The Annual General Meeting will be held 7pm, Monday 1st May 2000 in St Andrews Town Hall Burgh Chambers, Queens Garden.
AGM Appendix A.
AGM Appendix B.
AGM Appendix D.
It was agreed in Dec 1999 (4.1) that committees should be formally reconstituted each year at the AGM and any appropriate powers delegated to them.
AGM Appendix C.
In accordance with our constitution officers are elected annually, at the end of the AGM. The only members of the Community Council who are specifically excluded from office are the ex-officio members, the Fife Councillors.
Candidates to be proposed and seconded at the meeting. If there is a contest the candidate or a supporter may speak briefly. A paper ballot is taken. Ties will be broken by a suitably random method.
Number to be determined by the meeting.
The past year has been an interesting one for the Community of St Andrews and for the Community Council that represents it. The word "interesting" is perhaps an understatement on some issues and I will return to these in a few moments. With the Open Championship looming, the next year also promises to be a busy one.
First of all I must pay tribute to the splendid and dedicated team of office bearers that we have. It is invidious to single people out but two deserve special mention. First of all thanks are due to Pete Lindsay for the professional way that he has managed the secretarial duties and the "delicate" way he has of reminding me and others of our responsibilities. He has acted as a sounding board for many public statements made by myself and other office bearers. Pete is a keystone around which our organisation is built. Secondly, Murdo Macdonald must be thanked for taking over the role of chairman and taking the chair at three meetings during my absence from the UK. He did this, I am told, with great success.
Archie Strachan of course has been a splendid treasurer and has been working to get greater youth involvement in the life of our community. Vice chairman Ian Goudie has handled the complicated, time consuming and contentious issues of planning with a sure pair of hands and our other vice chairman, Lindsay Murray, has deputised for the chairman on a number of occasions. It speaks highly of an organisation when the office bearers can take on a multitude of roles and carry them out with success, professionalism and dignity.
Of course the major issue confronting the Council during the past year was that of Kingask. By a substantial majority this democratically elected body representing St Andrews opposed the development. The Community Council directly involved with Kingask, Boarhills and Dunino CC, also opposed it. The Councillor in whose ward Kingask is located opposed it. The development was also opposed by all four of our democratically elected Fife Councillors for St Andrews. Our MP and MSP also spoke out against the development. When the plans for Kingask were turned down by local East Area Fife councillors, who know the area and understand the implications, it was called in for consideration in Glenrothes - and we all knew what that was about.
Determination in certain sections of the Fife Council that this development should proceed overcame the clearly and strongly expressed views of the local communities and their elected representatives. It is deeply regrettable that councillors from distant parts of Fife should be unwilling to accept the views of local people and should force through the issue on the scarcely credible pretext that Kingask would reduce unemployment. Yes, it will create employment, but not for their constituents, nor for people in and around St Andrews. It will, however, lead to substantial pressures on the infrastructure of our town: the Health Centre, Madras College, town centre traffic etc. I could go on but you have heard these arguments before.
The main point I wish to make is that there is something rotten in a planning system where this sort of thing can happen. We must hope that the time will come when much greater local accountability is brought into the planning system. When this does occur the Kingask decision will feature prominently in the debate and will be one of the strongest arguments for change.
Ultimately this Council had to take a decision as to whether to proceed in the Court of Session with a Judicial Review of the Fife Council's decision. An unprecedented special meeting of the Council was convened at the request of a substantial number of members of the public. I believe that the Council took the correct decision at that meeting not to proceed, largely because of the uncertain prospects of success and the serious financial implications. This decision was subsequently justified when an action for judicial review of the decision by private individuals in St Andrews was turned down recently in the Court of Session.
New planning challenges are faced in the future by this Council, caused by the new draft Fife Structure Plan. Characteristically this plan fails to address the needs of St Andrews as expressed in the Fife Council's own adopted St Andrews Strategic Study. It also ignores the desires of St Andreans as expressed in 900 responses to the preparation of that document. Further work will be needed to rectify these glaring omissions.
The second major event for the Community Council during the past year was the Hogmanay Ceilidh organised by the millennium committee and expertly masterminded on the night by Murdo Macdonald. Those members of the Council who were present will agree that it was a great success. Calls are now being made for a repeat next year. The amount of work put in by Murdo, Ken Fraser, Cynthia Tero and Helen Lawrie to the recent ceilidh has shown that only a hard working and dedicated group can pull off such an event. Many of us hope that the Council can find an equally dedicated group next year.
A third major issue that the town has faced is the dangerous state of St Andrews pier. This Council will welcome the recent decision to move the gates blocking access to the pier 150 yards down the jetty. Knowing the problems involved I commend Cllr Melville who is chairman of the St Andrews Harbour Trust Committee for her diplomacy in handling this delicate issue. I am sure that this Council will also want special mention to be made of fundraising efforts led by former Community Councillor Nan Taylor and others including council members Donald Macgregor and Lindsay Murray, that have brought in around £10,000 towards the repairs.
