Community Council minutes – 19 June 2023
ST. MONANS AND ABERCROMBIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minute of the ordinary general meeting held in the Church Hall, Station Road on
Monday 19th June 2023 at 7.30 pm
| Present: | Vicki Salvage (Chair), Marjory Ashworth (Vice Chair), Billy Morris (Treasurer), Diane Martin (Minute Secretary), Richard Croker, Eileen Montador, David Robertson, Niamh Syme, Councillor Sean Dillon, Councillor Alycia Hayes | |
| Apologies: | Mervyn Blank, Morven Syme, Councillor Fiona Corps, PC Rob Cook, PC Rob Wallace, Michael Bruce ENCEPT | |
| Members of the public: 10 | ||
| Welcome and apologies V Salvage welcomed everyone, made the necessary introductions and reminded everyone that there would be an opportunity for members of the public to raise questions at the end of the meeting. She thanked everyone for their attendance. Apologies were received and recorded. The Police were unable to attend as they had been called out on duty. | ||
| Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest. | ||
| Statement by Billy Morris, Treasurer Following some concerns and email activity since the previous meeting, Mr Morris read out a statement clarifying the financial position relating to the Floral Fund. A full copy of Mr Morris’ statement will be retained on file by the CC Chairperson. | ||
| Invited Speakers Marjory Ashworth (in the absence of Michael Bruce) – Michael Bruce was due to attend the meeting to speak about the EAST NEUK COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLANNING TRUST (ENCEPT). This is a charitable organisation which has been set up to provide help and assistance at local level in the event of an emergency e.g Covid or the ‘Beast from the East’. During Covid this resulted in the delivery of prescriptions, food etc. However, the trust can also co-ordinate the provision of pumps in the event of flooding, and it has provided first aid kits throughout the East Neuk. The Trust is operated by local volunteers, and they continue to look for more helpers. If anyone is interested or requires the services of this group, then they can call the helpline number (which will be provided at the next meeting). Pete Peddie – Mr Peddie has been elected as the chair of the new ST MONANS AULD KIRK ENTERPRISE committee (SMAKE). Following the 2 recent meetings regarding the future of the Auld Kirk, the CC asked Pete Peddie, David Robertson, Marjory Ashworth, Vicki Salvage, Richard Croker and Jo Taylor to form a working group to look into the possibility of the community taking over the running of the Auld Kirk. The new working group has met once and will meet again on Tuesday 20th June. They are investigating options for ownership and use of the Auld Kirk and are looking for ideas from the community. They will possibly hold an open meeting for the community to share their views and ideas. This new working group is not part of the CC, but it will work closely with the CC. | ||
| Previous Minutes and Matters Arising Item 2 – Cllr Hayes is pursuing the issue regarding the speed reduction from 60 to 30 at the start of the village. The Police have been active in the area with ‘pop up bob’. Cllr Hayes has requested a safety appraisal at this location. Item 3 – Leaflet about St Monans. This will be looked at in August. Martin Dibley from ‘Visit East Neuk’ will be in attendance to speak to the CC about noticeboards for the village. Cllr Dillon advised that a local artist was producing information for visitors to the East Neuk, and that St Monans was the next village being considered. Members are asked to consider ideas for the leaflet and noticeboards and bring these to the August meeting. Item 4 – Traffic measures for Abercrombie. It was noted that the promised electronic speed warning signs have still not been erected. Item 8 – Bankhead collection – there will be no request for any items belonging to St Monans until there is news about the future of the Auld Kirk. The previous minutes were proposed by Richard Croker and seconded by Marjory Ashworth. | ||
| Police Report Cllr Dillon advised that there were 24 calls received and 1 crime recorded. | ||
| Chair’s Report Sea Queen Day will be held on Saturday 15th July between 11am and 4pm with Pete Peddie acting as MC for the day. The Methil and District Pipe Band will be in attendance on the Saturday. The Kirking of the Sea Queen will take place at the bridge adjacent to the Auld Kirk on the Sunday with David Clark leading the service outdoors. There will be a small parade to Abercrombie Court followed by brunch at the Townhall. Audrey Clark will play the Pipes during this parade. Questions were raised about whether the Auld Kirk could be used on the Sunday, but the Chair reported that apparently this was not possible, despite weddings and funerals being held in the building. Adverts for Community Council elections – information has already been posted about this. It is quite a complex process and people need to understand it. Candidates need a proposer and a seconder and need to be on the electoral roll by the end of July 2023. Nomination papers will be issued in August. Secretary Vacancy – this position is still available. St Monans Primary School Head Teacher – Vicki Salvage read out a letter from the outgoing HT in which she conveyed her appreciation to the CC for its support during her time working at the local PS. On behalf of the CC, M Syme will be attending the school to assist with the appointment of the school Captains etc. An update was provided about the health of two previous CC members Vic Bland and Bill Buchan. | ||
