{"id":12230,"date":"2026-06-02T21:03:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T20:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stmonans.org.uk\/blog\/?p=12230"},"modified":"2026-06-02T21:03:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T20:03:51","slug":"community-council-minutes-18th-may","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stmonans.org.uk\/blog\/community-council-minutes-18th-may\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Council Minutes, 18th May"},"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 18th<\/sup> May 2026 at 7.30 pm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Present:<\/strong><\/td>Marjory Ashworth (Chair), Eileen Montador (Secretary), Katy Gall, Peter Peddie, Diane Martin (Minute Secretary), Cllr Alycia Hayes  <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Apologies:<\/strong><\/td>Suzy Cheong (Vice Chair), David Robertson (Treasurer), Cllr Sean Dillon  <\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Members of the public: <\/strong>10<\/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>New Powers for Scottish Community Councils \u2013 Eileen Montador<\/strong>

Suggestion of new powers for Scottish Community Councils, that local CCs in Scotland receive a per capita budget and have similar powers to Parish Councils in England.\u00a0 This would possibly be around \u00a312000 for St Monans and Abercrombie.\u00a0 The CC would then take on responsibility for street lighting, roads, care of cemeteries, green sites, monitoring of local health and social care services, monitoring of road safety with powers to install traffic calming measures, neighbour dispute mediation etc.\u00a0\u00a0 A survey has been carried out and 112 people responded. E Montador suggested that the current St Monans and Abercrombie CC committee, which is made up of elected volunteers, do not have the time to devote to overseeing and managing such a budget and the many associated additional responsibilities. However, local CCs would welcome the opportunity to contribute their views when decisions are being made by the Local Authority about their area.\u00a0 There is more consultation to follow.\u00a0 Cllr Hayes advised of the pros and cons should community councils opt to take on these new powers, gave brief details of the recent Fife Council report about the constitution of CCs, and she also highlighted that the current CC grant aid is insufficient and should be increased to help CC improve their locality. Other questions raised were the impact of such changes on current council workers and a likely timescale for implementation.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
4.<\/strong><\/td>Reports from Community Groups<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>

Heritage \u2013 Mary Henderson<\/strong> Generally doing well with 16 volunteers in the pool of helpers, which allows opening most days.\u00a0 Averaging 150-180 visitors per week and the website is now live. \u00a0

Larder \u2013 Alison Child<\/strong> There have been more people through the doors in the last 5 weeks – around 38 people each week.\u00a0 M&S waste food has been gladly received in the last few weeks.\u00a0 Some weeks it has been difficult to get supplies to provide for the need.\u00a0 There are an enormous number of larders and food hubs throughout Fife.\u00a0 Cllr Hayes advised that Fife Council assist the people of Fife through Caf\u00e9 Inc. and she will see if additional help is available for St Monans larder.\u00a0 Funding is difficult for the larder. \u00a0

Floral Group \u2013 Katy Gall<\/strong> Recent work has involved the regular watering of the plug plants, which will hopefully be planted out in the next few weeks, and the tidying of the Jimmy Braid Garden at the windmill. \u00a0

Pools & Pans \u2013 Cllr Alycia Hayes<\/strong> The regular meeting was held last week.\u00a0 A PowerPoint will be prepared and presented to the Council, showing the proposals for the site and how the Council can be involved to help take this forward.\u00a0 Much of the work proposed would end up saving the Council money in the longer term as it will help halt the erosion in this area. The initial scope of works has been completed and this needs to be followed up by a tender document. It is hoped that Fife Council will produce this as they already have the skilled staff.\u00a0 \u00a0

