Kathryn Smith joined North Berwick Community Council in 2004, taking on the key role of Secretary four years later.
As she steps down after a fulfilling two decades and nominations for the upcoming elections open, Kathryn says it has been a great honour to serve and is confident the community council will play a full and active role in the town, and contribute to its vibrancy, for many years to come.
Community spirit
“It’s an opportunity to give something back to the community in which you are very much involved,” she says.
“It is pleasing to see projects which the community council has taken forward, or initiated, come to fruition. These all contribute to the great community spirit in the town.
“We do a lot to support projects in the town such as the revamp of the Victorian shelters, which we started the ball rolling on with other organisations then becoming involved. Likewise, the skatepark – we were involved initially to get them started. These are just a few examples.
“We are involved in a lot of community activities – Christmas lights switch on, Picnic in the Park which was new for this year and the VE Day commemoration, which went very well. Other examples would be Remembrance Day, the putting competition, the Jubilee celebration and marking the King’s Coronation.”
Kathryn also highlights the part played by the community council, supported by others in North Berwick, during challenging times for local residents.
“We have had a very strong resilience team to support people in the face of challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic,” she explains. “A lot of people were involved.”
Listening and helping
Scrutinising public bodies and authorities and articulating the views of residents and businesses in the town, she explains, is essential.
“The scrutiny role of community councils is important. We are also statutory consultees for licensing and planning, which can be challenging but is something we discuss at every meeting because it matters to the community.
“We have had a pretty full community council for the last term. It is not a political platform or something to come into with an agenda. It involves listening to what people are saying and trying to help. It can be very rewarding but also frustrating. We have fought campaigns such as retaining beds in the Edington and the current parking proposals, which we haven’t always been able to get very far with, but it is important to speak out on the issues people feel strongly about.”
While it requires commitment and putting time into the role, Kathryn believes that being a community councillor is a positive and beneficial experience.
“I would like to see more young people involved,” she adds. “It is difficult because many, including younger people, have other things to concentrate on. But I would encourage people to apply and come along to help get things done.
“We as a community council get on very well together. Everyone supports each other.
“It is a great honour to have been a member of the community council for so long.
“The community council has become increasingly involved in things over the years. The role has changed but its importance in the community remains unchanged.”
Nominations
Nominations for community councillors across East Lothian opened on Monday, 1 September.
Anyone who is at least 16 years of age and is interested in getting involved has until Thursday 18 September to lodge nomination papers.
Depending on the number of nominations received for the places available per community council, elections will be held on Thursday, 9 October. Residents living in the corresponding community council area will be able to vote.