BENARTY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting 7 March 2019
Present: Anne Hay, Jim Christie, Brian Menzies, Jack Colquhoun, John Purdie, Tom Kinnaird, Cllr Erskine, Cllr Liewald, Cllr McLelland, PC Smith
Also Present: 5 members of the public
Apologies: Willie Clarke, Brian Di Placito
Absent: Cllr Lockhart
Chair Welcome
Before the meeting started Jim Christie brought to the attention of all that the rules state that Community Council meetings are not public meetings but are meetings which are open to the public. Chair welcomed all to the meeting. Chair notified all of the resignation of David Moore for family reasons. Chair read out two applications to the Community Council, one from Claire Graham and one from Sharon Kinnaird. Sharon was nominated by Jim Christie and seconded by Brian Menzies and Claire was nominated by Jack Colquhoun and seconded by John Purdie and both were elected to the Community Council.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were read.
Matters Arising
Cllr Liewald noted that the walked route would have done that day if not for the Full Council meeting and it was scheduled for another day. Cllr Erskine noted that it was the route which would be assessed after a year not the scheme. The minutes were proposed as correct by Jim Christie and seconded by Jack Colquhoun.
Police Report
PC Smith presented a report to from 7 February to 7 March. 154 calls were received and 19 crime records were created from those calls. 23 out of 31 offences were detected giving a detection rate of 74%. A drug warrant was executed resulting in the confiscation of drugs with the value of between £2,500 and £3,000 and an arrest was recorded. A shoplifting resulted in a charge and other enquiries are ongoing. The break in at Lochore Meadows has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Cllr McLelland asked about anti-social behaviour amongst youngsters and PC Smith confirmed he talks to children at schools and in the area on an ongoing basis.
PC Smith left.
Cllr Liewald Left
Treasurer Report
Cllr Liewald returned.
Treasurer gave a brief update on the report and noted that although there was no change he was still waiting on the forms from the bank to make the change over. He was also still waiting on Fife Council sending brief training information. The money for the bells project was mentioned and it was also mentioned that planning may have to be re submitted. Brian Menzies felt that this project has gone on for too long and Cllr Erskine said she would ask for an update.
Secretary Report
Secretary updated on some issue and asked for decisions from the Community Council on George V Park and the proposals to fence off part of it. The Community Council agreed to wait until there was more information. The planning application in regard to containers being sited next to Baynes bakers. There was agreement that the Community Council was against this and the letter prepared would be submitted. It was agreed it was an unsuitable idea for the area, parking would be an issue. The plans were discussed and Cllr Liewald said that although her first impression was to be against it the application had to go through due process and the officers will look at it. Cllr Erskine suggested a site visit may be in order for the Committee that will look at it.
Fife Councillors Report
The Councillors gave verbal updates on matters, including some housing issues, anti social behaviour complaints and heating and cladding for council tenants. It was noted some people were being charged for podiatry treatment when they should not have been. Head Teachers in Fife were also given some discretion on spending money and it seemed most dec8ided to spend on staff and school resources and sharing resources between schools.
Public Questions
Public questions were asked about the West Fife Enterprise closing down and if Benarty Community Council would assist? Brian Menzies asked if West Fife Enterprises had written to the community council and was told no. Brian suggested that if West Fife Enterprises wrote to all the community councils to ask for support they would get support. Jack Colquhoun mentioned that some residents in his area are concerned about the land nearby and think it may be turned into a play park for children. Cllr McLelland mentioned that this has not been discussed as an idea and may be hearsay, and advised people to go to a Cllr surgery if they have concerns.
Lochore Meadows
Secretary notified the Community Council that he had thought again about being the Community Council representative on the Meadows Board and still decided against it, and asked for another representative. Reasons for leaving were asked for and Secretary told the Community Council that there were previous issues discussed but the deciding thing had been the Agenda of the last Meadows Board meeting which stated all meetings were private and confidential at the bottom of the Agenda and this was not a good thing. Brian Menzies confirmed this, adding that he didn’t notice it until later on his own copy of he Agenda, and also worrying were the charges being introduced to groups which seemed excessive. Cllr Erskine said she had not seen any charges. Chair asked for a new representative for the Community Council and Anne Hay said she would give it a go.
Boundaries Group
Chair informed all about the successful relocation of the boundary of Benarty Community Council, and congratulated and thanked everyone from the Benarty Community who contributed, and also said that he was still waiting for official notification and a map from Fife Council. Brian Menzies mentioned that he had the old rates for Glencraig and Lochgelly and no one from Glencraig paid rates to Lochgelly.
Any other Competent Business
Cllr Erskine asked Tom Kinnaird about the comments regarding her mentioned at the last meeting. Tom Kinnaird said that he had emailed a link where she could go to see all the comments and Cllr Erskine said she was not prepared to visit the link. Tm Kinnaird said all he could do was send the link. There was no other business.
Citizen of the Year
The Community Council met in private to discuss and detail policies and procedures for the Citizen of the Year Awards, in the hope that these can be agreed and in place in time for the next Citizen of the Year Award.
