Minutes of Community Council Meeting held
in the
Burgh Chambers on
Friday 11th March 2011
at 7 p.m.
Present A.
MacDonald (Chair) B. Smith
(Vice Chair) I. Smith
(Secretary)
J.
Russell (Treasurer) G.
Cummins P. George
M.
Douglas C.
Dewar Z.
Williamson
B.
Partridge N.
Millsop
Councillors: R. Edwards and S. Leslie
Attending PC Keith Gibb, Robbie Blyth (Green Dog Walkers), P. Briscoe (Dep.
Editor Burgh Buzz),
14
members of the public
Apologies H.
Leuchars, G. McGregor, S. McGregor, T. Hailey, Cllr G. Kay, PS S. Murray
1. Chairman’s Opening Remarks
After
welcoming everyone the Chairman made reference to some deterioration in
effectiveness of administration within Fife Council, which was causing
frustration and which would become apparent late in the agenda.
Apologies
for absence were read as noted.
2. Minute
of Previous Meeting (11 February 2011)
Corrections
·
item 11.5 – Bicycle
Parking/Burntisland High Street – to read “ outside the Co-op. 4 stands = 8
bikes”
·
a change was advised to Fife
Council’s contact name for community trust advice, for publication in the Burgh
Buzz
Minutes adopted. Proposed – R.
Smith Seconded C. Dewar
3. Notification
of Community Concerns for Any Other Business - Item 13
13.1 Lothian
Road Signage to Car Park
13.2 Beacon
Centre
13.3. Toll
Centre Management Arrangements
13.4 World
Challenge Project
4. Police
Report - PC Keith Gibb (in place of PS S. Murray)
PC
Gibb reported that youth disorders were presently stable but, in anticipation
of lighter nights escalating disorders, the police were monitoring social
networking groups such as Facebook etc.
There
has been a rise in thefts from gardens and sheds for scrap metal. People are
asked to report the registration number of any suspicious vehicle. Kirkcaldy
Police presently pursuing the culprits.
Recent thefts from houses in January are unrelated.
Speeding
– Police have been out on foot in pairs with speed gun issuing tickets. Kirkcaldy
Road, Cowdenbeath Road, Kirkton Road.
PC Gibb noted requests to speed check Aberdour
Road and Roundabout at entrance to Alcan site.
Road
markings on High Street, including ‘Disabled’ in need of re-painting.
5. Green Dog Walkers Campaign –
Robbie Blyth
An
employee of Fife Council, Robbie Blyth’s presentation was about reducing dog
fouling. He began by pointing out that Blue Flag status can be lost by
poor water quality resulting from dog fouling. He listed the few times
within the Act when dog waste did not require to be lifted and urged ‘the
public’ to be pro-active in reporting instances they witness of dog fouling.
Towards that goal he described how effective it can be for one witness to
effect this, concluding “You can do more than you think”. Leaflets, arm bands, pet
waste disposal bags were all displayed as part of the initiative to get dog
owners to ‘sign a pledge’ of responsible dog ownership behaviour.
A
question asked about the policing of fairground dogs was answered by Cllr
Leslie to the effect that fairground stewards deal with this.
PC
Gibb agreed to be the contact point for further co-ordination of a Green Dog
Walkers campaign in Burntisland.
6. Environment – P. George
A
letter was read out from a householder concerned about overhanging vegetation
in Dunearn Bank / Silverbarton Terrace.
Cllr Leslie to
contact Gavin Gray/FC
Unsuitable waste being left at recycling
point on Haugh Road.
Fly tipping reported in lay-by at top of
Cowdenbeath Road.
Damien Woods to be
emailed by Secretary
Recycling bins still not in place top end of
Grange Road. Cllr Edwards requested
twice.
Cllr Edwards will
request again
The question of when the Community Skip would
return was asked.
Cllr Edwards thought by the end of March.
A
meeting is scheduled for Monday 14 March 2011 with Councillors and Community Councillors,
to assess fly tipping and spurious refuse in Castle area.
7. Secretary’s
and Treasurer’s Report
The
Secretary confirmed that the additional induction session for new Community
Councillors would be on a Saturday morning.
When the date is known she will inform everyone concerned.
