ST. MONANS AND ABERCROMBIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minute of the ordinary general meeting held in the Church Hall, Station Road on Monday 16 th September 2024 at 7.30 pm

Present: Marjory Ashworth (Chair), Eileen Montador (Secretary), David Robertson (Treasurer), Niamh Syme

(Social Media), Cllr Alycia Hayes, Diane Martin (Minute Secretary)
Apologies: Morven Syme (Vice Chair), Mervyn Blank, Cllr Sean Dillon
Members of the public: 8

1. Welcome and apologies.
   Marjory Ashworth welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were received and recorded.
2. Declarations of interest
   There were no declarations of interest.
3. Camera Collection – Mike Childs
   Following a previous visit to the Community Council earlier this year to highlight the Jim Matthews Camera
   Collection, Mike provided a brief update regarding ongoing funding concerns. Mike showcased an A3 sized
   souvenir poster entitled “Cameras throughout the ages” which is now on sale to raise funds to support the
   continued running of the Camera Collection. The posters are priced £5, or £8 including postage, and are
   available to purchase on the group Facebook page. Suggestions were made that they might also be
   promoted in the Heritage Museum, the library etc. Cllr. Hayes advised that there is a link to possible
   additional funding provided in her report this evening.
4. Fishermen’s Memorial Garden – Hugh Wallace
   Following a visit to the Community Council in September 2023, Hugh reminded the meeting of the 1875
   Fishing Disaster and of the ongoing efforts to create a memorial garden in the village to mark the 150 th
   Anniversary of this tragic loss of 21 local fishermen. Finally, after delays due to Covid, and various
   interactions and staff changes within Fife Council, a way forward has been established. A meeting with local
   interested parties will take place in the next few weeks and, going forward, more fundraising will be
   required to meet the expected costs of between £5000-£10000. Hugh advised that at this point there is a
   need to apply to the Council for a “Licence to Work” and asked for a commitment that the application for
   this could be made in the Community Council’s name.
5. Sea Change Therapies
   Two representatives from this start up business addressed the meeting, advising of a new not-for-profit
   community interest company offering accessible, affordable counselling in the East Neuk. The service will
   provide a safe, confidential, inclusive and non-judgemental space, supporting and encouraging better
   mental health in the local community. More information can be obtained on their website:
   www.seachangetherapies.co.uk
6. Reports from Community Groups
   Sea Queen Group – Vicky Robertson
   A fundraising quiz will be held in the Masonic Hall on Saturday 9 th November at 7pm. Teams will be made
   up of four people. Tickets are £5 each and include stovies and tea/coffee. There will also be a raffle on the
   night. Niamh will advertise this on social media and tickets will be on sale in due course.

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Heritage Collection – David Robertson for Billy Morris
There have been around 1800 visitors to the collection this year and there has been an increase in funds
raised too (over £2000). Jerzy Morkis has funded and put together a new book entitled “We live by the
sea”. This beautiful book includes photography from the William Easton collection. The book is priced £25
and is available to order by emailing stmonans@gmail.com
SMAKE – Marjory Ashworth
A new company limited by guarantee has been established and the group can now apply to become a
charity. The group is currently moving forward with business planners to the next stage.

7. Last minutes and matters arising
    Memorial Garden – we now know we need a “licence to work”.
    Streetlights – now fixed.
    Overgrowth at the Dawsie – Cllr Dillon’s report to update
    Burn path – has been cut back and is much improved.
    Bins on Station Road – Cllr. Hayes checked after the previous meeting, and they had been emptied.
    Headway was put on Social Media
    Mervyn Blank was missed off the members present on the minute – now corrected.
   The August minute was proposed by Eileen Montador and seconded by Niamh Syme.
8. Police Matters and Report
   No report brought to the meeting.
9. Chairperson’s Report – Marjory Ashworth
    Thanks were extended to the Arts Festival Committee for a very successful event in the village. The
   café was a great success and there were many new exhibitors this year.
    A communication was received from Mr Duncan, the Rector at Waid Academy, highlighting that
   young people were going to the castle with alcohol. The police have been notified of this.
10. Treasurer’s Report – David Robertson
     Floral account – bank balance on 8/7/24 was £3706.85, with an invoice outstanding for Pathhead
    for £500. Application for floral funding for 2024/2025 has been submitted.
     Heritage account – This fund is doing particularly well this year and the bank balance on 8/7/24 was
    £3058.73. Missing the last invoice from Business Stream. David recommended that the previously
    paid shortfall of £588.61 be repaid back into the cash flow account and this was approved. Missing
    last bank statement.
     Cash flow account – bank balance in August this year was £249.31. Ongoing issue with floral
    account money being paid into the cash flow account but this money has been transferred over.
    The annual grant has still not been received due to issue re bank signatories. As a previous
    signatory, Peter Peddie will be contacted to be co-opted back onto the council to allow the grant to
    be applied for.
     Paperwork has been re-submitted to the Royal Bank to try and resolve the signatory issues.
    M Ashworth will speak directly to the RBS bank van teller.
11. Secretary’s Report – Eileen Montador
     Scottish Community Council webinar re local emergency provisions – discussed and as we already
    have this established in our area there is no requirement to attend webinar.
     Royal Society of Edinburgh funding of up to £5000 – to be promoted on Social Media.
     Questions received re timescale for reinstatement of path to Queen Margaret Street – discussion
    followed – this is significantly impacting the lives of local people. Request that Cllr. Dillon escalates
    this.
     Email received re Hope Place – Cllr. Hayes advised that possibilities will be explored, and due
    process will be followed.
     Local Plan – St Monans knew nothing about this. It is suspected that we are not on the appropriate
    mailing list at Fife Council. Although the date for completion has passed, Cllr. Hayes still feels that a
    plan can be put together fairly quickly, and she will send through information to assist here.

