You may have seen the posts here on social media about the upcoming elections to community councils. In recent years, the one in Portobello has had quite a high profile. It has been conducting online surveys on a range of issues, the latest about the future status of Kings Place. They are supposed to be the ‘voice of the community’ but there may be a tendency for them to be self-selecting, for the same people to put their names forward. Both Mary Campbell and Maureen Child regularly attending their meetings and reflect the views back to City Chambers. Both are acting as returning officers within the ward. Maureen Child acknowledges that it can be hard to get the message out and persuade people to put their names forward.