St Monans and Abercrombie Residents Association – Minute 25/09/19
Minute of Meeting: Wednesday 25th September 2019
Chair Hugh Wallace
Secretary Sandra Mayes
Treasurer
Fife Council Kara Watson (Housing Officer), Colin Whyte (Tenants Participating Officer), Sarah Johnston (A.O.), Robert Meredith (Rights of Way)
External Ramon Gray (NEFTRF)
Residents Rena Ovenstone, David Brisland, Peter Copland, Vicki Salvage
Welcome and Apologies: HW welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Minute of last meeting: This was AGREED
Presentation and Explanation on Rights of Ways in the village
Sarah Johnston from Fife Council with her colleague Robert Meredith explained that the guidelines for “Rights of Ways” were contained in the 1967 Countryside Act and the 2003 Land Reform Act. There are 1500 “Rights of Way” in Fife, with probably a third of these being incorrect. A basic ‘rule of thumb’ is that if a route has been in existence for 20 years, then it has become a “Right of Way”.
The first route under consideration was between Station Road and Braehead. There is no record of this being a “Right of Way” but would come under the category of 20 year usage. However the route has become dangerous due to work done by the owner of the property adjacent in Station Road in clearing the ground for his view from his windows. This has probably been the case for five years. Although the route has a long history, it would be difficult to prove that the owner had cleared the area with the intention of preventing the right of way. However the work has left the route dangerous and unsafe for pedestrians. The owner would have no statutory duty to remove any blockage or return the route to its original state. The onus would be on the community to prove there was intention to block the route or deliberately to make it unsafe. If the community was to decide to make the route safe it may cost in the region of £20,000. It would be for the Community Council to consider whether this was considered a priority. Peter Copland, Chair of the Community Council, who was present, agreed to take the matter back to the CC.
The second route under consideration was at Virgin Square where vehicles could at times be parked “unhelpfully” for pedestrians, but it was not a “Right of Way”. Owners could be asked to remove their obstructing vehicles but that was all.
Sarah and Robert were thanked for their helpful clarification and advice, and left the meeting.
Group Walkabout Action Plan update/subsequent issues – Kara Watson (Housing Officer)
KW gave an update on the Walkabout which took place on 17th April 2019.
The following matters are now “complete”, meaning either action has been taken or cannot be taken any further. (This is in addition to other matters shown as “complete” in earlier minutes).
Fencing at Coastal Path
The following are matters raised subsequent to the Walkabout and are now “complete”.
Damaged Railings beside 41 Inverie Street
The following is on-going from Walk-about
Caravans parked at Miller Terrace – one caravan has been removed, but another one still there
Hope Place/Miller Terrace signage for car parking – Transportation contacted; still on Stuart Goodfellow”s ‘to do list’
St Monans Coastal Path Sign – FCCT contacted; in the process of updating information
3 East Shore Street “private parking” sign – ownership checked; Harbourmaster property; Transportation being chased up – question over enforcement
Station Road/Hope Place railings – Transportation contacted; made safe, but post on pavement needs fixed
East Street Noticeboard area – HW indicated that he had met with a number of “interested parties” and would call a meeting in the next few weeks to hear concerns and possible solutions. There are issues of continuing maintenance which would lie with the community. However he believed there were probably more things in common that might lead to an amicable solution.
Road-surfacing throughout St Monans – Transportation contacted (Sara Wilson) – it was reported that work would commence in East Street and the “Dawsie” in March/April 2020
The following is on-going subsequent to Walk-about
Bins at Braid Court – Kara updated meeting; uplift ordered, and project approved to replace fencing
Railings at Johnstons Close – an inspection has been ordered
Right of Way at Station Road/Braehead corner – note earlier discussion
Broken posts needing to be capped – HW showed photos of posts at the Harbour, corner of Hope Place and Station Road, beside the Town Hall in Hope Place, and post at the corner of West End and West Shore; KW would pursue these
Defibrillator at Harbourmaster’s Office and painting of Office
Uncut hedges on lane beside school – KW reported that action was to be taken either to cut back or remove altogether by End of October/start of November
Other Matters from Minute
HW encouraged the meeting to support the St Monans Common Play Area Proposals which Helen Ironside (Welly Boot Club) had shown to him. The costs would be around £120,000. Funding would need to be found from various sources including work by the community to fund raise.
Other Business from the meeting
A garden at the corner of Inverie Street and Castle Street was overgrown. KW would look into this.
SM reported that a resident in Gourlay Crescent was concerned about fencing around her property. KW advised that this was “coming”.
RG intimated the next Federation Meeting in Cupar on 27th September at 10.30am
Next Meeting
There being no further business the Chair thanked those who had come, and intimated that the next meeting of the Association would take place on Wednesday 16th October 2019 at 6.30pm at the Masonic Lodge, Braehead. It was agreed that SM and CW would joint chair the next meeting.
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