Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council
Minutes – September 2002
1. Attendance
Community Councillors: George Davidson, Ken Fraser, Ian Goudie, Joe Lamb, Chris Lesurf, Pete Lindsay, Dennis Macdonald, Murdo Macdonald, Donald Macgregor, Gordon Pay, Joe Peterson, Frank Riddell, Archie Strachan, Cynthia Tero, Jean Thompson, Penny Uprichard.
Nominated: Bill Sangster, David Reed.
Students Association: Rory O’Hare.
Fife Councillors: Bill Brooks, Sheila Hill, Jane Ann Liston, Frances Melville.
Apologies: Lindsay Murray, Ken Crichton, Callum Macleod.
2. Minutes of August 2002
(prop Cynthia Tero, 2nd George Davidson)
Approved
3. Presentations
3.1. Community Police Report
Insp Dewar attended
3.1.1. Community safety panel reports golf theft levels are under control in St Andrews itself, but there is a problem at the St Andrews Bay Hotel.
3.1.2. Housebreaking all but two incidents have been cleared up. Overall detection rates are basically on target.
3.1.3. A serious sexual assault occurred recently in the Largo Road area. The police have good lines of enquiry to follow.
3.1.4. Dempster Terrace Inspector Dewar has looked into the matter in some depth, but can’t find a basis for the intensity of the report in The Citizen. Very few incidents had been reported to the police. If they are not informed of a problem the police cannot target a hot spot. He refuted the idea that the police would not take action because those concerned were ‘too young’. He emphasised that incidents can be reported even if you don’t want police to come to your door, or don’t want to give your name.
3.1.5. Door-to-door Sales Cynthia Tero outlined an encounter with gas/electricity salespeople which had prompted her to contact the police who had advised her to contact the company concerned. Insp Dewar said police could require such callers to identify themselves and confirm this with their company.
3.1.6. Station car park / Doubledykes Road The problem of inconsiderate and potentially dangerous parking close to the Doubledykes mini roundabout has arisen again. Cllr Frances Melville responded that a traffic order to restrict parking outside the bays was being sought after the original problem earlier this year, but that the normal timescale for these to be completed is 9-12 months.
3.1.7. Disabled Parking Asked if police could act against able people parking in reserved disabled spaces, Insp Dewar explained that only they could only act over statutory spaces marked by Fife Council. Courtesy spaces in shops’ parking facilities are not enforceable.
3.2. Voice for Youth
Carly Gillett, a student at the university, reported on this project by and for young people. Project over the summer to create a magazine on CD ROM giving young people in the town a means to express their opinions. Funding from Volunteering Fife East, Cosmos Centre and private funds. Team comprised three students from the university and six Madras College students.
Objective is to take an honest picture of youth culture in St Andrews. Interviews with everyone. Street journalism, young people in youth groups. Under 25s and youth workers. Found a strong “Nothing will be done for us” opinion, but on examining the evidence this not actually the case. Some new projects grew out of these interviews where a demand was recognised, eg a Music Club. CD contains video clips of interviews, information about St Andrews relevant to young people, drugs information etc. CD will be part of the social education programme at Madras College, once approved by Head, available to everyone on the school’s computer network.
Now looking into funding possibilities for a continuation of the project to bring in areas that could not be catered for in the limited time this summer, such as kids with learning difficulties and identifying young people who have to care for other members of their family.
A brief sample video was played and a longer demonstration given outside the meeting at the break.
The project was praised by Murdo Macdonald on behalf of community council who said it was good to hear of young people doing something for themselves and getting involved.
4. Fife Councillors
4.1. Frances Melville (West)
4.1.1. Kinburn Park Money is now allocated for the lighting upgrades etc.
4.2. Sheila Hill (South)
4.2.1. Recycling Centre No progress yet.
4.2.2. Viaduct Walk Damaged old fencing now replaced along the drop on the east side.
4.2.3. Autumn special waste collections October weekends, 2 locations each Saturday and Sunday. Times and locations should be published soon.
