Approved Minutes of June 2025

J Colquhoun (JC), S Ratcliffe (SR), Cllr L Erskine, Cllr R Liewald, R Blyth (Fife Coast & Countryside Trust)

1.

Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, and also shared the sad news of Ann Hay, a long-standing member of the Community Council, passing peacefully at home with her family.  A minute’s silence was observed, and the CC sent its condolences to her family and friends.

L Michie, L Reid, S Scott, W Watson, D Doyle (Secretary)

No declarations of interests were made.

After clarity on a few things, the minutes were proposed as accurate by C Howe, seconded by J. Purdie.

Covered by other items on the agenda.

a)      Paths Around Westfield: Robbie Blyth (Fife Coast & Countryside Trust [FC&CT]) told us of a feasibility study on opencast mines (St Ninians) and was asked to liaise with local community councils.  He put to us that the public pathways planned may be a danger to public safety and sought ways for these to enhance aesthetics and natural habitats but with no compromise of safety.  A carpark will be included in the plans which FC&CT would like to manage.  He would like the CC to seek public views and feedback to him after the AGM.

b)         Police: There was no representative from the Police, but their report was emailed to community councillors

c)         Schools:

(i)          St Kenneth’s: SR reported that the new nursery was complete and was being used.  Also, that toilet access had been sorted.  They were just waiting on the outdoor play space being completed over the summer.

(ii)         Benarty: Cllr Erskine reported that she had attended a parent council meeting and fed-back that their recent race night was successful; that funding had been raised to allow P6-P7 to having free swimming lessons at Lochgelly High School; and that on the back of the VE80 celebrations, the parent/teacher group were planning an inter-age get-together at Christmas.

(iii)       Cllr Erskine also reported that a paper was being prepared For the Cowdenbeath Area Committee to roll out swimming lessons to schools across the area. Cllr R Liewald confirmed that Bowhill pool will continue to exist after concern was expressed about its potential closure.

d)    Chair:  DH reported that Gala tickets had been handed to local schools and nurseries to distribute to children by Benarty Events Group.

e)         Treasurer: The Treasurer’s written report was discussed.

f)          Secretary:  DD reported that she had received an email from a concerned resident about anti-social behaviour, involving bikes, up The Avenue. Councillors will pick this up with Safer Communities and expressed this may be an ideal opportunity to use ‘DNA water’ with The Avenue being so narrow.

DD

31 July

a)         Terms of Reference for LPP Steering Group: These were approved by the meeting.

b)         Heritage Group Calendar: It was agreed to amend the BCC’s blurb on their sponsored page in the Heritage Group’s calendar to include the BCC logo.  It was also agreed that a group photo be taken at the AGM.

c)         Application to Upgrade Phone Mast at Ballingry Farm:  The Secretary reported that she had received notification of a local phone mast to be upgraded.  There were no public objections.

d)         Fife Forestry & Woodland Strategy Consultation: The Secretary reported that she had received notification of this consultation.   JP to take the lead on the BCC’s response, assisted by CH.

e)         BCC Motion to Fife Council: Cllr Erskine provided an update on progress on this motion.  Planning Department had replied but she was waiting on advice from the Legal Department.  CH and JP agreed to provide further information to support the case, from areas where a similar motion had been passed and implemented by the relevant Council.

f)          Unsecured Property:  JC raised an issue of an unsecured house in Inchgall that needed to be boarded up properly, with metal shutters installed.  Cllr Liewald agreed to deal with the issue.

g)         Lochgelly Fire Station:  Cllr Liewald reported that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were proposing to remove some services from Lochgelly fire station, which may have a local impact. Lochgelly Community Council has arranged a public meeting at The Lochgelly Centre on 31 July, to which SFRS and representatives from the Fire Brigade’s Union had been invited to address.  The BCC confirmed that representatives from the BCC would be attending the meeting.

h)         Benarty Gala:  DH reported that the Benarty Events Group had asked the BCC to contact the parent of the young citizen of the year for gala transport to be arranged.

CH

CH

ALL

JP / CH

CH / JP

Cllr RL

DH / JP / CH / SR

CH

6 Aug

1 July

30 June

2 July

12 June

30 June

31 July

6 June

a)      The AGM will be held on Monday 30 June at 7pm in the Benarty Centre.

b)      As the BCC is “closing” for the summer, the date of the next monthly meeting will be Thursday 4 September at 7pm in the Benarty Centre.

ALL

ALL

30 June

4 Sept