An under-threat community group in Montrose has been dismissed as having “run its course” by a town councillor.
The Courier revealed on Friday that Montrose Together Partnership could be dissolved later this month after just three people attended its last meeting.
Councillor Bill Duff has described the group as a “talking shop” that didn’t get things done and that Montrose was lagging behind the rest of Angus in its failure to have a strong traders’ group.
The comments follow a plea from the group’s chairman, Peter Davies, to attend its annual meeting on Monday, when its future will be discussed.
Mr Duff said: “My take on it would be that it’s an organisation that’s undoubtedly done good work in the past.
“I think in the last two-and-a-half years I’ve been a councillor, I would say that it’s become a talking shop and I really feel that it’s run its course.
“What Montrose desperately needs is organisations that will do things not talk about doing things.
“We desperately need a traders’ and retailers’ organisation. We don’t have one and most other towns do.”
The group, which aims to promote the town and enhance the wellbeing of residents and visitors, has embarked on a scheme of improving the appearance of closes and produced several information leaflets in recent years. It also planned to create a Montrose postcard.
However, Mr Duff claimed that “successful and active” companies in the town had turned their back on the partnership.
“The theory behind the partnership is good you get lots of people in a room involved in organisations and they all learn from each other,” Mr Duff continued.
“The practice, from what I’ve seen, just doesn’t work. A lot of the active and successful organisations in town don’t participate in the partnership and don’t need it as a support mechanism.
“There has also always been confusion about what happens under the community council and what’s done by the partnership.
“Making a difference to the town requires volunteers willing to roll up their sleeves and Montrose Together wasn’t that sort of organisation.”
Montrose Together Partnership, which in the past has been known as Montrose Area Partnership and Montrose Partnership, attempted to hold an AGM in September but only three people turned up.
At least five members are required to form a quorum for an annual meeting to take place.
Another attempt to hold the meeting will be made on Monday at 7pm in the Links Hotel.
At this meeting, there will be a discussion about whether the partnership should continue or be dissolved.
The group aims to promote the town and Ferryden and Hillside for the wellbeing of people in the town and visitors.
Current chairman Peter Davies declined the opportunity to respond to Mr Duff’s comments.