Newtongrange Community Council

Your guide to becoming a voice for Nitten

201999-2019 What is Newtongrange • Carried out projects to en- • Reviewed Planning Applica- Community Council? hance the community. This tions. includes the provision of 2 The Community Council is a community based defibrillators, Newtongrange Community voluntary organisation set up by reinstating the Miners Statue Council provides one of the best statute by the Coun- and updating details on the War opportunities to get involved cil and run by people like you Memorial. with what is happening in the and acts to represent the people village. It will give you a good • Engaged with Newtongrange understanding of what is going of Newtongrange. As the most residents on 2 Neighbourhood local tier of elected representa- on locally and nationally and the Plans – working in partnership workings of Midlothian Council. tion, Newtongrange Community with a range of community Council plays an important role groups, Midlothian Council and in local democracy. the Coalfields Regeneration Being a Community The Community Council is com- Trust. As a result £25,000 was Councillor prised of people who care about distributed to community groups Newtongrange and want to make in the village in 2018. Being a community councillor The Community Council is the village a better place to live. • We have also represented the means you have shared respon- comprised of people who As well as representing the views of Newtongrange residents sibility for the success of the care about Newtongrange community’s views to Midlo- on the Newtongrange Town Cen- Community Council. All members and want to make the thian Council, the Community tre Masterplan and the Stobhill can contribute to discussions and village a better place to Council facilitates a wide range Masterplan. decisions concerning the work live. of the Community Council and of activities which promote the • We have researched and well-being of Newtongrange. the opportunity to take an active created a ‘Newtongrange Com- part outside of meetings. It brings local people together munity Directory’ which provides to help make things happen. It information about local groups, seeks to protect and promote contacts information What are the roles in the identity of the village. It Newtongrange Community advises, petitions, influences and • Campaigned on local issues – advocates numerous causes and working to keep buildings such Council? cases of concern on behalf of the as the Library, Com- There are various ways in which Newtongrange community. Here munity Learning Centre and the you can play your part in the are some examples of the work swimming pool open. Community Council. You can be- it has undertaken over the last • Organised community events – come a Chairperson, a Treasurer few years: Queens Diamond Jubilee. or Secretary (an office bearer). The office bearers, as elected members representing their local • If new people, ask if they Minute Secretary • that could be share with an- communities are responsible for were along for a particular issue other member of the Community the efficient and effective opera- so that it can be added to the • Ensure that the community Council) tion of the community council. agenda councillors are identifiable on the minutes, • Provide the chair with a sum- All members of the community • Introduce speakers or guests mary of any relevant communi- council are equally responsible • Any officials, for example the cation • Review the minutes from the police, elected members, me – for the community council’s de- previous meeting, (minute taker • Create an agenda for the cisions and actions and may take should be noted as in attendance notes any amendments) then get (not included in present) meeting on additional activities in support them proposed and seconded of the community council. The of- • A clear minute with actions to • Contact all CCs if there are from a CC that was at the meet- things that require urgent atten- fice bearers’ roles are described ing help keep everyone on track below. tion and input prior to the next • Move on to matters arising • Draft minutes must be pre- meeting Chairperson from the minutes sented to Midlothian Council (send to • Identifying relevant planning • Ensure everyone has the applications from the automati- The Chairperson can make a • MidlothanCCminutes@mid- massive difference to the suc- opportunity to speak and be cally generated list and ensuring listened to lothian.gov.uk) within 14 days they are on the agenda cess of the community council. from the date of the meeting and Meetings are key to making Treasurer circulated to CC members, rele- • Bringing along copies of the decisions on what the priorities vant elected members and other agenda and minutes to the meet- are and what work it has to do. The Treasurer is responsible for interested parties ing The Chairperson is responsible handling the community council’s • Make sure the venue is for ensuring that discussions are finances. It is his or her responsi- Secretary booked productive and run on-time, and bility to ensure that the finances that clear action points are set. are kept healthy and the com- The Secretary ensures the • Advertise the meetings, Post- Duties include: munity council does not get into smooth running of the community ers, Social