BENARTY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER 2019
Present: Claire Graham, Jack Colquhoun, Jim Christie, Anne Hay, John Purdie, Tom Kinnaird, Sharon Kinnaird, Sheila Ross, Cllr Lea McClelland, Cllr Rosemary Liewald, Cllr Linda Erskine, Brian Menzies (Brian Menzies arrived during the Schools Update and apologised for lateness)
Also present: David Hynd, Donna Clarke, Christine Heeps, Frankie Hodge, Debbie Doyle, Karen Hunter, David McKay, Margaret Greer
Apologies: Willie Clarke, SarahJane Ratcliffe
Absent: Cllr Lockhart, Brian Di Placitio
Chair Welcome
Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Sheila Ross asked to say that she does not give permission for anyone to take photographs of her. At the last meeting a picture was taken without permission, put online and sent to the local press. Chair mentioned that the Community Council meetings are not public meetings but Community Council meetings where the public were allowed to attend.
Minutes of the Previous Meetings
The minutes of the previous meeting were read. They were proposed as correct by Jim Christie and seconded by Jack Colquhoun.
Matters Arising
Cllr Liewald notified the meeting that she had contacted planning officers and that the Jnr Park Run at the Cycle track would be considered as an ancillary use. Cllr McClelland mentioned that there had been untruths said online about the Cycle Park and Jnr Park Run by members of the public. Chair mentioned we couldn’t control what people say online.
Procedural decisions, membership
The application by Margaret Greer to join the Community Council was briefly summed up and Margaret was nominated by Sharon Kinnaird and seconded by John Purdie and elected to the Community Council. The Community Council agreed to hold a place open for a representative of Benarty Primary who was still discussing who it would be and mentioned that Thursdays was proving difficult for attendance at Community Council meetings.
Police Report
No police were present.
Schools Update
The St Kenneth’s School report was read by the Chair and discussion ensued. There was the suggestion that pupils going to the high school and discussion the upset and problems caused by people at the school after school hours could make a difference. Getting Community Wardens to the school was also discussed as an option. Cllr Erskine said that the Head teacher could call the wardens at any time, although there were only about 22 wardens and these covered the whole of Fife. It was also discussed if the wardens could be brought into the area for a specific period as this can have an effect. Police being in attendance at drop off times by parents was also discussed, but again police time is limited, although this is another option to consider. The note that parents were rude to teachers and staff was discussed and an option which was said to work at other schools was to ask the children to address their parents on their behaviour.
Statements and Social Media
Claire Graham said: It’s been brought to my attention statements made covering last months community council meeting, I will be addressing the context those statements as much as reasonably practical to do so in order to clear up the confusion that seemed apparent from the public attending the last meeting
Issues raised by Mr Hodge via social media platforms and within the times newspaper. I would first like to apologise to Mr Hodge, as it was probably me whom should have addressed his question raised during any other related business, since it was myself that for forwarded the motion. The motion was raised and passed unanimously by the attending community councillors. Since then the public information leaflet has been available outlining the format in which the public can address the CC meeting.
The second point will address changes made in May the meeting. The room was not set up correctly unfortunately, members had already entered the meeting room and sat at the table before this could be corrected before the start of the meeting. This will not happen again, apologies to those that were affected. I would advise for members of the public to wait until the community councillors have made the appropriate checks and issued the required docs, to be able to invite the public into the meeting. This way once invited into the meeting room at the start of the meeting time, all information and arrangements are suitable for all attending.
The third point to discuss raised by Mr Hodge was the refusal of public being given the previous meetings minutes. FC documentation clearly identifies that minutes cannot be issued unless all amendments have been made, further to this once minutes are approved, the first issue must go directly to fife council for approval before circulation is made to the public. Information is supplied at the end of the previous committee council meetings that are posted (7) clear days before the next community council meeting in benarty centre library and also on the noticeboard for when the library is closed. This information has been given freely at a number of CC meetings.
The next point raised in Mr Hodges statement was the case of having to wait until AOCB to ask a question, would like to refer to the public Information leaflet, that explains all methods of public involvement and participation. All information given, applied or sought, were done so in accordance with all Scottish government documents, fife council documents and guidance. These are all available to view via the fife direct website, if further clarification on any of the points is required, please do so by email /letter to the secretary, details available on the public information leaflet.
Statement made By Christine Heeps on the same statement. It has been brought to my attention about a comment made about a child that attended the last meeting during the confidentiality part of the meeting, this information is wrong, mentioned child was not in the meeting room or privy to any of the meetings discussions. Just to inform, children are also part of the community and may attend CC meetings. These points have been taken on board and discussions will sought in order secure a procedure/policy for GDPR and Safeguarding Children and Community Councillors.
