Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council
Draft Minutes - August 2002
for approval
Chair: Lindsay Murray
1. Attendance
Community Councillors: George Davidson, Ken Fraser, Joe Lamb, Chris Lesurf, Dennis Macdonald, Donald Macgregor, Callum MacLeod, Lindsay Murray, Gordon Pay, Joe Peterson, Cynthia Tero, Jean Thompson, Penny Uprichard.
Apologies: Archie Strachan, Frank Riddell, Ian Goudie (provisional), Murdo, Ken Crichton, Richard Doug-las, Murdo Macdonald.
Students' Association: Rory O'Hare.
Nominated/Co-opted: Bill Sangster, David Reed.
Fife Council: Sheila Hill, Jane Ann Liston
2. Minutes of July 2002
approved
3. Presentations
3.1. St Andrews in Multimedia
Ken Cochran, now resident in New Jersey, spoke of his roots in St Andrews and development of multimedia panoramas of the town for his web site www.saint-andrews.co.uk and the translation to a multimedia CDROM sold from the original web site for those wishing to avoid the ‘World Wide Wait' for which the web is infamous. Proceeds from the CD have been donated to the Harbour Restoration Fund. CDs were distributed to those present at the meeting. At the break he gave a demonstration of some of the aspects of the CD to a fascinated audience.
3.2. Community Police Report
PC Balmaves and Inspector Dewar attended.
3.2.1. St Andrews-Leuchars cycle track In response to the question last month [July 3.2.1.] about emergency access Fife Council will be making keys for gates etc available to the emergency services.
3.2.2. Crime in St Andrews There have been some serious assaults, mostly detected; a small rash of housebreaking which at first appeared professional but all detected as young locals; and some minor vandalism, damage to cars etc.
3.2.3. Lammas Fair emergency planning is complete, with emergency scenarios tested in a tabletop exercise. Letters have gone to commercial premises on delivery restrictions/parking and access.
3.2.4. CCTV asked if the new system had been helpful Inspector Dewar was very enthusiastic about its benefits in helping with some minor incidents. Reviewing CCTV recordings is a regular part of an officer's work now.
3.2.5. Holiday Traffic asked if there had been an increase in pedestrian accidents in the town over the summer, Inspector Dewar replied that there had not, though the recent bad weather had caused accidents in the area around St Andrews.
3.2.6. Parking at Bow Butts The persistant problem of motorists parking on the grass between the bandstand and aquarium was raised. Despite the band members being asked to park at the Bruce Embankment on Sundays there were often three or four cars parked on the grass already. Indirect reports claimed a similar situation exists during the week. When drivers were approached during bandstand concerts they proved to be patrons of the Aquarium, (though not parking with the Aquarium's knowledge). Inspector Dewar stated that such parking was an offence and should be reported to the Police who would deal with it. Cllr Liston added that an access only/no parking sign was in the works.
3.3. Vandalism on Dempster Terrace
Monica Ramsey drew attention to problems of vandalism on Dempster Terrace: rubbish, bins, bikes etc, thrown into the burn, damage to cars, urinating in the street and abusive language when challenged. The problem she emphasised is Not students, but mobs of local kids. The problem has grown very much worse since the start of the school holidays, though she could not say, when asked, if the arrival of the CCTV had been an influence. Some of her neighbours were afraid to report incidents, and the level of trouble was now starting to worry, rather than just annoy, her. It was felt that the police would do nothing because of the youth of the offenders.
Bill Sangster, as Chair of the local Community Safety Panel, offered to take the matter up and made a num-ber of suggestions regarding practical aspects of problems due to don't-care absentee landlords nearby. It was also suggested that this might be a situation for the police mobile CCTV cameras. Cllr Liston, whose ward borders the affected area, will also take the matter up with the Police.
3.4. Sewage Flooding on Kinnessburn Road
Mrs Weir of Kinnessburn Road reported that sewage had flooded up though drains into her (and her neigh-bour's) garden and thence the house(s) during the heavy rainstorm at the end of July. East of Scotland Water (now Scottish Water) had assured her that the new storm water system would prevent such occurrences, she said. What could she do now this problem had recurred?
No one sure how extensive the problem was during the storm, and Mrs Weir did comment that her house was one of the lowest-lying on Kinnessburn Road. Agreed to write to Scottish Water and ask for their comments on this recurring problem.
Pete Lindsay to write
4. Fife Councillors
4.2. Sheila Hill (South)
4.2.1. Recycling Centre Fife Council is still trying to talk to Safeway's over the recycling site. She has written to Safeway's Management, as have Fife's solicitors on several occasions; all to no avail so far, but they will keep on trying. Asked if recently announced Scottish Exec funding could be brought to bear she emphasised that until Safeway's were prepared to talk, funding was effectively irrelevant.
4.4.3. John Knox Road (former) Rosebed it was noted that this has been bare for some weeks now. Cllr Hill will push Community Services for the proposed grassing-over to be done as soon as possible.
4.4. Jane Ann Liston (South East)
4.4.1. Best Kept Town Passed on some of the judges comments on Cupar which particularly noted sup-port of business community and general community interest. She had heard that the whole Community Council met the judge in Cupar.
