approved 4/12/2000
Community Councillors: Mareis Cassells, Ken Crichton, Ken Fraser, Ian Goudie, Hugh Gray, Chris Lesurf, Pete Lindsay, Dennis Macdonald, Murdo Macdonald, Lindsay Murray, Joe Peterson, Frank Riddell, Archie Strachan, Cynthia Tero, Chris Young.
Students Association: Marcus Booth.
Co-opted: Bill Sangster.
Fife Councillors: Sheila Hill, Jane Ann Liston.
Apologies: Frances Melville, Helen Lawrie, Jane Hunter-Blair, Donald Macgregor.
In view of the forthcoming elections it was agreed not to seek a replacement.
Accepted
Defended the police 'observation' to the Licensing Board that resulted in the curtailing of the Student's Union late licence to midnight.
Several speakers commented that attacking the Union, given its capacity and support services, was not the best way forward to deal with problems of noise and vandalism in the centre of town, though there was some backing for the licensing board's action. All sides expressed hopes that the new liaison committee would help control the problem. There were calls for more police on the beat. Superintendent Thompson and Insp Pow agreed that this was a priority, pointing out that levels of foot patrols were increased over Thu-Sat.
Schoolchildren, Fireworks & Litter. With fireworks the problem isn't so much children buying them illegally as siblings buying legally and then passing on. Police have a "Police box" campaign in Primary Schools to build relations with the young, but Secondaries are more difficult due to the constraints of the curriculum. The problem with school children over litter and other behaviour problems are break and lunch times - responsibility for children's behaviour when they are outside the school is their parents- not the school.
Under-age drinking - supply from off-licences is monitored but the problem is the same as fireworks above. Where shopkeepers are caught selling illegally to young people every effort is made to prosecute the shopkeeper.
4.1.1. Church Square Benches - clarified that while these were mended before the Open (though not stained or varnished) they had been damaged again, leading to the impression that nothing had been done.
4.1.2. Wheelie bins in City Road - suggested closing toilets there and making a Bin Park. This idea did not receive support. There was great concern at removing the toilet facilities - especially given these are the nearest ones for bus passengers when the Bus Station's toilets are closed.
4.1.3. Red Cross - are now issuing wheelchairs from the Town Hall 2-4pm weekdays, but due to regulatory (building control?) complications the alterations to the JP courtroom have been put on hold.
4.2.1. Scooniehill - Public Enquiry on starts 21st Nov, she will be giving evidence.
4.3.1. Sandyhill Rd hostel - refused permission at the Local Services committee. She is very concerned that this decision will increase the chances of homeless families being displaced perhaps by homeless single people because of new legislation.
4.3.2. Common Good Fund / Byre - meeting with Stuart Allan not productive, though some answers obtained. Concerned that Stuart Allan claimed that correspondence from this Community Council had been a personal objection from Pete Lindsay, rather than the Secretary on behalf of the Community Council. Murdo Macdonald said he had written, as Chair, to confirm the letter and any other on headed paper signed by Pete Lindsay as Secretary, to be official Community Council correspondence.
Short discussion on charitable status of CGF - probably isn't a registered charity but accounts should be open as part of Fife Council.
4.3.3. StARLink - queries on the recent consultants' report revealed that they had decided beforehand that a rail link would not be viable so didn't investigate potential passenger levels. She did not feel this satisfactory.
4.3.4. St Andrew's Week - to promote this she will be bearing greetings in as many Scots languages as possible, from St Andrews to ten other places in Scotland associated with saints. Meeting agreed to support this initiative.
Pete Lindsay to write CC greetings
(via Bill Sangster) asked for opinion on a proposed fun fair in South St over new year. Short discussion came out mildly negative.
