Approved Minutes of December 2025

Apologies:

SJ Ratcliffe, L Reid, S Scott

1.

Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2.

Apologies

See above.

3.

Declarations of Interests

No declarations of interest were made.

4.

Minutes of Last Meeting

Proposed by S Colquhoun, seconded by D Hynd.

5.

Matters Arising

Catchment Survey: Progress report still required.

Proposed Double Yellow Lines at Benarty Primary School: It was agreed that Keith Johnston from Fife Council be invited to the next BCC meeting.  Cllr Erskine reported that a week or so before the meeting, a car had mounted the pavement at the school and had nearly hit a child.  She had raised this with Fife Council and Keith Johnston had been advised that he should be at the4 school at start and finish times to witness the traffic problems that exist.

All other matters arising were covered by the agenda.

C Howe

C Howe

8 January

8 January

6.

Reports

a)       Chair: Nothing to report.

b)       Secretary: The Secretary presented her report that had been circulated with the papers for the meeting.

c)        Treasurer:  The meeting noted the written Treasurer’s report.

d)       Police: No Police report had been received in time for the meeting.

e)       Schools: Nothing to report.

f)         Westfield Community Committee: Nothing to report.

g)       Fife Community Councils Group: Nothing to report.

h)       Benarty Centre Management Committee: Nothing to report.

i)          Local Councillors: Cllr Erskine reported that:

a)    She had attended the parent council meeting at Lochgelly High School.  The cost of providing a pocket for mobile phones was being explored.  Mobiles would be locked during the school day.  A new system for matching subject choices to jobs was being progressed.  Two case studies showed that the system was beneficial.

b)    She had met with Kevin McLean re Santa;s Sleigh, which was still short of the amount required to replace the sleigh.  Kevin had been advised to apply to Fife Council for funding.

c)     An update on housing was provided.

d)    Based on a pilot of P6/7 school children in Benarty, the Cowdenbeath Area Committee had agreed to roll out swimming lessons to all children.  There was a discussion on the recommended source of funds that was being put to the Area Committee, but this was expected to be resolved.

e)    The intergenerational events that were held in Lochgelly and Cardenden had gone well and there were plans for an event at Easter 2026 with Benarty Primary School children.

7.

Any Other Business

a)       Visitor Levy Consultation: The Committee discussed the proposals to introduce a visitor levy in Fife, which could potentially raise £3m income for Fife.  It was agreed that if a levy was introduced, that it should be no more than 5% of accommodation costs, which is the amount currently charged by Edinburgh; and that any income should be spent on improving infrastructure.  The BCC was split on whether to support the levy or not, with DH, CH, DD & LM in favour and WW, JP & SC against.  Information had been posted on social media sites so that the public could participate.

b)       Mossmorran Joint Letter: A proposed draft, joint letter about Mossmorran was discussed.  It was agreed that the BCC would support the letter.

c)        Firework Control Zones: Following a request from a resident and a letter from A Ewing MSP it was agreed to run a poll on potentially banning fireworks from some or all parts of Benarty.  Poll to run until just after the New Year celebrations.

d)       Ore Energy Park: It was agreed to arrange a meeting with Lochgelly CC to see if we could agree a joint line re the proposed Ore energy park.

e)       New Powers for Community Councils: The BCC discussed correspondence that had been received about lobbying for new powers for community councils.  The BCC agreed not to support the proposals.

C Howe

J Purdie

C Howe

8 January

8 January

8 January

9..

Date of Next Meeting: