Chair: Donald Macgregor, Ian Goudie.
Present
Community Councillors: Craig Barrett, Maries Cassells, Sean Dobson, Ken Fraser, Ian Goudie, Hugh Gray, David Kinnen, Helen Lawrie, Chris Lesurf, Pete Lindsay, Donald Macgregor, Joseph Peterson, Frank Riddell, Archie Strachan, Cynthia Tero, Chris Young
Students' representatives: none
Nominated members: Bill Sangster
Fife Councillors: Jane Ann Liston
Apologies: Ken Crichton, Lindsay Murray, Sheila Hill, Frances Melville, Dennis Macdonald, Murdo Macdonald.
As outgoing Chair Donald Macgregor opened the meeting and presided over the election.
Frank Riddell was proposed by Sean Dobson, 2nd by Craig Barrett
Murdo Macdonald was proposed in his absence by Maries Cassells, 2nd by Joseph Peterson
The vote was tied, 8 all. After some discussion of how to proceed with various tie-breakers Hugh Gray proposed the election be rerun at the AGM next month as officers are to be elected then anyway. Archie Strachan 2nd this and the meeting agreed it seemed the best way out of the embarrassment.
Ian Goudie then took the chair.
(for anyone wishing to address the meeting on a matter relevant to St Andrews. Please contact the Secretary or Chair at or before the meeting.)
Cathy Adamson, Director of NE Fife Services for Fife Primary Healthcare Trust, and Kate Thompson, Service Manager Community Care (E) of Fife Council Social Work, together outlined recent changes in care in NE Fife/St Andrews. Integrated Assessment is a form of joint working between Health Care and Social Work services. This is a specific pilot project in this area which, if successful, will be extended to the rest of Fife and possibly the whole of Scotland. Cathy Adamson pointed out that the backgrounds to funding and culture in the two organisations are very different, which makes this an unusual, even difficult venture in providing health and social work care services.
Kate Thompson explained that the problem Integrated Assessment was trying to deal with was that previously adults (i.e. 18+) with disabilities found that a whole range of different care professionals would ask them the same questions, but each would only provide their particular brand of care service.
Integrated Assessment provides a multi-disciplinary team with the emphasis on one point of contact; one person to carry out assessment work so that if others needed to be involved they would build on previous work, not repeat it. This simple goal turns out to be quite difficult to achieve because the different services asked the same questions for different reasons; they have to be sure that, for instance, although a social worker may not have the knowledge to assess a person's needs for occupational therapy they can at least gather information useful to the occupational therapist or assess that the OT specialist is needed.
The Integrated Assessment Team is now operating out of St David's Resource Centre at Albany Park (tel. 412606). It comprises social workers, occupational therapists, district nurses, home care managers and community care assistants. One of the advantages of a mixed team is the cross-fertilisation regarding each others resources, a particular example being the links to Fife Council's Housing Service for the health members of the team through the social workers.
Funding for the pilot lasts through until March 2001.
An information leaflet on the IA Team at St David's Centre was circulated.
Scenic Maps provide a pictorial map of a location with main streets and features marked, suitable for tourist use. They are painted rather than drawn to provide an attractive pictorial view, rather than formal plan, with cameo photos and adverts to highlight particular attractions. The cost of the map, and annual updates, is covered by the advertising sold on the map itself and the surrounding mounting.
The old (i.e. recently replaced) Pitlochry map was shown as an example and a glossy leaflet copy with further advertising and tourist information was circulated. The Pitlochry map scheme has been running successfully for three years.
Scenic Maps like to work with local organisations such as Community Councils to provide the detail for the maps (Chris Lesurf suggested bus routes be added); in questions afterwards it was suggested that they also contact the Kingdom of Fife Tourist Board and Merchants' Association as other relevant bodies in St Andrews.
For the Merchants' Association Bill Sangster was concerned that there may not be enough advertising revenue to support both the Merchants' map booklet, another he was aware of to be published soon, and Scenic Maps.
