BENARTY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER 2019
Present: Brian Menzies, Anne Hay, Jim Christie, Jack Colquhoun, Tom Kinnaird (Chair), John Purdie, Sharon Kinnaird
Also Present: Christine Heeps, Donna Clark
Apologies: PC Smith, Cllr Rosemary Liewald, Cllr Linda Erskine, Claire Graham, Sheila Ross, Margaret Greer
Absent without apology: Cllr Mary Lockhart, Cllr Lea McLelland, Brian De Placito
Chair Welcome
Chair welcomed all to the meeting. Chair explained that the November meeting was cancelled due to the passing of a person who was a local citizen beloved by the community and known across the UK. The Community Council then observed a minute silence in remembrance of Willie Clarke.
Minutes of the Previous Meetings
The minutes of the previous meeting were read. The minutes were proposed as correct by Sharon Kinnaird and seconded by Jim Christie.
Matters Arising
Brian Menzies asked about the VE Day 75 and seeing as Community Councils would be one of the main drivers of this, what is planned for Benarty Community Council to do? John Purdie mentioned that the document had been given to the previous Chair for consideration and that the subject of VE day 75 will come back to the Community Council at a future meeting.
There was detailed discussion on the Bells project; it was confirmed that there was a committee containing members of the two churches where the bells came from, and it was suggested the Community Council contact them so a representative can attend the January meeting to help close the project. The new area manager for the Cowdenbeath area would also be contacted to find out how much information has been passed on to them. It was mentioned that it does seem to be going round and round in circles, that it has been going on for several years and it was promised to be resolved by September but we are now in December, and that the money was in the Community Council account and had been sitting for some time.
The Microgrants were discussed as the Community Council had requested control of this be handed over to the Community Council but this proposal had been rejected. Again it was mentioned that there was money in the Community Council account over which it had little control. Anne Hay described that it was set up that way from the beginning. The Chair said that it should be looked at again. Anne Hay described how the fund operated and that the community had a say in who was awarded which grants, and that it was set up to allow the smaller grants to be dealt with quickly.
Police Report
PC Smith submitted his apologies and a report, summarised here: During the past month, Police Scotland has received 168 calls to the Benarty area. This led to 30 crime records being created for investigation, 10 of the crime records reported have resulted in 23 detected offences against offenders. The detection rate for all reported offences is 55 %. Of the 168 calls received 25% have resulted in crimes being reported. The police have responded to 17 road traffic matters, 5 crimes of vandalism and this has led to 7 detected charges against offenders. There have been 8 assault charges and police have attended 4 shoplifting incidents. There were a number of calls in relation to smashed bottles and evidence of drug use at St Kenneths, which has also been identified as an area where youths congregate. A number of these youths have been identified and personally contacted along with letters from the Police provided to their parents giving guidance on dangers of congregation. It was great honour to be part of the Remembrance Day Ceremony to lay the wreath on behalf of Police Scotland, I’d like to thank all persons who help organise the event. On Armistice Day I attended Benarty Cemetery with pupils from both schools, again I’d like to thank Jim for organising this ceremony.
Schools Update
Sarah Jane submitted her apologies and notes, summarised here: The anti social behaviour has continued, contact with Cllr McClelland was initiated. If anyone knows anything about child ‘parking attendants’ information can be given to Sarah Jane and the school. The children are preparing for Christmas performances and any donations for prizes would be gratefully received. The whole school is appreciative of the tickets donated by Benarty Community Fund so pupils can attend performances of Aladdin at the Alhambra. St Kenneths would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a great 2020.
Statements and Social Media
To save some time it was decided to move this matter to the end of the meeting.
Secretary Report
A Planning
John Purdie informed the Community Council that for the erection of 24 houses at KY5 8EZ the Community Council has asked to be a consultee and also asked for the HRA assessment. An extension beyond the closing date of 4 December was also requested due to the Community Council meeting after that date. An HRA assessment has not been received even though it is a regulatory requirement. There had also been one objection lodged locally. Crail Community Council also registered as a statutory consultee and Benarty Community Council thought this odd. Communities and Neighbourhoods in Cupar have asked for a contribution to nearby amenities, £1,000 per unit, £24,000 in total. It was agreed the Secretary would submit a response and contact Crail Community Council for clarity. There was some discussion on the contribution to nearby amenities and if Section 75 applied although Communities and Neighbourhoods in Cupar believed it did by their request.
