BENARTY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING AT BENARTY CENTRE THURSDAY 7 JUNE 2018, 7 pm to 9 pm
Present:
Community Councillors: Stephen Nardone, John Purdie, Tom Kinnaird (in Chair), Mary Nardone, Anne Hay, WIllie Clarke, Brian Menzies, Stuart Colquhoun
Fife Councillors: Cllr Rosemary Liewald
Also Present: Hannah Kinniard, Jim Carr, Conor Watt.
Presenting information and answering Questions: Kevin Sayer (Fife Council)
Apologies: David Moore, PC Smith, Cllr Mary Lockhart, Cllr Linda Erskine, Cllr Lea Mclelland
Presentation from Kevin Sayer
Kevin Sayer kindly attended the meeting to provide assistance and explanation for the Community Council with their interest in a participation request for Lochore Meadows Country Park. Kevin explained in detail the procedures and also answered questions. Kevin also discussed the proposal by University of St Andrews Boat Club which had been handed out and emailed a few days previous but not all Community Councillors had checked email, a few confirmed they had seen it but not had a chance to read it fully. It was decided to discuss the matter in more detail at the next meeting. Kevin also extended the deadline for responses to the beginning of October. The minutes of the previous meeting were handed out. The Chair thanked Kevin for attending. Kevin left the meeting
Chairman’s Welcome
The Chair welcomed all to the meeting.
Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were handed out. The minutes of the previous meeting were handed out and read by all. They were proposed as correct by Willie Clarke and Seconded by Anne Hay.
Matters Arising
There were minor matters arising concerning the housing project at Kirkland Farm and a short discussion ensued on the matter.
Police Report
The Police Report was read by the Chair in the absence of PC Smith.
Finance Report
The Treasurer submitted a report. There was money for the Cemetery Gate; the Pipe Band Competition and the room hires had been dealt with; waiting for the Wind Farm Panel to meet and for the micro grants to be agreed. The Chair asked if the Bells Project costs could rise? Treasurer responded that things may have changed but we still have the money from Fife Council.
Councillors Reports
Before Cllr Rosemary Liewald delivered her report the Chair asked about Ward meetings and for details on them. Cllr Liewald explained that Ward meetings were to go over items already decided at the Area Committee. Chair asked if notes from these meetings could be included in future reports and Cllr Liewald confirmed this would be done. The minutes of the previous meeting were handed out. Cllr Liewald presented her report which included a detailed and updated section on Universal Credit. There was information on a free budgeting service for Claimants. There was a discussion on the new system. Updates on road works in the local area were given. Cllr Liewald commented that she was at the opening of the Cycle track and that it was a very good and positive opening, it seems to be well used and that concerns over parking were being addressed. The grant for School uniforms was discussed as was the launch of the Running Club at the Meadows and the regular fortnightly runs.
Lochore Meadows Board Report
A report was handed out giving notes from the previous meeting of Lochore Meadows Development Board. It is presented below.
Secretary attended the meeting of the board on 29 May but there is nothing much to report. The general consensus is still that the board is going round in circles with little being achieved. Tom Kinnaird submitted the results of Social media polling. It was confirmed the meeting specifically for fishing had not been arranged. Several items were given to Cllr Erskine to take away and return with answers, including a possible trial run of the café staying open for longer, and it is believed Fife Officers will be at the next meeting to clarify the powers and range the board has and its authority.
There was a discussion on whether the Lochore Meadows Board should be constituted or not. The general consensus was for it to be constituted but there are pros and cons either way. Would the Community Council prefer the new board to be constituted or should it remain unconstituted and, as an example, constitute for specific projects
Correspondence
Correspondence was dealt with. Benarty Community Council, although not normally submitting reports, provided one to Benarty Centre. King George Park in Crosshill was discussed and it was decided to contact Fields in Trust on the matter. Cowdenbeath Area Committee passed charges for Halbeath Park and Ride, subject to a suitable consultation period, and although there were mixed feelings about the charges it was decided the Community Council write and object to the charges being introduced on the basis the park and ride was created to encourage use of public transport and charging for private cars would discourage use of the park and ride. The Community Council agreed to take out an advert with the Heritage Group. There were four applications to join the Community Council, two of the applicants were present at the meeting and were adopted on to the Community Council. The new GDPR laws were discussed. John Purdie explained the only details held by the Community Council were by and large contact details, and these were put into the public domain anyway, but the Community Council will ensure privacy is protected where needed. There were responses received on the Boundaries issue by Conservative MSPs, SNP MSP but no responses from Labour MSPs or the Ward councillors. An email regarding bus timetables was circulated and people were encouraged to participate and comment on the route for the 20A bus to go into the Meadows.
Any Other Business
Stuart asked if there was any chance of getting discounts for bus journeys as people on benefits did find that difficult. There was an answer that those on universal credit did struggle on all sorts of matters and there should be more use of public transport. There was no other business and due to time running out Chair thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting.