Overall the meeting was quite impressed by the potential of a Scenic Map in St Andrews and looks forward to developments.
(read for corrections of substance - harangue the secretary for minor (spelling etc) mistakes outside the meeting).
3.2. Minuting Procedures The word 'Draft' to be included prominently of the minutes on the internet.
5.3.2. Flag Flying Ask Historic Scotland for a flag at the West Port all year rather than just St Andrews Week.
(March 3.2.) Secretary has written to Ian Grant of Fife Council asking for advice on procedures but no reply as yet - nor to a query in February over the constitution for that matter.
(March 5.3.) Secretary has written to Historic Scotland re. a flag at the West Port; no reply as yet.
(March 7.3.2.) Secretary has written to Roads Dept regarding the street name sign at Lade Braes/Bridge Street; no reply yet.
(March 5.1.5.) Chris Lesurf's health has not allowed her to take this up.
Archie Strachan to take over as Cosmos Rep.
5.1.1. Ohtawara Trust
Donald Macgregor explained that the trust arranges cultural relations and exchanges between the city of Ohtawara in Japan and St Andrews, particularly Madras College. The Mayor of Ohtawara will be visiting informally at the end of May. The trust would like a representative from the community council. A vote was taken on two candidates:
Frank Riddell 3, Archie Strachan 5
Archie Strachan selected as rep on Ohtawara Trust
5.1.3. Thanks to Donald Macgregor for his work as Chair.
Proposed Hugh Gray, 2nd Ian Goudie.
Meeting agreed.
5.3.1. Expenses. Archie Strachan asked for the prompt submission of any outstanding administrative expenses for the financial year 98-99.
5.3.2. Outstanding items. Asked if there were any outstanding large expenditures he replied he was aware of the Publicity committees proposals for a noticeboard, but this would have to be put through quickly to be included in 98-99.
5.3.1. May meeting & AGM. Agreed to invite David Rae, Head of Planning Service, to speak at 7.30pm to allow for time taken by AGM.
Pete Lindsay to write
5.3.3. Park & Ride scheme Ian Goudie observed that the scheme proposed was routed mainly for tourist use, taking in none of the residential areas outwith the town centre.
5.3.4. Harbour Rents General sympathy was expressed by members for the position of the fishermen faced with large rent increases, though it was questioned what the actual rather than percentage increase was. Frank Riddell asked whether the decision to increase the rents was taken by Fife Councillors or officials. Cllr Jane Ann Liston replied that the increase was due to Scottish Office requirements that realistic market rents to be charged. She went on to say that there had been meetings since the letter from David Martin between the fishermen and Fife Council arranged by Cllr Frances Melville in her rôle as Chair of the Harbour Trust, thus she would be able to give more up-to-date information.
Raise with Cllr Frances Melville next meeting
5.3.5. Playing Fields Raffle no one wished to take this on
5.3.6. Kate Kennedy Parade Frank Riddell, Sean Dobson and Maries Cassells to attend.
5.3.7. Shell Garage Licence meeting agreed to call for restriction to a further 6 months licence to allow the level of nuisance over the summer to be assessed.
Pete Lindsay to write
Cllr Jane Ann Liston informed the meeting that Fife Council will, in the near future, start supplying St Andrews and Cupar community councils with information on licencing applications every quarter. Frank Riddell asked how we should organise dealing with this information. After discussion it was decided to wait and see what the amount of information and timescales for responding are.
5.3.8. Giant Hogweed Pete Lindsay mentioned that the Giant Hogweed is sprouting along the Kinnessburn, and suggested that Fife Environmental Health Service be asked what this year's plans were for dealing with this dangerous plant. Meeting agreed.
Pete Lindsay to write
5.3.9. Cupboard in Local Office Pete Lindsay reported that thanks to Ken Crichton there are now three keys to the community council cupboard in the Fife Council Local Office at St Mary's Place. Holders: Ian Goudie, Pete Lindsay, Murdo Macdonald.
