STRATHKINNESS COMMUNITY COUNCIL.

Minutes of meeting held at 7.30 pm on  6th January 2009 in the Village School.

Present:- Mrs. Mudie.[Chair].Scott, Slack & Walker. Ms.Henshaw. Messrs. Baxter, Duncan, Inverarity & Younger.

Fife Councillor F. Melville. Sgt. Poole.

Apologies:- Messrs. D’Angelis & Mitchell. Fife Councillor D. Morrison.

Community Policing:- Sgt. Poole reported on his discussions with his colleagues who run the Cycle Proficiency Scheme regarding the policy of allowing children to cycle on the pavement. The consensus was that where it is deemed to be in the interests of safety, cycling on the pavement was permissible as long as the cyclists paid heed and acted courteously to pedestrians. Sgt. Poole voiced his concerns regarding the amount of dog -fouling in the village, particularly in the School Playing Field. He felt that it was totally unacceptable and was  initiating  a programme to try and combat the problem. He was aware of similar action being taken successfully in other areas of Scotland, and would try and improve the situation as soon as possible. He sought the help of responsible members of the community to try and eradicate this very unhealthy and anti-social problem.  Now that the festive season had passed, it was intended to increase the frequency of police patrols in the village, this would include speed checking. Mrs. Mudie thanked Sgt. Poole for his report.

Minutes of the previous meeting:- Read and approved.  

Matters arising:-

Bus Shelter:- It was noted that the bus shelter had been repositioned in Main Street and that the pedestrian crossing was fully commissioned. The building site was effectively shut down.

Village Information Pack:- Mrs. Slack reported that the first new residents in the village, Dr. & Mrs. Donald, had received their Information Pack, and had registered their appreciation.

Floral Display Group;- The secretary reported that an application for funding from Fife Council, to establish a project to provide floral enhancement of the village, had been successful. It was agreed unanimously to make a further grant of £500 from the Community Council funds to the project to assist with the purchase of equipment. A meeting of all interested parties was to be arranged for later this month.

Correspondence:-

Fife Council- Development Services- Details of Consultation meetings in respect of the St.Andrews & East Fife Local Plan and Strategic Environmental Assessment. Consultation period has been extended until Feb.6th 2009.

Planning application in respect of conversion of garage to ancillary accommodation at Marys Cottage, Cauldside. - No objections noted.

Notification that application for amendments to the planning development in the centre of the village had been granted, despite Community Council objections.

The Scottish Government:- Finalised Fife Structure Plan- Housing Land requirement re-appraisal of proposed modifications.

Climate Change and the National Forest Estate- details of  new proposals and the consultation process.

Fife Council- Legal Services:-Proposed changes to the Management Rules for Public Parks and Open Spaces.

NHS Fife:- News letter highlighting Developments at Queen Margaret & Victoria Hospitals.

Fife Council- Community Services:- Letter advising of grant of £500 for floral enhancement project in Strathkinness.

Strathkinness Church:-  Letter of thanks for £50 donation to assist in production of “Kirk & Community” newsletter.

A.O.C.B.

Bus Service;-Mrs Scott reported that recent problems with the local bus service Route 64 had given rise to complaints from villagers. On more that one occasion, it appears, the service bus did not appear at all at 9am. Complaints to the St. Andrews bus station office are re-directed to the call centre at Dunfermline, and whilst the responses are courteous they are not very satisfactory in giving an explanation for the failure of the bus to appear. One villager had to hastily arrange a taxi to meet a medical appointment causing unnecessary stress and expense. The Secretary was asked to write to Fife Council to seek an explanation of the problem. Councillor Melville would also progress the matter.

High Road Footpath:- Mr. Baxter reported that there was no progress on the path to St. Andrews but  thought it worth considering an approach to Mr. Headon to provide a footpath adjacent to his field on the easterly end of the High Road  beside Bonfield Playing Field. The Council thought that in view of the current economic climate such a request would be inappropriate.

Next meeting:-   3rd. February 2009.

Chair.  ……………………………….................