| Treasurer’s Report Floral fund – previously mentioned in detail at the start of the meeting.Beach Clean – cheque issued to Marjory Ashworth for expenses. Coronation Mugs – Richard Wemyss has been paid £480. Coronation Disco – awaiting bill from Fife Council for £168Heritage rooms – two water bills. Still awaiting response from Fife Voluntary Action. Cllr Dillon to follow this up. Heritage Gin – B Morris met with the Chief Distiller from Kingsbarns Distillery. They will make the Gin under the Darnley’s Brand based on the recipe provided, but removing some concerning ingredients such as Alum. The CC can decide upon a suitable name for the product. Attempts will be made to use locally sourced ingredients. They will market and licence the product which will be between 40-57% proof. This could bring in significant income and Billy was thanked for his work here. B Morris and his wife have received an invitation from Lord and Lady Balniel to attend a memorial service for the Earl of Crawford. This will be held at St Salvator’s Chapel at the University on 21st July and will be followed by a reception at Balcarres House. Bank Statement – 5th May – £3554.39. | ||
| Members’ Report M Syme Planning Report – one planning application for a single-story extension on Elm Grove. Plans were circulated.M Ashworth Beach Clean – thanks to all who turned up for this event. Fife Council delivered the skip on the Friday and collected it on the Saturday, despite the Beach Clean not taking place until the Sunday! A particular thanks to Hamish who filled the skip and to Balcaskie for tractor assistance. The beach clean was very successful despite the weather being poor on the day. | ||
| Members’ Questions Eileen Montador – when will the path from the caravan site to the pool be cleaned up? Cllr Dillon to send an email to Fife Council regarding this. Cllr Hayes advised that many people are complaining about overgrown areas now. David Robertson – fishermen asking about the slipway adjacent to the Welly Boot Garden. This slipway used to be used but is now untidy. Cllr Dillon to ask Fife Council about this. | ||
| Councillors’ Reports Cllr Sean Dillon Sign as you come into the West end of the village will now be moved to the end of the Windmill Gardens development. Residents of new development asking if a new bus stop could be provided, and Cllr Dillon wanted the views of the CC. Discussion followed and Cllr Dillon will contact Transport in this respect. Illegal dumping – can be reported by phone or email (details to be provided)Fire Rescue service cuts – Cllr Dillon has written to relevant organisations to raise concerns about the change in service. It is recommended that the CC do likewise. Cllr Dillon to supply the Chair with details of the relevant organisations to approach. Energy vouchers – scheme ends at the end of this month (June) – people need to redeem vouchers asap. Fisher lass signs – views of CC sought for the type of image. Chair to email Cllr Dillon advising of the preference to retain the traditional Fisher lass image. Cllr Alycia Hayes Re cuts to the Fire Rescue service – Head of the East Deployment Area spoke at the Community Scrutiny Committee on 7th June and was questioned why, when there is 20% higher incidence of a fire in a rural area, would you move a height appliance to further away (Kirkcaldy to Dunfermline). He didn’t recognise this statistic and agreed to review this statistic and take this forward. There is a lot of support on this topic and many objections to the changes. Changes to Council Tax for second homes and non-domestic rates. Cllr Hayes outlined and discussed the possible changes and the impact on local economy and community when there are homes lying empty for a considerable period throughout the year. People who want to join the consultation about possible changes to charges can access this at consult.gov.scot. Vicki Salvage advised Cllr Hayes that the sign for ‘no campervans’ at the Auld Kirk carpark is missing. Campervans are now parking there. | ||
| Public Questions (chaired by Marjory Ashworth) Elaine Porteous provided a comprehensive report from Beautiful St Monans. The group meets weekly on a Wednesday at 2pm. There is a daily rota to water the welly boots and other plants. There are regular repairs/painting/maintenance/planting etc. There are 66 tubs in the village and 100 hanging baskets. The group extended its thanks to the CC and Fife CGF for support. Concerns raised about delays in payments for plants and asked if, in future, the group could be kept up to date of any financial issues so that it could adjust plant orders accordingly? Elaine advised that the condition of ‘Dillon’, the boat at the East Pier, is poor. Cllr Dillon will speak to his family about replacing this. Comment on fundraising efforts and a query raised about declaring ‘down the pipe’ donations at the Welly Boot Garden. M Ashworth confirmed that all donations should be declared. The group would welcome ideas for additional fundraising. M Ashworth extended a thank you to the Beautiful St Monans group for all that they do to keep the village looking so lovely. Their efforts are very much appreciated. She confirmed that a move to online banking should assist the finance concerns, and also added that improved communication would help here. It is necessary to raise 50% of the floral funding and in future we need to look at what we can afford. Whatever we raise the CGF will match. Eileen Montador also complimented the group on their work in the village. Bill Porteous stated that if Fife Council have assigned £30,000 to St Monans, why are there restrictions to what can be used? Discussion re the removal of gutters when the road was tarred at the West End. Grass is now growing over. Cllr Dillon will now address this with the Roads Department of Fife Council. Why can’t the slipway adjacent to the Welly Boot Garden be used? Richard Croker to speak to the harbour master about this. | ||
| AOCB Nothing to report. | ||
| Date and time of next meetings V Salvage thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting. The next meeting will be held in the church hall on Monday 21st August 2023 at 7.30 pm, with refreshments being served from 7pm. | ||
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