The work of the Council's committees has continued as mentioned in part above and a health, education and welfare committee has been re-established. The three people who volunteered to start this committee, Chris Lesurf, Joe Peterson and Chris Young have made a promising start in this important area. The "traditional" events organised by the Recreation Committee, ably led by Ken Crichton, such as the various summer competitions, the St Andrews Day Exhibition and of course the senior citizens Christmas treat have once again been an outstanding success.
The more active participation of student representatives in the work of the Community Council has been beneficial. Town/gown relations have been improved by this welcome participation, by our representation in a student town/gown debate, and at the rectorial drag.
Many thanks must be expressed by this Council to the public servants who have attended our meetings and guided us on their work, shown us the reasons why certain decisions had been taken and who have sought our views on a variety of issues. In particular the local community police constable(s) have provided a means for a two-way flow of information between the police service and the community they serve. Also, people like the Fire Chief and Cathy Adamson of the Health Service must be thanked for updating us on their work and the progress they expect in the future.
Finally we should mention the Fife Councillors, two of whom are former community councillors, for their patient attendance at our meetings and for the advice and information they pass on to us.
For myself there have been two personal highlights that I shall always treasure as memories. The first of these was representing the Community Council at a student Town/Gown debate - initially for me a frightening experience - but it turned into a fun evening since we won hands down. The students voted overwhelmingly against opening a MacDonalds restaurant in St Andrews. The second was being invited, as chairman of this Council, to declare open a marvellous exhibition of paintings from the Lansyer Museum in Loches in France that was held in the Crawford Centre. I hope that many of you managed to see this superb exhibition.
Our Community Council, as a forum for debate on local issues and as a platform for taking actions beneficial to our town, is a striking example of what can be done by dedicated local people. Our council achieves this by the combined efforts of almost all of its membership, despite the limited funding available to it. With the undoubted talents available to us, the wide variety of views expressed within our membership, and the substantial abilities of our members, this council must have a great role to play in the future of our beautiful and historic town.
Frank Riddell
These figures are based on the minuted attendance for May 1999 to April 2000 and take account of date of co-option/election. Some absences are people turning up late or forgetting to sign in - I record them when I notice, but doubtless some have slipped through.
Members are reminded that for the monthly meetings to achieve quorum requires half of those listed as community councillors below to attend. The poor attendance is beginning to have an impact to the point that the Secretary and Chair spend rather too much time anxiously counting (eligible) heads at the start of a meeting - April's meeting had to be delayed until we reached quorum...
Community Councillors
Maries E Cassells 33%
Ken Crichton 92%
Kenneth Fraser 75%
Ian Goudie 100%
Hugh Gray 42%
Barry Joss 29%
David Scott Kinnen 25%
John Landon 100%
Helen M Lawrie 50%
Chris Lesurf 75%
Pete Lindsay 100%
Dennis H Macdonald 83%
Murdo Macdonald 83%
Donald Macgregor 58%
Lindsay Murray 83%
Joseph Peterson 75%
Frank G Riddell 75%
Archie S Strachan 83%
Cynthia M Tero 100%
Chris Young 50%
Students Assoc reps
Steve Durrant 80%
Linda Piálek 83%
James Arnold 0%
Nominated/Co-opted
Bill Sangster (Merch Assoc) 83%
Archie Muir (Arms) 88%
Fife Councillors
Sheila Hill (South) 67%
Jane Ann Liston (South East) 100%
Frances Melville (West) 100%
Jane Hunter-Blair (Central) 73%
Pete Lindsay
Secretary
The attached audited Annual Statement of Accounts for the financial year 1998-99 is submitted for the approval of Council.
The 200 Club Account and the C.C. Trust Account are not included in the Statement as separate accounts are produced for them by their management committees. It is recommended, however, that audited statements of these accounts should in future be presented to Council annually.
It is to be noted that Council in line with its commitment to foster more public interest in the work of the Council has already approved the purchase of a suitable vandal-proof noticeboard costing approximately £1,300. Due to further delay in finding a suitable site the cost will now be a charge on the Administration Account in the 2000-2001 accounts.
Two copies of the signed audited 1998-99 Accounts will be available for reference if required - one being held by the Secretary and the other by the Treasurer. Two further signed copies, after approval of the accounts by Council, will be sent to the East Area Finance Manager, Fife Council.
Councillors are asked to please note that 'Secretarial Expenses' includes stationery, printing materials, publicity, newsletters, agendas, minutes, posters, photocopying, a service to several C.C. Committees, etc. This year it also includes the cost of toner cartridges for the Community Council's LaserWriter.
Members of Council are reminded that claims for payment of expenses should be made using expense claim forms obtainable from the Treasurer.
