Colinsburgh and Kilconquhar Community Council
Minutes of the Community Council Meeting held on Tuesday 11 July 2023 in the The Church Hall, Kilconquhar at 7.00 pm.
PRESENT: Patrica Finlay, Anne Forgie, Orla Campbell, John Lidderdale, Alistair Aynscough and
Cllr Alicia Hayes. 14 members of the public were present.
APOLOGIES: Alison Boyle and Mac Logan
Minutes of Previous Meeting
July minutes to be amended concerning the ongoing Ash Tree Dieback in Barnyards. Anne Forgie proposed and John Lidderdale seconded the October minutes.
Chairperson’s Report
Cllr Hayes to apply for permission for ash die back tree to be felled and Cllr Dillion has written to ensure this matter is ended. Patrica noted that the free benefits checker on Fife Council website is useful and the CC were hoping to host a benefits fair to help people know what they are entitled to. There is a job club on Wednesdays in Anstruther to help people apply for jobs. Fife libraries are promoting the use of their libraries to use their buildings for warmth during the winter.
Treasurer’s Report
Anne has applied for the Fife Council grant and as of the 21st of Nov, the grant has not yet been placed in our account. Otherwise, no major outputs to report.
Councillors’ Report
Cllr Hayes reported on the Ash Tree Dieback situation. The planning application should be passed and then Jamie Lindsay is to fell it.
Road works are to increase. A lot includes road resurfacing around Colinsburgh, Kilconquhar and Elie, including Colinsburgh Main Street.
Window for applications for child to attend a different high school out with the catchment are open now.
Play areas are being revised and some are being updated to natural play areas eg logs and such. It was suggested to the developers that there should be disability friendly features and a picnic table but there has been no word heard from that.
Council are consulting on rent rises of 5-7% percent, survey is at https://fifecouncil.rent.com.
AOCB
There is considerable public concern around the new housing scheme plans being changed by Fife Council. The original plans had an emergency road at Mayfield Terrance that prioritised the safety of the kids using the play park. This emergency road has been changed to an access road. It was raised that this access road would be used by drivers to enter the new housing scheme if the main access point was busy. A member of the public brought up that the same company (Kirkland) has finished a similar estate with no secondary access – this goes against what Fife council told another member of the public. The main feeling from the residents is that Fife Council have sneaked this decision past them and there was no consolation before making this choice. This access road started as a pedestrian walkway before becoming an
access road. This new road is mainly designed for pedestrians and cyclists but can be used by vehicles. This is unpopular with the locals as drivers will be tempted to use this road if the main access is busy. There was a discussion around the parking spaces allotted for the new houses but no changes to minimal parking on Mayfield Terrance. CKCC should apply for an extension for the deadline as statutory consultees, the original deadline is 28th Dec but middle of January would be better. John Lidderdale offered to write to the developers and ask them to come and host a Q and A about the change in plans.
John Lidderdale raised the use of non drinking water (grey water) for other uses such a flushing toilets. There should be a rainwater collection for non drinking water. This might prevent flooding as first rainfall will be in the tank and not sitting on the road. John Lidderdale will write and pass this on to Fife Council.
It was noted that the community support line for careers and such number is 0800 9520 330.
A member of the public brought up the issues surrounding Colinsburgh Library. The local community took over in 2017 and it still functions as a library and the school uses it regularly. The lease has come up for renewal and so the community will need legal fees and will need to have the building certified as it is a now a commercial rent. The Colinsburgh Community Trust would then be held responsible for any damages.
However, the focus should be on Coilinsburgh Town Hall which needs considerable repairs. The council pays the trust money to help keep it alive and are encouraged to have events. Pittenweem library is a grade 1 listed building and they have discussed a smilier issue withFife Council and they have been kept on their last rent. Thus CKCC should ask fife council for this to happen to Colinsburgh. The library is over 120 years and brings joy to colinsburgh – this was seconded by another resident of Colinsburgh who voiced their concerns and spoke how much they enjoyed the library space.
Flooding between Kilconquhar and Colinsburgh on South Wynd has increased due to lots of silt on the road. Pedestrians can’t walk on the parts of the path that haven’t been washed away and drains in the field has been blocked and this is causing the flooding on the road. Drains have been overwhelmed with the large amount of rain in the recent weeks. TheChair said she would write to Fife Council.
Next Meeting
The date of the next meeting is Tuesday 13th February 2024 at 7 pm in Kilconquhar Church Hall.
Colinsburgh & Kilconquhar Community Council 