{"id":11027,"date":"2024-10-20T21:50:13","date_gmt":"2024-10-20T20:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stmonans.org.uk\/blog\/?p=11027"},"modified":"2024-10-20T21:50:13","modified_gmt":"2024-10-20T20:50:13","slug":"11027-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stmonans.org.uk\/blog\/11027-2\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ST. MONANS AND ABERCROMBIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minute of the ordinary general meeting held in the Church Hall, Station Road on Monday 16 th September 2024 at 7.30 pm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Present: Marjory Ashworth (Chair), Eileen Montador (Secretary), David Robertson (Treasurer), Niamh Syme<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Social Media), Cllr Alycia Hayes, Diane Martin (Minute Secretary)
Apologies: Morven Syme (Vice Chair), Mervyn Blank, Cllr Sean Dillon
Members of the public: 8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Welcome and apologies.
    Marjory Ashworth welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were received and recorded.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Declarations of interest
    There were no declarations of interest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Camera Collection \u2013 Mike Childs
    Following a previous visit to the Community Council earlier this year to highlight the Jim Matthews Camera
    Collection, Mike provided a brief update regarding ongoing funding concerns. Mike showcased an A3 sized
    souvenir poster entitled \u201cCameras throughout the ages\u201d which is now on sale to raise funds to support the
    continued running of the Camera Collection. The posters are priced \u00a35, or \u00a38 including postage, and are
    available to purchase on the group Facebook page. Suggestions were made that they might also be
    promoted in the Heritage Museum, the library etc. Cllr. Hayes advised that there is a link to possible
    additional funding provided in her report this evening.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Fishermen\u2019s Memorial Garden \u2013 Hugh Wallace
    Following a visit to the Community Council in September 2023, Hugh reminded the meeting of the 1875
    Fishing Disaster and of the ongoing efforts to create a memorial garden in the village to mark the 150 th
    Anniversary of this tragic loss of 21 local fishermen. Finally, after delays due to Covid, and various
    interactions and staff changes within Fife Council, a way forward has been established. A meeting with local
    interested parties will take place in the next few weeks and, going forward, more fundraising will be
    required to meet the expected costs of between \u00a35000-\u00a310000. Hugh advised that at this point there is a
    need to apply to the Council for a \u201cLicence to Work\u201d and asked for a commitment that the application for
    this could be made in the Community Council\u2019s name.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Sea Change Therapies
    Two representatives from this start up business addressed the meeting, advising of a new not-for-profit
    community interest company offering accessible, affordable counselling in the East Neuk. The service will
    provide a safe, confidential, inclusive and non-judgemental space, supporting and encouraging better
    mental health in the local community. More information can be obtained on their website:
    www.seachangetherapies.co.uk<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Reports from Community Groups
    Sea Queen Group \u2013 Vicky Robertson
    A fundraising quiz will be held in the Masonic Hall on Saturday 9 th November at 7pm. Teams will be made
    up of four people. Tickets are \u00a35 each and include stovies and tea\/coffee. There will also be a raffle on the
    night. Niamh will advertise this on social media and tickets will be on sale in due course.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    2
    Heritage Collection \u2013 David Robertson for Billy Morris
    There have been around 1800 visitors to the collection this year and there has been an increase in funds
    raised too (over \u00a32000). Jerzy Morkis has funded and put together a new book entitled \u201cWe live by the
    sea\u201d. This beautiful book includes photography from the William Easton collection. The book is priced \u00a325
    and is available to order by emailing stmonans@gmail.com
    SMAKE \u2013 Marjory Ashworth
    A new company limited by guarantee has been established and the group can now apply to become a
    charity. The group is currently moving forward with business planners to the next stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Last minutes and matters arising
      \uf0b7 Memorial Garden \u2013 we now know we need a \u201clicence to work\u201d.
      \uf0b7 Streetlights \u2013 now fixed.
      \uf0b7 Overgrowth at the Dawsie \u2013 Cllr Dillon\u2019s report to update
      \uf0b7 Burn path \u2013 has been cut back and is much improved.
      \uf0b7 Bins on Station Road \u2013 Cllr. Hayes checked after the previous meeting, and they had been emptied.
      \uf0b7 Headway was put on Social Media
      \uf0b7 Mervyn Blank was missed off the members present on the minute \u2013 now corrected.
      The August minute was proposed by Eileen Montador and seconded by Niamh Syme.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Police Matters and Report
      No report brought to the meeting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Chairperson\u2019s Report \u2013 Marjory Ashworth
      \uf0b7 Thanks were extended to the Arts Festival Committee for a very successful event in the village. The
      caf\u00e9 was a great success and there were many new exhibitors this year.
      \uf0b7 A communication was received from Mr Duncan, the Rector at Waid Academy, highlighting that
      young people were going to the castle with alcohol. The police have been notified of this.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Treasurer\u2019s Report \u2013 David Robertson
      \uf0b7 Floral account \u2013 bank balance on 8\/7\/24 was \u00a33706.85, with an invoice outstanding for Pathhead
      for \u00a3500. Application for floral funding for 2024\/2025 has been submitted.
