Councillors are being asked to “work collaboratively” with a north-east community council at the centre of a suspension row.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Marr area committee voted to suspend Mid-Deeside Community Council (MDCC) for six months in January following a dispute around plans to redevelop Aboyne Station.
The group was branded “dysfunctional” by local members, but claimed it was being unfairly penalised by the authority – adding the committee was “out to get them”.
The decision was made after members of the community council did not show “respect” to SNP councillor Geva Blackett during a row about the future of the station.
However the local authority U-turned on the suspension earlier this month, and on Tuesday Marr councillors will be asked to back working with the group to instil “high standards of conduct”.
The council’s director of business services, Ritchie Johnstone, is asking the committee to note the recent progress made in working with the MDCC.
He added that a full meeting of Aberdeenshire Council would be informed of the “issues encountered” in the case.
Mr Johnstone added: “At its meeting on March 29, 2016 the Marr area committee agreed the officer recommendation that they rescind its decision of 26 January, 2016 to recommend to the full council that Mid Deeside Community Council be suspended for a period of six months.
“Committee also agreed to note that the area manager and the head of legal and governance were to work collaboratively with the members of the Mid Deeside Community Council and support them to ensure high standards of conduct, and that a further report be brought back to committee.”
He added members of the MDCC “wish to seek a positive outcome that allows the MDCC to resume their work”.
The council is being asked to support the MDCC with future elections and communications.
The group is meanwhile being asked by the local authority to refrain from “using the press as a forum for airing grievances”.
