Dornoch Community Council depleted as three members stand down at same time
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Dornoch Community Council has lost another three of its members.
Maggie Hope, Ann Durrand and Catherine Jack Macangus have all stood down from the body, a year after being elected.
Earlier this year, veteran community councillor and chairwoman Yvonne Ross, who had the combined role of provost of Dornoch, also stood down.
She declined at the time to say why she was going.
East Sutherland and Edderton ward manager Phil Tomalin confirmed the most recent resignations.
He told the Northern Times that the three women had submitted their resignations in writing to him, but had not given any reasons for their departure.
The community council is now left with five members, all of whom are men; Patrick Murray, who took over as chairman and provost after Yvonne Ross left, Graeme Ross, Jerry Bishop, David MacBeath, and Jimmy Melville.
The body also has a secretary – Lou Rollason.
Mr Tomalin said the loss of so many members was not a barrier to the community council continuing to operate legitimately.
“Dornoch Community council has sufficient remaining community councillors to continue to operate,” he said.
“Community councils can also co-opt up to an additional four councillors to make up the numbers, as long as at least half the total membership has been elected.”
Outgoing councillor and local businesswoman Maggie Hope said pressure of work had led her to resign.
“I’m sad to say that I’m now too busy with Dornoch Bookshop and family commitments to give the role of community councillor the energy and commitment it deserves," she said.
“But I wish Dornoch Community Council all the very best going forward. I’d also like to thank those who voted me in."
Dornoch service point officer Catherine Macangus said she too had decided to resign because of work and family commitments.
And she also added that she too would like to thank all the "lovely people" who had voted for her in the October 2019 election.
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