Apologies: Bill Sangster (Julia Young to substitute)
(Appendix A) Chris Young has resigned
(read for accuracy in matters of substance - harangue the secretary for minor (spelling etc) errors outwith the meeting)
(For anyone wishing to address the meeting on a matter relevant to St Andrews. Please contact the Secretary or Chair before the meeting. Priority will be given to those who have been invited to speak or have given advance notice)
For 18, Against 1, Abstained 1
(October 4.20.1) Reply from Douglas Sinclair, Chief Executive, Fife Council:
"Whilst planning permission has lapsed there is nothing to stop planning permission being reapplied for. The more important issue is to purchase this site and I have asked my colleagues in the Legal Service to open negotiations with Safeway plc."
The near-complete map was reviewed with the assistance of the Planning Committee on 27th Nov. Mr Rattray anticipates completion early in the new year, and would like any suggestions we have for a suitable unveiling.
5.4.1. Meeting - proposed date proved unsuitable, another will be arranged.
5.4.2. Common Good Fund - copied a letter from the (now former) Minister for Finance Jack McConnell replying to his questions on the subject.
"I understand that the Common Good Fund formerly controlled by St Andrews Burgh Council is now administered by Fife Council on the basis that it has regard to the interests of the inhabitants of the area of the former Burgh Council. As you will be aware, local authorities are independent corporate bodies whose duties and powers are set out in statute. As long as they act within the law it is up to them how they manage their day-to-day business and to satisfy their auditors that they are making appropriate use of funds such as Common Good Funds. We are keen that local people, where appropriate, should be involved in decision about their areas. Ultimately, however, it is for councils to determine their expenditure priorities and it would be wrong for Ministers to intervene."
5.4.3. Leuchars - Edinburgh 8.17am - this was raised in a question in parliament concerning consultation by rail companies with users and local communities before timetable changes. The Minister for Transport (Sarah Boyack) noted ScotRail's intention to restore such a service in the next timetable.
Iain Smith comments that the ScotRail franchise is to be renewed next year, and that a 12 week consultation will be part of that exercise, starting quite soon.
Writes following the meeting in August (Aug 00 Appendix A), apologising for the delay due to difficulties arranging meetings.
5.5.1. State of the town - with regard to litter/waste Roddy Mann, Cleansing & Waste Management Service Acting Area Manager, would be happy to meet with our representative and see the areas of concern with a view to resolving the problem.
5.5.2. Amenity Site - as reported above a site is now being given active consideration
5.5.3. Hospital - copy of a letter from Tony Ranzetta, Chief Exec Fife Health Board. (Appendix B)
(Nov 6.3) Cancelled at very short notice because of strike-related matters, unfortunately message did not reach Lindsay Murray... New date14/12/00 6pm, St Mary's Place office.
(Nov 6.4) Cancelled (difficulties in attendance), to be rearranged for new year.
Archie Jamieson, Scottish Enterprise (Fife) notes our concern and will liase with relevant Fife Council Services to see if the matter can be expedited.
Covers: A Power of Community Initiative, Community Planning, Political Restrictions on council employees. Responses by 16 Feb 2001.
Who will deal with this?
7.3.1. Community Council January 01 meeting - Monday 8th January
7.3.2. West Fife Community Councils - are meeting tonight (4/12/00 7pm) in Dunfermline to discuss forming a local forum or association. East Area CCs invited to observe. Sent our apologies, best wishes and requested to be kept informed.
8.3.1. Millennium Ceilidh - the majority of the tickets have now been sold, but some are still available from Mr Macdonald. Other arrangements are well in hand.
8.3.2. Photographic Collection - very few contributions have been received but there is still time to add to them. Any hints that members could drop to local organisations would be appreciated.
If members intend to raise items under AOCB please let the Secretary or Chair know before the meeting: Remember: unless it is urgent, placing items on the agenda for next month's New Business would be more effective...
I am now resigned to resigning from the Community Council. It has been an interesting few years, particularly on the planning front, and I'm sure the ability to read complex elevation drawings upside-down will serve me in good stead.
It is for a happy reason that I am leaving, namely paid employment as an advertising copywriter for commercial radio in Glasgow. I start training in Bradford on Monday.
Resigning from the Council means that I will also be resigning from the Community Safety Panel and the Kingask Liaison Group, in respect of which there is nothing outstanding of any significance to report. Please notify me of any chosen successors so that I may pass on the relevant documents.
I will pass on the Benefit Take-Up Campaign's final report, if it should ever emerge, but I do not anticipate the immediate need of a successor. That said, I would like to urge the Council (and the now depleted HEW Ctte) to continue taking an interest in the provision of Citizens Advice, given this Council's unique position in being representative of St Andrews' citizens without having any quantifiable power over them. One useful step (if this has not happened already) might be to encourage CARF to recommend the Community Council as an appropriate grumble depository, a suggestions/grumble box being easily collected from the Local Office at any committee meeting.
I am not leaving St Andrews completely as yet and will continue to take a backseat interest. I wish Council good fortune in the pursuit of its agenda.
Chris Young
Letter from Tony Ranzetta, Chief Exec Fife Health Board, to Keith Harding MSP
"Thank you for your letter of 23 August about NHS buildings in St Andrews.
"The existing St Andrews Health Centre is not big enough, and the Memorial Hospital's design is incompatible with modern approaches to patient care. Work to resolve these problems has, in a range of ways, been going on for over ten years and there is agreement that the solution is one new building replacing and bringing together the two separate services. However, there are two issues which remain unresolved.
