{"id":12171,"date":"2026-05-08T02:21:06","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T01:21:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stmonans.org.uk\/blog\/?p=12171"},"modified":"2026-05-08T02:21:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T01:21:09","slug":"community-council-minute-20th-april-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stmonans.org.uk\/blog\/community-council-minute-20th-april-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Council Minute, 20th April 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ST. MONANS AND ABERCROMBIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL<\/u><\/strong><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minute of the ordinary general meeting,<\/strong> held in the Church Hall, Station Road on<\/strong> Monday 20th<\/sup> April 2026 at 7.30 pm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Present:<\/strong><\/td>Marjory Ashworth (Chair), Eileen Montador (Secretary), David Robertson (Treasurer), Katy Gall, Diane Martin (Minute Secretary)  <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Apologies:<\/strong><\/td>Suzy Cheong (Vice Chair), Peter Peddie, Cllr Alycia Hayes, Cllr Sean Dillon<\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Members of the public: <\/strong>7<\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
1.<\/strong><\/td>Welcome and apologies<\/strong> Marjory Ashworth welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were received and recorded.  <\/td><\/tr>
2.<\/strong><\/td>Declarations of interest<\/strong> There were no declarations of interest.  <\/td><\/tr>
3.<\/strong><\/td>Reports from Community Groups<\/strong>
1875 Memorial Garden \u2013 Hugh Wallace<\/strong> I have three things I want to do this evening. I want to bring you an update on progress with the 1875 Memorial Garden. I want to make a request of the Community Council.I want to make an intimation. \u00a0 Update As you know we completed Phase One of the Project in time for the Opening Ceremony and Service on 22nd November last year. But there was always the intention of a Phase Two. There are three additional features which we want to add to the Garden. Firstly, a wave bench which will allow visitors to sit and reflect on the Memorial; secondly, bollards to protect the Memorial from any vehicles which may try to mount the pavement; and thirdly, signage, a storyboard to give information about the events around this disaster, and how the Memorial came to be here. \u00a0Mary has a mock-up of what that Storyboard (shown to the meeting) might look like, although obviously it will be professionally finished. We have already applied and have been successful in finding funding from the Crown Estates to help with this Phase.\u00a0 \u00a0 Request There are two other things we wish to do to finish off the Garden. One is to include a Community Noticeboard which can advertise activities and events within the village. We would install this at the same time as the Storyboard and would match its design. And two is the removal of a surplus lamppost from the pavement. We have been told that this unfortunately still has live cables, and so would need to be capped. Fife Council would need to do this. They have indicated that the cost might be around \u00a32,000. Fermin is arranging to meet on site with someone from the Estates Department to facilitate the removal. We believe that these two additional actions would be a further benefit both to the Memorial Garden and to the community. When we applied and met representatives from Fife Council last year to acquire a Common Good Grant of \u00a315,000, we were told that we could come back and apply for further funding if required. We would ask that the Community Council support an application for \u00a310,000 towards the completion of the Garden. We have already raised ourselves the matching amount to qualify. If the whole amount is not used, we will return the surplus to the Common Good Fund. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Intimation Sunday 10th May at 4.30pm in the Auld Kirk, a Seamen\u2019s Service of Remembrance followed by a walk to the Memorial Garden and an Act of Remembrance. \u00a0<\/strong> A discussion followed and David Robertson advised re Crown Estates funding and asked for details to be sent over to him together with estimates. \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
Heritage \u2013 Mary Henderson<\/strong> Three new volunteers enabling the centre to be open 7 days per week over the season.Three new books available for sale.\u00a0 Last 20 copies of the William Easton book are available with \u00a35 from each sale going to the Heritage.\u00a0 Also 2 other books which Jerzy Morkis wrote.\u00a0 One is a book about the fisherman poet, and the other is about the School Master at Braehead, John Jack, a man of many words!\u00a0 Bert Cargill from Truro – book based on a folk song about the sinking of the \u2018Rose in June\u2019.Query how to claim Heritage expenses \u2013 David Robertson explained the correct accounting process.PLI query?\u00a0 – The CC has PLI and Eileen will get a copy of this for the Heritage. \u00a0
Floral Group \u2013 Katy Gall<\/strong> Very busy over the past month with flyers distributed to householders, posters displayed and a tidy up of the Station Road area.\u00a0 In addition, the group has been maintaining the plug plants and following a watering rota for the Poly Tunnel. \u00a0
SMAKE<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> David Robertson & Marjory Ashworth<\/strong> Awarded \u00a357920.00 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This funding received will allow the group to go through its\u2019 business plan and, over the next two years, prepare a submission for the Planning Department. The kirk will remain as it is for the next one to two years, but it is available for hire for weddings, concerts, events, funerals etc.\u00a0 The church is now open 7 days per week. \u00a0 Appreciation was extended to all the people serving in the different community groups. \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