Final Note, in order for a community council to be able to assist with these points and to address or deal with concisely and efficiently, the best method for a member of the public to do so would be the normal route through the community council in email or letter to the secretary or ask at any meeting for it to be added to the next agenda. We are aware of all the points made and will discuss what appropriate procedures/policies or motions may need to be added in order to ensure no miscommunication or misunderstanding will happen in the future. If any members of the public have questions on the statement given, I will do so now.
General discussion ensued. Sharon Kinnaird mentioned that the inaccuracies and misrepresentation of community council meetings were astounding. Those doing it were invited onto the Community Council but declined. Yet nitpicking goes on month after month. Jim Christie mentioned that there could be collusion to publicly talk about the business of the Community Council but he could make no sense of the situation. On the subject of seating it was mentioned by Fife Councillors that some Community Councils allow the public to be at the table, Claire Graham noted that in her experience at Lumphinnans and Cowdenbeath Community Councils the separate public gallery was in place and allowed for more conductive meetings. Donna Clarke interrupted to insist she had been seated at the table at the June meeting. The Chair and others noted that the June meeting was the first to introduce a public gallery. Jack Colquhoun said that if those meetings were more orderly then there would be more time at the end for public questions. Chair said that we do have an agenda to work through and at times we are rushing. Cllr Mclelland said that the public should be welcome and should be allowed to ask questions and get respect. Cllr Mclelland also said that she was misquoted online and what was said online was not true. Christine Heeps interrupted and said she knew what she heard and Cllr Mclelland should not call her a liar. Cllr Mclelland said she had not named anyone. Cllr Liewald agreed with Cll McLelland and Claire Graham and hoped that Community Council meetings could be held in a community spirit, with respect and people given the time to ask questions and receive answers. Cllr Erskine said she had encountered a similar situation at Lochgelly Community Council and noted that things got better when everyone was open.
David Hynd asked if there could be information on the Community Council meetings available prior to the meetings. It was mentioned that the minutes are put on the notice board at the Centre, and agendas are given to the public. Frankie Hodge asked if additional copies of the minutes could be made available and this was agreed for the next meeting.
Secretary Report
Planning
Secretary informed the Community Council that a planning application for a portacabin at Dunmore Nursery had been received, and the Fife Council was making an extension to the nursery. There were no objections to this.
Website
The website has an ongoing issue which should be resolved soon, namely the issue of a change in nameservers and the WordPress Install, which was going to a temporary web address.
Community Engagement
Fife Voluntary Action and running a course, Introduction to Community Engagement for Community Councils
The course is free to attend. Margaret Greer showed an interest in attending.
Additional meeting
Secretary asked about thoughts on an additional meeting in either October or November to deal with a couple of items, the microgrants procedure and a budget for the Community Council. There would be a meeting in November in regard to the microgrants and it was agreed to wait for information from that.
VE Day 75
Secretary informed the Community Council that the previous Chair, Mr Stephen Nardone, had started work for the armistice service. Also that information on VE Day 75 had come in and if the Community Council wanted to organise or contribute re this matter? It was suggested that this information be handed to Mr Nardone for consideration.
Request for Donation to the Jnr Parkrun at Fife Cycle Park
An email request for a donation to the Jnr Parkrun was sent by Mr David McKay. Mr McKay provided the following background information: “this event is aimed at children between the ages of 4-14 years of age, junior parkrun is a spin off event that that provides a free 2 km run /walk for children aged 4-14 on a Sunday morning at 930 AM, the Lochgelly cycle park is an ideal venue and is entirely enclosed by a fence creating a safe area for this event. To enable this event to proceed we will need to raise a grand total of £3000 for setting this event up and the equipment required to hold this event. The funding will provide all the necessary equipment and support for junior parkrun to operate.“ The expected attendance is around 100. Secretary informed the Community Council of additional information, and that Mr McKay was aware of the Community Council’s request for clarity on the use of the Cycle Park for the Parkrun – misrepresented online as the Community Council being against such an event – and made a critical comment which was read to the Community Council, about the Community Council online, accusing the Community Council of trying to stop the event before it started. The next day Mr McKay submitted a request for a donation by the Community Council to the Jnr Parkrun. Mr McKay had identified himself as a member of Friends of Lochore Meadows. Mr Mackay had decided to ask for a donation to an event he was under the impression the community council was against. Secretary said that in light of the information available can only conclude the request for a donation was the Vice Chair of Friends of Lochore Meadows a deliberate manipulating a situation to try and publicly embarrass Benarty community council by getting us to donate to something he thinks we’re against or refuse to donate to the event which he could no doubt publicise online. Secretary advised that the Community Council should be very careful on the decision it makes as the Community Council could be attacked either way.
There was discussion on the donation. Chair clarified with Mr McKay why the Community Council would have concerns about the Jnr Park Run taking place at the Cycle track as the residents local to the Cycle park had put in complaints about it and had been ignored. Cllr Liewald asked if there had been any specific complaints from the residents about the Jnr Park Run. Chair said no. Brian Menzies asked if the adults involved were subject to checks. David McKay said that they were, and the event directors get stricter checks. Chair asked if the Jnr Park Run could be tied together with the Park Run at the Meadows. David McKay said that it was a different event, with different sets of volunteers and that the Cycle Park would provide a safer environment for the children with it being fenced. Chair asked what time the gates would open and David McKay said half past eight. Chair asked if this time could be changed. Karen Hunter said that it was a national time, the same all across the country. Chair mentioned that the local residents had complained of people changing between the containers, resulting in naked people being seen. Cllr McClelland said that if the residents see such things again they should report it to the police. Jim Christie said that the Cycle track should be a multipurpose place and it is good that the kids are getting exercise but care for the local residents must also be considered. Cllr Erskine said that she was under the impression a lot of the complaints were about night time and the lights at the track. Cllr Erskine also noted that it was a Scottish wide facility not just a Fife one. Brian Menzies said that the Community Council would never stand in the way of children getting sport or exercise. Brian Menzies proposed a donation of £100. Claire Graham proposed £250, then £500. John Purdie said the Community Council could not afford £500 as it only receives around £900 a year from Fife Council. Claire then proposed £250 again and this was seconded by Jim Christie. A vote was taken and there was a majority decision in favour of making the £250 donation. David McKay informed the Community Council that this would take the total up to £1,850. He was informed by the Community Council that an application for a microgrant could be made also.
Treasurer Report
Treasurer reported that the Citizen of the Year and Polar Girls cheques had been cashed and that the current balance was £6,674.82.
Fife Councillors Report
The meeting was running late and the Chair skipped Fife Councillor reports.
Public Questions
There were no public questions submitted.
Bells Project
Chair asked Cllr Erskine if there had been any progress. Cllr Erskine said that there was a group involved and two plans had been drawn up, the officers wanted one set of plans and the group wanted another. Chair said that he had seen drawings and that Foundation Scotland had mentioned that due to the time taken for the project the money given for it could be taken back as it appears the money has sat for too long without being used. Cllr Erskine said she wasn’t aware that the project had been going on for so long, and that she was sure there was another group driving this matter. Sharon Kinnaird said that it had been done through the Community Council for years. The Community Council was not aware of any other group being involved, only the previous treasurer who had been working tirelessly on it.
David Hynd left.
David McKay said that as the bells were to be situated at Lochore Meadows contact with the Friends of Lochore Meadows could be beneficial with the project. It was agreed that Jack Colquhoun contact the previous treasurer to find out as much information as possible and if there was a separate group dealing with the bells project.
Community bonfire and fireworks event for 2020
Chair said that the Community Council should discuss this option with other local groups about the possibility of an event in 2020, as the police and fire brigade are looking for plans for events one year in advance. There was some dissent about the event and a vote was taken, which 5 were for and 5 were against. The Chair used his second vote to break the tie and informed the Community Council that it was not setting up an event but talks about an event to gauge the local opinion on such an event.
Any other Competent Business
Sheila Ross said that she finds it hard to come to the Community Councils on a monthly basis and that the Social Media situation has made things worse but the way things went tonight seems like a step forward.
Sharon Kinnaird brought up the fact that the new housing at Kirkland Farm is bringing up some traffic problems, with some drivers unaware that the roads there are now being used and some close calls are happening with cars. It was asked if the road which goes past the new builds could be changed to a 20mph. It was also mentioned that there was a bus stop there which also adds to traffic.
Chair brought up the following matters: Write to Councillor Vettraino about getting compost delivered into recycling centres. Write to Councillor Craik and ask what the proposals are for community benefits from the Westfield development. Propose we purchase a Domehawk CCTV camera for use by Police Fife within the Benarty Settlement Boundary. Report that Councillor Hamilton refused our request for an amendment to our boundary map to go on the agenda at the Communities and Housing Services Committee, opting instead for us to wait for the review of the scheme of establishment, a date for which is yet to be announced. Report that I explored costs for Community notice boards and depending on how many and what size they are, we are looking at a cost in the region of £2000. Ideas needed on how best to proceed. Invite anyone interested in joining the Fife Crime Prevention Panel, we meet on the last Wednesday of each month at 7pm in the Maxwell Centre in Cowdenbeath. Requested to Foundation Scotland that the Community Council takes over responsibility for the Micro Grant Scheme. This will now be discussed at the Panel meeting in November.
Chair thanked everyone and informed them of the date of Next Meeting and closed the meeting
