Colinsburgh & Kilconquhar Community Council
The Minutes of Colinsburgh & Kilconquhar Community Council held in the Galloway Library at 7.00pm on Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 7.00 pm
Apologies: Peter Marshall, Cllr Bill Porteous
Those Present : Patricia Finlay Chair Anne Toye, Planning Anne Forgie Treasurer, Rosalind Darvill, Mac Logan, Alistair Aynscough, Cllr Linda holt Cllr John Docherty
Five members of the public were in attendance.
Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes were approved : Proposed by Trish Finlay, and seconded by Anne Toye.
Matters Arising
Anne Toye had approached Trish Finlay at the end of the January meeting and offered to be Minute Secretary. This was agreed.
Chair’s Report
At the last meeting, having been contacted by several residents with regard to speeding, the Chair had made contacted with Lesley Craig at Fife Council who was not in favour of moving the speed limit signs. However, if it has been longer than three years since the last speed survey, another will be arranged. She will also look into the access at Meadow Road/St Andrews Road junction. Mac Logan referred to the meeting in late 2019 with Police Scotland and some local volunteers willing to be involved in Speedwatch. Four people had attended the meeting and at least two had gone through the appropriate police checks. It was agreed to contact the local contacts PC Cook and Wallace with a view to taking this forward.
New markers have been erected along the Fife coastal path to aid people with giving directions in the event of an emergency.
Mac Logan has been working on the new website which is almost ready to go ‘live’.
Councillors’ Reports
Cllr Holt announced that Fife Council would not, for the first time in some years, be cutting public spending. There is a £3 million surplus, that said there will be a rise in Council tax of 3%. She also mentioned that Fife Council is planning substantial spending on the roads. However, looking ahead she anticipated spending cuts in the future.
Cllr Holt mentioned the consultation for the next Development Plan, with place plans being looked for (similar to the local community plan). Rosie Darville referred to the earlier meeting held with Andrew Bain prior to the pandemic and how a further meeting would be beneficial. As there had not been much progress due to the pandemic, it was agreed to include this item in the May agenda; Rosie Darville agreed to invite Andrew Bain.
Cllr Doherty reported that £1.4 million will be released for roads in N E Fife, predominantly the A917.
Cllr Doherty reminded everyone of the general enquiries number at Fife Council which is open between 8 am and 8 pm (03451 55 00 00).
Treasurer’s Report
Anne Forgie reported that, after various issues with the RBS, the account has now been updated with the new signatories.
The bank balance sits at £3801.87, of which £2495 is ear-marked for a defibrillator in Barnyards, leaving the sum of £1306.87 in the general account.
Anne mentioned that if we are unable to find a suitable power source for a defibrillator the money earmarked for it will in all probability have to be returned. It was also noted that the previously identified solar unit is still out of production. Anne Toye pointed out that, as a result of the latter, the planning application which had submitted had had to be cancelled. It was suggested from the floor that a suitable position may be the lamppost opposite “Openfields”. While the power supplier has previously ruled out using lampposts as a source it may be worth investigating further since a reliable solar powered unit seems to be a long way off.
Planning Report
Anne Toye reported that work on the chalets at Charleston, Colinsburgh had now commenced. A recent application for consent to erect a new house in Meadow Road had now been approved.
AOCB
Website
There was a discussion regarding the purpose and proposed content of the website. It was agreed that its main aims are to publish the community council’s purpose, agenda, minutes and items of local interest e.g. links to other local community groups. There was also a brief discussion regarding content policy and administration of the site to ensure its sustainability.
The site is currently hosted using WordPress (ckcc2000.wordpresscom) and Mac Logan suggested that the community council consider purchasing a licence to have the website hosted elsewhere, making it easier to keep it “live”.
A working group comprising Trish Finlay, Mac Logan, Rosie Darvill, Alistair Aynscough and Anne Toye was established to progress these matter and report back to the May meeting. Anne Toye to email the working group members regarding their availability.
Road Signage
Alistair Aynscough mentioned that the signage at the Leven end of Colinsburgh Main Street had been damaged and was in need of repair.
Facebook page
The community council was thanked from the floor for its correspondence with Fife Council on an issue in Greenbrig Road, a matter which, the resident stated, is “now parked”.
A query was raised about wording on the community council Facebook page regarding its role on considering planning applications. The specific query related to the community council only considering major or community significant applications, which, it was suggested seemed to differ from Fife Council’s guidance on the role of community councils, meaning that small householder applications would be missed.
Without having had an opportunity to view the content in question either beforehand, or on the night, members agreed to look at the wording and amend if required.
Next Meeting : Tuesday May 10th 7.00pm
(Anne Toye gave her apologies for this meeting)
Colinsburgh & Kilconquhar Community Council 