THE sad prospect of Stonehaven and District Community Council failing was faced this week – with a decision to safeguard vital defibrillator funds by transferring them to the Stonehaven Town Partnership.
Tensions within our Community Council over the past months have been kept as under-the-radar as possible, with several agendas of late ending in matters to be discussed in private. The in-house wrangling, even reached our Area Committee last month for input and guidance on disciplinary matters – public and press were excluded.
Chairs have been pushed back in disgust at an alarming rate – notably the recent chair David Lawman, who resigned last September. His replacement Rachel Frame found the position untenable and stepped down in February but remains as secretary. Other members have quit – Steve McQueen, Audrey Malcolm, Julie Lindeman, Caroline Duguid and Jim Morrison. And treasurer Norman Mackay has tabled his resignation for the AGM in June as has the current chair Brian Menzies.
If a community council folds, its funds are frozen
Last night, Mr Menzies said he had great concern for the funds SDCC hold – as they would be locked down as soon as there was no treasurer. He proposed transfering various ring-fenced amounts to the Stonehaven Town Partnership, STP.
Mr Menzies said the town’s defibrillators are looked after by a team, including Mr Lawman, who are all now members of the STP. He said the money to maintain this essential life-saving apparatus should go to those undertaking that maintenance. Likewise, the erection of the Christmas tree and organisation of the Nippy Dip will now fall broadly to STP volunteers.
A spreadsheet showing the SDCC’s various funds was displayed showing £2,385 in a long-term defibrillator fund and £3.435 in another held for the devices. These amounts along with monies held for the town’s Christmas tree and from the Nippy Dip were all proposed for transfer. The community council’s administration fund at some £4,000 was the only money proposed for retention.
Mr Menzies said: ”What is the point of the comunity council? It is not to hold money we don’t actually do anything with. The people who do look after these things are in the STP.”
Ian Hunter said by removing all the various pots of money, it would make the job easier for a future treasurer – so moving the cash could help two problems.
Rachel Frame said area manager Tim Stephens was in support of the move. And ward councillors present at the meeting all spoke in support.
With a suggestion by Andrew Newton that SDCC should ensure the on-going ring-fencing of the monies agreed as sound, the proposal was unopposed and adopted. SDCC will now write to the STP to inform them of their wishes and ask that they take over the monies to use them for the activities and projects they were intended.
It should be noted Jim Stephen – chair of STP – removed himself from the room for this item on the agenda.