Approved 8/1/2000
Chair: Murdo Macdonald
Community Councillors: Ken Crichton, Ken Fraser, Ian Goudie, John Landon, Helen Lawrie, Pete Lindsay, Dennis H Macdonald, Murdo Macdonald, Donald Macgregor, Lindsay Murray, Joe Peterson, Frank Riddell, Archie Strachan, Cynthia Tero
Students Association: Robert Kelman
Co-opted: Julia Young (Merchants' Assoc)
Fife Councillors: Jane Ann Liston, Frances Melville, Jane Hunter-Blair
Apologies: Marcus Booth, Sheila Hill, Hugh Gray, Chris Lesurf
In view of the forthcoming elections scheduled for May it was agreed not to seek a replacement.
Accepted
PC Louise Thomson reported:
3.1.1. January meeting - Inspector Pow will attend
3.1.2. Shoplifting - there has been an increase recently (seasonal?) which is being countered by an increased police presence in the town centre.
3.1.3. House break-ins - there has been an increase but the police are following positive lines of enquiry
3.1.4. Bicycles - a number of high value bikes have gone recently from a wide variety of locations, cyclists are warned to take precautions.
Dr John Bell spoke:
Much is going on behind the scenes, particularly in making a formal case for a new facility. Now moving to considering where the hospital could be built, what services it will offer and how to finance it. There is a theoretical list of locations, but help from the community is needed on this. In particular the community council would be welcome as an official part of the project's working party.
Agreeing with a comment that timetables previously had been rather like snakes and ladders, suffering from changes in government and reorganisations of the health service, he currently expects the preliminary (clinical?) case to go forward in February, followed by the business case. If all goes well the proposal should go to the Scottish Executive in the summer, and a decision should be reached there in 4-6 weeks.
Asked about immediate action to relieve strain at the Health Centre he acknowledged that this was a possibility due to differences in funding from hospital proposals, but felt that this would be a last resort if things went amiss this summer.
On the type of hospital building, he agreed that as flexible a design as possible, with few solid internal structures, would be best to meet changing needs and practices in future. Community care, he said, was best provided in a low tech way.
Mr Docherty asked community council to campaign for (re-) implementation of bye-laws against cars parking on pavements.
In discussion it was pointed out that the old bye-laws established under a 19th century Burgh Police act had been removed in 1980s in a tidying-up process. However there is existing legislation covering the problem and this subject has been raised several times with the police.
[They have previously commented that there is a problem with enforcement under current legislation, but that a new provision for fixed penalty offences will make it easier, once the provision is enabled which it hasn't been when we last asked - PL]
Raise with Police in January
Mr Christie circulated various material on the rich heritage of St Andrews, covering links with the Declaration of Independence, the town charter from Mary, Queen of Scots, and he spoke on the St Andrews historical time line's history; James Wilson a St Andrean who became a US Congressman and signatory of the Declaration on Independence.
Cllr Jane Hunter-Blair announced that, as long championed by Mr Christie, photographic reproductions of the town charters were being framed for display in the town hall. There had been small delay while translations of the texts were prepared. These should be ready for hanging in January.
Archie Strachan suggested that the display case at the bottom of the Burgh Chamber stairs be used to show some of Mr Christie's material, which met with general approval.
General Purposes Ctte
4.1.1. Greenbelt - thanked all those who campaigned for the greenbelt, forcing a u-turn by Fife Council from being against any greenbelt to supporting a near-complete one.
4.1.2. Scooniehill - also thanked those organisations and individuals that had supported the East Area Development Committee's refusal of permission for this development at the recent public enquiry. Described the enquiry and her cross-examination by counsel for the developer as "An experience..."
4.1.3. Naming of Roundabouts - Fife Council is seeking (business?) sponsors for naming roundabouts to help those unfamiliar with the town to navigate. Would Community Council care to recommend any roundabouts for naming? As it is not entirely clear what form the sponsorship will take and what the sponsor's get from it (eg a small company logo or actual naming as "So-and-so Co's Petheram Roundabout" Cllr Melville to seek more detail from Roads Service.
