Minutes of March Meeting

Apologies:

S J Ratcliffe (Treasurer), L Michie, W Watson, F Hodge

1.

Welcome

a.    The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and said that the agenda had been reordered to allow Lesley Craig to leave the meeting after the Road Safety item.

b.    The Chair also introduced Jacqueline Morrison.  It was agreed that J Morrison be elected to the BCC.

2.

Apologies

See above.

3.

Declarations of Interests

No declarations of interest were made.

4.

Road Safety

a.    J Morrison gave a presentation outlining the issues around Benarty Primary School.

b.     L Craig outlined the work that was in progress to address the issues at the school.  A works order was placed early in the year for bollards to be installed and for double-yellow lines to be introduced

c.    The Secretary asked about the potential for traffic lights to be installed, for use in peak periods (ie drop off & pick up at the school).  Cllr Erskine supported their introduction.  L Craig said that the cost of traffic lights would be approx. £100k and they would have a major impact on other road users with tailbacks etc.  It was agreed that the situation be reviewed after the bollards and double-yellow lines had been introduced.

d.    The Secretary also asked when the 20mph limit would be introduced in Benarty.  L Craig confirmed that a works order had been issued and that work to change signs etc would begin after April.  Kelty, Cowdenbeath and Lumphinnans would be done first, then Benarty possibly in May.

e.    W & M Stark gave the results of the poll of Balbedie Avenue residents on the proposed one-way system and handed over the petition/poll sheets to the Secretary.  There was a 95% response rate to the survey, with only 4 “No”’s out of 110 houses surveyed. L Craig advised on the next steps.  Secretary to write to Fife Council to request the one-way system.

f.     The Chair thanked J Morrison for her presentation and L Craig for giving up her personal time to attend the meeting.

C Howe

7 May

5.

Minutes of Last Meeting

Proposed by S Colquhoun, seconded by J Purdie

6.

Matters Arising

a)      Minutes of BCC Meetings: J Purdie reported that outstanding minutes had now been added to the BCC website, with the exception of April 2025.

b)      Catchment Survey: Progress report still required.

c)       Ore Energy Park: BCC’s response to planning application.

d)      Schools: Secretary to write to Headteacher of St Kenneth’s to remind her that the school has a seat on the BCC and to ask for monthly updates from the school.

e)      Firework Control Zones: Take up with Fife Council, with help from Cllr Barrett.  Respond to A Ewing MSP and resident who raised the issue.

f)        Fife Visitor Levy: BCC response to be included in next Newsletter.  The Secretary reported that this had been omitted from the Spring issue but would be included in the Summer issue.

All other actions were completed.

C Howe

C Howe /

J Purdie

C Howe

C Howe

C Howe

C Howe /

D Doyle

9 April

Once planning application has been submitted.

9 April

9 April

9 April

1 June

7.

Reports

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

i.        FC Grant: The Secretary drew attention to the information that had been provided by Fife Council on a free website and a list of banks that could perhaps offer a better deal for community councils.  After discussion, the BCC agreed not to change the website as it would cause more bother than it was worth for the small amount paid for web hosting and the domain name.  They also agreed not to change the bank account to another bank.

ii.        Correspondence: The BCC noted the correspondence that had been received, as noted in Annex A to the Secretary’s report.

b)       Treasurer:  The meeting noted the written Treasurer’s report and, in particular, the £1,000 that had been erroneously deposited in the CC’s account by the Benarty Community Forum.  The donation had been intended for Lochore Miners’ Welfare Institute and has since been returned to the Forum.

c)        Police: The Police presented their report on issues in Benarty.  M Stark raised an issue of cars, from a local garage, being parked in Balbedie Avenue, which added to the congestion in that street.  The police explained that there was nothing they could do, providing that the cars were properly taxed.  Secretary to write to the garage appealing to their sense of community.

d)       Schools: L Reid reported on behalf of Benarty Primary School.

(i)      A new Deputy Head had been appointed, transferring from a school in Kirkcaldy.

(ii)     Fair Share is going well.

(iii)   A mid-term disco had been held, instead of a St Valentine’s day disco.  The school had used all their own equipment, which saved around £200, which will be used to buy new lights.

e)       Westfield Community Group: The Secretary suggested that the BCC rep to this group be changed as the current rep was having transport difficulties and hadn’t been able to attend a meeting for some time.  The Chair indicated that he might be interested, but wanted further details about the group first.  Secretary to provide.

f)         Local Councillors: Cllr Erskine reported that:

i.            She was still trying to obtain more funding for roads (see minutes of last meeting).

ii.            Swimming lessons had begun the first Wednesday in February.

iii.            She had attended the Companions’ Club with Cllr Campbell and would be trying to get more funding for the group.

iv.            The biggest issue she had had to deal with recently concerned anti-social behaviour, where there were a host of issues; and she was trying to get more support for the victims of anti-social behaviour.  All four of the ward councillors were facing the same issues and were unanimous in their views.

v.            S Colquhoun asked when phase 2 of the driveways and fencing work in Inchgall Avenue would be carried out.  Cllr Erskine agreed to find out.

C Howe

C Howe

Cllr Erskine

7 May

9 April

9 April

8.

Any Other Business

There was no other business.

9..

Date of Next Meeting:

Thursday 9^th May 2026, 7pm, Benarty Centre

ALL

7 May