Minutes – 11 July 2023 – Colinsburgh & Kilconquhar Community Council

Colinsburgh and Kilconquhar Community Council

Minutes of the Community Council Meeting held on Tuesday 11 July 2023 in the Town Hall, Colinsburgh at 7.00 pm

Apologies:

Present: Trish Finlay (Chairperson), Orla Campbell (Secretary), Mac Logan, Alison Boyle and Alistair Aynscough. There were eight members of the public present.

Apologies: Anne Forgie (Treasurer), Cllr Dillon and Cllr Hayes

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Minutes of the previous meeting (Feb 2023) where approved by Alison Boyle and seconded by Mac Logan. A hard copy was not present, but Mac Logan noted that they are available on the website.

Matters Arising

It was noted that the community council have applied for an extension to submit a response to the planning application for 50 houses to be built in Colinsburgh to the 25^th of July. A member of the public reported that all members of the public have until the 27^th to submit a response.
Felling of diseased Ash tree. CKCC agreed the tree, should go, and Fife Council had planned to fell the tree with the strong support from Cllr Hayes. However, a member of the committee is reported to have felt that process hadn’t been followed and intervened to top the felling of the tree. The upshot of the situation was that the wild and unruly tree isn’t yet felled and the community is very concerned about the Health and Safety risks, especially to playing children.

Chairperson’s Report

Trish Finlay took this opportunity to thank the community council for their help and efforts with a Colinsburgh resident who was concerned over becoming homeless.

Treasurer’s Report

As the treasurer was absent, no report was given. The Chairperson commented that the financial position had not changed since the last report.

Councillors’ Report

Both councillors were absent, but it was noted that Cllr Hayes was very helpful with the Colinsburgh resident who was concerned over becoming homeless. Willie Rennie MSP and Wendy Chamberlain MP have also been a very helpful with the situation. Alison Boyle was also thanked.

Social Media

The website www.ckcc2000.com is running and is a work in progress. Orla Campbell is joining Mac Logan to work on developing our site. The website has notifications about local events and important information, for example road closures. There is also an option for people to register and so get an email when posts are added to the website. This can be a valuable resource for the community.

ACTION: Mac Logan, Orla Campbell and Alison Boyle to ensure the smooth running of the website and look into maximising the its potential. Orla Campbell and Mac Logan to make sure progress reports are up to date on the website. Update at the next meeting. (routine report back on progress at meetings)

Planning

Planning application for 50 houses in Colinsburgh: Maggie Adamson, a Colinsburgh resident, brought up how the houses will bring more children into the school. It was noted that Colinsburgh Primary School only has two teachers due to the small amount of pupils, the new housing can bring more children and allow the school to have more teachers. This is a positive benefit of the new houses. Another positive is the affordable housing as 15 out of the 50 houses will be affordable housing. This is a huge positive during the current cost of living crisis. It was also noted that the increase in houses and people will benefit local businesses and the community council as there is a larger opportunity for engagement and progress with the community.

Planning Applications: A member of the public noted that St Annes, a house on Kilconquhar Main, has begun work without planning consent and is a listed building. There was a discussion about whether planning consent was needed as it appeared that repairs were being undertaken. The building is rundown and an eyesore. However it was reported, by a person knowledgable about planning procedures, that some of the repairs may involve a change of material and, if so, must have Council Planning consent. It was agreed that clarification was needed about what requires consent.

ACTION: Mac Logan and Orla Campbell to write an explanation that includes links to Fife Council planning information on their the website for the next meeting. The member of public who raised this issue will help to ensure all details are correct. (for October meeting)

Sycamore trees: A member of the public brought a planning application to the attention of the community council: two healthy sycamore trees to be removed. Apparently, a similar application was made seven years ago for additional car parking. Another member of the public noted that the trees were to be removed with no arboreal report to support this but the decision was approved., new trees were to be planted in the nearby play park which doesn’t belong to Fife Council and the landowner was unaware of these plans. It was also noted that the planning application was submitted and approved the same day. A Kilconquhar resident who owns the field next to the park where his horse is, expressed his concern about having sycamore trees near his horse as sycamore trees are poisonous to horses.

ACTION: Alison Boyle to look into this application and give an update at the next meeting and provide links for the website.

Ash trees in Barnyards: It was noted that a Fife Council representative had been out to view the tree but without identification or permission to be in an elderly residents garden. Cllr Hayes is still working on her report. It was also noted that the tree was supposed to be felled as it has ash dieback and can infect other trees and be a hazard to people walking past. It would appear that action by a community council member (now resigned) interrupted the process. A decision was made to correct it. The residents who have the tree near their garden are unsure about coming to CKCC meetings as they are uncertain about the benefits.

AOCB

Benefit Fair: Mac Logan and Alison Boyle proposed that CKCC take the opportunity to provide an expert run a workshop about maximising Benefits and ensuring all entitlements are correctly claimed. There is also an opportunity to explain about unpaid carers grants which are up to £500 twice a year. Such grants are not means tested and only require receipts to show the money has been spent correctly. A workshop will benefit the community with stalls to allow individual conversations to take place. CKCC would also be there to meet the community and answer any questions or concerns so that if any issues arise the CKCC is viewed as approachable and effective. Tea and coffee will be provided.

ACTION: CKCC to set a date and propose a plan for the the Entitlements Fair by the next meeting.

Kilconquhar car park: A Kilconquhar resident followed up her email communication on an issue about the car park at the recycling centre. The wall is in need of repair and is in danger of falling on a car. An email was sent to the CKCC the Chair replied. Cllrs Hayes and Corps are looking into this.

ACTION: Alison boyle to check with Fife Council and clarify situation about repairs for next meeting.

Meadow Road ententes: A Kilconquhar resident brought forward an issue about the two entrances onto meadow road. At the north side, there are bushes restricting the view to exit or enter safety and the east side could benefit from double yellow lines to stop car’s parking which obstructs the view. The resident also put forward the idea of some road markings to draw attention to the junction and cars emerging from the road.

ACTON: CKCC to follow up on road markings and double yellow lines and ask owners about hedges and bushes blocking the view. Orla Campbell is to take the lead on this and report back at the October meeting.

Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting is Tuesday 10th October at Kilconquhar church. This follows the result of the recent elections to CKCC.