SBC Celebrates 50 Years of Community Councils
Added at 15:44 on 25 May 2025
2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the estbalishment of Community Councils in Scotland by the Scottish Government, under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. There are currently over 1,200 active Community Councils across Scotland, 67 of whic are in the Scottich Borders. They engage in a wide range of local initiatives, from environmental improvements to planning consultations and civic events.
The 50th anniversary was marked with a civic reception on 22 May at the Council Offices, hosted by Scottish Borders Council Convener, Councillor Watson McAteer. Certificates of recognition were awarded, acknowledging ongoing contributions to local wellbeing and civic life. Convener McAteer, said: “For half a century, Community Councils have been the cornerstone of local democracy in Scotland. They give residents a voice, foster civic pride, and help shape the places we call home. As we mark this milestone, we honour the dedication of all those who have served and continue to serve their communities with passion and purpose.”
Councillor Caroline Cochrane of Selkirk also made a speech, highlighting the activities of the various Community Councils across the Borders.
Community councils in Scotland were formally established under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. Their purpose was defined as representing the views of local communities to public authorities and local councils. This role has remained largely consistent over the decades, though it has been strengthened by more recent legislation such as the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.
The Council encourage continued engagement with Community Councils and direct members of the public to view their Community Council pages on line at Community councils | Scottish Borders Council https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/council-2/community-councils.
Alternatively, any queries relating to Community Councils can be emailed directly to the Community Engagement team at CommunityEngagement@scotborders.gov.uk
On the other hand, SBC have recently proposed an updated Constitution for all Borders' Community Councils, which says: "Community Councils complement the role of the local authority although they are not part of local government.”