Apologies: V Salvage, Cllr E Riches, Cllr D Macgregor, P Shafren and Sgt Anderson

50 Station Road, St Monans, and left the Chair for the discussion of the Application.

The proposal is to put a second storey onto the garage which is on the back of the garden at Inverie Street between Station Road and King David Street.  G Brown circulated the plans and invited comments.  There was a query from a member of the public at the meeting asking why on the plan there were windows in the extension (which made it look just like a house), when it stated on the plan that it was for storage.  It was suggested that it did not look as if it was for storage, and it is believed that contractors had been asked to fit out the extension for an office.

Neighbours present at the meeting complained about possible loss of privacy and light and there was also a discussion about the problem with parking.

It was suggested that the proposal was not being honest about its purpose; that it was not intended for storage; and if the extension was for an office that the plan should state that, and the applicant should apply for change of use.

Neighbours were advised that if they wish to put in objections that they should do so individually to both planning and NE Fife Councillors.

R Craib offered to get a note of the Councillors email addresses for them.

P Copland suggested that the finish and construction were not in keeping with what is considered to be required for storage, and said that we feel it is for office space and it should be put in for change of use.  G Brown will ask Planning for Statutory Consultee status and note our concerns. He will also “ object” until the concerns of the CC are addressed.

The Chairman returned to his seat as Chair.

R.Craib

G.Brown

A Anderson said that the CC would push for that.

A Anderson

Some areas had been sprayed for weeds once and some areas had been sprayed twice.  R Craib sent an email asking if they had been hoed, but received no reply.

Cllr Docherty

Proposer                                                        Seconder

P Copland                                                       V Bland

A letter had been received through the website from a visitor who said how lovely the village was and how friendly everyone had been.

5.2  Beautiful St Monans

Thank you to everyone who had done work for Beautiful St Monans.

5.3  Arts Festival

The Arts Festival is the weekend of 12-14 September.

(E Hughes added that there would be a Wine-Tasting event on Friday night – 12 September, at the Mayview Hotel, at 7.30 pm.)

The CC received an update that the bus timetable had changed that day.  (Moffat and Williamson won the contract for provision of the local bus service.)  In reply to a member of the public’s comment regarding problems with the changes, R Craib stated that the “Go-Flexi” service is available for people to access Earlsferry and Inverie Street ,St Monans.  She went on to say that it is basically like a taxi service and there is a ‘phone number.

Poster will be displayed on CC notice board.

Cllr J Docherty said he would be interested in any information about problems with the condition of the buses, because there have been a few reports of broken down buses (particularly Stagecoach buses – despite their having been given funding for new buses).

Cllr J Docherty said that at the end of the Planning Committee Meeting last week it was decided that the place planned for allotments would change again to be the strip at the road, and added in response to a member of the public’s question that at this stage it is not set in stone.

A member of the public said that she knew of another ‘problem tenant’ who was moving into St Monans.  There was some discussion saying there does seem to be quite a few people who have been known to cause problems in other areas who have been moved to St Monans, and asked Cllr Docherty if that was brought up at the locality meeting

E Hughes said that this policy was not helping the reputation of her hotel, or the village.  She cited an incident which had developed in the hotel after a young man was refused service because he had not brought proof of age.  A Anderson stated that it is something that really has to be taken on board when they put youngsters into scatter flats.  It is a problem because we have less police presence.  E Hughes said that the young man became violent and it had been half an hour before the police arrived, causing much upset to customers and staff.

A member of the public stated that there was someone in the Maltings who throws furniture out of the top floor windows, endangering people walking on the pavement below.  The Chairman said that the member of the public should report it; and that we can start to build up a dossier of what happens.

Cllr J Docherty suggested that the CC emailed Jim Anderson before the next meeting.

A member of the public concluded that the Council is not helping by putting too many such people into one small village where there is nothing here for them to do.

A.Anderson also made the point that there is far less policing in this area if trouble does errupt.

One thing of interest is that the Heritage Collection got a donation from someone from Australia who wants the money to go towards the production of a book titled “Willie Miller – This is Your Life”.

7.2  Outgoings

The only real outgoings are for the floral display for watering and feeding of the baskets which will come to an end fairly soon.

A campervan near the cemetery was seen to have washing being dried on the cemetery gates.  A Anderson said he would contact Sgt Anderson.  Cllr J Docherty, after having ascertained that these were holidaymakers rather than travelling people, said that he would contact the Council and copy Liz Murphy.

W Buchan added that some items which had been put beside the graves in sympathy have gone missing.  A member of the public added that flowers put on graves, including plastic flowers had to be picked up after the strimmer had been.  A Anderson that he would contact Liz Murphy and ask her to ask the employees with the strimmers to take more care.

Another member of the public said that a Tablet that she had put by a grave had been moved and could get damaged.  Also a member of the public asked that Liz Murphy be informed of a large headstone which is leaning over and likely to fall.

Cllr J Docherty

A Anderson

R Craib

P.Copland said that it was great that we got awards at Ingliston and Chelsea.  There is a copy of the Ingliston Certificate, but we have not seen a copy of the Certificate for Chelsea.  It would be good to have a copy in the village.  G.Brown said that Keith Jackson was obtaining it.  Cllr Docherty said that he would chase it up.

Cllr J Docherty

A Anderson