BENARTY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting 6 June 2019
Present: John Purdie, Tom Kinnaird, Sharon Kinnaird, Claire Graham, Anne Hay, PC Smith, Cllr Linda Erskine, Brian Menzies, Willie Clarke, Cllr Rosemary Liewald, Jim Christie, Jack Colquhoun
Also present: 7 members of the public
Apologies: Sheila Ross
Absent: Cllr Lockhart, Brian Di Placitio
Chair Welcome
Chair welcomed everyone and gave a quick update on the situation of the state of the road on the Hill Road, and that Fife Council had given a quote of several million pounds to fix this.do the schools reps here. New members were present and it was asked if the wanted to become full Community Councillors or co-opted Community Councillors. The choice was as representatives, and therefore co-opted, but the option of becoming full Community Councillors was still on the table. SarahJane Ratcliffe, Maggie Bell and Lisa Reid were co-opted onto the Community Council.
The Chair suspended the June meeting to reconvene the 2019 AGM
The Chair closed the AGM and reconvened the June meeting.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were read.
Matters Arising
Jim Christie asked about Ore Park and as informed there are no updates at present. Brian Menzies mentioned that Annabelle Ewing had asked if Benarty were members of the Mossmorran group, the answer was no but membership had been requested. Cllr Rosemary Liewald added that Kelty had been invited, discussed and voted on it and decided not to join. The minutes were proposed as correct by Sharon Kinnaird and seconded by Jim Christie
Westfield
The draft minutes of the first meeting were available. Chair gave some details on the meeting attended by four Benarty Community Council representatives and explained that future meeting would take place four times a year, and asked if anyone would wish to attend the next meeting in August as a representative for Benarty Community Council? It was explained that the representative can change for each meeting. There were no volunteers and the Chair said that he would attend the next meeting of the Westfield Liaison committee.
Claire Graham left
Police Report
PC Smith gave a report of activity from 7 May until 6 June. There were 216 calls, 30 of which became crime records. There was a fairly significant amount of cannabis recovered during an ongoing investigation. There were 13 road traffic matters, 5 vandalism matters and assault charges were recorded.
Claire Graham returned
Some incidents from the previous report have been acted on and resolved. There has been a change in management. The community speed watch is up and running and will be approached to monitor Glencraig. Members of the community can still get involved. There were no questions and Chair thanked PC Smith.
Treasurer Report
Treasurer reported that there was no change since the last report, and that the bank was still in the process of changing the signatories on the account, and that he could not contact the bank direct until it was confirmed that he was the new treasurer and his name was on the account. A member of the public mentioned that it had taken them close to a year to have signatures changed with banks.
Secretary Report
Secretary noted there were no planning applications to mention. The website would be worked on over the holiday period and if any Community Councillor wished to participate they were welcome. Claire Graham volunteered to help.
The local foodbank situated at Brag were celebrating their fifth year and had invited the Community Council or a representative to the open day.
The Credit Union were also having an open day and the Community Council or representative was invited to it.
The Heritage Group had sent a letter asking if we wanted to continue our sponsorship/advert. It was agreed we would and the Treasurer would issue a cheque for £100 as soon as possible.
There was note of a complaint received which would be detailed later as very relevant to ongoing matter.
Secretary noted that the Community Council would be on holiday until September but short Monthly reports would still be delivered at the beginning of July and August to Community Councillors to keep them updated.
Cllr Linda Erskine entered
Fife Councillors Report
Cllr Erskine apologised as she had been called to an incident. Cllrs Erskine and Liewald presented reports which covered appointments of Schools and Heads of Services at Education, workshops with teachers, what schools are going to help alleviate poverty; best start grants where £250 is available to families, a fantastic event for the 5th year of Jenny Lee, the 50th Anniversary of the Open University. It was asked if Benarty could get a new medical centre in light of all the new housing being built. Cllr Erskine said that medical centres take a long time, the medical centre for Lochgelly was a good example of the length of time required. Chair thanked the Cllrs.
Public Questions
No public questions were received.
Community Council Scheme Review
The submission to the review for the Scheme for Establishment of Community Councils in Fife was discussed. Secretary said that Fife Council had allowed extra time, until the end of July, for Community Councils to submit their initial response on the Review, and note any areas of interest it should concentrate on. The draft submission from Benarty Community Council was distributed. It was noted that since Benarty Community Council was on holiday until September we could submit our response now as the Review Generally runs for three months consultation with Community Councils before being put to the public for comments. At present we did not know the full dates for review and it was best to have our submission with Fife Council rather than risk a late submission. Secretary asked if there were any questions or suggestions for the draft document. There were none and it was agreed to send the document to Fife Council.
Any other Competent Business
Claire Graham issued a draft document for approval of the Community Council. It was a document with information for the public that can be left on chairs in the public gallery for attending members of the public, giving contact details and more information. John Purdie mentioned that the Standing Orders could be incorporated in this. The document was approved.
Sharon Kinnaird passed around a few copies of a document for proposed charges at Lochore Meadows. There was discussion on the charges and costs groups could incur for use of the Meadows. Cllr Erskine said they were standard Fife Council charges. It was mentioned that only one group had received the document. The Chair asked the Councillors if they would look into the document and seek assurances that charities and local voluntary groups would not be charged.
Willie proposed and Brian seconded that the Community Council should ask for an inquiry into the procedure Fife Council undertook to look into the request for boundary changes. Chair mentioned that the Community Council was on a break until September and the Community Council can take the matter up at that time. Willie agreed and said he would tie up with the Secretary in preparation for this.
Chair closed the public part of the meeting and notified all of the next meeting date.
Complaint/Allegation of Criminality against Community Council
The Community Council discussed this ongoing matter and reached an agreement on the next step.
Citizen of the Year
There was brief discussion on this matter and it was agreed the new form be put in place and the guidelines be adopted, with ongoing revision.
Chair thanked everyone and closed the meeting, noting that the Community Council will be on holiday until September, and the date of the next meeting, Thursday 5 September 2019 7 PM
