approved
Community Councillors: Mareis Cassells, Ken Fraser, Ian Goudie, Hugh Gray, Helen Lawrie, Chris Lesurf, Pete Lindsay, Dennis Macdonald, Murdo Macdonald, Donald Macgregor, Lindsay Murray, Joe Peterson, Frank Riddell.
Students Association: Robert Kelman
Nominated: Bill Sangster (Merchants Association)
Fife Councillors: Sheila Hill, Jane Ann Liston, Jane Hunter-Blair.
Apologies: Cynthia Tero, Frances Melville, Archie Strachan, Ken Crichton, Marcus Booth.
Accepted,
(but nb no 'p' in PC Thomson.)
3.1.1. Parking Vouchers - there is no difference whether these are displayed on driver's window or dashboard, either is acceptable. Anyone who thinks they have been incorrectly penalised because of where they displayed the voucher (or any other reason) should contact the police station.
3.1.2. Cycle Safety & Security - all forms of cycle crime are being targeted during February 10-23.
3.1.3. Parking at Doubledykes Road Car Park - Frank Riddell raised a problem of improper parking at the car park. PC Thomson thought this might be a Fife Council responsibility, but will check and report back.
George Baird spoke on and circulated a comprehensive paper on the objectives and methods of this project, a proposed partnership between St Andrews Baptist Church and Spurgeon's Child Care, a national charity.
Start early next academic year, depending on funding - Baptists & Spurgeons will be applying for charitable status for the project.
Mr Christie spoke and circulated material on St Andrews' heritage.
Welcomed the framed reproductions of the towns charters, the originals of which had mouldered in a cellar between the abolition of the Town Council in 1975 and their rediscovery in 1994. The question now was where to hang them?
He noted his 80 years interest in heritage dating back to his flight over St Andrews in 1919. Involvement as St Andrew's Day convenor for the community council in 1979. Part in the founding of the St Andrew Society, now sadly in decline.
Raised the subject of audio-visual histories - video tapes made in 1981 of various St Andreans talking about the past - is anything being done to make them available/preserve them?
Some of his historical information was stored in the Hay Fleming library when he moved into his current accommodation - he rather wonders what happened to it in the recent move of the Hay Fleming itself.
Pete Lindsay to check
£77 retirement gift was gifted to the Community Council as the notice board outside the Children's Library, which he noted needed a coat of varnish. Frank Riddell was able to reassure him that this was already scheduled for when the weather improves.
Alex Mazger, a final year student spoke briefly to publicise a run in aid of breast cancer charities. This was scheduled for 12.30pm Sat 10 Feb starting at the West Port. Runners, stewards spectators and sponsorship all welcome.
4.2.1. Town Charters - these have been photographed and framed at last, with an interpretative text. The question now is where to put them, in the Town Hall or Kinburn Park museum. A balance must be struck between security (they have cost £300-£400) and legibility - there is no point in hanging them too high.
After discussion it was agreed that the Town Hall was the most suitable place.
Pete Lindsay to co-ordinate
4.2.2. Street Lights on the Lade Braes - some of the lights installed recently are of unsympathetic style and in some cases are not lit. This is a temporary situation due to the recent local government strikes and resultant non-payment of bills. Both problems are due to be corrected.
4.2.3. Plaque at Holy Trinity - there is progress on the plate to commemorate the existence of the graveyard surrounding Holy Trinity Church and underlying Church Square but approval must be sought from other bodies.
4.3.4. Greyfriars Garden - suggested that as part of the campaign to make something more attractive of this waste plot Community Council should seek planning permission for its proposals.
Had no particular issues to raise but emphasised the importance of the cycle safety/security days, and added her support for the Botanic Gardens on the Scenic Map.
4.4.1. Pipeland Park - refurbished and new children's play equipment to be installed soon. Paid for by East of Scotland Water as part of the refurbishment of the park after the installation of the tanks beneath.
4.4.2. Kinkell Brae Path - she recently inspected the problem area with Archie Strachan and officials Jim Hooton and Ian Blythe. They are to check with Planning Service details of the drainage systems of from the caravan site and look into ways of controlling the runoff so it does not threaten the path. By chance a reconnaissance party of ramblers passed by during the inspection, checking out a route for a later walk. They raised points about the coastal walk that Jim Hooton and Fife Council's Ranger Service will look into.
4.4.3. Glebe Park - it seems that EoS Water built this tank in the wrong place. Work will have to be undertaken to reposition it slightly north-east.
Joe Peterson asked about the restoration of trees removed during the original work on the site - some had associated commemorative plaques, though he wasn't sure what to. She will look into this.
4.4.4. Public Transport - still pushing for a bus to link to the new (May) 8.12am rail service from Leuchars to Edinburgh. If the current bus service remains unchanged travellers will have to leave St Andrews some 40 minutes before the train is due which seems a little early.