B Play Spaces
This is an online form and believed closed by the time of the meeting, although a submission had been made by a Community Councillor.
C Website
The Community Council agreed to launch the website after reviewing the guidelines below. All Community Councillors were given the user name and password to enable them to make posts when they wished along with a tutorial to guide them through creating a post.
Guidelines for posting to the Community Council website:
Any Community Councillor is welcome to sign into the website and create posts. For the sake of consistency and neutrality the guidelines below should be followed.
a) Language in posts should be formal and neutral, avoid any personal opinions, slang or swear words.
b) Posts should be spell checked and where possible reviewed by another member of the Community Council.
c) Ideally posts should not be published immediately but scheduled from writing to allow for reflection, revision, checking, and additional checks by another member of the Community Council. Emergency posts, time sensitive posts, and information posts copied and pasted from other sources can be exempt from this guideline.
d) Posts should be allocated their proper place on the correct page and the correct tags and categories used. If in doubt consult with the Administrator/Secretary.
e) Consultation with the Administrator/Secretary and another member of the Community Council is required before changing any ‘static’ pages.
f) Check published and scheduled posts to ensure there is no duplication of posts by different Community Councillors.
D It was noted about an email about Scottish Government and consultation with Community Councils about housing, ‘Present voices, future lives’ and there is an exhibition tour but the closet it comes to Fife is Dundee or Edinburgh.
E Fife Council forwarded an email about guest speakers at Community Councils in relation to self directed support. Self directed support is for any child or adult who the Council agrees need extra support with everyday activities. If any Community Councillor is aware of any person in the Benarty area who could benefit from this they can contact the Secretary or Julia L Walker, SDS Options (Fife), (julia.sds@dphsfife.org.uk)
F SEPA asked if we could distribute leaflets locally. It was agreed to leave some at the Centre reception after the meeting.
G On 10 October 2019 a complaint arrived from Mr David McKay. This was forwarded to the Chair and the Vice Chair, confirmation of receipt was sent to Mr McKay, blind copying in two Fife Council officers.
H Cowdenbeath area committee documents were received. The only item of note for Benarty was the report supporting the allocation of money to Lochore meadows Country Park for play equipment, proposed by Friends of Lochore Meadows. This item was delayed from the previous meeting. Cllrs leaving for discussion on this would leave the Committee inquorate. It was noted that Cllr Campbell also attends the meetings of Friends of Lochore Meadows. It was also noted that when half the Cowdenbeath Area Committee has to excuse themselves due to membership of Friends of Lochore Meadows it’s time for Fife Councillors to re-evaluate how many of them are on the Friends of Lochore Meadows Board.
I On 15 October 2019 the email below was received from the Chair of Friends of Lochore Meadows, re opening a correspondence believed closed. Some of the following errors in the email were noted: there was no explanation provided by David, John Purdie did not persist with anything as information was given to the Chair of Friends of Lochore Meadows at appropriate times, among other errors.
Dear John
With regard to the emails I have received from yourself. I am struggling to understand why, after I have replied to you with David’s explanation, you are persisting with this. As I have stated in previous emails, the Junior Park Run has NOTHING to do with Friends of Lochore Meadows.
So I now have some concerns of my own. I would like to ask if your communication with me has been acknowledged and agreed by all members of Benarty Community Council? I stated in an email to you that I was concerned about the tone of your emails on this subject. I am now beginning to feel harassed as when I answer your queries, you are not accepting the answers I give you. Instead you continue to retort.
I therefore request that you read this email with these concerns at the next Benarty Community Council meeting and that it is noted and minuted. If this is then not an end to the matter and you continue to labour the point, I will have no option but to make a formal complaint to Fife Council. I also intend to bring this matter to the attention of the members of Friends of Lochore Meadows at our next meeting.
