ST. MONANS AND ABERCROMBIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minute of the ordinary general meeting held in the Church Hall, Station Road on

Monday 18 th March 2024 at 7.30 pm

Present: Marjory Ashworth (Chair), Morven Syme (Vice President), Eileen Montador (Secretary), David
Robertson (Treasurer), Niamh Syme (Social Media), Mervyn Blank, Diane Martin (Minute Secretary)

Apologies: Cllr Sean Dillon, Cllr Fiona Corps
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. Reports from Community Groups
   Residents Association – report by Hugh Wallace
   This association is likely to be wound up at the April AGM, with the remaining funds balance of £8991.08
   being allocated as follows:
   £1335.00 – Memorial Garden (if CC agree to be umbrella for this, Hugh will lead the project)
   £7156.08 – Community Larder (current team to independently manage the affairs/funds)
   £500 – Residents Association final expenditure
   £350 – could be made available for Heritage Fund (HF need to approach the RA to request this)
   Hugh Wallace agreed to again chase up the Memorial Garden lease agreement with Fife Council. Cllr Dillon
   to be cc’d into emails to assist here. 2025 marks 150 years since the fishing disaster and it is hoped the
   Memorial Garden will be complete by then.
   Gardening Group – report by Lynn Leask
   Lynn advised that she is now on the committee for the Allotment Association. The group is meeting with
   Ian Anderson on Wednesday to look at the polytunnel, sites/space available etc. The group is currently
   keeping the village gardens tidy over the winter and Rae Wallace is liaising with the school regarding pupil
   involvement. Marjory Ashworth advised that the delivery of letters to the whole community, seeking
   funding to support the floral fund, is now in progress.
   St Monans Heritage Collection – report by David Robertson
   Works are now complete. Billy Morris is currently painting the premises. It in the plan to have the
   collection open soon, query for Easter?
   Sea Queen – report by Vicky Robertson
   The Food Festival will take place on 6 th April. This group is still low on committee members.
   SMAKE (St Monans Auld Kirk Enterprise) – report by Marjory Ashworth
   Funding received from Scottish Land Fund and Common Good Fund to finance a structural survey and the
   production of a business plan. Work continues here behind the scenes.

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Church of Scotland – report by Hugh Wallace
There will be an Easter morning service at the harbour at 8am. This will be followed by a breakfast of bacon
rolls in the church hall and then morning worship at 10am.
Autumn Club – report by Eleanor Mathers
This club is now closed until October.
Arts Festival – report by Helen Marshall
The 2024 Arts Festival dates have now been confirmed: 7 th & 8 th September 2024

4. Previous minutes and matters arising
   The February minutes were proposed by Eileen Montador and seconded by Morven Syme.
5. Police matters and report
   There were no representatives from the police present and Marjory Ashworth provided a brief report on
   their behalf: There were 13 calls made to the police in the previous month from St Monans, with 1 crime
   recorded.
   There were 2 calls to police from Abercrombie, with 0 crimes recorded.
6. Chairperson’s report – report by Marjory Ashworth
    The beach clean will take place on Sunday 12 th May. The school will be involved on Friday 10 th May.
    Heritage Gin – concerns about the cost of complying with legislation/licensing arrangements etc.
   Advice was obtained from the Futtle Brewery in Bowhouse. There are also concerns also about the
   yellow colour of the gin which may make it more difficult to sell. Committee members are working
   on this but it may take time.
7. Treasurer’s report – report by David Robertson
   Floral Accounts
   Balance @ 19 th February 2024 – £1473.14 – Confirmed
   19 th February 2024 – £10.66 received from Helen Marshall – This is funds from the wellie boot garden pipe.
   We can apply for the 2024/2025 Floral funding from Fife Council from the 01 st April 2024. This funding is
   fixed at £250.00.
   We are missing the latest bank statement.
   Tom Swankie has NOT been approached for costings as yet – Awaiting update re residents self watering.
   Heritage Accounts
   Balance @ 1 st February 2024 th December 2023 – £561.84 – Confirmed
   Business Stream February invoice – £59.59 – Cheque issued 17 th March 2024
   13/02/2024 – Thomson Tradeworks Ltd – Plaster & Concrete Repairs – INV1149 – £780.00
   23/02/2024 – A Stephen Joiner – Wood & plasterboard repairs – £1520.00
   29/02/2024 – Andrew Allan Electrician – Electrical work – £188.61
   Above totals – £2488.61
   Application for release of £1900.00 pre-approved funding for above requested.
   Short fall of £588.61 for above works – Discussion required.
   We are missing the latest bank statement.
   Cash Flow Accounts
   Balance @ 08 th November 2023 – £848.13 – Confirmed
   Awaiting invoice from Fife council for burns supper hall hire for the amount of £274.30.
   Community Council Annual Grant still awaiting approval – Should be approved this month.
   St Monans Heritage Collection – £4950.00 – Book publishing – Application removed.
   We are missing the latest bank statement.
8. Secretary’s report