4.4.5. Strategic Development Committee - heard a report on strategic priorities in rail franchises. There is a long term commitment to a rail link to St Andrews. She raised the Community Council's concerns about guarantee of services over GNER.
(press asked to leave while item 5.0 discussed)
A local journalist has complained about being bypassed for news releases.
Frank Riddell acknowledged responsibility having gone direct to a newspaper office to make arrangements for photography of the Scenic Map unveiling, being unaware that the local contact could arrange these things. He had apologised to the offended party.
After a general discussion on relations with and responses to the press it was decided that as a matter of policy outgoing stories and information should go first to local journalists at The Citizen and Dougie Miller.
Press contacts policy: Dougie Miller & The Citizen
The Friends of the Botanic Gardens objected to the omission of the gardens from the map, blaming Community Council, the map itself and the Community Council's involvement with it.
Frank Riddell responded to the comments, clarifying the level of involvement for those who were not aware of the details or had forgotten them. Members of Community Council, delegated by the full council, had advised on the content of the map, correcting street names and layout on the draft map. In particular they had suggested inclusion of the Botanic Gardens in the draft stage of the drawing because of our appreciation of the Gardens' value, and this was again raised at the final review meeting. The draft press release, crediting Community Council's level of involvement, from Scenic Maps on the unveiling was toned down at Community Council's representatives' request. In summary Community Council only advised, not acted in consort. The final decision on the content of the map was Scenic Maps Ltd's.
There followed a long and sometimes ill-tempered discussion recapitulating the merits or otherwise of the map and Community Council's involvement with it, in which all sides seem to have forgotten the details of what had been said and agreed previously. Once the dust had settled two broad proposals were put to the vote:
(1) write to Scenic Maps Ltd requesting the naming of the Botanic Gardens, and expressing our dismay at the apparently rigidly commercial criteria for sites to be named on the map. Proposed Ian Goudie, 2nd Frank Riddell. Vote for 9, against 0, abstain 5.
(2) cut off and repudiate all contact or involvement with Scenic Maps Ltd from this moment on. Proposed Joe Peterson, 2nd Mareis Cassells. Vote (2) for 4, against 6, abstain 3.
Pete Lindsay to write to Scenic Maps to express concerns as (1) but not to raise other specific omissions.
Pete Lindsay to write
Joe Peterson volunteered to assist over the summer
Copy of all correspondence to go to Transportation Service
Pete Lindsay to arrange
Further to this Cllr Jane Ann Liston reported from Strategic Development that Scottish Executive are looking at increasing capital expenditure to counter the nation-wide problems.
Donald Macgregor backed up by Dennis Macdonald to take over Chris Young's place here.
5.8.1. Kingask SSSI Dispute - Frank Riddell drew the meeting's attention to recent newspaper reports of the Kingask development encroaching on the Site of Special Scientific Interest at Kittocks Den. This is disputed by the developer. He suggested that Community Council should write to Planning Service and/or Scottish Natural Heritage to express an interest in the developments and outcome of the enforcement action.
This suggestion was opposed, on the grounds that it was 'out of area' for St Andrews, but this was unsuccessful in view of our involvement in the liaison committee. In the course of discussion Murdo Macdonald revealed that he was to visit Kingask to meet informally the operators of the resort complex. This caused some alarm in certain quarters but he reassured doubters that it was an informal meeting and that his presence would be discreet. Dennis Macdonald revealed that he had recently been given a tour of the developing facilities; he was most impressed.
Eventually the debate returned to the original question and a motion put that Community Council should write to ask to be kept informed of progress. Proposed Frank Riddell, 2nd Ian Goudie. For 6, against 3, abstain 3.
Pete Lindsay to write
While accepting the argument against competing with a possible Westminster election in May, the suggested possible dates in September - October were found wanting. Various people felt autumn elections were undesirable because
If an autumn date had to be chosen it was agreed that after the school holidays - Thu 18 Oct - would be the least-worst date, though there was a suggestion of St Andrews Day as an alternative.
Pete Lindsay to write
agreed for March
Murdo Macdonald could not remember why he'd asked for this to be on the agenda.
No one, neither Fife nor community councillors, quite understood this - thought to be a misreading of recent press reports of Scottish Enterprise Fife's environmental improvement proposals for the west end of South St.
Meeting decided to arrange a hustings for all parties when election is announced, rather than speak to individuals beforehand.
Ken Fraser to report
Joe Peterson & Frank Riddell to attend
none
Report circulated
Joe Peterson, concerned at the very restricted time available to consider so important business as the planning committee report, proposed that planning be taken earlier in the meeting. This was generally supported.
Planning: schedule after Fife Councillors
8.1.2i Tourism Management Programme, A91 - Frank Riddell pointed out that though he had suggested using the arms on the proposed wall he had emphasised that formal approval of Community Council would have to be sought.
TMP environmental working group - report circulated by Lindsay Murray for discussion next month
Other business held over due to lack of time