Community Council meets 7pm Monday 2nd November 1998 in the Burgh Chambers, Queens Gardens.
Apologies received: Helen Lawrie
(Anyone who would like to address or question the meeting on a relevant subject please contact the Secretary or Chair before the start of the meeting, if at all possible.)
Chief Insp John Docherty to speak on Lammas Market Licencing of traders – responsing to an invitation to the Chief Constable (September 6.1.11).
on Common Good Fund's rejection of funding for a nursery school project.
(read for corrections of substance – harangue the Secretary for minor (spelling etc) mistakes before or after the meeting)
(Action taken or other news relating to last month's meeting)
(continued from September 5.1.3)
see Appendix B
(September 2.2 Mr Christie) Secretary spoke to Cllr Patrick Cassells who will approach Community Services (25/10/98) to arrange cleaning in time for 8th November.
(October 4.3) see Appendix B
(This change (item 5 was previously Correspondence) is intended to give officers a formal place to report to the Community Council on their activities. Trial agreed at General Purposes Committee)
see Appendix A
I now have a copy, found by Donald Macgregor, which will be revised by the General Purposes committee in the first instance to bring it into line with the requirements of the current Scheme of Administration. It will then be put to Community Council for discussion and (eventual) adoption.
As Standing Orders were suspended last meeting to continue business after hours a copy of the Community Council's standing orders adopted in February 1998 and still in force is included for information of new members.
(Reports, etc. Now in alphabetical order)
see Appendix C
6.3.1 Structure of meetings (from October 8.2)
carried over from October
(Reports and Questions)
(Any other competent business – where Community Councillors can raise new matters)
The position is described in detail in the October minutes. Since then a few things have happened, one of them being the interest expressed by Prince Andrew in matters as set out in my letter to him which he passed to a government dept who informed me of the procedure (The Courier carried the story but not the Citizen). The second is an offer by Mr Richard Dunhill to ‘give serious consideration’ to any we might have that could raise money by using the Dunhill Cup, such as Pro-Am/Hospitality involvement. I hope to pursue this via my contacts on the Links Trust.
I have approached Cllr Cassells re working together as he called for last month and at the moment of writing await his reply.
Proposed Chariots of Fire Run. I propose to organise, with the help of as many St Andrews individuals and organisations as will agree to participate, a Chariots of Fire Run/Jog/Walk on the West Sands on either Sunday 29th November or Monday 30th November ot both, in the early afternoon (some time between 1 and 3 pm might be best). The participants would get sponsorship from individuals, businesses and institutions (the more generous the better) and all funds would be devoted via the Community Council's Charitable Trust to the carrying out of projects to benefit St Andrews. It is my view that large sums are potentially raisable.
If the venture is successful I propose that we write to other community councils suggesting that similar projects might benefit their communities, say around January 25th, the birthday of Robert Burns.
A minor note: we could also sell copies of my poem ‘Chariots of Fire‘, an anti-racist work based on the film of that name. I would waive copyright of at least a large percentage, reserving the remainder to cover other projects.
I will bring written reports of any other matters if time permits but urgent business will have to be brought up without these - that sometimes happens.
Donald Mcgregor
(This is a personal view of the meeting, not a formal minute - Pete)
7.30pm, 8/10/98, St Andrews Local Office, St Mary's Place
Present
Boarhills & Dunino: Duguld McGilp, Andrew Angus
St Andrews: Pete Lindsay (Sec), Ian Goudie (Vice Chair), Lindsay Murray
Cameron: Ranald Barrie, Bob Lumsden
Kingsbarns: Sylvia Lumsden (Sec), Kate Holly (Chair)
Strathkinness: Ian Duncan (Sec)
There was no formal agenda for this meeting, as it was intended as an exchange of views and concerns of the participating Community Councils.
Duguld McGilp opened attacking St Andrews for what he saw as its opposition to the green belt proposals. Lindsay Murray made clear our actual position of agreement with the principle, with some reservations over the detail of the original proposal.
There was much discussion of various developments in the area, particularly the various golf schemes. Boarhills & Dunino are to organise a public meeting once final plans are available for Kingask – all welcome including other CCs. Kingsbarns felt that they had been too reasonable over developments in their area (golf and housing) saying in effect that plans submitted are just starting positions for developers that need to be commented upon by CCs just to let them (and Fife Council Planning dept) know they are being watched (much as we in fact do).
Generally the other CCs called on St Andrews to take an interest in developments outside our formal area of interest. We pointed out that we generally held back in case St Andrews was thought to be poaching on other CCs ground. This didn't seem to bother them much.
Strathkinness made the point that they broadly support development within the village envelope as it keeps the community alive, supporting primary schools and local shops etc. This was broadly supported but development outside the boundaries seems to be a problem (various steadings) as it isn't seen as contributing to the community.
There was some discussion of Craigtoun, both for (anything is better than a large red mausoleum) and against. Cameron made the point that some of the developments currently proposed or under way risk swamping the local community, citing Craigtoun as an example. Lindsay Murray outlined some of our problems with it.
Several CCs spoke of difficulties understanding the planning system particularly with large developments like golf courses. Pete Lindsay pointed out the series of planning guides we'd obtained (thanks to the energies of Chris Young) from the Scottish Office, particularly the guide on Golf developments. Several CCs took notes of this...
Discussion then turned from planning and development to local consultation. There was a lot of suspicion of the Community Forum which all the CCs present saw as, whether intended or not, by-passing them.
One problem identified by the smaller community councils was the lack of voice they now have through their single Fife Councillor where they used to have two – District and Region. It was felt inevitable that one voice at Fife Council was inevitably less effective than two, even in different councils. St Andrews was held to be very fortunate to have four councillors fighting its corner. Several CCs reported the feeling that they were not taken seriously by Fife Council unless their Councillor acted with them.
Aspects of consultation other than Fife Council were also raised, particularly with the Health Board over the siting of the new St Andrews hospital. The position as we understand it over the Private Finance Initiative process and the lack of control of the Health Board over a PFI developer was explained. There seemed to be support for our preferred site from CCs on the coast, and no strong objection from those inland.
The meeting ended with discussion of further contacts. It was agreed that there was no need for regular formal meeting, that informal contacts to discuss matters of mutual interest were sufficient. Pete Lindsay to circulate an up-to-date list of phone numbers for this purpose.
Pete Lindsay
20/10/98, 8 Dempster Terrace
1. Harbour update. (see Minutes)
2. Parking charges: DM was to draft letter to Fife Council
3. Constitution – Secretary will report.
4. Treasurer – to be decided at tonight's meeting.
5. Organisation of new business – Secy. to report.
6. State of War memorial/Second World War anniversary: Letters to Fife Council and to Common Good Fund agreed. (Action Secy)
7. Flag at Town Hall: it was thought it might be sufficient (as we are paying) to fly saltire at holidays and over summer. Purchase to be financed – how? Loches visit requires a French flag as counter-gesture for hospitality in Loches.
8. Heritage Lottery Questionnaire: DM given job of filling in form re future policy on grants. (Done.)
D F Macgregor
Chairman
24.10.98