<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ST. MONANS AND ABERCROMBIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minute of the ordinary general meeting held in the Church Hall, Station Road on<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Monday 15 th January 2024 at 7.30 pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Present: Marjory Ashworth (Chair), Morven Syme (Vice President), Eileen Montador (Secretary), David
Robertson (Treasurer), Niamh Syme (Social Media), Cllr Alycia Hayes, Diane Martin (Minute
Secretary)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apologies: Mervyn Blank, Cllr Sean Dillon, Cllr Fiona Corps
Members of the public: 8<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3
A full copy of Mr Morris\u2019 report can be obtained from the CC chair if required.
The Heritage Collection cannot gain charitable status while it is under the Community Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4
We are missing the latest bank statement.
Cash Flow Accounts
Balance @ 08 th November 2023 – \u00a3627.74 \u2013 Confirmed
Autumn Club Common good fund application removed \u2013 Reapplied & approved through the settlement
fund for \u00a3500.00. Cheque issued 31 st December 2023.
Cheque issued to Marjory Ashworth on the 10 th of January 2024 for \u00a323.13. This is to cover purchase of tea,
coffee, and biscuits for CC meetings.
\uf0b7 Approval was sought to repay money from the Floral account back into the Cash flow account. This
was put to vote and there was unanimous approval.
\uf0b7 The CC annual grant application is currently on hold as there is a requirement for the bank accounts
to be updated with the new signatories.
\uf0b7 There is apparently nothing in the CC constitution which says that it is responsible for the Floral or
Heritage funds. However, the bank account names say Community Council on them. This could
impact the amount of grant funding that the CC can apply for.
\uf0b7 The Heritage lease\/sub lease \u2013 this is leased to the Community Council. It would be preferable for
the Heritage to apply for Charitable Status but to do so would mean breaking away from the CC.
\uf0b7 There is currently no insurance for the Heritage collection and Maureen Burgess from Fife Voluntary
Action is looking into this.
\uf0b7 A discussion followed regarding the location of the Heritage collection and possible future sites.
\uf0b7 The damp wall in the Heritage rooms is being repaired during the 2 nd \/3 rd week in February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5
Fife Council primary one applications \u2013 now open!
If your child turns 5 between 1 March 2024 and 28 February 2025, the application process for enrolling
them into P1 is now open. If your child doesn\u2019t turn five until after the school summer term starts you do
have the choice to defer for a year.
Applications for P1 must be received by 15 March 2024.
Check out the criteria and apply online www.fife.gov.uk\/schooladmissions
Fife Council Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) applications are also now open.
Was your child born between 1 March 2021 and 28 February 2022?
If yes, ELC funded hours can be accessed through Fife Council nurseries as well as private nurseries,
playgroups and childminders working in partnership with Fife Council.
Applications for three- and four-year-old children must be received by 31 January 2024.
Check out the criteria and apply online www.fife.gov.uk\/nurseryapplications
If you don\u2019t have access to a smartphone or computer, you can ask the nursery you\u2019d like your child to go to
to post out a paper copy of the form. You can use this form to make more than one placing request.
Fife Families Information Service
I also include below some links to sources of funding. Through the year, you may find that there are
projects you might aspire to, to improve facilities and opportunities in the area. As we know- everything
requires money! Here are some places to look.
The first two have a very close deadline. It’s only a small amount, but if you wanted to do something
around flooding\/ ice etc, it might help:
The National Centre for Resilience currently has two funds open until the end of January, one being aimed
at Community Councils – National Centre for Resilience (gla.ac.uk)
New Scotland-wide community research funding available!
‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’ Awards are designed to support healthy environments and healthy
communities. Apply for up to \u00a35,000 to enable your community-led research projects on the following
themes: climate; nature; or food.
Deadline: 22 January 2024
Funding & Collaboration – Royal Society of Edinburgh (rse.org.uk)
https:\/\/funding.scot\/
https:\/\/www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk\/how-we-help\/rural-communities\/
https:\/\/www.inspiringscotland.org.uk\/news\/funding-for-rural-communities\/
funding\/fife-grants
AZETS have done this year\u2019s external Audit of Fife’s Council’s finances and once again have found no cause
for concern but have made one criticism.
I would like to close by pointing out that I am available to anyone that requires my help. Advertised
surgeries are now considered to be ill advised, due to safety concerns, so instead I am available to meet
with any individual at any mutually convenient time.
Simply email: cllr.alycia.hayes@fife.gov.uk
Or Phone: 03451 555555 ext: 430489
Cllr. Sean Dillon
\uf0b7 Ian Findlay Path Fund
Following our lengthy conversations about the right of way between Braehead and Station Road, I have
been doing some research and come across The Ian Findlay Path Fund (IFPF). This fund supports the
improvement of local paths within and between communities and can give grant between \u00a310,000 &<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6
\u00a3100,000, with 30% match funding. They can also offer guidance on planning and developing path projects,
surveying and designing paths, preparing contract documents for tenders, and path construction. I am
awaiting a response to an initial email I have sent them regarding the suitability of the right of way but
when I receive one, I will share it with the community council.
\uf0b7 Funding for Community Noticeboards
After speaking with Niamh about the poor condition of the noticeboard at East Street, I have been looking
into funding for a replacement. Council officers have suggested that the community council make an
application to the Local Community Planning Budget. I am happy to take this forward, if the community
council is agreeable.
\uf0b7 Queen Margaret Street \u2013 Windmill Gardens Path
As part of their planning obligations, the developer of Windmill Gardens has to pay the cost of constructing
a path between the development and the wider village. Following my enquiries as to why this hasn\u2019t yet
happened, council officers have entered into negotiations with the developer, and it is likely that a path will
be constructed in the coming months.
\uf0b7 Streetlights
There have been several faults with streetlights across the East Neuk and when reported to the council,
little has been done to resolve these faults. This is because Scottish Power, who are responsible for the
lights, have been having problems with their contractor. I have raised a formal complaint with the
organisation, but last week, officers met with representatives of the company who inform them that they
have replaced their contractor with a new one and that a review is underway to assess problem areas. The
impact of this change will not be felt immediately but it is hoped that over the coming months, streetlights
will improve across the ward.
\uf0b7 Primary School Applications
If your child turns 5 between 1 March 2024 and 28 February 2025, the application process for enrolling
them into P1 is now open and will close on the 15 th of March. If your child doesn\u2019t turn five until after the
school summer term starts you do have the choice to defer for a year. For further information and to apply
online visit www.fife.gov.uk\/schooladmissions.
\uf0b7 Fly tipping
From New Year\u2019s Day, the amount the council can fine individuals for fly tipping was doubled to \u00a3500.
Despite the introduction of a free bulky uplift service last year to tackle this problem, it is still occurring at a
cost of \u00a360 million to taxpayers across Scotland. If you spot anyone fly tipping, please report it by visiting
fife.gov.uk\/illegaldumping or by telephoning 03451 55 00 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n