4.1.4. Western Entrance to St Andrews - Scottish Enterprise (Fife)/Tourism Management Plan proposals to landscape the area of Petheram Bridge and the A91 along Station Park. There was some discussion of the type of tree to be planted along the A91 - Joe Peterson suggested Flowering Cherry to contrast with the gloomy firs on the south side of the road.
Plans from the TMP/SE(F) for the other entrance to the town at Abbey Walk are currently on hold for some redesign of the road proposals.
4.1.5. Lawhead West housing development - noted a request to change a fence to a wall around a designated play area, to reduce problems with balls landing in surrounding gardens. For the Planning committee Frank Riddell added that the Community Council had objected to this change on the grounds that the play area should be visible for security and safety, as originally designed and agreed. If necessary the fence could be made higher.
4.2.1. West Port improvements - proposal to (re-)plant mature lime trees in modern, lined pits. Limes are reported to be very good in the urban environment
4.2.2. Crails Lane - now Ciao Roma is gone Roddy Mann of Waste Management Service is to write to the developer of the new expanded restaurant site to ask them to consider storing their bins indoors on-site rather than in Crails Lane. Cllr Frances Melville thought that it would be essential that plans for the expanded restaurant include an internal store, and went on to relate some of her experiences when she was living in the area with the Babur restaurant that preceded Ciao Roma.
4.2.3. Review of Fife Toilets - JHB suggests that the West Port toilets be replaced and the current site be used as a bin store for City Road.
Several people commented that careful consideration would have to be given to the location of any replacement, the City Road toilets being very important for those catching buses at the bus station and people who walk between the Argyle Street car park and the town centre. Doing away with wheelie bins and reverting to black sacks in City Road was suggested as a faster cure to the unsightly bin-herd problem. If bin parks are being considered there are other areas of the town that could benefit - Bridge Street/Melbourne Brae was cited.
4.2.4. Review of East Sands Leisure Centre use - to be undertaken by the university's Management Department in the new year.
4.2.5. Alexandra Court parking - Roads and Transport Service to look into adopting at least part of the area as public road so that parking restrictions can be imposed and enforced for safety. It looks to be problematical legally however.
4.2.6. Church Square - maintenance of the benches, cleaning, weeding etc to be passed (sub-contracted) to Community Services from Roads Service as they are better organised and equipped for the task.
Cynthia Tero asked what had happened to the proposal for an information plaque in the square noting the old graveyard which lies beneath?
4.3.1. St Andrew Week promotion - greetings from St Andrews delivered to 10 other places in Scotland associated with saints. These were much appreciated by the recipients and generated press coverage for St Andrews and St Andrew's week as intended.
4.3.2. Homeless problem - enlarged on her concerns at the failure of the Sandyhill Road hostel proposals. With new legislation forcing councils to house non-priority cases, which far exceed the numbers of priority cases and are mainly single people there is a very real possibility that 'family' three bedroom houses will have to be used for single people; either one person occupying a whole house or several strangers sharing it.
4.3.3. St Andrews in Bloom - is folding due to lack of community support. There will therefore be no hanging baskets etc next year.
4.3.4. Rail Services at Leuchars - 8.17am to be replaced by 8.12am in May. Fife Council to press Stagecoach for a bus to connect.
4.3.5. Starlink - to meet Stuart Knowles (Transportation Service) to discuss the consultants' response to queries on the Fife & South Tayside Rail Study's conclusions on a St Andrews rail link.
Arrangements to be made for presentation in January.
General Purposes
5.5.1. State of the Town - Cllr Jane Hunter-Blair mentioned that she would be meeting Cleansing & Waste Management officials including Roddy Mann for an inspection of the town centre, and invited any community councillor who was free to join her.
5.5.2. Amenity Site - Archie Strachan noted that recycling was a priority to the Fife Environmental Trust with whom we have had dealings over the Bandstand. They might be a source of funding for the amenity site. Cllr Frances Melville will raise this with Cllr Bill Kay who is a trustee of FET.
Cllr Frances Melville
Lindsay Murray agreed to attend the rescheduled meeting [but it was cancelled again...]
(Nov 5.4.1.) Dennis Macdonald reported that there was in fact no formal Park & Ride system - his informant has been using the scheduled bus service, believing it to be a P&R. He noted that the confusion was at least in part due to the poor information available at the bus stops at the south end of the Tay Road Bridge.
