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Approved
Community Councillors: Maries Cassells, Ken Crichton, Ken Fraser, Ian Goudie, Chris Lesurf, Pete Lindsay, Dennis Macdonald, Murdo Macdonald, Donald Macgregor, Lindsay Murray, Joe Peterson, Frank Riddell, Archie Strachan, Cynthia Tero.
Fife Councillors: Jane Ann Liston, Frances Melville.
Apologies: Helen Lawrie, Bill Sangster.
Accepted.
Repeated his concern at the state of the lectern, the plate commemorating its presentation by RAF Leuchars having come away some months since. Recalled first noticing it damaged in '79, repaired twice since then. He suggested a wooden base plate be provided for knocking so that gavel users are not tempted to use the inscription plate.
Murdo Macdonald informed the meeting that he was in contact with the RAF regarding the repair to the plate. He also drew attention to the completed repairs to the notice board on the wall of the children's library downstairs.
Mr Christie went on to call for the retention of the flag at the West Port. While in the area, so to speak, he also drew attention to the historical display in the window of the West Port newsagent, including enlargements of the historical timeline published by Mr Christie himself.
4.1.1. Reorganisation of Fife Council - expressing surprise that Community Council had not been informed yet she outlined some forthcoming changes:
Generally the number of committees is reduced with mergers and renamings. Centrally this results in committees such as Children's Services (mainly the old Education committee) and Adult Services (Social Work, though some of this will go to Children's Services). More locally the Area Coordinators become Heads of Local Services and the Local Services committees will cover everything except Planning and statutory separate functions such as the Licensing Board (though Civic Licensing - taxis, food etc becomes a Local Services sub-committee).
4.1.2. Harbour - current work to clear sediment build-up is on-going maintenance not connected with the lottery application.
Fife Council are looking at operation of the bridge mechanism which is difficult for boats passing through. In effect the mechanism is on the wrong side of the harbour.
Frank Riddell asked when the pier would reopen and whether the funding received would cover all the necessary work to restore it?
Cllr Melville replied that while the repair costing had been prepared with a generous safety margin in case of unexpected problems, nothing was certain until work got underway. She agreed that local fund raising for the pier should certainly continue.
4.1.3. Shared Surfaces - Planning Service have produced a report on pavementless roads or "shared surfaces" in housing developments (category 6 roads). Despite the concerns of this Community Council and some Fife Councillors (others were in favour) Planning Service have not found evidence of safety problems with these.
Lindsay Murray felt that the only driving force behind shared surfaces was developers' desire to squeeze more buildings in to a given area by eliminating pavements. Where are children supposed to walk in safety she asked?
Ian Goudie wondered at the evidence for Planning Service's conclusion. Locally pavementless shared surfaces had only come into use recently. It seemed that conclusions were being drawn on a very short period of use. He asked whether independent national research exists on the subject?
Chris Lesurf considered shared surfaces to be anti-pedestrian, only benefiting the motorist. Pavement parking generally was bad enough already.
After more comments along the same lines Murdo Macdonald summarised Community Council position - 100% against shared surfaces.
4.1.4. Hospital - she has written to Cathy Adamson at the Health Board asking that the site selection process for the hospital be speeded up in view of the development pressure on some of the alternatives.
4.1.5. Petheram Car Park - Donald Macgregor raised concerns that the presence of this free car park (and summer park-and-ride) is poorly signed. He said that if visitors don't realise it is available it is no wonder the car park is often empty.
4.1.6. Craigtoun Road - a query was raised about the destruction of a wall on the border of the site, retention of which was believed to be a condition of the planning consent. Cllr Melville will check.
4.3.1. New Council Structure - all members for NE Fife will be on the East Local Services Committee, but possibly not all will be on East Development. This would be a return to the old, unsatisfactory situation where the local councillor for an application will not necessarily be able to speak on it at committee.
Ian Goudie suggested that as St Andrews has a higher proportion of contentious planning applications it should perhaps have a better than average representation on the Development committee.
i) Trees - in response to queries on the restoration of trees lost during the sewer work she passed on that trees will be replanted in the appropriate season - which turns out to be November.
ii) Skating - the tarmac surface is now in place and was in use within hours. The Skateboard ramp at the other side of the park is in a dangerous state, users have sustained gashes on the metal parts, and will need about £2,000 spent to restore it. The council is looking at whether repair or replacement with alternative facilities is more appropriate.
4.3.3. Composting trial scheme - there are still about half the places available. Participants receive a composting bin and ancillary equipment to enable the council to track how much waste vegetable matter is recycled rather than put into the waste collections and ultimately landfill.
Murdo Macdonald expressed concern that composting should not be an attempt by Fife Council to avoid the necessity for a Civic Amenity Site.
4.3.4. Garden Care Scheme - the care scheme for non-council tenants unable to maintain their gardens does still exist, though is not being widely advertised. It costs more than before, but previously it was very heavily subsidised. It is available to those over 65 with no other able-bodied resident at the same address. Enquiries to the Fife Council Local Office at St Mary's Place.
4.3.5. Park & Ride - this year the service starts on 20th June, specifically to include the university graduation, at Cllr Liston's suggestion. The university is being asked to publicise that those attending the ceremonies can park at Petheram and be bussed to the door of the Younger Hall.
