Linlithgow councillors have called on villagers to support the return of a community council to Bridgend.
At this month’s meeting of the ward’s Local Area Committee Sally Pattle, said: “Come and join your community Council. Let’s advertise how important community councils are.”
Community Council elections are coming this October.
Councillor Pattle, who chairs the local area committee said: “In Linlithgow in general and other wards I think its planning that’s most important. The community councils are statutory bodies, and their voices have to be heard.
She added that community councils provided the community with “direct link” to West Lothian Council to help shape the places represented.
Councillor Pauline Orr said she had been trying to encourage villagers to come forward adding “there’s a lot of people who I believe may be quite good if they stood up, but a lot of the concerns are about who would turn up at meetings.”
Labour veteran Tom Conn who once served as a member of Bridgend community Council agreed. I’ve seen how it can can operate when it works well. It was active.”
He said that community councils gave villagers a collective voice which could be used especially when it came to dealing with planning matters and developers.
“I think it is important. It actually helps elected members where there is a community council. It is actually a two-way street,” added Councillor Conn.
“In short, your community council needs you,” said Councillor Pattle.
West Lothian Council has started its 4-yearly process to elect around 300 community councillors to serve on all 40 community councils across West Lothian for the period to September/October 2029.
Community councils were set up to ascertain, co-ordinate and express the views of the communities they represent in relation to matters for which public authorities are responsible, and to take such action in the interests of their communities as appear to be expedient and practical.
They act as a voice for their local areas and provide an important link between their communities, the council and other public bodies. They each have a place on the council’s 9 Local Area Committees.
Community councils are consulted on a wide range of issues, including housing, roads, education, health, etc. They are statutory consultees on planning and must be kept informed about liquor licensing matters.
Community councils are non-political and anyone can stand for election regardless of background, gender or religion. The only criteria to becoming a community councillor is that you are aged 16 or over and your name and address, as well as those who propose and second your nomination, appear in the electoral register for the community council area.
Young people between the ages of 14-16 can also get involved as every community council is allowed to have four youth members. Youth members have full voting rights and can also hold certain office-bearer positions. A separate nomination form for youth members is also available on the council’s website.
A spokesperson for the Joint Forum of Community Councils said: “Community Councils have an important role in representing towns, villages and neighbourhoods on a range of important issues acting as the voice of the community, communicating directly with the council and other public bodies. If your community is important to you then please consider looking at joining your community council.”
Leader of West Lothian Council Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “Community Councils bring local residents and interest groups together to help make things happen, and many Community Councils promote the individual identities of their community. They advise, petition, influence and advocate numerous causes and cases of concern on behalf of local communities. If you want to help play a part in the future of your local area then please take this opportunity to join a community council.”
Nomination forms (which can be found below) must be returned by 5pm on Thursday 4 September 2025.
In any area where more nominations are received than there are places available, an election may be necessary. The date of Election will be Thursday 16 October 2025.
Further information can be found via the West Lothian Council website: https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/communitycouncils
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