4.<\/strong><\/td>Last minutes and matters arising<\/strong>
Mike Childs has advised that the Camera Club now has a dark room available to develop film if required.
Marjory Ashworth has emailed the police about parking and speeding issues but has yet to receive a response
Other items on the previous minute are being dealt with by Cllr Hayes, who is absent this evening. \u00a0
The March minute was proposed by Eileen<\/strong> Montador and seconded by Katy Gall.<\/strong> \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
5.<\/strong><\/td>Police Matters and Report<\/strong>
Contact email address: eastneuklandwardCPT@scotland.police.uk<\/a>
Rob Wallace and Davie Gordon doing speed checks in the area and promoting rural watch and community watch.\u00a0 65+ driving courses now available at St Andrews Fire Station. St. Monans 27 calls – 5 crimes recorded Abercrombie 1 call – 0 crimes recorded \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
 6.<\/strong><\/td>Chairperson\u2019s Report \u2013 Marjory Ashworth<\/strong>
Beach clean has been organised for 10th<\/sup> May at 11am<\/strong> meeting at the West End car park.\u00a0 Location of the skip discussed, and it was agreed that it would be sited at the car park at the Muga.\u00a0 However, no tyres may be deposited in the skip, and \u2018Safer Communities\u2019 will collect the tyres. MA will contact Fiona to finalise site\/collection for tyres.\u00a0 A poster is required to highlight the event, and Diane Martin will organise this.\u00a0 Young strong people are needed on the day as some of the items on the beach are very heavy.
Although the Harbour Shop has been open for 5 months, locals still don\u2019t know it\u2019s there.\u00a0 It was agreed that the CC would highlight this shop through the minute.
Email received from Bill Porteous regarding the request for a seat\/bench on the grassy area at the end of Queen Margaret Street. \u00a0The site is owned by Housing Services. Discussion followed and it was agreed at the meeting that this wasn\u2019t necessary, and that it would be more popular to have seats sited on the front.
Fife Council are currently \u2018behind\u2019 with keeping local signage up to date.\u00a0 Sawmill Corner and the Sandy Kirn has no signage and Marjory Ashworth is continuing to highlight this to Fife Council.\u00a0 There have been two accidents in a month resulting in people being taken to hospital in an ambulance. \u00a0<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
 7.<\/strong><\/td>Treasurer\u2019s Report \u2013 David Robertson<\/strong>
Cash flow account<\/strong> \u2013 Total – \u00a35,030.04 Made up of \u2013 CC Available funds – \u00a31,346.17 Memorial fund available fund – \u00a33,683.87 ICO payment of \u00a335.00 has been paid Payment request received for town hall \u2013 (Burns supper) \u2013 Cheque raised, just to be posted
Floral fund<\/strong> \u2013 Total – \u00a32,954.44 This includes donations of \u00a3598.00 & last year\u2019s floral fund grant of \u00a3250.00. These years can be applied for in May 2026.\u00a0 Local company G & J Wilson Ltd. recently donated the sum of \u00a3200.
Heritage fund<\/strong> \u2013 Total – \u00a33,521.53 Electricity \u2013 UNPAID \u2013 To be chased up Water \u2013 2 Months to be paid \u2013 This will be paid once I have this month\u2019s costs
NNG Fund<\/strong> \u2013 Has been approved, however we need to agree on a method of application \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
8.<\/strong><\/td>Secretary\u2019s Report<\/strong>
CC Annual grant \u2013 application now open and sent onto the treasurer.\u00a0 They are still requiring documents from 2023.\u00a0 To apply for the grant, we need to hold our AGM before the 31st of<\/sup> August and it was subsequently agreed, that the CC would hold its\u2019 2026 AGM on 17th<\/sup> August<\/strong>.
Advice given re elections
Planning system advice document \u2013 produced by Crail CC
Letter sent re 59 Newark Street, but no response received.
Query re holding wedding in Serenity Garden?\u00a0 Direct to Fife Council? \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
9.<\/strong><\/td>Members\u2019 Reports<\/strong> Katy Gall \u2013 Planning<\/strong>
59 Newark Street \u2013 now approved despite representations (report says none submitted).\u00a0 Concerns raised at the meeting about the actions of Fife Council with regard to planning applications.
7 Forth St \u2013 listed building consent – gutters
Millar Terrace \u2013 erection of timber garage \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
10.<\/strong><\/td>Councillors\u2019 Reports<\/strong>  <\/td><\/tr>
11.<\/strong><\/td>Public Questions<\/strong>

Key to the windmill?\u00a0 Peter Peddie to be consulted as he owns this.\u00a0 Could be retained at the Heritage Centre?
Old information board beside public toilets? Removed or replaced?Recycling query \u2013 answered via website
Another point raised regarding the harbour smell – when will the harbour be cleared? \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
12.<\/strong><\/td>AOCB<\/strong>

No water at the cemetery \u2013 to be reported to Bereavement ServicesSignage required to direct people to the toilets from the coastal path \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
13.<\/strong><\/td>Close\/date and time of next meeting<\/strong>

The next meeting will be on Monday 18th<\/sup> May 2026 at 7.00\/7.15 pm.<\/strong>

Marjory Ashworth thanked everyone for their attendance and brought the meeting to a close. \u00a0<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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