“3 VILLAGES - 1 COMMUNITY”
Welcome to YOUR Community Council website for the Scottish Borders villages of Leitholm, Eccles, Birgham and environs!
About Us
Community Councils are a voluntary organisation set up by statute by the Local Authority and run by local residents to represent and act, without prejudice, on behalf of its area. As the most local tier of elected representation, Community Councils play an important role in local democracy. Community councils are comprised of “people who care about their community and want to make it a better place to live.”
We support, connect, and enhance our three local communities through research, consultation, facilitation, communication, campaigning, and informed decision making.
Your Community Councillors are part-time local volunteers elected by you, the residents, to represent both the public interest and individuals in their ward. In this case the villages of Leitholm, Eccles and Birgham and surrounding rural areas.
The council acts a conduit for communications between local authorities and the community about proposalsm plans, decisions, alongwith the availability and quality of local infrastructure and services.
We solicit feedback from across our communities and engage with the local authority and other organisations to represent the views of residents concerning a diverse range of topics affecting or liable to affect our quality of life. In certain cases, the Community Council is responsible for making decisions about local area plans and services on behalf of the community.
Remember… you don’t have to actually live in one of the three villages to contribute to, or benefit from the work of the Community Council.
We cover the entire area shown on the map and the Community Council welcomes participation from all those residing in the outlying areas around the three villages. We also understand that some of your rural needs, issues and concerns may be different to that of the villages themselves. Wherever you live in the CC area, you can connect with us and tap into our resources!
Leitholm
It may be a wee village, but at least the pub is still operating and alongside the village hall continues to provide focal points for residents in their support of the community.
Leitholm has an enthusiastic team of volunteers who have been working hard behind the scenes in a renewed and concerted effort to enhance various aspects of village life. The Leitholm community volunteers can of course rely on the continued support of the Community Council with their initiatives. and endeavours.
Eccles
The smallest of the 3 village communities, but the home to a substansive national transportation business as well as an emerging new property construction and renovation business. With the church, village hall, and former school site all now presenting opportunities for redevelopment and revitalisation. The Community Council remains eager to represent residents and businesses alike to facilitate the realisation of their vision for the future of Eccles.
Birgham
Birgham is privileged to be well served by the long established and progressive Birgham Community Development Trust. The BCDT is a locally convened charitable organisation that has for some time undertaken many of the roles and services for the village that would normally be provided by some Community Councils in other areas of Scotland. Notwithstanding this; the Community Council looks forward to continuing to work alongside the BCDT to pursue our common goals.