Windmill key \u2013 Peter Peddie<\/strong> Fife Council hold this as the current lease holder of the windmill.\u00a0 Come October, the lease will revert to Coal Farm, and it is hoped that the Pools and Pans group will then take over the lease. \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
5.<\/strong><\/td>Last minutes and matters arising<\/strong>
Bench suggested for Queen Margaret Street.\u00a0 Following a review of the decision made at the last meeting, it has been suggested that a new bench be positioned at the harbour between double yellow lines and the phone box, and another is located at Queen Margaret Street.\u00a0 Permissions required from the Council and M Ashworth will contact them about this.
Signage at the sawmill corner \u2013 last week we had two accidents.\u00a0 4 accidents in the last month.\u00a0Cllr Hayes has been asking for signage for 2 years!\u00a0 Unfortunately, there is a long queue at the council for replacement signage. \u00a0
The April minute was proposed by Eileen<\/strong> Montador and seconded by Katy Gall.<\/strong> \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
6.<\/strong><\/td>Police Matters and Report<\/strong> Email received from Police Scotland outlining their new model for community policing.  Monthly reports to community councils will now cease, with police staff focussing on visible local policing including prevention, engagement and local problem solving. It was suggested that we invite the new community officers to our meeting? Contact email address: eastneuklandwardCPT@scotland.police.uk<\/a>  <\/td><\/tr>
 7.<\/strong><\/td>Chairperson\u2019s Report \u2013 Marjory Ashworth<\/strong>
This year\u2019s beach clean event on 10th<\/sup> May involved 17 helpers, a skip and a forklift. The skip was filled with lots of rubbish.\u00a0 Many creels and tyres were also removed from the beach.\u00a0 Some who couldn\u2019t help on the day had tidied up the harbour area.\u00a0 The tyres were removed by \u2018Safer Communities\u2019 and the council were very helpful by supplying litter pickers and the skip.\u00a0 The litter pickers were used by the school on the Friday to undertake a village litter pick.\u00a0 The main issue this year was the reduced number of volunteers.\u00a0 Normally around 30 people assist.\u00a0 Query regarding the advertising of event \u2013 possibly not enough?\u00a0 Thanks were extended to all who helped and worked very hard on the day.Thank you cards prepared to thank people for donations to the floral group. \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
 8.<\/strong><\/td>Treasurer\u2019s Report \u2013 David Robertson<\/strong>
No treasurer present to report. \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
9.<\/strong><\/td>Secretary\u2019s Report<\/strong>
6-7.30pm invitation to Freuchie CC webinar
Invite from ENCEPT to an event on 11 June at 7pm in the Lower Town Hall, Anstruther
Phone box beside the Mine on West Shore to be removed. \u00a0\u00a0
Survey on the future of Scotland\u2019s forests which closes on 28th<\/sup> May \u2013 to be put on Social Media. \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
10.<\/strong><\/td>Members\u2019 Reports<\/strong> Katy Gall \u2013 Planning<\/strong>
Abercrombie House \u2013 alterations to outbuildings to form ancillary living accommodation.
Public Art at the suds at the new houses \u2013 planning permission submitted by Lochee Homes. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
11.<\/strong><\/td>Councillors\u2019 Reports<\/strong> Cllr Hayes<\/strong>
Now a collection box at the pool for the restoration project \u2013 sign to follow with QR code for donations
2 x Gourlay Cres addresses \u2013 housing officers to deal with one address. The sheds etc. to be disposed of and overgrown trees will be dealt with in the autumn.\u00a0 Apologies extended to the CC by the individual.
Cost of school meals increasing after the summer
Cost of building a LA house now \u00a3250000 \u2013 may increase due to global issues.\u00a0 Makes solving the housing crisis very difficult.\u00a0 It is actually better economically to buy and upgrade properties than build\u00a0new ones.
Seaweed at the harbour and the putrid odour \u2013 Fife Council anticipated that high tides would take it away \u2013 awaiting a response as this has not happened. \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
12.<\/strong><\/td>Public Questions<\/strong>
Black car and a white van speeding down the Brae.
Also, white van at the post office with no tax – \u00a0to be reported on website \u00a0<\/td><\/tr>
13.<\/strong><\/td>AOCB<\/strong> None  <\/td><\/tr>
14.<\/strong><\/td>Close\/date and time of next meeting<\/strong>
The next meeting will be on Monday 15th<\/sup> June 2026 at 7.30 pm.<\/strong> Marjory Ashworth thanked everyone for their attendance and brought the meeting to a close. \u00a0<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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