Media, Emails debt. Duties include: council by organising meetings, • Ensure there is a quorum setting the agenda and keeping (enough people to hold a meet- • Keeping up to date financial minutes and records. Secretaries Other roles ing) & that everyone has signed records (including transactions, also ensure effective communica- The Community Council wel- in payments and receipts  Report- tion between committee mem- comes people who have exper- • Welcome everyone to the ing on financial position at each bers. Duties include: tise or knowledge to bring and meeting and introductions (par- meeting. you might want to consider if you • Accessing the Community ticularly so people know who want to undertake a specific role • Provide report on the Ac- Council mailbox and filtering out in response to an area/project • the community councillors counts at the Annual General the communication (a duty are) Meeting that needs a lot of attention. For example, the committee may The Midlothian Scheme are not part of local government. wish to create the post of En- for Community Councils Newtongrange Community Coun- gagement Officer where there is Framework cil has a positive working part- a need to reach out to a specific nership with Midlothian Council group that is under-represented Community Councils must repre- – through the Communities Team in the community council (e.g. sent all people in the area with- it is both informed about the young people, ethnic minorities out prejudice. council’s policies, and in addition or disabled people). Other roles is able to keep the council updat- that might be created to sup- Therefore they should: ed on their activities. port the work of the community • be non-party political and council are: non-sectarian Community Councils’ role in • Creating publicity to promote • represent a full cross-section planning the Community Council of the community and encour- Community councils have a • Fundraising to get money for age the involvement of people To effectively represent statutory right to be consulted on Community Council Projects regardless of gender, race, age, disability, nationality or sexual their community a applications for planning permis- • Events Officer orientation. community council must sion and the community council be proactive in consulting has a special role, representing • gather the views of local and engaging with local a broader yet still local view citizens. Your involvement residents. which can be set alongside the You don’t have to take on a spe- The Community Council acts as comments of those with a more cific role though to be involved a voice for Newtongrange. In individual interest. in the community council. All addition you can represent the Planning authorities also re- members can play an important village at a wider level through ceive comments and objections part by thinking creatively about the Midlothian Federation of on planning applications from what you can do by working Community Councils. statutory consultees like Scottish together to improve the lives of Community Councils ascertain Natural Heritage or Historic the residents of Newtongrange. and express the views of the Environment and from If you do take on a role, then you community to Midlothian Council neighbours who are given special don’t need to feel restricted to and other public bodies such as notification. only doing this – the main role of and NHS Lo- Authorities are obliged by law the committee is to support each thian, and to take action which to decide planning applications other and work together to make appears to be in the interests of in accordance with the develop- things happen. its community. They complement ment plan for the area (that is, the role of the local authority but where applicable, the approved strategic development plan and people, including young people the adopted local development and individuals from hard to plan or local plan, taken togeth- reach or minority groups. er) unless material considera- tions indicate otherwise. Coming to a reasoned judgement on Making contact with these matters lies at the heart of Newtogrange Community the planning authority’s’ discre- Council tionary power to approve, refuse or modify applications under the Newtongrange Community law and within a framework of Council meets on the last Tues- national policy guidance. The day of the month at 7.00 pm in Community Council’s key task is Newbattle Community Learning helping to provide an informed Centre in Gardiner Place. local context within which appro- You can get further information priate decisions can be made in about Newtongrange Community the public interest. Council by sending an email to this address: newtongrange.com- Community Engagement [email protected] You can also contact the Midlo- Newtongrange Community thian Council Communities Team Council attempts to engage with by sending an email to paul.john- a wide range of people to create [email protected] or calling a large diversity of perspectives 0131 270 6744. and insights which can help the Community Council to achieve more. Engaging community members in making decisions supports them to be more pro-ac- tive about their community’s needs. Community Councils are, by law, non-discriminatory. The Commu- nity Council is welcoming, open and non-judgmental toward all