Minutes of meeting held in the Burgh Chambers

on Friday 9th November 2007

 

 

 

Present:          Alex MacDonald (Chair)

                        Bob Smith (Vice Chair)

                        Ron Blanchard (Secretary)

                        Aneris Grant (Treasurer)

                        Tim Hailey

                        Gordon McGregor

                        Sheila McGregor

           

                        Councillor Ron Edwards

                        Councillor George Kay

                        Councillor Susan Leslie

 

Attending:        PS Scott Johnston

                        9 members of the public

 

1.         Apologies were received from Christine Dewar and Gillian Lowe.

 

2.         Minutes of the previous meeting were approved on a motion by Tim Hailey and seconded by Sheila McGregor.

 

3.         Topics requested for inclusion in Any Other Business were noted.

 

4.         Police Report

 

Sgt Johnston gave a comprehensive report on events in the town since the last meeting. While thefts in general were down, vandalism, especially to cars, had increased. The bonfire night had given cause for concern in respect of assaults and youth disorder. It was hoped that these concerns would be taken on board in planning for 2008. It was also reported that Maureen Wallace had now retired from her position at Burntisland police station and a replacement would be announced in due course.

 

5.         Combined report from Councillors.

 

The written report was noted and discussed. A request was made for future reports to be organised geographically for easy of reading by the respective Community Councils.

 

6.         Matters arising from Minutes not otherwise covered in the agenda.

 

a. Community Council meeting day and time – it was agreed to continue meantime with meetings on the second Friday evening of each month.

 

b. Remembrance Day service and parade – arrangements were confirmed. It was noted that this year the parade would include the Chief Constable and the Fire Master.

 

c. Re-naming of Burntisland Library – the Chair confirmed that the Community Council’s view opposing the name change had been intimated and a response was awaited.

 

d. Parking restrictions – written information was circulated for consideration and review at the December meeting.

 

7.         New Business.

 

            a. Conference – Playing out. Details on this forthcoming conference were advised, with printed information available.

 

            b. South-Western expansion of Kirkcaldy. Tim Hailey reported that although this proposed development is not within the boundary of Burntisland Community Council it might have a knock-on effect on the provision and availability of local services such as shopping, health, education and transport. It might also open up new markets for local traders. It will therefore be important for Burntisland to understand the nature of the proposals and respond appropriately.  After discussion it was agreed to ask Kinghorn and Auchtertool Community Councils whether they would be interested in a joint meeting to consider the proposed development, and to accept an offer from Cala Homes, as principal developer, to present their plans to the January meeting.

 

            c. Citizen Advocacy Project – contacts. Leaflets are available to those interested and a guest speaker will be invited to address the next meeting of the Community Council.

 

            d. Ecology Centre, Kinghorn. In furtherance of a proposal for Lottery funding, views were sought from the Community Council on the demand for volunteering opportunities for people aged over 50. It was agreed to invite a representative from the Ecology Centre to expand on the project at the December meeting.

 

            e. ExxonMobil pantomime tickets. As in previous years, 70 tickets had been received from ExxonMobil for distribution to older persons in the community, with transport provided for the event on 29th November at the Lochgelly Centre. It was agreed that Christine Dewar should be asked to co-ordinate the distribution.

 

            f. Community Council – volunteers as members. Proposals were made and agreed for the co-option of Gordon Ritchie and Sammy Purvis as full members of the Community Council. One position remains to be filled.

 

            g. Planning – Ordnance Survey Map extracts – The provision of ordnance survey map extracts by planning( free of charge) has now been discontinued. In future all such references must be purchased direct from local Ordnance survey office.

 

            h. Civic Week / Summer Queen. It was reported that due to committee retirals and difficulty in recruiting replacements, support for these events was in doubt for 2008. At best, a modified programme might be put in place.

 

            i. Burntisland Blooms / Christmas lights. Sheila McGregor reported that arrangements were now in hand for the positioning of the “Best kept small town” award in a prominent location. Gordon McGregor reported that there was a shortfall in grant income of £300 for Christmas lights and it was agreed to meet the shortfall from Community Council reserves.

 

8.         Planning applications.

 

All were considered as listed on the agenda and no objections were raised.

 

9.         Any other business.

 

            a. It was noted that further repairs were required to the town clock.

            b. A request was made for bunting in the High Street to be removed. It was noted that the bunting was not the responsibility of the Community Council, but it might be possible to combine that work with the erection of the Christmas lights.

            c. It was noted that it might be possible to publish an issue of the Burgh Buzz in the New Year.

 

10.       Community Award.

 

All present were reminded that nominations for the Community Award 2008 should be in the hands of the Secretary in time for the December meeting.

 

11.       Next meeting.

 

The next meeting of the Community Council will be on Friday 14th December 2007, at 7:00pm in the Burgh Chambers.