(for reports and decisions by full council)
Report was circulated at the meeting.
6.4.1. Band Ken Fraser drew particular attention to Murdo Macdonald's success in finding a band for the Millennium dance planned for the Town Hall.
6.4.2. Costs Meeting agreed that the Millennium committee should approach the Common Good Fund to underwrite (not pay for) the dance in case of financial disaster to a maximum £1,500.
6.4.3. Grayfriars Garden Helen Lawrie reported that there had been no response as yet to approaches by Ian Donald to the owners of the corner garden at.
Report was circulated
6.5.1. Canongate Traffic Calming The Planning Committee report recommended adoption of the following resolution:
This Community Council believes that traffic calming can play a useful role in creating a safer environment in St Andrews, and shares the concerns over the traffic problems at Canongate School. It wishes to see better provision for cyclists, preferably in the form of dedicated cycle paths, but including cycle lanes provided they are of sufficient width to meet national guidelines. The Community Council recognises the importance of full public consultation before such schemes are put out to contract.
Accordingly, in the case of the current proposals, it urges Fife Council
(i) to install the proposed mini-roundabouts at the two junctions of the Canongate which are closest to Canongate School, namely those at Broomfaulds Ave. and Drumcarrow Rd.
(ii) to retain the red road markings either side of the school crossing patrol at Canongate School, and to mark these red patches with an appropriate warning message.
(iii) to abandon the proposal to install cycle lanes of inadequate width on the Canongate.
(iv) to carry out public consultation in a year's time to determine the reaction to the mini-roundabouts at Broomfaulds Ave. and Drumcarrow Rd., and to gauge whether there is public support for the other two proposed mini-roundabouts at John Knox Rd. and Learmonth Place.
Proposed Frank Riddell, 2nd Cynthia Tero
No opposition: resolution adopted
6.5.2. Invitations to meetings with developers Hugh Gray asked whether the Planning Advice Note covered a developer appearing at the monthly meeting and asking to address the community council under item 2 of the agenda, Contributions from members of the public. While this is clearly a gray area the PAN seems to advise against.
From:
Planning Advice Note 47: Community Councils and Planning
Discussions on applications
20. In some cases community councils may find it helpful to discuss applications with the planning authority. Authorities should respond constructively to requests for more information or discussion of particular proposals. Discussions on the planning merits of cases between applicants and community councils are strongly discouraged. It is for the planning authority to discuss issues with various parties if they think it necessary before coming to a decision.
(Their emphasis - PL)
6.5.5. Reporting in The Citizen There had been concern expressed within the planning committee about the balance of reporting on Kingask, but it was decided not to take any formal action. Inclusion of this item in the planning report was a mistake.
6.5.6. Reference Material. Chris Young reported the arrival of more planning documentation to add to the library in the community council cupboard at St Mary's Place office.
6.5.7. Cycleways. Bill Sangster asked if the community council had been invited to the recent meeting for objectors to the proposals. Ian Goudie thought not, as we had merely commented rather than specifically objecting to the proposals. As he had been at the meeting Bill Sangster reported that there had been no agreement reached between Transportation Service and objectors, that as he understood it the plans with the objections would go back to East Area Development Committee for consideration.
The report of the Planning committee was accepted
6.6.1. Name Badges. Frank Riddell distributed trial ID badges with the coat of arms. These are intended for use at public functions, to clearly identify members of the community council and thus raise our profile. Badges will be re-issued after the AGM with titles/mistakes corrected.
6.6.2. Chair's Medallion of Office: meeting gave approval for Publicity to pursue a quote for an embossed silver medallion.
Frank Riddell to follow up
6.6.3. Noticeboard: Helen Lawrie reported that Henderson Fabrication have not responded with a quote for a board yet. Fife Council have rejected the proposed location at the car park wall of their St Mary's Place office for road safety reasons. Publicity committee to seek another location. Several useful suggestions received from the meeting.
