Constitution

In terms of the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils, adopted by Midlothian District Council on 20 July 1976 and approved by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 4 August 1976, hereafter referred to as the Scheme:

Name
The name of the Community Council shall be;
Roslin and Bilston Community Council hereafter referred to as the Council.

Purposes
The objective of the council shall be as follows;
Ascertain, co-ordinate and express to the local authorities for its area and to public authorities, the views of the community which it represents, in relation to matters for which those authorities are responsible, and to take such action in the interests of that community as appears to it to be expedient and practicable.
To encouragement of co-operation among the various community organizations in the area.
The retention of the identity of a Community amongst people living in the Area.

Area
The area covered by the Council shall be that area described in Paragraph 4 of the Schedule to the Scheme and as delineated on the attached map to include the Thicket as approved in July 1978.

Membership and Committees
The council shall consist of 12 elected members, six from Roslin and six from Bilston Area and four nominated members, two from Roslin and two from Bilston Area all whose names appear on the Voters' Roll.

The council arranges aspects of its business through sub-committees which may be established as appropriate. These sub-committees will report to the Council and will have written constitutions approved by the council and held in Roslin Library. Where sub committees control finance and Treasurer to the Council shall be a member of that sub-committee and shall operate a bank account in the name of that sub-committee. The Treasurer shall be one of the required signatories for withdrawals.

Members of the Council elected onto sub-committees will be notified to the public by inclusion on the 'members' list to be held in Roslin Library.

Sub-committees in operation;
Planning Liaison Group - Established in response to Local Government Reform, 1 April 1996 when Community Councils became Statutory Consultees for Planning Applications.
Community Safety Group - Established to promote community safety within the Area.
Environmental Group - Established to consider the natural environment within the Area.
Sub-committee constructions are contained in Appendix I of the Standing Orders, appended.

Election
Members of the Council shall be elected by secret ballot st the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office for three years. At the end of this period they will resign but are eligible for re-election. 'End of Office' dates will be highlighted on the 'members' list to be held in Roslin Library.

Where a casual vacancy occurs amongst the elected members by reason of death, resignation, removal or disqualification, their places may be filled by co-option of suitable persons see Area and Membership. The election of a co-opted member shall be by simple majority or members present and voting and shall remain in Office until the following AGM, where they may stand for election in the usual manner. Intimation of co-option having been given to the members in advance as part of the Agenda for the meeting.

If not enough members from one Community can provide a full compliment then the other Community may provide such.

Office Bearers
There shall be elected or appointed by the members, a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The office bearers will hold office for one year only at the end of which period they shall resign but be eligible for re-election.

Appointment of Secretary/Treasurer of the Council may from persons who are not otherwise members in the event that no member is considered suitable for the appointment. In this event the Secretary/Treasurer shall not be entitled to vote at meetings, as Section 8 Paragraph (vii).

The rules of these elections shall be as Section 8 of the Scheme.

Finance/Accounts
All moneys belonging to and being received by the Council shall be held in a Bank Account. All withdrawals (by cheque or order) will require two out of three signatures; the signatories shall be Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

Accounts
Statements of the current situation will be presented to each monthly meeting of the Council.
Annual accounts shall be properly certified and submitted for approval to the Council.
The financial Year of the Council shall end in September, as reconstituted in September 1990.

Alterations to Constitution
This constitution may be amended by two-thirds majority of members present at any constituted meeting providing that at least ten days prior notice of the amendment is given to the Chairperson and Secretary.

Dissolution
Section 18 of the Scheme shall apply.

Approval/Ratification
Approved by the Council on 2 September 1997/Ratified by Midlothian Council.
Ref: R&BCC_A61230. Date 30 December 1996.