Joe Peterson, as the person who had taken the judge round St Andrews, reminded the meeting that he'd warned of the poor state of parts of the town. Even so the state of the Botanic Gardens, particularly the alpine section was particularly poor. Cllr Sheila Hill noted ongoing underfunding to blame here. Elsewhere dead bushes noticed last year had not been removed/replaced. In town some flower beds were unplanted, others only planted within a few days of the judging.
Agreed to send write to community services on spending etc in St Andrews in run-up to judging.
Pete Lindsay to write
4.4.2. In Town, Without My Car 2003 although St Andrews was unable to take part in this year's event she understands that St Andrews will be offered the chance to participate next year as Fife's representative community, but if we refuse it will go to another town. She noted that the date, fixed at 22nd September, falls on Monday next year.
It was agreed not to take any decision on support this early.
4.4.3. Westbound Trains Iain Smith MSP letter from the Strategic Rail Authority which apparently says a Leuchars ticket can be used to travel west via Dundee. Scotrail do not seem to be aware of this ruling, as yet.
4.4.4. Bandstand Report One concert cancelled by the band, four passed off successfully. Thanks to Frank Riddell, Bill Sangster, Gillian Craig (of the Music Centre) and Pete Lindsay for covering holidays, assisting with chairs etc.
The problem of parking is being pursued by Community Services Dept who will be providing a No Parking sign and discussing the problem with the Aquarium. Band parking has been arranged at the Bruce Embankment through it is unclear who has responsibility there.
4.4.5. Burgh Regalia Awaiting a response from Law & Admin to the information from the Lyon Court.
4.4.6. Anniversary Thanks to The Citizen's "25 Years Ago" column she'd noticed last month was 25th anniversary of this Community Council.
4.4.7. East Sands Joe Lamb reported swimming out to a buoy which appears to mark a hazard, rusty pipework. What can be done about this. Cllr Liston was unsure that it fell into Fife Council's remit which only runs to the high water mark. Some suggestions were offered that this may be to do with the Gatty Marine Lab. Joe Lamb agreed to investigate the university connection.
Joe Lamb to contact University
4.5. General
4.5.1. Weekend (garden) Waste Collections Cllrs Hill & Liston will check the dates and publicity arrangements for this summer with Cleansing & Waste Management Service.
4.5.2. Leader+ Funding Joe Lamb queried why St Andrews not eligible for this EU funding. Cllr Jane Ann Liston replied that as the funding was from the EU they set the eligibility criteria; these are not set by Fife Council. Leader+ is for communities defined by these criteria as ‘rural'; St Andrews does not meet these. However there are some 34 different definitions of Rural and Urban in use. She is trying to find who in the Scottish Executive can say which was used. (Cupar qualifies as rural, apparently, as it is defined as a market town).
4.5.3. Library refurbishment seek update from Iain Whitelaw
Pete Lindsay to write
5. Planning Committee Report
5.1. Notes of Planning Committee 8th July
noted
6. Matters Arising from Previous Meetings
6.1. Calor Gas Community of the Year
[June 7.10] Ken Crichton to report
carry over
6.2. West Sands Management Client Working Group
Penny Uprichard to represent
6.3. SSPCA Fireworks Survey
Noted.
6.4. Strategic Planning
Noted
6.5. Best Kept Town
Noted
6.6. Community Council Partnership Meetings
Level of interest recorded and will be passed on to Fife Council.
6.7. Parking Charges
There was a wide-ranging discussion of parking charges and related facilities in St Andrews compared with other parts of Fife. Cllr Frances Melville is pressing for a short term parking option.
There is to be a longer term review of parking strategy in Fife. Meeting agreed to press for community (council) involvement when this comes about.
Pete Lindsay to write
6.8. Burgh Regalia
Noted
6.9. Local holidays,
As no St Andrews councillor was present for the local holiday item at East Area Services committee the decision was delegated to officials to consult with the four local members. No decision yet.
6.x. other matters arising
7. New Business
7.1. Replacement Play Equipment
There was a long discussion about the sites and equipment not listed, eg skateboarding and rollerblading at Pipeland Park, and trampolines etc at East Bents.
Replacement proposals as described agreed, but find out why these and not others. Also does Fife Council have a strategy for reviewing the appropriateness of current facilities for present day requirements?
Pete Lindsay to write
7.2. Vandalism Task Force
Joe Peterson to attend
7.3. Fife Town Centre CCTV Advisory Group
Record interest, decide who September
7.4. Other consultations
Noted
7.5. Environmental Services Newsletter
Noted
8. Reports from Officers
8.3. Secretary
8.3.1. Workload As nothing has been done on a review of Sec's workload yet (as was agreed in May) this will be held over for September.
Suggestions for spreading the general load of community council:
i) more work delegated to committees, and
ii) all community councillors to take on committee and/or representation on external bodies?
September Agenda
8.3.2. Notice of absencePete Lindsay will be away for the October meeting, for family reasons: a minutes-taker will be needed.
9. Reports
9.1. from Committees
9.1.2. Recreation No meeting Tue, next date tba, to consider floral awards.
9.2. from Representatives
None
10. Any Other Competent Business
10.1. Scenic Maps
Chris Lesurf had a personal meeting with Mr Rattray of Scenic Maps to discuss matters for the next update. She feels the map and associated information sheet is very good publicity for St Andrews.