Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council
Draft Minutes - May 2000
for approval
Chair: Murdo Macdonald
1. Attendance
as AGM
3.2. Police
(Taken out of order due to delay by the AGM). PC Callum MacNaughton stood in for his colleagues from community policing.
3.2.1. J-Walking - Hugh Gray asked if there laws against 'j-walking' - there are not.
3.2.2. Drinking on beaches - Tom Plant asked which beaches were covered by the bye-laws - PC MacNaughton was not sure of the exact boundaries but Cllr Jane Ann Liston explained that the Alcohol-Free Zone excludes all of the beaches and the Links.
3.2.3. Town Centre Traffic - There was some discussion of the state of traffic in the centre of town over recent weekends. PC MacNaughton noted that there were no recorded incidents. Various people mentioned difficulties driving along South Street.
3.2.4. Parking - Ken Crichton drew attention to parking on Lamond Drive, outwith the inset parking bays, making it difficult to drive along. Unless there were formal parking restrictions - double yellow lines and associated signs - the police could only deal with dangerous parking blocking sight at junctions etc.
Murdo Macdonald suggested that this was then more a matter for Fife Councillors. Archie Strachan suggested a committee be formed to report on this problem.
2. Minutes of April
5.1. Joe Peterson pointed out his motion's wording was 'practicable' in the agenda not 'possible' as described in the minute.
4. Fife Councillors
4.1. Jane Ann Liston (South East)
4.1.1. Waste Management - Fife council has formed a new group to look at waste management & recycling in view of Fife's second bottom place for recycling in Scotland, despite NE Fife District's winning awards for its recycling before reorganisation in 96. While the results of the new group may be felt in the west first she was encouraged to report that the Chair of the group was supportive of a recycling / waste centre for St Andrews.
Ian Goudie suggested that doorstep collections would be most effective at increasing recycling. Cllr Liston said that what was being considered was some form of piggyback scheme on the wheelie bins. Murdo Macdonald asked if business waste paper would be included but it will probably be domestic only. Hugh Gray questioned the economics; in the days of the district council the price for paper had fallen to £7 per ton. She pointed out that since then the costs of not collecting it had very much increased through the landfill tax and that the introduction of the large capacity wheelie bin along with the end of the paper collection had greatly increased the volume of (paper) waste. Ian Goudie noted that proposals for new landfill sites will not be accepted according to the draft structure plan, she explained that expansion of existing facilities is permitted.
4.1.2. ATIOC - Have not received a response from Community Council to the transportation '2020 Vision' consultation paper. They would very much like to know the Community Council's views.
Ian Goudie apologised to the meeting - despite having reported to March meeting on the response he seems to have forgotten to post it under pressure of other planning work...
4.1.3. Street fairs - have been arranged for May, June and September. There are also discussions underway on a possible French Market in August
4.1.4. Garden Care Scheme - has been curtailed this year only council tenants will be eligible for the subsidised rate. Others are being encouraged to seek private contractors. If someone cannot find a suitable private service the council may be able to supply the service but only at the full economic cost starting at £95 pa rather than the previous £11 pa. This would be 11 grass cuts & 2 hedge trims. Fife Council would welcome any assistance from Community Council in identifying those in need of assistance. Community councillors suggested other bodies that could be approached such as the multidisciplinary team at St David's Centre, and the social services generally.
4.1.5. Skateboarding - Hugh Gray expressed concern about skateboarding in Church Square. Jane Ann Liston pointed out that skateboarding was not illegal, and that part of the problem was lack of other, more suitable, facilities which should soon be alleviated at Pipeland Park. Nonetheless it was decided to bring the matter to the attention of the police.
Pete to write
4.2. Jane Hunter-Blair (central)
4.2.1. Zebra crossings are causing the most concern in her ward at the moment. A number of changes need to be made to alleviate the current congestion she felt:
She noted that Cupar has bigger traffic problems at the moment which has drawn attention away from those in St Andrews.
4.2.2. Shore Bridqe - work on strengthening has started and should take 5 weeks to complete. However the request for a footpath has been denied on road safety grounds to do with visibility/vision lines. No one could understand this, including Jane Hunter-Blair who is pursuing the matter.
4.2.3. After School Club grants - anyone involved in these clubs contact her please.
4.2.4. Gateway Centre - is to be the base for some University security systems; there are discussions under way over possibly including CCTV systems linked to the area of Murray Place in view of the vandalism there.
4.2.5. Church Square - Cynthia Tero reported that damaged benches in Church Square had not yet been repaired.
4.2.6. Kinburn Park - the poor state of the footpath in Kinburn Park between Doubledykes Rd and the tennis courts. Tom Plant pointed out that the lighting in Kinburn Park is still poor, and described the toilets as 'a problem'. Frank Riddell added that sections of the Lade Braes also have the problems of ageing, patched asphalt breaking up.
