Approved Minutes of September 2025

In the absence of the Chair, J Purdie chaired the meeting.

2.

Apologies

D Hynd, S Scott, W Watson

3.

Declarations of Interests

No declarations of interest were made.

4.

Minutes of Last Meeting

Proposed by C Howe, seconded by S Colquhoun.

5.

Matters Arising

Item 6f) (Anti-social Behaviour): Cllr Erskine reported that she had written to John Nicol asking when the DNA water will be getting deployed as the funding was secured.

Item 7f) (Unsecured Property): It was noted that Cllr Liewald had dealt with this issue.  S Colquhoun noted that the property has since been re-accessed since being made secure.

All other matters arising were covered by the agenda.

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)      On the proposals re Lochgelly Fire Station, Cllr Erskine reported that Councillors had been discussing a legal clause, which may enable Fife Council to take control of the fire service within Fife.  The discussion was at an early stage and further investigation would need to be carried out by the legal department.

(ii)     It was also suggested that a poll should be conducted via social media sites to gauge opinion on Option 3 of the fire service proposals (ie Do Nothing), as this had not been given any publicity by the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service or treated as a serious option.

(iii)   On the Fife-wide Map of Energy Projects, J Purdie reported that another meeting, similar to the one held in Inverness, was being planned for Aberdeen.

(iv)   The Secretary reported that the BCC motion on the map of energy projects was being put to Full Council, proposed and seconded by the Conservative Party.

c)        Treasurer:

(i)      SJ Ratcliffe reported that she does not yet have online access to the bank account and will chase it up with the Bank of Scotland.

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

(iii)   Cllr Erskine reported that she is trying to secure additional funding for regular events that are held by CCs; and requested a note of the amount that the BCC has spent over the last few years on Remembrance Day Services and COTY.  C Howe to provide the figures.

d)       Police: The meeting noted the Police Report.

e)       Schools: SJ Ratcliffe reported that the Parent Council at St Kenneth’s may close after September.  She was standing down from the group at its AGM and no-one had volunteered to take over.  If the group folds, any funds held would be transferred over to the school’s account.

f)         Westfield Community Committee: D Doyle reported that there had been no meetings over the summer.

(i)      B Menzies enquired about the incinerator, asking if there will be a subs pond for Lochty Burn.  Cllr Erskine said that the issue was being tackled by Fife Council and SEPA, with the planned installation of a pumping station and reed beds.

(ii)     It was noted that all the Community Councils were in agreement to the paths around Westfield that had been proposed by R Blyth.

(iii)   C Howe to obtain a progress report from Fife Council on the promised Catchment Survey.

g)       Fife Community Councils Group:

(i)          J Purdie reported that Lindsay Thomson, Head of Legal and Democratic Services at Fife Council attended the last meeting and had fielded a lot of questions.

(ii)         The group discussed that Fife Council’s website is hard to navigate and there is no dedicated Community Councils’ officer.

(iii)       They also discussed the proposal to sell off Elmwood College, which has been closed for some time.

(iv)       The issue of funding for Community Councils also came up.

h)       Wind Farm Panel: C Howe reported that the closing date for applications for the latest round of funding was 5^th September.

i)          Benarty Centre Management Committee: This has not met since its AGM.  A report on the AGM was covered in the Secretary’s report.

j)         Local Councillors: Cllr Erskine

(i)      The proposal to reduce the speed limit on main roads had been referred back to Fife Council officers to undertake further public consultation due to the low volume of responses. C Howe reported that the BCC had carried out a poll, on the proposal for Benarty, and as the results were more or less 50/50, she had not provided comments.  It was noted that for future consultations, all results should be feedback to confirm that an exercise had been carried out.

(ii)     Cllr Erskine reported that she is organising an inter-generational workshop, following the success of the VE80 celebrations which saw school children interacting with older members of the community; and that she had written to the Headteacher of Benarty Primary School about this.  It was noted that the Benarty Events Group already do this to some extent, by having school children attending the Companions Club to provide entertainment and mix with the Companions.

(iii)   Cllr Erskine also proposed that the motion to improve community benefits from energy projects would be stronger with cross-party support.  Whilst she could try to obtain this from the political side, the BCC could also lobby all Councillors too.

(iv)   Cllr Erskine had asked Fife Council if there were any exceptions to the pavement parking ban, and so far there is only street in Lochgelly.

S Ratcliffe

C Howe

C Howe

C Howe

2 October

2 October

6 November

To Note

7.

Any Other Business

a)       LCC Police Proposal: The BCC discussed the proposal by Lochgelly Community Council to hold joint meetings with the Police, rather than them attending every CC meeting.  It was agreed that the BCC would be willing to support this on a trial basis.  C Howe to respond to LCC.

b)       Request for Donation: The BCC agreed to donate £100 towards the cost of the Pipe Band Competition and £100 to the Gala.  As SJ Ratcliffe does not yet have online access to the bank account, C Howe to action.

Benarty Events Group:  agreed to donate £100 to the group for Pipe Band Competition, and £100 for the Gala.

C Howe

C Howe

2 October

2 October

8..

Date of Next Meeting: 2^nd October 2025, 7pm, Benarty Centre

ALL

2 October