Rattray residents’ group re-form call
Park maintenance sparks appeal for locals
Concerns about the state of Ferguson Park in Rattray have led to calls for local people to get the tenants and residents’ association back up and running.
Residents of Ferguson Park hit out at Perth and Kinross Council about a lack of maintenance in the residential area at the two most recent meetings of Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council.
A number of issues were raised by a member of the public who lives in Rattray, including the grass not being cut a month after the request was first made.
Blairgowrie and the Glens councillor Bob Ellis told the Blairie that he has spoken to council officers about the concerns and that cost-cutting measures “were agreed some time ago following comprehensive discussions with various groups within Rattray and Blairgowrie”.
He added: “The area on Rattray Common is a biodiversity area, so it is cut once a year and this is to be during the back end of the year. As for the bits around the steps in Ferguson Park, I have been informed that the banking is too steep to cut with a machine.”
Fellow local councillor, Caroline Shiers, said: “I have met with council officers to see what can be done to get the residents’ association back up and running.
“It’s quite a relaxed group, it meets over a cup of tea and doesn’t have a very formal structure but I think it is important to give the community a voice and a chance to be heard when decisions like this are being made – issues of this type are not going to go away.
“We just need half a dozen people to come forward and get the ball rolling.
“Anyone can get involved, whether they are council tenants, private tenants or owner occupiers, although it will likely have a Rattray focus at least initially.
“It is a really good forum for residents to express concerns that they have and work with community wardens, councillors and council officers as well as other groups and organisations to tackle any issues.”
If anyone is interested in getting involved, they should contact Councillor Shiers in the first instance.
Email carolineshiers@gmail.com or call 01738 553990 or 07789 273181.