Chris Lesurf suggested that the scheme should have been in operation from Easter in view of the traffic jams. Jane Ann Liston said that the scheme was subsidised as part of the parking scheme from the ring fenced parking budget so there are limits as to what can be done, but there could be money for extension.
Murdo Macdonald asked why Cupar has cheaper parking charges than St Andrews now? Jane Ann Liston replied that it was all down to Market Forces - more people wanted to bring their cars into St Andrews to park. Pete Lindsay noted that the 40p hourly parking charge that some found so excessive was about the cost of a newspaper.
4.3.6. Coastal Path - is still closed due to Foot & Mouth precautions. It has been established that the land between the Kinkell caravan park and the sea is Fife Council's, so work to stabilise the path can be undertaken.
4.3.7. Scooniehill Road - has reportedly suffered another flood off the hillside fields recently. She is still waiting for a response from Roads Service on responsibility.
4.3.8. Common Good Fund - has agreed to give £6,000 to the Madras College Quad Fund which will pay for the restoration of the surfaces of two pillars - the damage is erosion of the surfaces not structural she emphasised. She understood that it may be possible to inscribe a pillar with the name of the sponsoring organisation.
4.3.9. Hustings - at least one was being organised, by the St Andrews Council of Churches for 23rd May.
4.3.10. Morning Bus link to Leuchars - Stagecoach will be adding a service to link to the new 8.12am to Edinburgh, and have expressed their commitment to integration of transport services.
4.3.11. Shore Bridge - Ken Crichton welcomed the construction of the footpath on the upstream side of the bridge. He would also like a pedestrian crossing in the area, but has been told that this is not possible (rather like the footpath wasn't) - what are the criteria governing installation of crossings? Ian Goudie commented that the national guidelines for road crossings were very complex. Cllr Liston to investigate.
4.3.12. Litter - Ken Crichton drew attention to recently reported initiative of Angus Council in employing uniformed Litter Wardens to fine offenders. Cllr Liston noted that in response to Cynthia Tero's comments last month she would be raising littering with the Madras School Board.
Ian Goudie circulated a report.
Joe Peterson noted that at health consultation meetings recently Dr Bell had made it clear that the health professionals' preferred site was "outside the town" and wondered what implications this had for Community Council's support of the St Leonard's Fields site, referred to in the planning minutes. Ian Goudie replied that the Health Trust said that no decision had been taken and that they would be consulting on location.
Murdo Macdonald described turnout as disappointing. Cllr Frances Melville felt that the consultation exercise had been overtaken by the recent announcement by the Scottish Executive of a review of the licencing laws.
Chris Lesurf reported on recent local health care community involvement meetings on the new hospital. They seem to be looking at a 5 year timescale and are currently considering which services should be located in St Andrews. Cllr Jane Ann Liston added that 31st July had been given as the date for finishing consultation on location etc, with an exhibition and public meeting.
Both Chris Lesurf and Ken Crichton expressed an interest. After discussion Ken Crichton gave way to Chris Lesurf.
Frank Riddell added to the information in the agenda, pointing out that www.saint-andrews.co.uk hosted some of the Community Council's web material at no cost. In his opinion continued permission to use the arms as described was an appropriate thank-you.
Meeting agreed to renew permission.
Meeting agreed to take no action.
Ken Fraser to report suggestions to next meeting.
Frank Riddell and/or Pete Lindsay may be able to attend.
8.3.1. Membership of Community Council Noting the reduced numbers Murdo Macdonald suggested that Callum Macleod, a former community councillor and indeed former Chair, be co-opted as he had recently returned to St Andrews from Anstruther, had been observing the last few meetings from the public seats and had indeed expressed an interest in serving.
Callum Macleod was formally proposed for co-option by Archie Strachan, 2nd Ken Crichton. Opposed by Chris Lesurf, 2nd Maries Cassells.
A long debate developed on selection of candidates for co-option in view of the three places available; whether co-option was needed at this point in the life of Community Council which is running in extra time; whether places for co-options should be made public; and other points about the principle of co-opting, rather than the merits of the candidate.
Eventually Ian Goudie proposed "Next Business", 2nd Cynthia Tero, and the meeting moved on.
9.1.1. Bandstand Concerts - Archie Strachan gave the programme for the summer series of concerts and asked for volunteers to distribute posters.
Joe Peterson reported that there had been no committee meetings, but that members had attended meetings on the hospital as mentioned earlier in the meeting.
9.2.1. Skateboard ramp - Joe Peterson will attend a site meeting at the skateboard ramp to discuss repair/replacement (see also 4.3.2. ii). There was further discussion on skateboard facilities - to be continued after the site meeting when the situation is clearer.
9.2.2. Obstruction of pavements - the proliferation of advertising 'A' boards in the middle of the pavements of the town centre identified as a problem for wheelchair users in particular and pedestrians in general on crowded pavements.
Jane Ann Liston reminded the meeting that this problem was under review with the intention of introducing a Fife-wide policy on such advertising boards.
Meeting noted that no flag was flying. Thought that possibly the old flag too worn. Meeting agreed to spend up to £250 for a new flag if necessary.
Dennis Macdonald suggested an article to explain Community Council's status - people he spoke to did not seem clear on the difference between community council and Fife council and why Community Council does not 'do things' not understanding the mainly consultative rôle of this council.
Pete Lindsay to draft.