The Treasurer circulated a full printed
report.
Account balance as at 14 March 2011, with all
outstanding accounts paid - £1588.27.
John
Russell agreed to do the additional duties Aneris had taken on, of Exiles
Reception and Remembrance Sunday. Aneris
would assist John initially.
Aneris advised that the Burgh Chambers needed
to be booked now for the Exiles Reception.
8. Burgh Buzz – P. Briscoe
Paul Briscoe reported that all was well with
the preparation for next issue of the Burgh Buzz.
Distribution problems had been resolved.
9. Ongoing
Business Items
9.1 Review of local Planning Applications – T.
Hailey had advised in his absence that there were no items requiring immediate
discussion.
9.2 War Memorial – A. MacDonald/B. Smith
Bob
Smith informed that work could not proceed until all the funding was in place.
Alex
MacDonald reported he should hear “anytime now” an answer to his application to
Awards for All in respect of funding for a feasibility study to take the
proposal up to the point of all statutory consents and fixed costs. Any
possibility of subsequent funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund will require
the project to include Educational content. Zoe Williamson outlined the ideas
she and Cllr Leslie had developed to meet the criteria. This would involve P5
and P6’s in a ‘Why Remember’ project tailored to the present curriculum. Zoe
will explore the potential further with the primary school.
9.3 Clock Chimes – B. Smith/M. Douglas
On
12 Feb 2011 Councillors Leslie, Kay and Edwards with B. Smith, M. Douglas and
J. Russell met with FC in a further attempt to
reinstate the Town clock chimes.
There
appear to be two options
·
Assess the deemed ‘nuisance’ after
the noise abatement measure in place
i.e.
fit a noise baffle to one side of the tower, and then take further noise level
measurements
Morag
pointed out that this had a major flaw in that future complaints could come
from a side not fitted to reduce the noise.
·
Challenge the ‘nuisance’ case
legally
It
would cost £1,500 (inc. VAT) to seek the opinion of a Junior Council as to
whether a case could be raised against FC and a further £15,000 to take it to
court.
Cllr
Leslie explained what was involved in the baffle test. FC should have the results
in approx. 2 weeks.
A decision would be taken by the Community
Council at the next meeting. The Chairman explained that if the Community
Council decided in principle to seek Counsel’s opinion then further discussion
would be taken in private, in accordance with the Scheme for Community Councils
in Fife.
Cllr Edwards appealed to people to add to
public opinion by writing letters of complaint to Fife Council.
9.4 Links Community Trust
– J. Russell
John
updated everyone on his efforts to get answers from FC to his questions
regarding the Links, listing dates and names of those he has contacted. He is
continuing in this task to find someone in FC to supply the requested
information.
9.5 Somerville
Street – M. McDonald
Neil
Millsop made a request on behalf of Martin McDonald for £50 from the Community
Council to fund a postcard drop to householders and businesses in Somerville
Street. The aim is to improve the appearance of the street. The postcards would
assess the willingness of people in the street to support this.
Cllr Leslie and John
Russell put forward alternative suggestions for ways of informing residents. It
was agreed that the Community Council would fund up to £50 worth of printing
and related costs, subject to further discussion between Martin McDonald and
John Russell on options for design, materials and production.
9.6 Scottish
Local TV Forum – 21 Feb 2011 – B. Partridge
Brian
Partridge reported on the forum he had attended in Perth, giving a full account
of the content and explaining the Terrestrial and Broadband means of relaying digital
TV.
9.7 Spring
Bedding – S. McGregor (Absent)
The
Secretary opened this topic by explaining why she would have voted against the
decision taken at the previous meeting had she been there. At no point had she
the opportunity to disagree. The Chairman explained that a decision had been taken
at the previous meeting and the topic would not be re-opened for discussion.
It
was recognised that an application to the Common Good Fund to pay for bedding
plants by the CC, approved by the CC at the previous meeting, has attracted
some disquiet. Subsequent to the meeting it emerged that the application had
been amended after submission and without Sheila’s knowledge or consent. Cllr Kay
is investigating within FC.
9.8 Common Good Fund Applications – J. Russell / I. Smith
In
the light of the previous discussion, John Russell put forward the proposal
that any future application by the CC to the Common Good Fund, should be
approved by the CC in advance.