Lorna Gallagher
Chair – FOLM
J The Community Council discussed the email received from Central Dunfermline Community Council asking for support, and agreed to support the request by objecting to the delegated disposal of Common Good land within Central Dunfermline Community Council’s boundaries.
Treasurer Report
Treasurer gave a brief verbal report saying no change to the information provided.
Fife Councillors Report
There were no Fife Councillors present.
Public Questions
No public questions had been received. Donna Clark said she wanted to ask a question but was told that the procedure was for letters to be submitted 10 days prior to a meeting, but if there was time at any other business she could ask, although the meeting was running late. Donna Clark then tried to ask the Secretary about a matter due to be discussed in private later.
Procedural Decisions – Budget
There was discussion on the money the Community Council received from Fife Council and how the Community Council should spend that during the year. It was noted that not much does come in, the balance given by the Treasurer includes money ring fenced for certain projects. It was noted the Community Council saves money by not paying for room hire, and additional money is saved by the Secretary not taking the allowance previously set aside for Secretary expenses, but that spending so far had accounted for seventy five to eighty percent of the money available and there were still some months to go. Anne Hay did note that some amounts given out did seem a little high. Treasurer suggested that the money for the pug could go to another project but Brian Menzies and the Chair said that it had to go back to where it came from. The money for the Cemetery Gates was also discussed and Treasurer told the Community Council that no monies had been received as yet and the money paid out to the person closing the gates was coming from Community Council money. He had been in contact with Fife Council and was assured that payments would arrive in the Community Council account to cover what has been paid out, and that Fife Council has said Benarty is the only Community Council in Fife still doing this service.
Any Other Competent Business
Jim Christie raised an item; the Heritage Group had discussed about a miners memorial that commemorated both those who had died in the industry and those who had died of dust and disease later. The Heritage group were visiting Ayrshire to see their memorials to discover if there is any information to pass on for similar memorials here in Fife. Jim mentioned that in Dunfermline Library there was a Book of Remembrance that would have information on a lot of miners in the area. General discussion ensued. The Chair said any such project in the area would have the backing of the Community Council.
Chair gave a brief report on the Westfield Liaison Committee he had attended. Things were moving forward and that it looks like the project will break ground next year. He had written a Fife Councillor asking why any community benefit had been tied to construction and not before construction, but had not received any reply. Chair also noted that Kinross had already received a benefit in money going toward their roads. The Community Councils of Portmoak, Cardenden, Kinglassie and Benarty had attended the last meeting along with additional representatives from the company and the local authorities. Jim Christie asked if it would provide jobs. Chair said it should as they are looking to create industrial premises and a large amount of solar panels. Anne Hay asked who owns it and Chair told her Hargreaves own the land and Brockwell will be responsible for construction. Brian Menzies asked if the electricity will go into the grid. Chair said it would but they would also be looking to supply electricity to businesses on site, which would be a selling point. Jim Christie asked what they would be burning and the answer was everything.
Chair noted the next meeting date, thanked those attending and closed the public part of the meeting.
Donna Clark again tried to bring up a subject to be discussed by the Community Council in private, and tried to ask questions above the Chair as he informed her the public part of the meeting was closed and the meeting was running late. Christine Heeps repeatedly demanded, in a raised voice, where to send letters and was repeatedly told care of the Secretary and they could be handed in at the Centre. Despite repeated polite requests to leave so the Community Council could continue in private there was some shouting at Community Councillors before Donna Clark and Christine Heeps left.
Citizen of the Year
Under 13.2 of Standing Orders this item was heard in private
The Community Council discussed the Citizen of the Year nominations received and agreed the outcome. It was also discussed and agreed to promote the Citizen of the Year throughout the calendar year and look at the age limit for the Young Citizen of the Year at a future meeting.
Complaint/Allegation of Criminality against Community Council
Under 13.2 of Standing Orders this item was heard in private
The Community Council quickly discussed the moved Agenda item and came to agreement.
John Purdie left
The Community Council discussed and agreed on a complaint received.
John Purdie returned
The Community Council discussed and agreed on a complaint received.
The Chair thanked everyone and informed all of the date of the next meeting. The Chair then closed the meeting.
