Approved Minutes of November 2025

Apologies:

SJ Ratcliffe, D Doyle, L Reid,

Ex Officio Members: Cllr L Erskine, Cllr R Liewald

1.

Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2

Wind Estate – Ore Energy Park

a.   J Drummond presented a proposal for a 28MW wind farm to be located south of Loch Ore, sitting within Benarty and Lochgelly, but also bordering Kelty, Lumphinnans and Cowdenbeath.

(i)    The development would comprise of up to 4 wind turbines, an onsite substation, a battery energy storage system (BESS), access roads, hard standings and ancillary infrastructure.

(ii)   The proposed turbine model is a 7MW unit, with a 200 metre tip height.

(iii)  The development would produce up to 95 GWh annually, which is the equivalent of over 35,000 households’ annual electricity consumption.

(iv) The timeline is to produce a scoping report to Fife Council before Christmas 2025; public consultations to be held between January and March 2026; planning application to be submitted to Fife Council between April and July 2026; then if approved, construction would begin around April 2027, with electricity generation starting around July 2029.

(v)  A community benefit fund of £5,000 per MW is being proposed, which is the equivalent of £140,000 annually based on a 28MW project.

b.    When questioned, J Drummond confirmed that the 28MW only covers the wind turbines.  The BESS would be an additional 28MW.  The BCC pointed out that the total MW would put the project outside of Fife Council’s power to approve the project and it would need to go through the Energy Consents Unit of the Scottish Parliament.  J Drummond confirmed that the plan was to keep the total below that threshold so that it could be decided by Fife Council.

c.    On community benefits, the BCC pointed out that the total MWs, ie including the BESS, would need to be taken into account and not just the turbines.

d.    J Drummond said that the areas of benefit would be the community councils in Benarty, Lochgelly, Cowdenbeath, Kelty, Lumphinnans and the Friends of Lochore Meadows (FoLM).  The BCC questioned why one group, rather than just the CCs, would be included when there are other groups who use the park; and suggested that FoLM should not be included in the funding model, but they can apply for funds, as with other groups, which is the model used in other funding models.

e.    P Grandison said that the Coalfields Regeneration Trust would be happy to be the custodian of the funds, in a role similar to Foundation Scotland with other wind farms.

f.     The proposed height of the turbines was discussed, and although they would not be situated next to houses, they would be seen for miles around.

g.    The BCC asked what the proposed connection to the grid would be.  J Drummond said that the current plan was for the development to connect to the Westfield sub-station, via existing overhead power lines; but it was also possible for the connection to be made to the Kelty sub-station.

h.    The BCC had a list of questions, but given time constraints at the meeting, it was agreed that these be emailed to J Drummond to answer at a later date.

i.      The Chair thanked J Drummond for attending the meeting and for his presentation.  J Drummond then left the meeting.

j.      It was agreed to wait for the answers to the questions and for the public consultation before deciding whether to support or oppose the project.

k.    It was agreed that the Secretary write to J Drummond to thank him for attending.

C Howe

C Howe

14 November

14 November

The Chair took Item 8b next on the agenda to allow M & W Stark to put their question to the Community Council as they were unable to stay for the whole meeting.

3.

Apologies

See above.

4.

Declarations of Interests

No declarations of interest were made.

5.

Minutes of Last Meeting

Proposed by C Howe, seconded by S Colquhoun.

6.

Matters Arising

Item 5 [6c(iii)] (Spend on BCC Events): The figures had not yet been provided to Cllr Erskine, but an application had been submitted to the Local Community Planning Budget, as suggested by Cllr Erskine, to cover the cost of the Remembrance Day Service.

Item 5 [6f(iii)] (Catchment Survey): Progress report still required.

Item 6b(ii) (Fife-wide Map of Energy Projects:  J Purdie said that he would follow-up on this.

Item 6i(ii) (Fire in Lochgelly): J Purdie commented that it was an inappropriate use of common good funds to use them to clean-up after a fire on private property.  The Secretary said that it was not in the BCC’s area and it would be up to Lochgelly CC to raise it with Councillors.  The Chair ruled that the BCC would not make a complaint.  However, given that common good buildings and funds were a current hot topic amongst other community councils, that J Purdie could take it up with them if he wished.

[Secretary’s Note: Following the November BCC meeting, the hand-written notes of the October BCC meeting were checked again.  It appears that a misunderstanding of what was said at the meeting occurred, and the typed version of the minutes that were circulated was incorrect.  Cllr Erskine did not say that common good funds would be used for the fire clean-up.  An apology has been made to Cllr Erskine for the error.]

Item 7b) (Save the Cage Exhibition): The Secretary reported that the revised date for the opening of the Save the Cage Exhibition is Wednesday 19^th November. Rendezvous outside the Willie Clarke Centre at 12.45pm.

All other matters arising were covered by the agenda.

C Howe

C Howe

J Purdie

4 December

4 December

4 December

7.

