About

The primary role of the Cluny, Midmar and Monymusk Community Council is to act without prejudice and represent the views of the local community to the local authority on issues within our area. For more information about the Community Council please visit our web site.

The Community Council is divided into three areas with members representing these areas. The extent of the Monymusk area is shown below.

However, a Community Council in Scotland is limited in what it can do. For example, the community council does not have the power to enforce changes. That means not directly implementing any decisions, not directly funding projects or managing local services. They are also not allowed to hire staff to carry out tasks on their behalf.

Our Community Council is increasingly aware that there are issues in our area, which could pose risks to our local community but also opportunities. Members of the Community Council representing the Monymusk area are therefore looking at how we can help to mitigate known and potential risks as well as how we can maximise the benefits to the local community .

The public sector in Scotland is facing increasing pressure to reduce services due to financial challenges. These reduced services are likely to affect local communities.

A small example is that Aberdeenshire Council will no longer be providing bedding plants for 2025 due to cost. This will have a material and noticeable impact on the Community Council area as the displays in the villages have a positive benefit to the community.

The loss of public assets can also negatively impact a local community by reducing the availability of services and spaces that people need and value. This can lead to a decline in community pride, economic opportunity, and social connections.

An immediate risk is the proposed sale on the open market by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) of the Donview Centre and associated car park.  To mitigate this risk, the Community Council has therefore submitted a note of interest with a view to acquiring it through the Community Asset Transfer Scheme.

We urgently need your help, so please visit the Donview Centre page for further information and by completing the consultation form (link at the bottom of the Donview Centre page).

If there is sufficient support by the local community for a transfer of this asset to the local community, then we would propose setting up an independent organisation that can provide benefits (economic, social and environmental) to the residents of the Monymusk area. This would be a community-controlled body as defined by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.