The
Chairman advised of circumstances where time was genuinely of the essence and
the Community Council should retain enough flexibility to cope in such
situations.
It
was agreed that evidence of support would be a pre-requisite for Common Good
Fund applications, and that such evidence could be gathered outwith the normal
cycle of meetings if that was appropriate to the circumstances.
John
Russell and Alex MacDonald are to confer before asking FC for clarification of
how plants on the Links are funded.
10. Items Carried Forward from Feb Meeting
10.1 Burgh Chambers Furniture
Bob
Smith reported on discussions he had had with the Chairman regarding the
condition of furniture in the Burgh Chambers. He has since sourced a quote from
a French Polisher of £7,500, to refurbish the tables in the Council Chambers,
the top of the table in the Court Room and the bench top in the Court room.
More
quotes are to be sought with a view to applying to the Common Good Fund to finance.
11. Awaiting Update
11.1
Scottish
Water/Haugh Road Flooding
Carried
Forward
11.2
Common
Good Fund - Property Review Carried
Forward
11.3
Common
Good Accounts Discrepancy – (Rossend Motel, Kinghorn) Carried Forward
11.4
Signage
to Beach – Cllr Leslie
Cllr
Leslie informed that the 2 benches for the Links would be replaced within
approximately a week.
She
confirmed that under the ruling of Blue Flag status signage to the beach had to
show the shortest route. Therefore the sign outside the station directing foot
traffic along West Leven Street would stay as is.
A
question was put from the floor, asking where the original yellow metal housing
for the seasonal lifeguards was and why it could not be put back since the
destruction of the 3 wooden huts.
Cllr
Edwards to find out
11.5 Outcome of Proposed visit to 104 High Street
– Cllr Edwards – Carried Forward
11.6 Litter pick and clean up - Cllr Edwards –
Carried Forward
12. New
Business Items
12.1
Pathway at 147 Kinghorn Road
Subsequent
to representations from Dr Ron Smith and others, FC will pursue as a ‘Right of
Way’
12.2 Palace Cinema – Arthur Whyte
Arthur
Whyte described the problems he is suffering as an adjoining property to the
vacant site, of eyesore and encroaching growth, which could be negated by erecting
boarding to protect his boundary.
The
Alex MacDonald to
email to Ken Halley requesting CPO re-activation and solid boarding.
12.3 Closure of Links Toilets
Cllr
Leslie has done all to investigate a rumour that the Links toilets were to close
and has found nothing to confirm it. It
is believed these toilets will remain open.
12.4. Burntisland Scout Jamboree Funding – Common
Good Fund Application.
Request was supported.
12.5. Erosion
of Footpath – Cowdenbeath Road to Binn Hill
Erosion due
to Flooding
was pinpointed at 3 locations
·
Path below Binn pond
·
Path adjacent to quarry
·
Culvert on Cowdenbeath Road
Cllr Edwards
pursuing
12.6. Local Community Planning Consultation
Document
To be passed on to Tim Hailey
12.7. Fife Direct Web Site: Your Town Update
Paul Briscoe agreed to rewrite
in more positive light
13. Any
Other Business
13.1. Lothian
Road Signage to Car Park
It
was agreed that this would be a sensible proposal.
Cllr Leslie
pursuing
13.2. Beacon Centre
The Beacon is to reopen on 28 March 2011, much later
than first mooted as more parts of the building were found needing attention.
CC to ask if the ‘dry side’ i.e the gym
could be opened now.
13.3. Toll Centre
Management Arrangement
Jay
Hipperson of the Toll Centre Management Committee informed everyone that,
although the Toll Centre was nothing to do with Fife Council, being voluntarily
administered, the post of supervisor to date had been funded by FC. In future
this post will only be part funded for 3 months by FC. Jay was therefore
putting out a desperate appeal for match funding and volunteers to help with
this crisis.
The
meeting closed at 9.35 p.m.
13.4. World Challenge Project – Carried Forward
14. Date of Next Meeting
The
next meeting is scheduled for Friday 8 April 2011 at 7.00 p.m. in the Burgh
Chambers