BENARTY COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY
Present: Davie Hynd (Chairperson), Debbie Doyle (Secretary), Charlotte Howe (Treasurer), Sarah Jane Ratcliffe, Jack Colquhoun, Lisa Reid, Cllr Erskine, Cllr Lockhart.
One member of the public in our gallery
Apologies: Watty Watson, John Purdie
Declarations of interests
There were no declarations.
Minutes of previous meeting
The previous minutes were proposed by Charlotte and seconded by Debbie
Matters Arising
Settlement trust report will be going to next Cowdenbeath area committee meeting. Questions can be submitted by members of the public 10/14 days before the meeting if we have any.
Place plan launch went well with a good turnout of local groups, Fife council and CRT. The plan was well received and there were some signups for the steering group which could potential meet end of Feb/beginning of March. A gift was given to Pauline for her contributions.
Cllr Erskine said there may be some community recovery funds to help with things in the place plan (potentially an electric charge point) and will let us know when dates for applications are.
COY will be 20th March at Benarty Centre 7p.m. Betty Martin MBE will be able to come after she was extended an invitation. Quaiches and engraving will be organised. Ann MacCallum’s children have been invited, along with Susan Mackie who will present the Gordon Mackie Award.
Reminder of Climate Action workshop at Lochgelly Centre 20th Feb, where networking and a light lunch will be available.
Reports
Police report was previously circulated to members.
Chair report: Davie spoke to local businesses about parking in Lochore, however, no real plan can be put in place. He will look into who is responsible for the public bins on the street being emptied.
St Kenneths: Work will begin to start on the new nursery
Benarty: New deputy head had been appointed from existing staff. Fair share had begun in the school and is open to parents. Valentine’s disco had been planned.
Treasurers report: Document was circulated to members which showed some spends on the local place plan launch.
Secretary report: Debbie noted a spike I antisocial behaviour in the area and would speak to safer communities and community police to see if anything could be done. Debbie chased up feedback from the flooding walkabout to see if anything had come from the catchment survey however no responses was received yet.
AOCB
Cllr Erskine had been notified that a pier at Lochore meadows had been destroyed in the recent storm. They will look into it being repaired ASAP to allow activities in the water to continue safely, however, this would be very costly.
Cllr Lockhart noted that the housing emergency in the area has increased significantly added to by the stoppage of work on social housing in New Flockhouse, levels of homelessness in the area is also raising.
Chair offered thanks to those in attendance of the meeting
Microgrants are held in private
Two were received and approved.
COY was discussed in private
Next meeting Thursday 6 March 2025 7pm
