Here are the approved notes of the meeting.
Notes of meeting of Benarty Community Council held online, Thursday 6 January 2022
Chair Welcome
Chair welcomed everyone and commenced the meeting, explaining that it was due to be held in person but changes to regulations had forced it online. PC Kirk met the chair at the centre and went through the report.
Present, Tom Kinnaird, John Purdie, Jack Colquhoun, Brian De Placito, Brian Menzies, Cllr Liewald
Apologies: Margaret Greer, Debbie Doyle, Ann Hay, Sarah Jane Ratcliffe.
Declaration of interest
No declarations of interest were made.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were read. The minutes proposed by Jack Colquhoun and seconded by Brian Menzies
Matters arising
Brian Menzies noted that the coast and countryside trust maintained paths at the Meadows and also confirmed that rangers were let go. There has been work done at the park, noted as the first movement by Fife Coast and Countryside Trust in a long time. It was established the Trust were still a full stakeholder in the park and still working there. Brian Menzies asked if the land where old centre was owned by education department and if money received would go back to the education department. Cllr Liewald said it was hoped it would but the likely-hood is it would go back into a central pot for allocation. Brian de Placito asked if the community would have a say in what happens there. Cllr Liewald said most developers look for community input.
Police Report
Police report was read out. Cllr Liewald noted that the Cowdenbeath area would be losing two officers one going to a different division and another retiring.
Schools report
No report.
Secretary report
John Purdie went through correspondence, and noted that Fife Council no longer kept minutes of Community Council meetings, Brian Menzies where would be found and John Purdie said they could be found be libraries. Benarty Community Council comments and concerns on the new Play park at Lochore Meadows were more or less dismissed. Brian Menzies said they were important, especially the parking issue. The new play park is a huge step forward in inclusion. Cllr Liewald said she would chase up the issue of the disabled parking. Brian Menzies asked if the one toilet would be adequate. Cllr Liewald said these things need to be looked at. Brian de Placito noted that it would receive publicity when opened which could result in extra people arriving. Brian Menzies will be very busy and we hope everything is covered.
Signatory
A volunteer was found. It was decided to get clarification with online banking.
Treasurer report
No movement on the account apart from transfer back to Fife Council of the Bells money. The Community Council agreed that it should look to donating more during the remainder of the financial year. Brian Menzies and John Purdie suggested we start looking for groups to donate to, there are lots in Benarty area and some ideas were discussed.
Any other business
John Purdie brought up the issue of the flats in Martin Crescent and how they were almost fully occupied and nothing wrong with them. Cllr Liewald reacted with laughter and swung back in her chair. Cllr Liewald said they were expecting a lengthy report to the area committee and that no decision had been made, all that was taking place was a consultation with the tenants. John Purdie noted that Cllr Lockhart had categorically state the flats would be demolished. Cllr Liewald said that no decision had been made and a consultation with tenants had taken place. Chair asked how long the matter had been going on and Cllr Liewald responded that it had been looked into for probably two years. Brian said flats built in the sixties and remembers them being built and at that time they were good housing. For the new Flockhouse extension the developer still working on it. Chair mentioned the path at and if there was any progress. There should have been a response from Sarah Roxburgh. Cllr Liewald has heard nothing else. Chair noted it should have been sorted in 2020 and we are now in 2022. Fife council need to step up and deal with it as Fife council owns the land. Cllr reports were discussed and were to be placed online. Looking for a second look around the area by councilors, areas suggested by Brian Menzies. It was agreed to send an email to the Cllrs inviting them to the meeting and asking for reports to be submitted one week prior to any meeting.
Micro Grants
No micro grant applications had been received
Citizen of the Year
The Community Council discussed and agreed upon the Citizen of the Year Award and the young Citizen of the year award. Some Community Councilors had voted via proxy.
