BENARTY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING THURSDAY 9 JANUARY 2020
Present: Cllr Linda Erskine, Brian Menzies, Jim Christie, Jack Colquhoun, Tom Kinnaird (Chair), John Purdie, Sharon Kinnaird, Sheila Ross, Cllr Rosemary Liewald, Mary Nardone, Stephen Nardone
Also Present: Karen Hunter, Debbie Doyle, Frankie Hodge
Apologies: PC Smith, Sarah Jane Ratcliffe, Claire Graham, Margaret Greer, Anne Hay, Cllr Lea McLelland
Absent without apology: Cllr Mary Lockhart, Brian De Placito
Chair Welcome
Chair welcomed all to the meeting.
Minutes of the Previous Meetings
The minutes of the previous meeting were read through. The minutes were proposed by Jack Colquhoun and seconded by Jim Christie.
Matters Arising
Cllr Erskine noted about the representation of Fife Councillors on the Friends of Lochore Meadows and that it did need tightening, the terms of reference state the Chair of the Cowdenbeath area committee and two Fife Councillors, one from each Ward but additional Fife Councillors had attended.
Police Report
PC Smith sent his apologies and a report, which was read out and summarised here: Firstly I’d like to wish a Happy and Prosperous New Year to the Community of Benarty. During the past month, Police Scotland have received 213 calls to the Benarty area. This led to 34 crime records being created for investigation, 12 of the crime records reported have resulted in 20 detected offences against offenders. The detection rate for all reported offences is 42 %. Of the 213 calls received 22.5 % have resulted in crimes being reported. Drug Crime – During this period there has been positive results following stop and searches being carried out by officers when on patrol. Road Safety We have responded to 15 Road traffic matters, 7 of these calls related to road crashes. 1 Road Traffic Offences has been reported, for falling to stop following a collision. Anti-Social Behaviour 6 crimes of vandalism and 8 crimes of threatening behaviour have been recorded, of which 4 are domestic related. Investigations so far have led to all domestic related incidents being detected with 7 charges against offenders. Violent Crime 12 Assault charges have been recorded on Police systems since 01/08/2019. This has resulted in 7 detected charges against offenders, with enquiries ongoing to trace suspects for undetected offences. Acquisitive Crime 3 acquisitive crimes have been reported in relation to theft, fraud and house breaking. Prior to this month updates, one person has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to the theft by housebreaking in the Lochore area, this person has been remanded awaiting trial. Community Involvement There has been a change of staff for the Community Team with a new Sergeant taking the helm. Our previous Sergeant Kenny Bow is off to a new role as Patrol Inspector. Sergeant Paul Cochrane took over the post on 27/12/2019, he has experience as a detective constable and as a response Sergeant, I’m sure he’ll be a great addition to the team.
Schools Update
Sara Jane Ratcliffe sent her apologies and noted that due to the Holidays there was nothing to report.
Bells Project
Mary Nardone provided background and information on the Bells Project, which had been going on for several years. When it was set up the group driving the project didn’t have a bank account and the community council agreed to hold money for it. Money was to come in from the Wind Farm and living Lomonds Project and Fife Council would make up any difference. Three or four plans were drawn up and local school children were involved. As it was being sited at the start of Lochore Meadows with the other monument there was agreement that the stone should be of the same make and colour. The last information received was that work would commence in September 2019 but this was delayed due to the need for a building warrant. Linda Erskine said that something straightforward had become complicated. A structural engineer was to be consulted and for a sub contractor on steel work. Stephen Nardone said that one of the sad things about the situation was that the children who were consulted and participated in the planning had grown up now. There was an informal agreement with Fife Council to honour the Living Lomond money, and Linda Erskine said that this could be done through the ward budget but it would have to be discussed at a ward meeting.
Mary and Stephen Nardone left.
Public Questions
No public questions were received. Chair allowed a question from Karen Hunter who asked if the email noted in the minutes was read out? The answer was partially, and that all Community Councillors had the email in question and were aware of it, however, Community Councillors also having the full correspondence there was not enough time to go into full detail.
