Where are the councillors?

CONCERNS about ward councillors’ attendance at community council meetings were aired in Moffat this week.

All four of the Annandale North councillors: Lynne Davis, Stephen Thompson, Carolyne Wilson and Gail McGregor were noticeably absent from Tuesday’s meeting of Moffat and District Community Council (MDCC).

So far this year, there have been three meetings in Moffat where no ward councillors were present. The full breakdown of attendance is as follows:

• January: Carolyne Wilson present
• February: no ward councillors present
• March: Stephen Thompson and Lynne Davis present
• April: no ward councillors present
• May: Stephen Thompson and Carolyne Wilson present
• June: Lynne Davis present [informal meeting]
• July: No meeting held
• August: Carolyne Wilson present
• September: no ward councillors present

The attendance issue was raised during discussions about the Proudfoot Institute, as MDCC treasurer David Booth, who is also a representative for the Proudfoot Indoor Sports and Social Club, was eager to get an update from the councillors who all serve as the building’s trustees.

Commenting on the situation, member of public Ashleigh Douglas said: “If we can’t get the local councillors, who are the trustees, to come to a scheduled monthly meeting, they know the 12 dates at the start of the year and they still can’t plan their time to be here, what hope have you got as the caretakers of the Proudfoot for them to be here to assist you [the club]?”

Weighing in, MDCC chair Liam O’Neill added: “All of the councillors do know when these meetings are, and it is unfortunate that none are here tonight.

“We do appreciate that they have other things they need to attend to.”