Approved Minutes of October 2025

In the absence of the Chair, and both Vice Chairs at the start of the meeting, S Colquhoun chaired the meeting.

2.

Apologies

D Hynd, J Purdie, L Mitchie

3.

Declarations of Interests

No declarations of interest were made.

4.

Minutes of Last Meeting

Proposed by C Howe, seconded by S J Ratcliffe.

5.

Matters Arising

Item 6c(i) (Access to Bank Account): SJ Ratcliffe now has access.

Item 6c(iii) (Spend on BCC Events): The figures had not yet been provided to Cllr Erskine.

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

Item 7a) (LCC Police Proposal): C Howe confirmed that she had responded to the proposal by LCC.

Item 7b) (Request for Donation): C Howe confirmed that funds had been transferred to BEG.

All other matters arising were covered by the agenda.

C Howe

C Howe

7 November

7 November

6.

Reports

a)       Chair: Nothing to report.

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

(i)      Phase 2 of the Review of the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils: Cllr Erskine reported that the scheme was now out for phase 3 consultation after discussion at the full council meeting.

(ii)     Fife-wide Map of Energy Projects: Cllr Erskine reported that the motion had been taken at the last full council meeting, proposed by the Conservatives, with amendments from both Labour and the SNP.  The SNP amendment was rejected, but both the Labour amendment and then the motion were carried.

c)        Treasurer:

(i)      The meeting noted the written Treasurer’s report.

(ii)     Foundation Scotland and FC grants had been received.

(iii)   Billy the Caretaker thanked everyone for his retirement gift.

(iv)   The Company School of Dance, ring-fenced funds from Foundation Scotland, had not yet been accessed.

d)       Police: The meeting noted the Police Report.

e)       Schools:

(i)      Benarty:

·         There were concerns over traffic at school area.  Bollards will be put in to prevent pavement mounting.  Cllr Erskine plans to contact the Roads & Transport Dept to suggest further measures.

·         Recruitment is in progress to fill vacant positions.

·         Children from various primaries attended Benore Care Home for the Big Scottish Breakfast (televised by STV) which was a big success.

(ii)     St Kenneth’s: The AGM had been held the previous Thursday, at which point S J Ratcliffe stood down as chair.  No-one else was prepared to take on the roll so the Parent Council is in the process of being wound down.  S J Ratcliffe will continue to volunteer & money held by the group will go into school funds.  S J Ratcliffe hopes to keep the bank account active in the hope that the group can be re-started at a future date.  S J Ratcliffe will also continue to give reports on behalf of the school at BCC meetings.

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:

(i)      Lochore Meadows: Cllr Erskine raised the lack of funding for Lochore Meadows, given that it is a country park, used by all areas of Fife and beyond.  Initiatives are underway to bring more revenue into the park.  Cllr Erskine proposed that funds from the Area Committee budget be used for jobs for young people at the park.  Maintenance money needs to be around £100,000 and it should come from FC’s central budget.

(ii)     Fire in Lochgelly: Cllr Erskine reported that it will take around 4 months to clean up the asbestos from the fire at the old FFDR building.  Four families had been displaced from their homes, some being put up in hotels.  Money from the common good fund will be used for the clean-up.

7.

Any Other Business

a)       Remembrance Services: S Nardone is organising the services but was unable to attend the meeting.  C Howe reported the dates on S Nardone’s behalf, which are Sunday 9^th November in Lochore Miners’ Welfare Institute and Tuesday 11^th November at Ballingry Cemetery.  C Howe to book caterer and submit an application to the community planning budget to cover the costs.

b)       Save the Cage Exhibition: C Howe reported that the Save the Cage group had to postpone the opening of the exhibition to November, but would inform everyone of the revised date as soon as possible.

C Howe

C Howe

C Howe

17 October

7 November

7 November

8..

ALL

2 October