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12. Members’ Reports
    Niamh Syme for Morven Syme
     No planning matters to report.
     Request dog fouling bins near to the castle which is a popular dog walker route. Cllr. Hayes to
    action.
    Niamh Syme
     Query – is it okay to establish a St Monans Community Council Facebook page? Cllr. Hayes
    confirmed that it is.
13. Councillors’ Reports
    Cllr. Alycia Hayes
     I have written to ask for a review of the layout of Hope Place following a resident’s concerns about
    large vehicles driving down the street, mounting the pavement. 
     I shall be holding a surgery in the Common Car Park from 2.30- 4.30 on October 2nd. This is for
    anyone who might feel uncomfortable about meeting their Councillor in an enclosed space or have
    ad hoc matters to raise. I’ll have hot drinks to hand, a comfy seat and an awning should it be
    raining. 
    It is harder for Councillors for hold surgeries than it used to be. The council does not pay for the hire
    of venues and a number of violent incidents reported over recent years have resulted in Councillors
    being advised not to hold surgeries in enclosed spaces. 
    However! No one needs to change their daily schedule see a councillor. You can email
    Cllr.Alycia.Hayes@fife.gov.uk or phone 07974 250 588 and I shall meet you at a time and location to
    suit you. 
     There is a new system of Domestic Waste being implemented on October 14th, with the change to
    “single shift” working. This will affect almost everyone. The new schedule is not yet online at the
    time of writing this, but all households should receive a leaflet.
     Bulky uplift bookings will not be available from October 4th -14th.
     Fife Council have adopted a policy of reclaiming burial lairs. If a lair was bought over 50 years ago
    but no burial has taken place. If they are in a poor state of repair. 
     Are you, or someone you know, over state retirement age? If so, you might be entitled to extra
    Pension Credit on top of your state pension, even if you have some savings.  Apply before Sunday 22
    September and if you’re entitled to Pension Credit, you’ll also get the winter fuel payment which
    starts from £200.  Fife Council are currently writing to people we think might be eligible, so if you
    receive a letter from us, please act now. It’s genuine. Even if you haven’t received a letter, you could
    still be eligible so why not try our Online Benefit Checker to see what you might be entitled to.
    https://fife.entitledto.co.uk
     Fife Council wants to help not-for-profit community groups and organisations make their great ideas
    happen. Through Crowdfunder, we have already supported projects across Fife and have the funds
    ready to help with more. We could give your project a welcome boost with up to £2,000 towards
    your idea. What can we fund?
     

• Local events that bring people out of their homes such as local galas, Men’s Shed projects or community
  kitchens
• Regeneration of your local area including a new playpark, skatepark or benches and flower planters
• Pilot projects that trial different ways of working and providing support to local communities
• Small capital works such as the refurbishment of a facility or towards a new vehicle
• Buying new equipment, materials, or expertise you do not already have that will expand your activities and
  encourage more people to get involved (a popular one for sport clubs)
• A technical study if you are developing a new facility or service
   
  These are just examples of the kind of projects that meet the broad criteria – anything is possible. Sound
  like something your group or organisation could benefit from? This could be the first step in turning a great
  new idea into a reality https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/funds/fife
  Cllr. Sean Dillon

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Matters Arising
Memorial Garden – Following last month’s meeting, I spoke to the council’s Estates department about
progressing the plans for the memorial garden at East Street. There has now been contact between the
council and those involved in the plans.
Inverie Street Speed Survey – The Transportation Service has agreed to my request for a speed survey along
Inverie Street to assess the need for further traffic calming measures. Unfortunately, there is a backlog at
the moment, but I will share the results with the Community Council as soon as a I receive them.
Inverie Burn Path – I requested that the Grounds Maintenance team tidied up the path that runs along the
Inverie Burn. I understand that this has now been carried out.
Dawsie – Following complaints at last month’s meeting, Grounds Maintenance have been out and cut back
as much of the overgrowth as they could while still complying with Health and Safety regulations.
Overgrown Hedge – I am still awaiting confirmation from members of the Community Council as to the
property the overgrown hedge belongs to. As soon as this is received, I will arrange for the council to write
to the owner.
Windmill Gardens – Queen Margaret Street Path:
Having contacted the Transportation Service regarding an update on the path between the Windmill
Gardens development and Queen Margaret Street, I have been informed that due to a lack of staff, it is
likely that this path will now not be installed until next summer.
Changes to Waste Collection Services:
From Monday, 14 th of October 2024, Fife Council are to implement major changes to the collection of
domestic waste. In St Monans, this means that bins will now be collected on a Monday. Between the 4 th and
14 th of October, residents will not be able to book Bulky Uplift Collections, however, all collections already
booked during this period will be uplifted.
Pension Credit:
Following the decision by both the UK and Scottish Governments to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for all
pensioners, except those in receipt of Pension Credit, it has never been more important to check whether
you are eligible. If you have a weekly income of less than £218.15 if you are single, or £332.95 for a couple
you may be eligible for a weekly payment of up to £81.50.
To apply please visit https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim or telephone 0800 99 1234.

14. Public Questions
    None
15. AOCB
     A sign is missing on the B942 at Sawmill Corner – chevrons snapped. Cllr. Hayes has reported.
     No overtaking signs needed at the Abercrombie/B942 junction. Cllr. Hayes to action.
16. Close/date and time of next meeting
    The next meeting will be held on Monday 21 st October 2024 at 7.00/7.30 pm. Marjory Ashworth thanked everyone for their attendance and then closed the meeting