The chairwoman of Arbroath Community Council has suddenly quit her post but stressed she has not being forced out.
Patricia Millar known in the town as the “Provost of Arbroath” and one of the longest-serving members of any community council in Angus announced her decision to resign ahead of Wednesday night’s meeting.
Mrs Millar was absent from the meeting, where the news was relayed to fellow members.
Her decision to resign after 24 years’ service as a community councillor comes amid an apparent power struggle in the ranks. A private meeting of community councillors was held recently after concerns were raised about ”the powers held by the chair.”
However, Mrs Millar insisted she is ”not being pushed out.”
She said: ”There is a reason behind my decision but I would prefer to keep quiet. I have dignity and I would prefer to go with my head held high.”
Mrs Millar joined the community council in 1987 and has been chairwoman since 2006.
She added: ”I take pride in my good record of service to my community of Arbroath. This was not a decision I took lightly but after nearly a quarter of a century of service I felt it was time to stand down.
”I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a community councillor. It has afforded me many happy memories which I will treasure forever.
”I have also worked with and met many fascinating and diverse people over the years.
”It is my intention to continue with the other groups I am connected with as I believe I still have a role to play in my community.”
Arbroath councillor Donald Morrison paid tribute to Mrs Millar and described her as a ”community stalwart”.
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He said it would be a shame if Arbroath’s community council went the same way as Brechin’s, which disbanded last year following some bitter in-fighting.
Brechin businessman Douglas Murray was forced to resign after a bitter six-month feud, ending 20 years’ service. The body remained without a chairman and was disbanded in October.
Angus Council has begun the process to re-establish a community council for Brechin, following a petition from residents for one to be formed.
Before Wednesday’s meeting, Mr Morrison said: ”It is very sad that Mrs Millar has taken the decision to step down after a huge number of years. She will obviously remain a pillar of the Arbroath community and will still be involved in other things as well.
”Myself and Councillor (Bob) Spink were at the last meeting and there was tension within the ranks, which is very sad and forced the hand of Pat to step down as she could not let it go on any longer.
”It’s a great pity but I will still attend as many community council meetings as possible as it’s a good way of gauging the public mood.
”It would be a terrible shame if the community council goes the same way as Brechin.”
Arbroath councillor David Fairweather said: ”She has done a lot for the town in her role and for her to have had to stand down for whatever reason is sad.
”I’ve had my run-ins with the community council and I have said before that I thought the money would be far better spent on other voluntary organisations.
”It would now seem whoever may be the next chairperson will be somebody who was not elected by the people of Arbroath because they can’t get the 21 people that could sit on that council.”