Community councils

A review of the Scheme for Establishment of Community Councils in West Lothian and community council boundaries has just entered the final round of statutory public consultation. 

The existing Scheme is to be revoked to allow a new Scheme to be adopted in time for the community council elections due to take place in September/October 2025.  

The first round of statutory consultation on the existing Scheme and boundaries closed on 28^th June 2024.  Comments received  were considered by a short life working group and, where considered appropriate, they were incorporated into a 1st Draft  Scheme and updated boundaries.

The second round of statutory consultation on the 1st Draft Scheme and suggested boundaries commenced on 5 September 2024 and closed at 5pm on 31st October 2024.  Comments received were again considered by the short life working group and, where considered appropriate, they have been incorporated into an Amended Draft Scheme and suite of boundary proposals.

The final round of statutory consultation on the terms of the Amended Draft Scheme and amended draft boundaries commenced on 12th December 2024 with comments invited by 5pm on 20th February 2025.

All of the comments received are currently being considered by a short life working group set up to develop a new Scheme and will be taken into account in the creation of a Final Scheme and Final Boundaries which will be presented to a special meeting of West Lothian Council for approval. 

If you have any questions please send an email to the Community Council Liaison Officer using the CCLO Email link above. happy to assist.

West Lothian Council is required by law to have a Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in its area.   However, community councils are not part of the council's structure - they are independent bodies who run their own affairs.

The council arranges the community council elections which take place every 4 years in September or October. The next elections will take place in September/October 2025.  There are currently 33 community councils in operation.  A list of their office bearers can be found in the download section at the foot of this page. 

There are 7 areas with no community councils in operation.  These are Bridgend, , Deans, Longridge, Philpstoun, Stoneyburn, Uphall Station and Westfield & Bridgehouse.  Further information about the process to set a community council up in these areas can be found here Procedure to set up a community council (PDF, 15 KB)(opens new window)  

The council provides basic annual grant funding and advice to community councils but what a community council does once it has been established, is a matter for each community council to determine.

The Community Council Liaison Officer is able to provide advice and assistance. The council's Liaison Officer is Lorraine McGrorty who is based at West Lothian Civic Centre in Livingston. Telephone 01506 281609 or e-maillorraine.mcgrorty@westlothian.gov.uk.

A Scheme for Establishment of Community Councils in West Lothian and amended boundaries was adopted by the council on 31st August 2021.  The Scheme sets out the basic rules which all community councils in West Lothian are expected to comply with. The Scheme is currently under review with a new Scheme to be adopted in summer 2025.

It is supplemented by a Code of Conduct which all community councillors must abide by and a model constitution/ & standing orders which all community councils automatically adopt. 

All of the documents can be found below.

The council has provided an updated privacy notice which gives more information on the data we hold about community council members and what we do with that data.  The notice can be viewed here Community Council Privacy Notice (Word doc, 68 KB)(opens new window)