I moved to Cuminestown 9 years ago when I retired as I wanted to be near my family. The pace of life in a quiet village appealed to me and Cumrye provided the security I was looking for. It’s not just a ‘scheme’ – it’s a community where we all look out for each other and help each other when needed. I soon settled in, made friends and started to enjoy the friendship and activities on offer.
Then life changed for everyone with Covid and never returned to how it was before. Our vacancies were rarely advertised and our flats stayed empty. Cumrye was under threat of closure around 2 years ago but we avoided the axe then because our building didn’t need a lot of money to be spent on it. Sadly now we come into the ‘low demand’ group and are threatened again. It feels as if our settled way of life has gone forever. Even if Aberdeenshire Council can be persuaded to change their plans I don’t think residents in Sheltered Housing will ever feel safe again.
I have the following questions
- Why did Aberdeenshire Council meet with tenants to warn them of ‘possible’ closures more than 2 months before this proposal was going before a Council Meeting? Did they not stop to consider the distress this would cause the elderly in their Schemes? When we asked for a time scale we were told more information would be available after the meeting some time in June but it could take years to finalise everything. We were informed they had created a new post and introduced us to the lady who will visit us to discuss our needs and find us suitable accommodation. Unfortunately this made ‘possible closures’ feel a lot more like ‘definite closures’. Too many ifs, buts and maybes. Do they actually have a plan?
- If we all want to stay in Cuminestown where would we live? There was a lot of talk about Mainstream Housing, Housing Associations and Private Landlords. Most of the suitable properties in Cuminestown have been given to ‘Other Service Users’. Do Housing Tenancies expect us to move elsewhere? We are all in Cuminestown for a reason and most don’t want to leave the village.
- When we asked what would happen to Cumrye if we had to move out we were told it might be repurposed but if it wasn’t suitable it would be demolished. What would it become if repurposed? Would that be in the best interests of the Village? When will we be given that information?
- We asked at our meeting why – despite numerous requests – our empty flats were rarely advertised. They have now printed posters advertising 6 flats to be displayed on noticeboards and local businesses. Too little too late?
Morag Gavin
(Secretary, Cumrye Tenants Association)
Monquhitter Matters 