Secretary Report
Fife Council was starting consultation on boundaries of Community Councils ending end of Feb, should have something ready for the Community Council for the February meeting. It was discovered that there is a tree preservation order for the land around the new 24 house development and Fife Council have been notified.
Planning
There were only two registrations during the period. One for the siting of a container and the other for registering the erection of four dwelling houses on the land east of Kirktoun Street.
Consultation, Phone boxes
BT is planning to remove public phone boxes and a consultation is running. There are two in Benarty that are affected; one across from the Co-op in Lochore and one in Benarty Square, Ballingry. The Community Council felt there was no need to submit due to the phone boxes being unused.
Community Council Training
Fife Council have organised a training session, “Introduction to Community Engagement “, Wednesday 20th February from 6.30pm – 9.30pm at Caledonia House in Glenrothes. One Community Councillor present showed an interest.
Other
On the subject of Crail Community Council being a consultee for the housing proposed in Ballingry this seems to be an error on the part of Fife Council.
Response from Donna Clark
As agreed the letter dealing with the complaint was sent to Donna Clark (by email). The response below was received (Thu, 5 Dec 2019, 21:58).
Dear John,
I asked you to send me the names and addresses of all the people my complaint was sent to without my permission. I was never asked about mediation. Would you confirm if you intend to send me the information I am requesting or not please?
I’ll get back to you regarding the outcome of the complaint.
Regards
Donna Clark
It was made clear that under no circumstances would the Community Council provide members of the public with names and addresses of individuals outside of the Community Council. Cllr Rosemary Liewald asked the complaint was given to any outside organisations. John Purdie said only to one organisation after they agreed to mediate.
Treasurer Report
Treasurer confirmed that the statement supplied was the same and no other monies had been received as yet, with the Cemetery Gates money due to be received. John Purdie noted that there was no invoice yet from Cycle Track. Sharon asked about the returned pug money and was told that cheque had not come off yet. Treasurer explained that Benarty Fruits had offered to provide free wreaths so they could be laid at war graves in Benarty and Lochgelly, and treasurer had laid the wreaths and would co-ordinate with peter Murphy at Benarty Fruits each year. It was asked about the savings money and Treasurer said this was a donation for discretionary use and once the bells project money has been cleared from the account the situation on the finances will become clearer.
Fife Councillors Report
Verbal reports were provided by Cllrs Liewald and Erskine. Cllr Liewald said she spent some time in Benarty over the holiday period ad was astounded by the work being done by all groups in the area. Cllr Liewald also said she had taken up some work on behalf of Cllr McLelland. Cllr Erskine said that day to day constituency work took up a lot of time and that over the holidays she met with parent councils in the area and attended as many of the school shows as she could but there were inevitable schedule conflicts. Cllr Erskine helped out with the Elderly Forum and their free lunches and said that tickets for the showing of films were bought at a low price and handed out. Food boxes from the food bank were distributed throughout the area. Cllr Erskine noted that Claire Graham had done an excellent job with the Xmas Lunch and both Claire and the staff were fantastic. There was no date set for the walk to school route but Cllr Erskine had been taking photos continuously during the winter period to show that it was vastly different to the summer period.
Questions for the councillors included the School routes and if it was to be a delegated decision or if the councillors would have a say. Sharon Kinnaird asked about the catchment area for nurseries as people from Kelty seemed to be applying for places in Benarty, and with the new houses coming online it raised concerns on capacity. Cllrs said they would check but it would appear that Kelty and Benarty were different catchment areas. The areas in Ballingry Crescent that were talked about being turned into car parking bays was also discussed and it was mentioned there might not be enough council residents nearby to justify this. The underpass in Lochore which had been receiving vandalism was also discussed, and what measures could be taken to protect it. it was complicated by the fact that it was art of the core paths.
Any other Competent Business
It was noted that the Community Council will meet with a Fife Council official in regard to Mossmorran and Community Councillors were invited to attend, and the date, tie and place of the Citizen of the Year award was given.
Chair thanked all present and closed the meeting, informing everyone of the date of the nest meeting.
