project and Local History Project.
Eligibility for Membership – Residents who seek appointment as a community councillor must reside in the local area, be named on the Electoral Register for that area, and be over 16. Candidates should submit a nomination form to CEC (available from CEC website from 6th Feb – information below).
CEC Information: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/communitycouncils
- “The current community council term will end on 27 March 2025.
- The new CC Scheme and Boundaries will come into effect when the new community council term commences on 28 March 2025.
- Community Council elections process will commence in February 2025.
- Notice of election will be published on 5 February 2025.
- Nominations will 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.
- Where a poll is required, a local election will be held on 27 March 2025.
- New Community Council term will proceed from 28 March 2025 for four years with the next Community Council elections intended for 2029”.
- CEC Scheme for Community Councils is available in full at: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/30693/scheme-for-community-councils
Summary – MCC needs a new team of community-minded residents to continue MCC’s work in supporting and speaking up for our local community.
MCC encourages applications for membership from a wide range of residents, encompassing a range of perspectives, interests and ages.
The window for applications is short and nominations close on 27th February
If you wish further information, please contact me at: merchistonchair@gmail.com
MCC website: https://www.merchistoncc.org.uk
Thank you for your interest and support,
Ian Doig, Chair of Merchiston Community Council