A. S. Strachan
Treasurer
Funds at 31st March 2000
| Brought Forward at 1st April 1999 |
£9369.05 |
| Surplus for Year 1999/00 |
£2620.88 |
| Balance Carried Forward |
£11989.93 |
| (Represented by Bank Account at 31/3/99 |
£12412.63) |
| (Cheques still to be cleared * |
£422.70) |
* (1) £30.00 14.3.00
(2) £370.80 28.3.00
(3) £8.60 29.3.00
(4) £13.30 29.3.00
| Sub Accounts |
Income |
Expenditure |
Balance |
| Administration Account |
£4734.47 |
£2771.56 |
£1962.91 |
| General Account |
£1051.46 |
£27.38 |
£1024.08 |
| ** Millennium Account |
£5372.00 |
£2872.55 |
£2499.45 |
| ** Youth Committee Account |
£50.00 |
£NIL |
£50.00 |
| ** St. Andrews Day Account |
£437.08 |
£99.24 |
£337.84 |
| ** Senior Citizens Xmas Party |
£3238.85 |
£994.52 |
£2244.33 |
| ** Bandstand Concerts |
£6089.81 |
£2600.25 |
£3489.56 |
| ** Upper Arlington Account |
£235.00 |
£18.59 |
£216.41 |
| ** Coat of Arms Account |
£165.35 |
£NIL |
£165.35 |
|
£21374.02 |
£9384.09 |
£11989.93 |
** The funds held in these accounts are dedicated to specific projects as indicated
M. MACDONALD (Auditor)
A. S. STRACHAN (Treasurer)
Coat of Arms Account
| Carried forward from 1st April 1999 |
£160.35 |
| Income : Sale of Coat of Arms Reproduction |
£5.00 |
| Expenditure : |
£NIL |
|
£165.35 |
(Surplus for Year £5.00)
Surplus Carried Forward remains at £165.35
Upper Arlington Account
| Carried forward from 1st April 1999 |
£235.00 |
| Income : |
£NIL |
| Expenditure : Postages Cultural Exchange (Langlands School) |
£18.59 |
|
£216.41 |
(Deficit for Year £18.59)
Surplus Carried Forward remains at £235.00
Youth Committee Account
Due to no income or expenditure within this account
Surplus Carried Forward remains at £50.00
Millennium Account
| Carried forward from 1st April 1999 |
£700.00 |
| Income : | |
| Sale of Millennium Ceilidh Tickets |
£2500.00 |
| Fife Council Millennium Grant (for projects within year 2000) |
£1538.00 |
| Receipts/Returns from Millennium Ceilidh |
£634.00 |
|
£5372 .00 |
|
| Expenditure | |
| Millennium Ceilidh Outlay (Band, Hall Let, Purvey, etc.) |
£2872.55 |
(Surplus for the Year £1799.45)
Surplus Carried Forward remains at £2499.45
Bandstand Concerts Account
| Carried forward from 1st April 1999 |
£3339.81 |
| Income : Grant - Common Good Fund (Summer 2000 Concerts) |
£2750.00 |
|
£6089.81 |
|
| Expenditure: | |
| Payments to Bands |
£2315.00 |
| Administration Expenses and Advertising |
£118.34 |
| Refund of Years Balance to Common Good Fund |
£166.91 |
|
£2600.25 |
(Surplus for Year £149.75)
Surplus Carried Forward £3489.56
Senior Citizens Xmas Party Account
| Carried forward from 1st April 1999 |
£2244.33 |
| Income - Grant - St.Andrews Round Table |
£994.52 |
|
£3238.85 |
|
| Expenditure : | |
| Party Costs |
£920.87 |
| Administration Expenses |
£73.65 |
|
£994.52 |
(Surplus for Year £NIL)
Surplus Carried Forward £2244.33
St. Andrews Day Account
| Carried forward from 1st April 1999 |
£365.39 |
| Income : Donation/Sales |
£71.69 |
|
£437.08 |
|
| Expenditure : Administration Expenses |
£99.24 |
(Surplus for the Year £27.55)
Surplus Carried Forward £337.84
Administration Account
| Brought Forward at 1st April 1999 |
£1718.10 |
| Income | |
| Fife Council Grant 1999-00 |
£2861.31 |
| Repayment of Bank error (contra) |
£55.06 |
| Repayment of Entrust Registration Fee (Common Good Fund) |
£100.00 |
|
£4734.47 |
|
| Expenditure | |
| Hire of Burgh Chambers |
£190.00 |
| Let of Memorial Hall |
£185.00 |
| Advertising |
£116.68 |
| Secretarial Expenses |
£801.05 |
| Chairman's Expenses |
£15.51 |
| Rec. Committee Expenses (Exhibitions, Competitions etc.) |
£129.84 |
| Treasurer's Expenses |
£82.40 |
| Membership of Appropriate Associations |
£134.00 |
| C.C. Medallion of Office |
£629.27 |
| Bank error (contra) |
£55.06 |
| Grant to Scotland in Bloom |
£250.00 |
| Accounts Analysis Book |
£23.50 |
| Background Planning Papers |
£30.00 |
| Greyfriars Garden Valuation |
£129.25 |
|
£2771.56 |
(Surplus for the Year £244.81)
Surplus Carried Forward £1962.91
General Account
| Brought Forward at 1st April 1999 |
£556.07 |
| Income | |
| Interest on Account |
£301.86 |
| Spot the Ball Competition |
£84.50 |
| Out of Date Cheques cancelled and recredited |
£109.03 |
|
£1051.46 |
|
| Expenditure | |
| Prizes/Expenses Spot the Ball Competition |
£27.38 |
(Surplus for the Year £468.01)
Surplus Carried Forward £1024.08