6.6.4. Newsletter: After some discussion on the name for the quarterly newsletter Pete Lindsay suggested it be put to a schools/young people's competition. This was agreed.
Publicity to arrange.
The report of the Publicity committee was accepted.
Archie Strachan gave a brief report in Ken Crichton's absence.
6.7.1. St Andrews Week dates 25-30 November. Menzies Campbell MP to open the art exhibition again. The art exhibition and photo competitions to have the same subject.
6.7.2. 200 Club Draw £50 Miss Brown, £30 Mrs Room, £20 Mr Glover, £15 Mr Myerscroft.
Archie Strachan reported briefly that the Youth Committee had been very active and the drop-in café was progressing well. He hopes to have a full report in May.
7.3.1. Tom Morris Drive noticeboard to be refurbished - Chris Young added that a new board was in place but it hadn't been painted/weatherproofed yet.
7.3.2. Bus Services Fife Scottish intend to cut a number of important services. There is to be a meeting between them and an all-party group of Fife Councillors, including Cllr Liston.
7.3.3. Starlink There is to be a meeting between Starlink and the Transportation Study 'soon'. Some problems in getting all parties together as some Councillors from the administration had, unusually, expressed a desire to be present.
7.3.4. Strategic Development - Golf-related developments. She and other members of the committee had wanted the strategic hearings of the golf developments around St Andrews to be undertaken by the East Area Development Committee, but they had been defeated by the centralisers by two votes. She held out the hope that if the current administration lose overall power this decision may be reversed.
Frank Riddell outlined the community council's position in opposing the call-in, in essence that these developments are 'strategic' for East Fife, not for Fife as a whole, unlike previous cases such as the quarries which were spread across East Central and West areas, and was rightly considered on a Fife-wide basis. He also said that an appeal to the Secretary of State had been considered as more impartial than Fife Council in view of their promotion of Kingask and recorded opinions of some administration members of the Strategic Development committee. However at the moment the opinion of the planing committee was to wait for the results of the elections before coming to a decision on this.
High Gray suggested that a letter be written by full community council opposing the calling-in. Frank Riddell pointed out that a letter had already been written to the Strategic Development Committee before their decision. The proposal went to vote
Prop: Hugh Gray, 2nd Chris Lesurf,
Opposed Joseph Peterson, Maries Cassells.
Proposal defeated 6-2.
Joseph Peterson suggested that we could trust our councillors to deal appropriately with the questions of golf-related development. Frank Riddell remarked that he trusted our councillors, it was West and Central that he didn't.
Joseph Peterson then questioned the stance of the Planning committee, suggesting that it did not reflect the true views of community council, which had not been consulted before some statements had been issued. Ian Goudie refuted this. He pointed out that the Planning committee was granted delegated powers to act on behalf of community council because of the timescales involved but that a planning report was brought to each community council meeting for action taken or planned to be confirmed, which it always had been, and by substantial majorities in formal votes.
7.3.5. Betting Shop at Greyfriars Garden: Following criticism in the press of the Licensing Committee's decision to grant permission for this Cllr Liston read out an extract of the Government rules governing such applications to show how little opportunity she and her fellow councillors had to reject the proposal.
7.3.6. Burgh Chambers damage. Cllr Liston expressed her concern that the council had decided to undertake patch jobs rather than properly refurbishing the damage after the flood from the Masons' cistern.
Pete Lindsay to write to Community Services to add our concern
7.3.7. Tourism Management Plan: in the recent consultation on reorganising the consultative forum Cllr Liston was disappointed that no response was received from any of the community council representatives. This makes it difficult, she felt, for the Fife Councillors to argue for the inclusion of the community council in such bodies. Ian Goudie thought that the wrong person, himself, had been contacted with reminders when our regular representative was in fact Lindsay Murray. She certainly had been preparing a response. As she was not available the matter was held over.
Archie Strachan announced that repairs were to start soon, with a possible finish date of the end of April. Costs will be about £12,400. The Common Good Fund will cover half and the Fife Environmental Trust has been approached for the rest.