Pete Lindsay may be able to attend
Mutually suitable date to be arranged
General Purposes committee plus
Cynthia Tero, Ken Fraser, Marcus Booth
On the news that ScotRail intend to restore at May timetable changes
Pete Lindsay to ask "why not sooner"
Discussion of withdrawal of GNER services from north of Edinburgh. Concern that Scottish services cut to cover for lack of investment in England. Also concern at overcrowding on remaining services
Pete Lindsay to write to Regulator
5.4.1. Park & Ride - Dennis Macdonald raised question about a Park & Ride scheme across the Tay, said to be operating at Newport, though there are no signs or publicity. No one knew anything of this.
Dennis Macdonald to investigate further & report
Cllr Jane Ann Liston gave more details of meeting with Stuart Allan, originally reported to a meeting of General Purposes committee and CGF representatives, at which it was felt that the overriding consideration now the damage is done to the CGF and Ross bequest, is not wishing to damage the Byre's reputation and prospects. Therefore the letter to Controller of Audit, though written, has been put on hold, perhaps until after further discussions with Iain Smith MSP.
As to Stuart Allan's comments on the meeting of 7 April 2000, Archie Strachan did not agree that it was "helpful". There was no discussion. Answers were not given to questions asked by our representatives. The only matter presented for discussion was the option of 20 or 25 years repayment, but with no information on which to base a judgement.
More generally on the CGF, Archie Strachan & Cynthia Tero expressed concern at the format of the account statements, which they found unclear.
Jane Ann Liston to raise with officials
(see also Agenda Appendix D)
Lindsay Murray reported on the TMP Environment & Infrastructure group.
Discussion of level of involvement in working parties. Call for more involvement welcomed by existing reps - both ours and other bodies'. Full extent of our participation not clear - perhaps Donald Macgregor can clarify in December. Current position believed to be:
Environment Lindsay Murray
Transport Ian Goudie
Promotion }
Research } Donald Macgregor
Ken Crichton to investigate if any relevant for Recreation Ctte
(Marcus Booth to look independently at Student Association involvement.)
Felt that circulating minutes of working groups to whole of Community Council might be beneficial.
Pete Lindsay to arrange.
Has just been ordered, 5 weeks delivery.
Not now clear whether this was to continue/resume despite its apparent success.
Cllr Liston (?) to investigate
5.10.1 Bandstand organiser/helper (Oct 8.3.2) Archie Strachan still looking for volunteers - suggestions that help be looked for outside Community Council, through schools, community service volunteers, SVS, etc.
5.10.2. Christmas Concerts - Suggestion received that concerts be organised in Church Sq over the 3 weeks before Christmas. Agreed.
Archie Strachan to organise
Joe Peterson will assist.
As the problem is on private land it does not look to be within our remit in the matter of the problem parking etc, this is down to the management agents of the property. Concern at the health and safety effects to be followed up.
Pete Lindsay to write
Confirm Census Area Manager to speak in Jan 01
Lindsay Murray to attend
No takers this far ahead. Raise again in December.
It was commented that there has been no progress since 1994 consultation...
7.1.1. Bulletin - Copies circulated. These will be put out with one of the free newspapers soon
7.1.2. Ceilidh 2000 - is going ahead after all. Profits to Senior Citizens' party 2001.
Murdo Macdonald to organise tickets etc
(see also November Appendix B) Meeting (27 Oct) re Union late licence and young people's behaviour in the town centre. Murdo Macdonald apologised for not being able to consult more widely about this beforehand, but time was lacking.
Meeting approved his actions.
7.2.3. 1st meeting of the Town/Gown working party Marcus Booth noted this would be Friday 10th. Raisin Sunday is 19 Nov. Very aware of local concerns, of course, a strongly worded letter regarding behaviour will go out to the students beforehand.
A source of finance for the likes of St Andrews in Bloom.
Cllr Jane Ann Liston reported that the St Andrews in Bloom committee was being wound up as no one had come forward to take over the running of it - finance was not the problem.
Murdo Macdonald to make last effort to find volunteers.
<standing orders suspended>
Report was circulated
<Other committees' business held over>