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 Niamh Syme will attend Teams Meeting for CC groups. It is hoped that CCs will not be charged for
using Fife Council buildings for fundraising events e.g. Burns Supper.
 The road from the top of the Dawsie to the top of the slipway will be closed from the 18 th to the 29 th
March for gas works
 Sean Blake has been given permission to add some artwork to the bus stop
 The work to repair the damaged sea wall is in hand
 The fence at the old station house is in a poor condition. This is possibly the responsibility of Muir
Construction? Eileen Montador has contacted them in this respect and is awaiting a response.
 Alan Stephen, Funeral Director, has been denied permission for an Eco Burial Ground. No further
action here.
 Query if our CC is willing to support Elie CC in their action regarding the possible closure of Elmwood
College.
 More complaints re dog fouling. Marjory Ashworth agreed to source additional signage for the
village.
 Funding is available for new Community Noticeboards.

10. Members’ Reports
    Niamh Syme (Social Media)
    A decision is needed on the locations of the new Noticeboards. It was agreed that these should be sited at
    the end of the new housing estate and at the entrance to the village near the station house.
    Morven Syme (Vice President)
     Nothing to report
    Mervyn Blank
     Steps from caravan site to windmill – gap which is dangerous to dogs
     Storm damage to mesh metal fence at end of Rose Street – dangerous to dogs
    Morven Syme agreed to speak to Fife Coast and Country regarding these issues.
     2 anonymous complaints from residents in Abercrombie about the request for funding for the floral
    fund, when there are no floral displays in the hamlet. Marjory Ashworth confirmed there is
    insufficient funding to extend the displays up to Abercrombie. In addition, there isn’t a suitable site
    for a tub due to the narrow road and pavement.
     The Abercrombie noticeboard needs cleaned and upgraded. Mervyn and Marjory agreed to deal
    with this.
11. Councillors’ Reports
    Cllr. Sean Dillon
     Seawall:
    As indicated in my previous email, the council will be undertaking emergency stabilisation works to
    prevent any further erosion. The work began on Friday and is expected to be completed by the 29 th
    of March. The council are continuing to undertake searches into who owns the wall, but this will not
    hamper stabilisation works. Once these are complete and the owner identified, it will be their
    responsibility to permanently repair the wall with materials appropriate for the conservation area.
     Community Noticeboards:
    Having previously been approached by Niamh about replacing the community noticeboards, I have
    found funding which will become available at the start of the new financial year. However, before
    this can be applied for, a decision will have to be taken as to where the community would like these
    located and what they should look like. If the community council could decide this and let me know,
    I will begin the funding process.
     Windmill Gardens:
    The developers of Windmill Gardens and the council have reached an agreement that will see the
    developer construct a footpath between Queen Margaret Street and Burn Drive. It is expected that
    this will be put in place over the summer. In addition, a roadside barrier will be put at the north side
    of the path that runs along the eastern boundary of the development to increase pedestrian safety.
    The additional bus stops that I requested at Manse Drive were expected to be in place before the

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end of this financial year, however, this has had to be postponed until April/May due to funding.
 BT Manhole Covers:
The broken BT manhole covers opposite the Coal Farm were due to be replaced last week.
However, this has been postponed until the 27 th of March as temporary traffic lights will have to be
installed to allow for the safe replacement of these covers. It is expected that these will only be in
place for one day.
 Community Emergency Resilience Awareness Event:
A Community Resilience Awareness Drop-In is being held on the 27 th of March at Fife Voluntary
Action (FVA), 16 East Fergus Place, Kirkcaldy, between 18:00 & 20:00. The event is being organised
by the Fife Community Resilience Forum and Fife Council with support from FVA, Police Scotland,
the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Scottish Flood Forum, SEPA, and the Scottish Government.

12. Public Questions
     Litter at Johnstons Close – to be directed to Councillors for support here.
     Street lights – recurrent issue around the village. Hugh Wallace reminded all present that residents
    can report issues directly in the first instance.
     Street sweeper – called to other duties and mechanical sweeper not visiting regularly.
     Concerns about condition of one of the Kingdom bungalow houses in Newark Street. This house is
    not being properly maintained, it has an untidy garden (possible vermin), different people coming
    and going and is frequently left unlocked. This is very distressing for neighbouring residents who
    have repeatedly reported this issue to no avail.
     Concerns about the possible closure of Out of Hours service in St. Andrews. Next meeting to discuss
    this is on 16 th April 2024. Eileen Montador will try to attend.
     Invite received from Camera Club for CC group visit. Possibly Sunday 14 th April? TBC
     Empty house in Roland Street discussed.
13. AOCB
14. Close/date and time of next meeting
    The next meeting will be held on Monday 15th April 2024 at 7.00/7.30 pm. Marjory Ashworth thanked
    everyone for their attendance and brought the meeting to a close.