A Perthshire community council is in turmoil once again after members resigned en masse for a second time in just two years.
Seven members of the Scone Community Council have stepped down and an eighth will soon follow as the body’s relationship with Perth and Kinross Council continues to frustrate.
Those resigning cited a lack of co-operation from the local authority, whom they believe should afford the community council a more involved role in local planning matters.
Community council minutes note that it was agreed by those who stepped down that “until Perth and Kinross Council are prepared to hold round-table discussions with community councils before issues are made available for public debate, it was unlikely residents would be prepared to serve and give of their time on community councils.”
Nominations are now being sought for the eight posts, with a by-election to be held on Thursday, February 17.
Local councillor Dennis Melloy said he had been disappointed by the decision, but the community council has long had a difficult working relationship with the council.
The latest blow to local democracy does not quite replicate that of May 2009, when every member stood down, claiming the body had been “attacked and undermined” by the council. That unprecedented move came as members of the body insisted they had received “precious little support” when tackling issues of local concern.
Members also insisted they had been targeted and smeared by the council and made subject “to no shortage of criticism and innuendo to the effect that we are not conducting our affairs properly.”
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing grievance came however from a comment made by local councillor Lewis Simpson, who went so far as to liken community campaigners “to a secret society like the Ku Klux Klan.”
A new community council was elected within a month, with 10 new members installed, though a number of those have now resigned, having found themselves apparently unable to overcome the same problems faced by their predecessors.
Perth and Kinross Council has always remained adamant that it has made all possible efforts to work with members of Scone Community Council.
A spokeswoman said, “The council makes every effort to work effectively with local community groups, including community councils.”
Nomination forms for the latest by-election can be obtained from Scone Post Office and Scone Library.
The forms must be completed, signed and lodged with the Returning Officer, Elections Team, Perth and Kinross Council, 2 High Street, Perth, PH1 5PH, not later than 4pm on Thursday, January 27.