"The first is the question of finding the "right" site. The St Leonard's site, beside the existing hospital, has often been seen as the solution. The NHS preference has been for a larger site especially as this would provide the environment for a range of outpatient and diagnostic services provided at Ninewells Hospital into St. Andrews. The search for a larger site has brought greenbelt and linked planning issues into the frame.
"The second issue is ensuring that what is planned for a redeveloped St Andrews service is in line with wider Fife and Tayside services. You will know of both the Fife Integrated Health Care Strategy and the Tayside Acute Services Review. These overarching pieces of work will inform the St Andrews capital development proposal but neither is complete.
"In order to resolve the situation, the Primary Care Trust is now developing proposals for phasing the development of a new hospital with those aspects of the development which we can currently predict with some certainty (i.e. primary care and some of the existing hospital services) being included in the first phase. In this way, the final shape of any new facilities, will be able to take into account the review of acute services in Fife and Tayside. The Trust is currently appointing a professional advisor to:
"I hope this reassures you that matters are moving forward, although much more slowly than originally expected."
St Andrews Pothole Watch
List: Potholes (40mm/1.5in) in the road, damaged pavements (20mm/.75in), missing or damaged toby covers, blocked drains, floods, defective streetlights etc.
Identify the location (Street and number on closest house or streetlight for instance).
Hand to Cllr Jane Ann Liston or to Fife Roads Service.
Defect & Location
6.2.1. Keith McCartney (St Andrew's Day Holiday Campaign Convenor) writes:
"Once again we have had a marvellous week of community events to celebrate St Andrew's Week. I am sure all who saw them would agree that the fireworks display was the most spectacular yet and that the move to the Scores was fully justified in terms of improved access, viewing and musical accompaniment.
"As members may know visitscotland, the Scottish Tourist Board as was, is actively seeking ideas for promoting Scotland as a tourist destination and I seek the Council's permission to write to Wendy Alexander the Minister responsible for tourism in the Scottish Parliament, to suggest that there could be a substantial economic benefit to Scotland in promoting St Andrew's Day in the way that Ireland promotes St Patrick's Day, enclosing a copy of the St Andrew's Week programme with the suggestion that the model of co-operation between area tourist board, local authority and community which it represents might be considered as a template for promoting the day throughout Scotland.
"In addition I would seek the Council's approval to write to Action for Churches Together in Scotland informing them of the support we received from religious Leaders and Action for Churches Together in St Andrews for a St Andrew's Day holiday and inviting them to take the idea forward with the Scottish Parliament."
6.2.2. Iain Smith MSP - has re-tabled the motion originally put by Keith Raffen MSP to make St Andrews Day a national holiday. This had been removed from the record as it has been lodged for a considerable period of time, presumably without attracting the necessary level of support. He writes:
"There is strong public support for a St Andrews Day Holiday. It has particular resonance with the people of St Andrews, who are proud of their town's historical importance and its place in the national culture.
"I would hope to see my motion gain support from MSPs from all political parties such that we might eventually see it debated in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament."
The text of the motion is;
That the parliament recognises the importance of St Andrews Day as Scotland's National Day and calls upon the Executive to declare St Andrews' Day a national public holiday celebrating the diversity and history of Scotland.
|
Date |
in |
Who | Subject | |
|
9/11/00 |
I |
Tentsmuir/Eden Mgmt | Minutes 3/10/00 | f |
|
10/11/00 |
I |
Tay Estury Forum | Newsletter | f |
|
10/11/00 |
o |
Law & Admin E | David Kinnen resign | fax |
|
11/11/00 |
I |
East Local Services | agenda 15/11/00 | f |
|
14/11/00 |
I |
Local Office | Locality meeting cancelled | f |
|
14/11/00 |
I |
East Scotland Water | Code of Practice | f |
|
14/11/00 |
I |
Tricia Marwick MSP | Nov newsletter | f |
|
14/11/00 |
I |
Fife Health Board | Annual Report | HE&W |
|
15/11/00 |
o |
Local office | cancel booking | fax |
|
21/11/00 |
I |
Local Office | Locality Meeting - new date | f |
|
21/11/00 |
I |
Chief Exec | Recycling Centre | f |
|
21/11/00 |
I |
Iain Smith MSP | Finance Minister on CGF | f |
|
22/11/00 |
I |
NEF local Healthcare co-op | Cancel public dates | f |
|
25/11/00 |
I |
Law & Admin E | West Comm Council Forum | f |
|
26/11/00 |
o |
Law & Admin E | West Comm Council Forum | fax |
|
26/11/00 |
o |
Fife Estates Service | Tearoom Steps | fax |
|
26/11/00 |
o |
Scottish Enterprise, Fife Council | Coastal Path | |
|
28/11/00 |
I |
Scottish Enterprise | Coastal Path | f |
|
2/12/00 |
I |
Scot Landfill Tax Forum | Agenda 7 Dec | f |
|
2/12/00 |
I |
Iain Smith MSP | Leuchars rail svcs | f |
|
2/12/00 |
I |
Entrust | November Newsletter | f |
|
2/12/00 |
I |
Home Safety Panel | Questionnaire - <answered & returned> | |
|
2/12/00 |
I |
Iain Smith MSP | St Andrews Day Holiday | KMcC |