4.2.4. Doors Open Day is Sep 8th in St Andrews. Posters detailing where would be open were available at the meeting.
4.2.4. Wildlife on the Lade Braes noting a lack of fish in the Kinnessburn and ducks in sections of the Lade Braes Frank Riddell asked if there might be mink, which are notorious predators. Cllr Hill had noticed a general shortage of bird life herself. She will raise the question of mink with the appropriate department.
4.2.5. Craigtoun Road development maintenance of the new hedge planting shielding the boundary wall was raised; it is overgrown with weeds and grass is growing in the footpath.
Also queried was a new section of wall by the site entrance. It did not appear on earlier plans – how was this agreed and will it be shielded with appropriate hedging?
4.2.6. John Knox Road/Safeway’s overgrown shrubbery adjacent to the Safeway’s car park wall is blocking view of approaching vehicles at the zebra crossing.
4.3. Bill Brooks (Central)
4.3.1. Kinnessburn After much lobbying, and the recent flooding, there is to be an investigation into flooding on Kinnessburn by an independent consultant. This will be commissioned by SEPA. Water quality problems, possibly indicated by the lack of fish, will be covered.
4.3.2. Roads Subsidence at Queens Terrace; potholes at South Castle St; loose cobbles at Market St – are all being investigated. Muttos Lane is to be upgraded.
4.3.3. West Port The unsightly and long-dead light over the West Port, for which nobody admitted responsibility, has been removed at last.
4.4. Jane Ann Liston (South East)
4.4.1. St Andrews – Guardbridge Cycle path Surface now completely tarmac all the way replacing the unsatisfactory grit track. It is much more pleasant to cycle on she reported.
4.4.2. Scooniehill Centre ‘OAPs Crossing’ warning signs going up soon.
4.4.3. Town Centre Noticeboards Refurbished and back in place after Lammas Market, quicker than last year thanks to Locality Manager Kate Hughes chasing relevant departments. The ‘No Staples’ sign was immediately ignored by Lawhead School Board however.
4.4.4. Local Office Change As there are only 40 customers a year visiting Environmental Health (most phone instead), it is proposed to move EH back to Cupar and use the space for something with greater need for local presence.
4.4.5. Community Caretaker or Streetwarden, will start work soon. Functions include inspecting common stairs, bin areas, greens etc. and arranging for them to be kept in good order. Further details from local office.
4.4.6. Dempster Terrace Senior police officers assure her that they will take action against offenders irrespective of age.
4.4.7. Coastal Path Community Services are now applying to Scottish National Heritage for permission to rework the drainage so the caravan site does not wash away the path yet again.
4.4.8. Bandstand There were 3 final concerts, none cancelled, though she singled out Richfield Springs for continuing above and beyond the call of duty in poor weather. Thanks to Frank & Joan Riddell and Pete Lindsay for helping with chairs and parking. Thanks also to Community Services & Police for help arranging alternative car parking.
She noted, for the benefit of anyone who might be thinking of stepping forward as Bandstand Organiser for next year, that there was in fact not much work involved in organising the concerts, as Archie Strachan had made all the necessary contacts. She had just needed to phone or email to book bands then arrange cheques to go out after the performance.
Murdo Macdonald thanked her on behalf of community council for stepping into the breach and saving this year’s programme.
4.5. General
4.5.1. Rights of Way Officer Archie Strachan was concerned about press reports that Fife’s only Rights of Way officer, based in Cupar, was to be reassigned, and the post being withdrawn by the Planning Service. Will this role be adequately serviced?
Ian Goudie to write
4.5.2. Bushes overhanging the footpath. Where these are impeding passers-by or the line of vision for road users, to whom should they be reported? Ans: Locality Office.
5. Planning Committee Report
Ian Goudie apologised for giving a verbal report, due to working on the West Port letter.
