Present: Mr. Macgregor (Chairman), Mrs. Cassells, Mr. Crichton, Mr. Fraser, Dr. Goudie, Mr. Lindsay, Mr. M. Macdonald, Mrs. Mackenzie, Mrs. Murray, Dr. Riddell, Mr. Sangster, Mr. Strachan, Mrs. Tero. Councillors Cassells, Hill, Liston and Melville. Constable John Cumming, the new Community Police Officer was in attendance.
Mrs. Carleton, Mr. Muir and Mr. Stewart.
(a) Mr. Allan of King Street made a statement on behalf of several residents of the King Street area on the continued wave of vandalism and drink abuse suffered by them at the hands of young children over several years and which has escalated over the last eight months. The Police have been called on many occasions but to date have been unable to act with any degree of success. Mr. Allan was advised by Mrs. Cassells to get in touch direct with the The Reporter of the Childrens' Panel. Constable Cumming advised that the Police were well aware of the situation and were doing everything they could to put it to an end. Mrs. Melville advised that she would be getting in touch with the Chief Constable and the Police Superintendent. Dr. Riddell proposed and Mr. Strachan seconded a proposal that the Council write to the Chief Constable and Police Superintendent in support of Mrs. Melville's request that something be done to put a stop to this vandalism, with copies of the letters to be sent to the Courier and the St. Andrews Citizen. This was agreed.
(b) Mr. Paul Marshall, Fife Council, Hall and Events Administrator advised the Council of the efforts Fife Council had gone to to come to some satisfactory arrangement with the Royal Naval Association as to their continued use of the Victory Memorial Hall. Mr. Marshall gave details of the present situation and stated he would advise us of the hopefully, satisfactory conclusion after further discussions had taken place. It was noted that the Royal Naval Association only numbered about 18 members.
In item 7, Mr. Cassells' report, at end of line 3 add the words 'local representative bodies'.
In item 7, Mrs. Hill's report, line 5, 'planning Permission' was incorrect. There had been an error in ordering.
With these amendments the Minutes of the Meeting of 6th April were accepted.
(a) East Bents Putting Green - There was no progress to report.
(b) Councillors Surgeries - Mrs. Hill stated that it was a waste of everyone's time if the surgeries were not advertised in the press.
(c) Giant Hogweed - this problem is increasing. It appears that injections are needed to kill off this weed and that the source is further upstream. It was suggested that Fife Council deal with the problem urgently and where necessary bill the landowners.
a) Community Council elections Noted. There was a 99% chance that Fife Council will issued polling cards for this occasion. It was suggested that the Council should put up posters requesting that the community should vote. It was noted that the first meeting of the new Community Council would be on Monday 1st June.
(b) Beautiful Scotland in Bloom The organisers were advised that the entry form will be completed and forwarded after the election.
(c) Commission on Local Government and the Scottish Parliament It was agreed that this be put to the new Council.
(d) Joint Community Care Plan for Fife. Passed to Mr. Sangster.
(e) Scottish Water and Sewerage Customers Council Noted.
(f) Association of Scottish Community Councils Conference Conference on 13th June - agreed to leave to new Council.
(g) Citizenship Commission Meeting on 2nd June in Dunfermline.
(h) Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland Meeting on 23rd June.
(i) Fife Coastwatch Leaflets passed round table.
(j) Financial statement by Mr. A Muir. It was agreed to hold this until the Annual General Meeting of the Council which would take place either in June or July.
(a) Golf - Mr. M. Macdonald listed various questions he would like to put to Fife Council in relation to the proposed review of the St. Andrews Links Act 1974. The Councillors advised that they knew no more than we did but there will be public consultation on the proposed review, and that the Fife Council had not yet gone beyond the expression of intent to review the Act. The Council advised Fife Councillors that we would wish to participate in any such consultations and that we had no objections to a consultation taking place.
Planning
Dr. Goudie produced a draft Response to the Strategic Study Consultation Report and asked that he be advised of any alterations etc. which required to be done. Mrs. Murray pointed out one or two alterations which she thought should be made and it was left to them to discuss this further.
A site visit had been made by Fife Councillors to the Lawhead North site.
A copy letter had been received re the necessity of a pavement to Craigtoun. It was agreed that the Planning Committee would write to Fife Council.
Mr. Thornton of the Old Course Hotel is to meet with the Planning Committee On Tuesday 12th June at the Local Office.
Recreation & Leisure
There will be no meeting of this committee tomorrow. Plans are geared for the summer programme and will be notified in due course. St. Andrews Day Exhibition - Each school has been invited to submit six items for display at the planned art exhibition. The next meeting for this committee is at the Local Office on 18th May at 7.30 p.m.
Band Stand Concerts
Mr. Strachan has been able to arrange 17 concerts at the Band Stand this year and these are being advertised. Part of the sponsorship is being obtained from the St. Andrews Common Good Fund. Mr. Strachan was thanked for his work.
Mrs Melville advised that she is pressing for an extended footpath at Denbrae.
Mrs Hill added that she felt there was an urgent need for such a footpath.
Mr. Cassells replied to the suggestion that the East Bents Putting Green could be supervised by the East Sands Leisure Centre by saying that there is a study of the area going on at present and that various proposals were being looked into.
Dr. Goudie requested that the Council agree to correcting an omission in the March Minutes Agreed. "Concern was expressed by Mr. Risk at the colour finish of the new biomolecular science block on the North Haugh which was being commented upon unfavourably by many townspeople. He stated that the proposed colour was not disclosed at time of Planning application."
At the end of the meeting Mr. Macgregor thanked Council members for their work on behalf of the town during their term of office, the Fife Councillors for their attendance and advice during this time and the press for continuing their support of our activities.
The meeting was followed by a reception in honour of Mrs. Stewart-Meiklejohn.