Here are the approved minutes of the February meeting:
BENARTY COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING ON THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2024
Chair Welcome
Chair welcomed all to the meeting.
Present, Charlotte Howe(Chair), John Purdie, Jack Colquhoun, David Hynd, Stephen Scott, Anne Hay, Sarah-Jane Ratcliffe, Lisa Reid
Fife Council, Michael Anderson, Rick Haynes, Alan Hall, Ross Tulloch
Cllrs Liewald, McClelland, Erskine and Lockhart
Members of the Public, David Murphy, Catherine Murphy, Carol McDonald, John McDonald, Jacqueline Morrison, Brian Menzies, Karen Hunter, Tom Kinnaird, Joe McCormack, Danny Adnan, Zahid Rahman
Apologies, Debbie Doyle, Maggie Bell, Watty Watson, Kath Donnachie
Fife Council Officers gave a presentation on the flooding in Benarty and took questions. Summary: Fife Council Officers gave a presentation outlining the situation and the remedies they propose. The area of Kirktoun Park/Navitie Park and Ballingry Graveyard were focused on and an Action Plan was given.
Action Plan
- Preliminary catchment study of the culvert has been commissioned and data being reviewed.
- In process – Quotations and preparation of contract documents for a full catchment study – estimated £80k. Funded through Housing, Property Services and R&TS Time: Approx 6 months Outcome: Potential solutions
- CCTV survey of culvert recently complete and data being analysed
- Maintain a regular regime of gully cleaning
- Implementing flood pods at Kirktoun Park & Gardens
- Actively developing property level protection grant
- Explore sources of funding for item 2.
Questions were taken during and after the presentation from those present.
A Member of Public noted that Kirkland Park was not on the map, Fife Council Officers said that one of the reasons they were here was to gain local knowledge and provide comprehensive coverage of the areas affected. A Member of the public stated that in 2019 he had walked around with surveyors who had promised to do what is currently proposed but did not, and the matter needs to be sorted once and for all. Fife Council Officers said that they would work with him and others to achieve that.
A member of the public noted that the water is running down toward the streets as the drain near the top of the hill has not been cleaned for years, it has got worse since trees were cut down. There was an undertaking by Fife Council Officers to make a visit. A member of the public if they knew where all the culverts were and if they were inspected when Ballingry was built? Fife Council Officers did not have that information and noted that technology was different in days past. A member of the public suggested that the problem could be solved by the replacement of culvert 1 and culvert 2. Fife Council Officers said they were looking at the whole area. A member of the public noted the old Primary School now under the ownership of a private company, and was not sure why development of a proposed flooding chamber had stopped. A report had been made but this seems to have gone missing, and Fife Council cannot find it. This issue is delaying development of the old primary school. Fife Council Officers noted the designs were not handed to Fife Council.
A member of the public reiterated that there had been no cleaning of the culverts for decades and this aggravated the issue. The Fife Councillors contributed, including asking for a daytime meeting, noting that it was first raised during a walkabout with staff and noting that the initial report had been created by the Housing Department. Cllr Erskine said that between now and the conclusion of the action plan there needs to be immediate mitigation and help for residents.
Chair thanked everyone and drew the discussion to a close.
Declaration of Interests
Charlotte Howe and Sarah Jane Ratcliffe declared an interest in the Citizen of the Year awards.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were read. They were proposed as correct by Sarah Jane Ratcliffe and seconded by Jack Colquhoun
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
Police Report
The police report had been received and was circulated to Community Councillors
Reports
John Purdie gave a report noting that Fife Council had been informed their insurer would no longer provide cover and were looking at a replacement, the Weekly Planning email had arrived late. It was agreed that John Purdie would attend the online meeting with other Community Councils. The decision on a date for a Climate Action Town meeting was to be agreed via email correspondence. There was no report from Benarty Primary and the only item to report for St Kenneth’s was that kindness vouchers would be distributed to local people. Jack Colquhoun provided a report with confirmation that the new micro grant award had arrived in the account.
Open Forum, Any other Competent Business
Tom Kinnaird asked about the area on Lochleven Road which had planning permission denied and if here was any progress. The Community Council had been in constant contact about this and noted that an enforcement notice had been served, Fife Council Officers were due to visit the premises and decide on the next action to take.
The Chair thanked everyone and closed the public part of the meeting.
Jack Colquhoun stepped down as Treasurer. Charlotte was proposed as Treasurer by David Hynd and seconded by Sarah Jane Ratcliffe. Charlotte Howe stepped down as Vice Chair and proposed David Hynd as Vice Chair which was seconded by John Purdie.
A brief update was given on the petition and it was agreed to continue to collect more signatures.
Citizen of the Year
The Citizen of the year award and other awards were decided.
Micro Grants
Micro grants of £250 each were agreed for Benarty Primary Parent Council and Jodi Skivington
Agreement: Citizen of the Year Awards naming
Date of Next Meeting Thursday 7 March 2024, 7:00 PM