5.1. Harbour Lighting Penny Uprichard has written objecting to aspects of design and location of the proposed lamps by the harbour gates.
5.2. The Roundel, South St There was some concern at the intrusive positioning of a disabled access ramp on South St, but a re-submission is expected omitting the on-street ramp.
5.3. 2 Hallow Hill Welcomed the refusal of an appeal against refusal of permission for an ‘infill’ house. Community council had objected to this over-development.
5.4. West Port flats Draft of a letter on the application to replace the former Save petrol station with flats was circulated. Joe Peterson was concerned at the possibilities for jobs lost by the change from commercial to residential status at the site, but most felt such a change would be an improvement on the current situation. Letter was agreed.
6. Matters Arising from Previous Meetings
6.3. Fife Town Centre CCTV Advisory Group
No decision on representation until location of meetings known – people are reluctant to go to Glenrothes to deal with St Andrews.
6.4. Best Kept Town
Agree to invite Jim Hooton & Alistair Barnard in a couple of months.
Pete Lindsay to write
Accepted offer of tour of Botanic Gardens 7 Sep.
6.6. East Sands Buoy
Response from University circulated. The metal pipe will be replaced by plastic.
6.9. Replacement Play Equipment
It was noted that there is still a problem with the Pipeland park – stones.
6.10. Vandalism task force
[August 7.2.] Joe Peterson reported that the meeting was very productive, and he was optimistic about the group.
7. New Business
7.1. Ken Crichton
Ken Crichton is now out of hospital and recovering at home.
Joe Peterson and the recreation committee will go forward with the St Andrews Week Art & Photo Exhibition.
Students’ Association President Rory O’Hare felt the Association might be able to take over whole of the organising of the Senior Citizens’ party for this year. He will meet with Recreation to discuss it.
7.2. Wheelie Bins and A-Boards
7.2.1. Wheelie Bins planning committee to consider appropriate action.
7.2.2. A Boards What is the position of the Fife-wide review?
Pete Lindsay to write
7.6. Bus Station Toilets
Cllr Jane Ann Liston noted that these belong to Stagecoach and are their responsibility. Fife Council cannot spend money on them, but she thought it possible that upgrading these facilities might fall within the remit of Scottish Enterprise Fife, whom she will contact. She will also find out what has happened to the review of toilets that was carried out about a year ago by Fife Council.
7.7. Support for the Blind
Proposed group needs community involvement from such as community council to bring funding from the Rural Finance Initiative.
Health Education and Welfare committee to look at this and report to full community council.
HE&W
8. Reports from Officers
8.1. Chair
8.1.1. Hogmanay Ceilidh Murdo Macdonald sought permission of community council to organise this popular event again.
Agreement prop Pete Lindsay, 2nd Frank Riddell. None opposed.
Ceilidh agreed
8.2. Treasurer
8.2.1. General account Still in the black.
8.2.1. Coat of arms account £7400 received. Asked what is to be done with this re accounts, investment trusts etc?
General Purposes committee to investigate options.
General Purposes
8.3. Secretary
8.3.1. Workload Rory O’Hare offered to take over printing/distributing Event. Accepted. Details to be worked out with Pete Lindsay.
8.3.5. Advertising Meetings Submit an entry to The Citizen’s Town News page.
8.3.6. Noticeboards Murdo Macdonald to arrange cleaning/revarnishing of the community council’s boards.
9. Reports
9.1. from Committees
9.1.1. Health Education & Welfare Joe Peterson gave a brief verbal report on matters recently discussed by HE&W.
10. Any Other Competent Business
10.1. University Association President Rory O’Hare noted that students are starting to return to their flats. Pre-sessional week starts on 17th Sep.
10.2. Zebra Crossings Community Safety Panel Chair Bill Sangster pointed out the repainting of the Zebras following the Panel’s raising with Fife Council their fading due to wear.