Reports

a)       Chair: Nothing to report.

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

(i)      Proposed Double Yellow Lines at Benarty Primary School: It was agreed that Keith Johnston from Fife Council be invited to the next BCC meeting.

(ii)     Wind Farm Panel: It was agreed to include the latest grants approved by the Wind Farm Panel in the next issue of the Newsletter.

(iii)   Fair Work First Policy: It was agreed that the Secretary draft a policy for agreement by the BCC.

(iv)   Fife Council Papers: J Purdie requested that the links be forwarded to him when received.

(v)    The Secretary read out thank you cards that had been received from the late Anne Hay’s family and from Billy the Caretaker.

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

d)       Police: The meeting noted the Police Report.

(i)      The Secretary reported that she had received nothing further about a joint CC meeting, as Lochgelly CC were awaiting a response from the Police.

(ii)     S Colquhoun noted the seizure of an off-road bike, reported in the Police report, and commented that that was difficult to achieve as it takes a particular set of circumstances.

e)       Schools: Nothing to report.

f)         Westfield Community Committee: Nothing to report.

g)       Fife Community Councils Group:

(i)      J Purdie reported that the next meeting will take place in January 2026.

(ii)     J Purdie referred to the correspondence in the Secretary’s report on illegal drugs consumption in Council owned properties and that there had been a discussion at Full Council on the issue.

(iii)   On common good funds, which had also generated some correspondence amongst CCs, J Purdie reported that £100,000 was spent on lights in Kirkcaldy from their common good fund.

(iv)   J Purdie also drew attention to the £40 million that had been allocated to Fife for Pride and Place Funding which turned out to be £4 million per year for 10 years.  Two neighbourhoods in Fife will be selected to receive the funding.  P Grandison clarified that the arrangements in Scotland will operate differently from the rest of the UK and the details are still being discussed on which organisations will hold the funds and how they will be allocated.

h)       Benarty Centre Management Committee:

(i)      J Purdie reported that the Youth Club in the Benarty Centre was doing well, with new kids attending.  They had recently had a pizza and pyjama party and had other events lined up.

(ii)     J Purdie reported that there had been a delay in removing items belonging to the former Kids Come First, due to the formal winding up process of the charity.

(iii)   J Purdie reported that the running of the café is being put to tender.  This could be covered in the next Newsletter.

(iv)   There are approximately 2,000 people per month using the Benarty Centre, with the library getting good usage.

i)          Local Councillors: Nothing to report.

C Howe

C Howe

C Howe

C Howe

C Howe / D Doyle

14 November

1 December

8 January 2026

On-going

1 December

8.

Any Other Business

a)       Remembrance Arrangements:

(i)      The Secretary confirmed that the caterer has been booked and that an application to the community planning budget has not only been submitted but has been approved.

(ii)     It was agreed that the Chair lay the wreath on behalf of the BCC.

(iii)   It was agreed to increase the payment to the organist and the bugler to £30 each.

b)       Balbedie Avenue: M Stark asked what would need to be done to make Balbedie Avenue a one-way system.  M Stark expressed her concern over the volume of traffic, parking in the street, blind bends and the danger they collectively presented for drivers and pedestrians alike.  M Stark was particularly concerned over the potential danger to children in the street. Before answering, The Secretary informed of the plans that Fife Council have regarding Lochleven Road, near Benarty Primary School.  The Chair expanded on the proposal for double yellow lines near the school.  This could make matters worse for the residents of Balbedie Avenue at school start and finish times, in terms of parking.  The Secretary then replied that the residents of Balbedie Avenue would need to be canvassed for their opinion, then if the majority were in agreement, the BCC could write to Fife Council asking them to consider the proposal.  A discussion was held about how the one-way system could operate and areas that would need to remain two-way traffic.  It was agreed that the Secretary draft a questionnaire/opinion sheet, with the help of W Watson and Mr & Mrs Stark.  Mr & Mrs Stark would then take it around their neighbours & bring the results back to the BCC.

c)        Inchgall Avenue: L Michie reported that the fencing was down around the area that is up for sale on the corner of Inchgall Avenue and Main Street in Crosshill and was lying over the path.  The area is full of weeds and it is becoming difficult to see properly before pulling out of the junction.  Also, that rubbish was beginning to pile up.  This represented a hazard to drivers, pedestrians and residents.  It was agreed that J Purdie find out who owns the land, and that the Secretary write to both Fife Council and the landowner about the problems.

d)       CRT Industrial Units: P Grandison informed the BCC of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust’s plans to build industrial units in the Glenfield Estate in Cowdenbeath.  Part of the planning application process requires CRT to have support from local communities.  It was agreed that the Secretary write a letter of support to CRT.

D Hynd

C Howe / SJ Ratcliffe

C Howe /  W Watson

J Purdie

C Howe

C Howe

9 November

9 November

21 November

14 November

21 November

14 November

9..

Date of Next Meeting: