Here are the approved minutes for the December 2022 Meeting
BENARTY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING THURSDAY 1 DECEMBER
No Item
2 Chair Welcome, Chair welcomed all to the meeting
Attending: John Purdie, Brian Menzies, Jack Colquhoun, Charlotte Howe, Debbie Doyle, Stephen Scott
Also present: PC Barry Smith, Linda Michie, Willie Michie, Chantal Davies ( Members of the Public) Kevin Sharp (Fife Youth Sports Academy)
4 Apologies: Sarah Jane Ratcliffe, Brian De Placito, Peter Keicher, Anne Hay, Cllr McLelland
19 Declaration of Interests: Charlotte and Debbie declared interests in the Micro Grant applications.
39 Exceptional Items
Kevin Sharp gave a presentation about the Fife Youth Sports Academy. All different sports will be there, not just football, it will be available free to all schools, plans were shown. it was agreed it was a great idea. Chair asked about the name of the club, and Kevin Sharp responded that the local schools will be choosing the name and the badge. Chair asked about business plans and financing and Kevin said those things are happening in the background and details will be released when allowed. Chair asked if it would be better as a trust? Kevin said the whole community will be invited to be involved.
5 Minutes of the Previous Meetings
The minutes of the precious meeting were read. They were proposed as correct by Jack Colquhoun and seconded by Charlotte Howe.
6 Matters Arising
Charlotte noted that although Debbie Doyle had agreed to lay the wreath on behalf of the Community Council Debbie Doyle was asked to lay a wreath on behalf on another organisation and Charlotte Howe laid the wreath on behalf of the Community Council.
7 Police Report
PC Smith gave a report detailing the months statistics and apologised for the lack of report in the previous month and for the lack of police attendance. PC Smith answered questions about the situation with the vandalism at Ore Park and about the alcohol awareness pack initiative.
29 Public Questions
The public question about the approved Brag planning application was asked by Willie Michie, noting that there had been a 32 signatory petition against it, that it was taken to Committee who did not spend too much time on the matter and approved it. Although there was approval and questions answered and points addressed it was felt that this was not enough and the Community Council was asked if there was anything that could be done. Debbie Doyle noted that Brag had decided not to go ahead with the containers in the area and that instead a garden and allotments would be placed there. All agreed this was good news.
25 Lochore Meadows Proposed new play park
There was discussion about the proposals for the play park. It was agreed the Community Council submit a letter supporting the idea of the park but, like the majority of the community, against the location and particular siting.
40 Reports
John Purdie gave updates on the proposed submission to the Parliamentary boundary change, alcohol awareness initiative and urged community councillors to promote the Citizen of the Year award for nominations. Jack Colquhoun gave an update saying not much had changed, the Bells project money had been paid to Fife Council. There was an issue with the payment to the Meedies Running Group which the Community Council agreed could hinder opening an account at the Credit Union and there was agreement to continue the application for online banking. Debbie Doyle gave updates on then newsletter, copies of which were distributed at the meeting, and Charlotte noted that there is an online version but the cost for 200 physical copies was £440 and the newsletter group were keen for the physical version to be for members of the community not online. Debbie Doyle also noted an update on the Litter Pickers and a feasibility study for the park area at Westfield which would open up the area for walks from Crosshill to Portmoak and Kinglassie.
12 Open Forum, Any other Competent Business
Stephen Scott noted that he had recently started volunteering at Benarty Food bank and found it to be an eye opener. There was agreement that food banks were a sad indictment on society. Stephen noted that fair percentage of those attending food banks are children. Charlotte noted that the Community Shop had recently started taking n donations for the food bank.
36 Micro Grants
Four micro grant applications were discussed, with those declaring interests taking no part in the decisions and micro grant applications were approved for Lochore Miners Institute £250 for a laptop and wifi extenders, the Fairy Wood Group for £250 for materials, Benarty Santa Sleigh for partial costs for £250 and the newsletter for ongoing costs for £250.
Date of Next Meeting Thursday 5 January 2023 7 PM