      \uf0b7 Heritage account \u2013 This fund is doing particularly well this year and the bank balance on 8\/7\/24 was
      \u00a33058.73. Missing the last invoice from Business Stream. David recommended that the previously
      paid shortfall of \u00a3588.61 be repaid back into the cash flow account and this was approved. Missing
      last bank statement.
      \uf0b7 Cash flow account \u2013 bank balance in August this year was \u00a3249.31. Ongoing issue with floral
      account money being paid into the cash flow account but this money has been transferred over.
      The annual grant has still not been received due to issue re bank signatories. As a previous
      signatory, Peter Peddie will be contacted to be co-opted back onto the council to allow the grant to
      be applied for.
      \uf0b7 Paperwork has been re-submitted to the Royal Bank to try and resolve the signatory issues.
      M Ashworth will speak directly to the RBS bank van teller.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Secretary\u2019s Report \u2013 Eileen Montador
      \uf0b7 Scottish Community Council webinar re local emergency provisions \u2013 discussed and as we already
      have this established in our area there is no requirement to attend webinar.
      \uf0b7 Royal Society of Edinburgh funding of up to \u00a35000 \u2013 to be promoted on Social Media.
      \uf0b7 Questions received re timescale for reinstatement of path to Queen Margaret Street \u2013 discussion
      followed \u2013 this is significantly impacting the lives of local people. Request that Cllr. Dillon escalates
      this.
      \uf0b7 Email received re Hope Place \u2013 Cllr. Hayes advised that possibilities will be explored, and due
      process will be followed.
      \uf0b7 Local Plan \u2013 St Monans knew nothing about this. It is suspected that we are not on the appropriate
      mailing list at Fife Council. Although the date for completion has passed, Cllr. Hayes still feels that a
      plan can be put together fairly quickly, and she will send through information to assist here.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Members\u2019 Reports
        Niamh Syme for Morven Syme
        \uf0b7 No planning matters to report.
        \uf0b7 Request dog fouling bins near to the castle which is a popular dog walker route. Cllr. Hayes to
        action.
        Niamh Syme
        \uf0b7 Query \u2013 is it okay to establish a St Monans Community Council Facebook page? Cllr. Hayes
        confirmed that it is.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Councillors\u2019 Reports
        Cllr. Alycia Hayes
        \uf0b7 I have written to ask for a review of the layout of Hope Place following a resident’s concerns about
        large vehicles driving down the street, mounting the pavement.\u00a0
        \uf0b7 I shall be holding a surgery in the Common Car Park from 2.30- 4.30 on October 2nd. This is for
        anyone who might feel uncomfortable about meeting their Councillor in an enclosed space or have
        ad hoc matters to raise.\u00a0I’ll have hot drinks to hand, a comfy seat and an awning should it be
        raining.\u00a0
        It is harder for Councillors for hold surgeries than it used to be. The council does not pay for the hire
        of venues and a number of violent incidents reported over recent years have resulted in Councillors
        being advised not to hold surgeries in enclosed spaces.\u00a0
        However! No one needs to change their daily schedule see a councillor. You can email
        Cllr.Alycia.Hayes@fife.gov.uk or phone 07974 250 588 and I shall meet you at a time and location to
        suit you.\u00a0
        \uf0b7 There is a new system of Domestic Waste being implemented on October 14th, with the change to
        “single shift” working.\u00a0This will affect almost everyone.\u00a0The new schedule is not yet online at the
        time of writing this, but all households should receive a leaflet.
        \uf0b7 Bulky uplift bookings will not be available from October 4th -14th.
        \uf0b7 Fife Council have adopted a policy of reclaiming burial lairs. If a lair was bought over 50 years ago
        but no burial has taken place. If they are in a poor state of repair.\u00a0
        \uf0b7 Are you, or someone you know, over state retirement age? If so, you might be entitled to extra
        Pension Credit on top of your state pension, even if you have some savings.\u00a0\u00a0Apply before Sunday 22
        September and if you\u2019re entitled to Pension Credit, you\u2019ll also get the winter fuel payment which
        starts from \u00a3200.\u00a0\u00a0Fife Council are currently writing to people we think might be eligible, so if you
        receive a letter from us, please act now. It’s genuine.\u00a0Even if you haven’t received a letter, you could
        still be eligible so why not try our Online Benefit Checker to see what you might be entitled to.
        https:\/\/fife.entitledto.co.uk
        \uf0b7 Fife Council wants to help not-for-profit community groups and organisations make their great ideas
        happen. Through Crowdfunder, we have already supported projects across Fife and have the funds
        ready to help with more. We could give your project a welcome boost with up to \u00a32,000 towards
        your idea. What can we fund?
        \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n