4.2.6. Flowerbeds - Cynthia Tero praised the flowerbeds in Kinburn Park; Jane Ann Liston reminded the meeting that these were the result of the St Andrews in Bloom committee's community planting initiative, not Fife Council's work.
4.2.7. St Johns Garden development - Donald Macgregor asked for how much longer it would it be possible to comment on the St Johns gardens planning application. The consensus of the councillors was that it was not expected at East Area Development committee until June.
4.3. Sheila Hill (South)
4.3.1. West Port toilets - to be repainted
4.3.2. Gibson House - recently received a grant from the 200 Club - gratefully acknowledged
4.3.3. Canongate Traffic Calming - Four mini roundabouts in Canongate now operational.
Ian Goudie reported that despite the painting of the lines to mark off the cycle lanes little thought seemed to have been given to the practical requirements of cyclists. For example drain gratings running parallel to the direction of travel - notorious bicycle wheel traps - had been left untouched until challenged. The lanes were, as previously reported, narrower than the recommended width. Even so they narrowed the road such that it would be difficult for two cars to pass without intruding on the cycle lane, and impossible for a bus to pass without encroaching on the cycle lane or crossing the centre line. From a practical point of view as an experienced cyclist Pete Lindsay felt the lanes too narrow. He found that his preferred safe cycling distance from the kerb - to avoid drain covers, roadside debris and pedestrians as well as to stay visible to motorists - resulted in cycling along the outside edge of the lane. Hugh Gray added that as a motorist he understood that he was supposed to swing wide by a 'falling distance' safety margin when passing a cyclist. The Canongate was too narrow for this even before the cycle lanes. He called for the dual use of pavements by cyclist and pedestrian in this area to be formally acknowledged to get cyclists off the road.
Archie Strachan had heard several complaints about the new layout of the Canongate and suggested that the various comments be passed formally to Fife Council. Joe Peterson did not think it right for the Community Council to oppose work for the benefit and safety of the community - pedestrians, cyclists and children. Ian Goudie summed up the case against by describing the changes at the Canongate as deceptive, the cycle lanes providing only an illusion of safety for young and inexperienced cyclists. He could not see why Fife Council feel that they are wiser in the matter of cycle lane width than the recognised authorities who specify a minimum 1.5m.
Pete Lindsay to write
4.3.4. New bus routes - while the service to outlying parts of the town is improved, it is at the price of full size buses, occasionally double-deckers, passing through narrow, residential streets.
4.3.5. Meeting on the Future of the NHS - recently was very well attended despite the downpour that night. Obviously a subject of keen interest in the town and area. Hope to organise similar meetings on matters of interest.
4.3.6. Balone Park - noted that 6 years on the wrangle with the developers still leaves residents of Balone Park with unmaintained open spaces.
<Half time break 8:25>
5. Matters Arising
5.2. Honoured / -ary Citizen
Cynthia Tero reported that the cost of a mould for a medallion/crest pin would be about £250, with individual crest pins costing £6. After some discussion it was agreed to seek other quotes as well.
Murdo Macdonald had received a proposal for a candidate but it was agreed that it should not be discussed until a selection procedure decided upon. Emphasised that choice of honoured/-ary citizen to be taken by full meeting.
General Purposes committee to consider quote and procedure and report back.
3.1. The Open Championship 2000
(20-23 July)
Chief Inspector Stan McLeod and Dave Frew (Fife Council Roads Service, Traffic Management) arrived about 8.30pm and spoke on arrangements for the Open this year. These are based on and developed from the plans for previous events. Even larger attendance is expected this year, due to a number of factors:
There are three objectives in planning for the Open:
Though there is expected to be an increase in the number of vehicles Dave Frew said that by picking the good bits from previous plans, while they may not reduce delays they hope to avoid an increase.
Access routes for visitors: Those from the north via Perth or Dundee (including west coast traffic) will be directed in along the A91, from the south via the Forth Road Bridge (east coast) via the East Fife Regional Road to Leven and the A915, a route that has been underused in previous years. A relief route will bring vehicles in via Cupar & Pitscottie to park on the university playing fields at Buchanan Gardens, which provides some 3,000 spaces, out of a total in the plan of 13-14,000. Golf traffic will be kept out of the town centre, with pointsmen at key junctions.
Visitors will be encouraged to use park & ride facilities stopping at parking places west of Guardbridge and bussing in to the Old Course. The exit route from the park & ride will be through Cupar, while those parking in the Balgove will be directed to the A92 at Guardbridge so the traffic streams will not interfere with each other, not meeting until they are more dispersed.
Residents parking was dealt with but Chief Inspector McLeod asked that the details not be made public yet as they system had been very badly abused last time, with requests for residents' vouchers from Glasgow, England and overseas... Details of the parking scheme will be circulated to residents closer to the time.
