A community group which has fought to promote and preserve the centre of Aberdeen is facing collapse unless it attracts new members.
Aberdeen City Centre Community Council has weighed in on many high-profile issues in the area since it was formed in 2013, acting as the “voice of the people”.
At that point, it had eight members and its public meetings at the town house were busy affairs as people turned out to ensure their views were heard on important matters affecting the city.
But in recent months, attendance at meetings has dwindled and its membership has dropped to six people – the minimum number allowed in order to continue.
One of those six has now stated their intention to leave, which would result in the demise of the group if a replacement is not found.
Chairman Dustin Macdonald said: “There is so much going on in the city centre, with the Union Terrace Garden project, new shops and various developments.
“So it is important that the people of the city centre have a voice, and we are the first point of contact for developers and the council during those important moments.
“If our sixth member leaves we will have to stop operating pretty much immediately, so we are in danger of not existing anymore.
“If the community council is forced to fold, then that vital voice that fights for the future of the area will be lost. There is so much we can achieve even with seven members.”
The community council has driven forward the Skene Street Project, a scheme designed to transform a patch of unloved land near Gilcomstoun School from looking like “a derelict play space featured in a post-apocalyptic film” into a popular communal garden.
Members were also involved in discussions on the Marischal Square development, and have been consulted on a range of planning applications.
Mr Macdonald said that family and work commitments had often prevented people from sticking with the group.
He added: “A lot of people would like to help but aren’t able to.
“Our boundary has recently been extended to encompass parts of Ferryhill and George Street though, so we have a bigger pool of people to potentially pull from.”
Anyone interested in joining should contact Aberdeen City Council’s community council liaison officer on 01224 522723 or by e-mailing communitycouncils@aberdeencity.gov.uk
