Here are the approved minutes of the March Meeting.
BENARTY COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING ON THURSDAY 7 MARCH 2024
Chair Welcome
Chair welcomed all to the meeting.
Present, Debbie Doyle (Chair), Charlotte Howe, John Purdie, Jack Colquhoun, David Hynd, Stephen Scott, Sarah-Jane Ratcliffe, Lisa Reid, Maggie Bell, PC Harmes, PC Truby, Robert Hay (member of the public), Cllr Erskine
Apologies, Anne Hay, Watty Watson, Kath Donnachie
Declaration of Interests
Charlotte Howe and Maggie Bell declared interests in the Micro Grant applications.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were read, there was a minor error to be amended. The minutes were proposed by Jack Colquhoun and seconded by David Hynd.
Matters Arising
Police Report
The police report was received and distributed to community councillors. PC Harmes and PC Truby added more detail to the report and answered questions, mainly in relation to quad bikes and traffic situations. PC Harmes noted that Police Scotland was soon to be attending local schools for a Youth Volunteer programme for the Cowdenbeath area where young people would be trained and volunteer for events.
Reports
Treasurer went through the circulated financial report, noting that newsletter money had been transferred back to the Community Council account and ring-fenced, that the micro grants had come off and the previous treasurer had been reimbursed for cash spending. Treasurer getting a debit card for the account was agreed. Benarty and St Kenneth’s Primary made brief reports noting for Benarty that the parent council meeting had been cancelled and not much to report, previously mentioned events were successful. St Kenneth’s were invited by Fife Council to tour the new learning campus and it looked good but still a lot of work to be done. Not yet sure if community use will be included. There will be a St Kenneth’s Connect, which will be similar to the Companion’s Club, a community drop in on Friday afternoons. Secretary noted correspondence received, including from the Arts Club, Benarty Primary, Fife Council re the Settlement Trust and the meeting of Fife Community Councils. Cllr Erskine gave a brief report including notice that the building at Ore Park was in the process of being demolished but the Community Asset Transfer was still ongoing as far as she knew. Cllr Erskine had attended Local Parent Councils, the bulk of her work was the normal items such as housing. Cllr Erksine was asked about the scatter flats in Ballingry and responded by saying that there was a court case and the judgement was that Fife Council were not homeless ness properly so the scatter flats would still be needed to assist with the judgement. Cllr Erskine did suggest contacting any tenants association who would be able to assist.
Number 13 Bus Service
The ending of this service was discussed and it was agreed to write to Fife Council to see if it can be reinstated as a subsidised service as a direct route to Kirkcaldy was very important to the citizens of Benarty.
Open Forum, Any other Competent Business
A member of the public raised the issue of large stones being removed and built up behind the new houses at New Flockhouse, where the building has temporarily halted, and was looking on information on what to do about it. CLlr Erskine took details and said she would assist.
Citizen of the Year
Details for Citizen of the Year were clarified and agreed.
Micro Grants
Micro grants of £250 each were awarded to Save the Cage and Lyn Malvenan.
Date of nest meeting Thursday 4 April 2024