Information on the general plans will be circulated by leaflet and is available on the Force web site at http://www.fife.police.uk/
In response to questions it was also explained that local police officers would be kept to local duties rather than golf-related policing as far as possible.
It had not yet been decided what level of air support was required for traffic spotting etc, but it was revealed that helicopter traffic would fly into Nether Strathkinness Farm, well away from major traffic flows avoiding the rubbernecking problem which interfered with traffic flow past Easter Kincaple in 95.
Normal bus services would not have special provision made, beyond being allowed to continue on their normal routes rather than being directed along the diversions for golf-related traffic. Emergency vehicles will be directed down designated access routes kept clear by pointsmen
On the cost of the Open policing, the Chief Constable's intention is that there should be no impact to the budget or the service to the rest of Fife. The R&A makes a 'substantial' contribution to the costs, while service will be maintained by the cancelling of leave etc.
For further information contact the Open Planning Team Office on 01334-418901 or see the web site.
5. Matters Arising from the Minutes
5.2. Kingask
(April 7.5.5.) Archie Strachan asked if there was any information coming from the Liaison Committee. As neither Frances Melville nor Chris Young were present to report this is to be included on the June agenda.
June Agenda
5.3. Town Hall Flag
(April 8.1) Still no flag flying over the Town Hall. Jane Hunter-Blair will investigate.
Jane Hunter-Blair
5.4. Open Exploitation
(April 7.10) Due to lack of time a report from Maries Cassells on the Pilgrim Foundation's plans was held over for next month.
June Agenda
6. New Business
6.1. Common Good Fund
Due to lack of time carry over to June
June Agenda
Archie Strachan informed the meeting that he had recently received a £6,823.95 cheque from Fife Environmental Trust towards the bandstand restoration, which would therefore lessen the burden on the Common Good Fund.
7. Officers' Reports
7.1. Chair
Outgoing Chair Frank Riddell
7.1.1. Loches - the municipal authorities of Loches-en-Touraine have recently named a street after the St Andrews-Loches alliance.
Frank Riddell to write & thank
7.1.2. Keith Harding MSP - the Conservative member with special responsibility for NEF local affairs wishes to meet with members of the community council to hear of local issues and concerns. Some possible subjects would be Common Good Funds, Planning, and the future of Community Councils.
Pete Lindsay to contact
7.3. Secretary
7.3.4. APRS - no one available to attend
7.3.8. Local Holidays 2001 - there was some feeling that May Day should be held in May rather than the nearest convenient Monday (which will be in April).
Pete Lindsay to pass on
7.3.12 St Andrews Day - Cllr Jane Ann Liston expressed her surprise that the convenor of Fife Council, John Macdougal, should be reported in the press as deciding against the proposed holiday before receiving the information he asked for (April 6.3.13) on opinions within St Andrews.
8. Matters raised by Committees
Reports taken as read or held over for June, due to pressure of time.
<9.30pm meeting voted to suspend standing orders>
8.5. Planning
8.5.1. General business - Ian Goudie apologised for the lack of a formal report due to pressure of work on the following item. Matters that had recently been covered in planning Committee:
Various shop signs - requested painted rather than raised lettering.
Scenic maps - discussed site - requested low profile option for the frame of the possibilities given.
Barnets Largo Road - objected to a row of advertising/logo banners being considerably higher than the main building, and the positioning of some lighted signs due to concerns that they night be distracting to motorists.
Fife Enterprise 'gateway' road and pavement works on Abbey Street outside the Byre - felt to be inappropriate in general style, concerns at safety of drop-off points, use of setts in a heavily traffic road objected to on grounds of durability and discomfort to cyclists
St Johns Garden - object in principle to infill development of a historical site, design of the building, concern about possible traffic, delivery and parking to the entrance in the narrow, one-way eastmost end of Market Street.
8.5.2. Fife Draft Structure Plan Response - a draft letter of the response to the Fife Draft Structure Plan was circulated. Deadline formally 28th April but planners agreed to accept email response for the start of business 2nd May after the holiday. Ian Goudie noted the work done by Frank Riddell on a copy that had been sent out to him while he was in Australia. Frank Riddell commented on his concern at how little of currently adopted Fife Council policy on the St Andrews area, such as the Strategic Study, had been included in the draft. There being little time to read and digest the document it was suggested that anyone with concerns should contact Ian Goudie after the meeting.
8.5.3. Tourism Management - Environment & Infrastructure Working Group - Lindsay Murray circulated a report and drew attention to the request that the Community Council should draw up a list of shop fronts in town worthy of preservation. She invited volunteers to help with this hardly onerous task. Ken Crichton came forward (anyone else?).
8.9. Arms
Archie Strachan showed three beautiful new designs of the Arms which had been donated to community council complete with copyright etc by Mr Mark D Dennis, a resident of the town.
Pete Lindsay to write
<meeting finished 9.50>