Has arrived; Frank Riddell now arranging quotes for installation.
The first issue of the quarterly bulletin has been circulated; unfortunately the move of the CC suggestions post box has been delayed while it is cleaned and refurbished.
Murdo Macdonald
(Nov 5.10.2) Archie Strachan reported that no bands are available, so the idea has been dropped.
Ad Hoc group comprising Frank Riddell, Murdo Macdonald, Ken Fraser, Joe Peterson to examine and report to Jan 01 meeting.
6.2.1. Letters to various bodies - meeting agreed to a renewed campaign
Keith McCartney
7.1.1. Recent Appearances - laid wreath at Remembrance Day, attended St Andrews Day reception. Archie Strachan pointed out that he should have worn the official Chair's medallion.
7.1.2. Police's Community Representatives Forums (Nov 5.1.) attended (instead of Pete Lindsay), which he described as interesting though didn't cover anything that we had not heard in community council from various police officers. Felt that the meeting was useful however, but thought it needed a wider base.
Expenses reminder...
Report (items 8.1.1-6) was circulated by Ian Goudie
8.1.2. Scooniehill enquiry - decision expected in February.
8.1.6. Tourism Management Forum / 2020 Vision on Transport - item vii fell off the end of the printed sheet - support for reinstatement of rail line to St Andrews.
Joe Peterson asked that submissions to this process be circulated for the benefit of community councillors, rather than relying on summaries.
Cllr Frances Melville felt that the use of tick boxes on a scale: Strongly Agree / Agree / Disagree / Strongly Disagree; was not adequate for a full response. Frank Riddell commented that with a wide range of views represented on the planning committee on some questions, a write-in answer would be used rather than ticks when appropriate, a course supported by Cllr Jane Ann Liston who sits on the TMP working group which circulated the questionnaire. Cllr Liston went on to say that all the options raised in the questionnaire had had some support on the group, which comprises amongst others representatives from the community council and the Preservation Trust (see Nov appendix D for list of working group membership - PL).
There was some discussion on the prospect of trial pedestrianisation of Market Street. Julia Young, for the Merchant's Association said that the merchants as a whole were against the idea unless improved parking and public transport were part of the scheme. Frank Riddell recounted his experience of Stirling town centre, which as a Stirling District councillor he had opposed for fear of impact on local businesses, but which had in fact proved to be very beneficial despite his concerns at the time.
8.1.7. Cycle Path to Leuchars - Ken Fraser welcomed the recent inauguration of the cycle path, which community council and Ian Goudie in particular had campaigned for over the last 10 years, suggesting congratulations were due to Ian. Responding Ian Goudie said that while £600 had been raised to fund a SusTrans study in the early 90s that path was not what has been implemented, and indeed that community council had not been consulted about the details of the path since the breakdown of the relationship with the relevant officials of Fife Council some two years ago. While any path was to be welcomed, the implemented route is aimed purely at the leisure market, not taking account of the needs of serious travellers.
Report by Ken Crichton
8.2.1. Art & Photographic Competition - Ken Crichton and his helpers were congratulated on their hard work in making the exhibition a success.
He then reported that 100 people attended the preview and 340 over the duration of the exhibition. Sales came to about £1000. The standard of the entries was very good, particularly those for the Open Subjects category.
8.2.2. Senior Citizens' Xmas Tea - 19th December 4pm Students' Association Building - the appeal for funds has been reasonably successful (£1075) and should cover expenses. Letters are to go to the merchants asking for gifts to raffle at the tea.
Archie Strachan, Joe Peterson and
Cynthia Tero will assist
Report by Ken Fraser
8.3.1. Ceilidh - tickets have sold well - only 60 left, which are expected to go by the time of the Ceilidh itself.
Report by Frank Riddell
8.4.1. Noticeboard - has arrived, now waiting on the last quotes for its erection in Church Square. There may be a joint unveiling with the Scenic Map which should also be in place soon.
8.4.2. Bulletin II - contributions are sought for the second issue which should go to print early February.
Sherry & Mince Pies by Pete Lindsay & Jane Ann Liston - Merry Christmas all.