Approved
Copies of Agendas and Minutes of the Community Council are held at Fife Council's Local Office, St Mary's Place and the Town Library, Church Square. Those from mid-1998 on are online at http://www.louisxiv.demon.co.uk/standrewscc/
Chair: Murdo Macdonald
Community Councillors: George Davidson, Ken Fraser, Ian Goudie, Joe Lamb, Chris Lesurf, Pete Lindsay, Dennis Macdonald, Murdo Macdonald, Donald Macgregor, Joe Peterson, Frank Riddell, Ewen Sparks, Archie Strachan, Cynthia Tero, Penny Uprichard.
Students' Association: Chris Soper
Fife Councillors: Jane Ann Liston, Frances Melville, Bill Sangster
Apologies: Richard Douglas, Ken Crichton, Sheila Hill
Acceptance proposed Donald Macgregor, seconded Cynthia Tero.
accepted
[Text to be supplied by Murdo Macdonald]
Treasurer Archie Strachan noted a correction to information in the published accounts: the Bandstand Account income should be noted as a grant from the Common Good Fund.
accepted
After discussion of the need for an August meeting, and whether local Monday holidays are a problem for our schedule, it was agreed to continue with monthly meetings on the first Monday of the month, with any necessary allowances for holidays at the new year.
noted
Donald Macgregor, proposer Dennis Macdonald, 2nd Frank Riddell. Unopposed.
Murdo Macdonald vacated the chair and Donald Macgregor took his place. He thanked Murdo Macdonald for his work as Chair over the last three years.
Meeting decided to create two Vice Chairs rather than the previous three by a vote of 9:3 (4 abstained).
Ian Goudie, proposer Penny Uprichard, 2nd Chris Soper
Murdo Macdonald, proposer Archie Strachan, 2nd Dennis Macdonald
Frank Riddell, proposer Cynthia Tero, 2nd Ian Goudie
Joe Peterson, proposer Frank Riddell, 2nd Chris Lesurf
Penny Upritchard, proposer Dennis Macdonald, 2nd Chris Lesurf
Elected:
Murdo Macdonald and Penny Upritchard
Archie Strachan, proposer Murdo Macdonald, 2nd Cynthia Tero. Unopposed.
Pete Lindsay, proposer Donald Macgregor, 2nd Murdo Macdonald. Unopposed.
Chair: Donald Macgregor
See AGM
accepted
A presentation was made by Alan McGregor, General Manager of St Andres Links Trust, Ann Murray-Smith, owner of Rufflets Country House Hotel, and David Corner, Secretary of the University.
They suggest that a vision or long term plan for the development of the town is necessary to make St Andrews a first class destination for visitors as well as being, as it is currently, world-famous. This must balance with the need to keep St Andrews a vibrant living and working community, that improvements should also benefit residents.
Their Vision, which they emphasise is still in development, includes: improved transport, road and rail, links to airports, better parking and alternative transport into town; improvement to the town centre fabric/environment; retail mix of independents and 'quality brands' with better opening hours; harbour improvements for a secondary focal point; a joint approach by businesses to customer needs and integrated public/private strategy and management for the town. They believe that this will provide a 'win, win' outcome for residents, businesses and visitors.
[Copies of the slides and presentation notes were circulated to all community councillors after the meeting]
Following the presentation Donald Macgregor asked what involvement they would like from community council, to which they replied that they wished to include community council in their consultations and take into consideration any feedback we cared to give.
Cllr Frances Melville commented that a positive development on the Fife Council side is that the new Head of Development Service's previous experience includes the Dundee regeneration project so he can be expected to understand the issues involved here.
Dennis Macdonald suggested that a radio station for NE Fife/St Andrews region would be beneficial.
Both Joe Peterson and Penny Uprichard raised the matter of students' cars and parking with suggestions for shuttle buses from outlying residences and recommendations that students should not bring cars to St Andrews. David Corner replied that the buses were under consideration and that new students were already given guidance as to which halls to choose, with off-street parking, if they brought a car.
Ian Goudie was concerned at the emphasis on visitor spend; for a balanced town centre indigenous spending should be encouraged locally rather than going out to centres such as Dundee or Glenrothes. He emphasised that a railway link to St Andrews is a priority for quality of life in town by reducing the need for people to drive in and exacerbate the traffic problems we face. He also questioned the need for yet another umbrella organisation, which significantly overlaps with the Tourism Management Plan. The problem for St Andrews isn't vision, it is implementation. He called for more power to be devolved to the town to manage itself.
Donald Macgregor to coordinate written responses once a copy of the presentation is circulated.
DMcg
Superintendent Maich, Inspector Jenks attended.
3.2.1. Shift system Superintendent Maich explained the new police shift system, the 'treble two system', which will commence on 21st May. The new shifts are 6am-3pm, 3pm-12pm, 9pm-6am The overlap is intended to give better cover and visibility at the peak late evening time when most urgent calls on the police are made. Officers work two days at a time on each shift in an overall 10 week cycle of shifts and holiday which brings working hours into line with current working hours regulations, which the old shift pattern does not meet.
3.2.2. Younger Gardens and Youth Disorder following comment in the press Insp Jenks explained that the police pick up to six 'hotspots' every fortnight on which to focus their attention. Currently one is in the area of Younger Gardens. Hotspots get extra patrols and attention from the community officer too. In the last 8-9 weeks there have been 15 calls from the area concerning general youth disorder. Police have been round the doors and talked to residents. They feel they know the ringleaders of the problem and will keep on the case. They asked for asked for any information, even 2nd hand. Information could be treated as confidential if people were concerned.
3.2.3. Response times In repose to a question from Cynthia Tero, Inspector Jenks Insp explained that attendance times were graded and prioritised for seriousness of incident. Logged calls could not be cleared until someone had attended. He added that officers do not always call at the reporting door, particularly in cases where the reporter fears retaliation. People should not be inhibited from calling the police over incidents.
3.2.4. Policing Plan Copies of the new Policing Plan were circulated for all members.
As Chair, Donald Macgregor welcomed and congratulated the newly (re-)elected Fife Councillors.
4.1.1. Post Office closure She is adding her support to the objections to the Ellice Place closure.
no business
As the newly elected councillor this was his first time at this end of the table and he knows he has many things to look at over the next few weeks.
4.4.1. Pipeland Park [April 4.4.3.] Skateboarding equipment all in place now, and being used enthusiastically, she has observed.
4.4.2. Wooburn Park [April 4.4.13.] The damaged path is now resurfaced.
4.4.3. Madras Kilrymont [April 4.4.10] Pool re-opened last week.
Chair to write to thank Bill Brooks for his work while the Fife Councillor for Central ward.
DMcg
Ian Goudie circulated the following report at the meeting:
Report of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meetings of 14.4.03 and 28.4.03 for the Community Council Meeting of 5 May 2003.
1. Planning Applications.
(i) Hepburn Hall Mr Douglas agreed to object to the retrospective application for large dormer windows. He noted that, in the case of listed buildings, retrospective applications fall foul of planning law. The developer's actions appear to have been a deliberate contravention of the existing planning consent.
(ii) 17 Nelson Street Miss Uprichard has submitted an objection to the proposal to build 5 two storey dwelling houses. St Andrews has an ample supply of housing land, and so further windfall sites are not required. The committee thought the design of the proposed houses was very strange. They have flat-roofs and resemble pre-fabs. The proposed room sizes are extremely small.
(iii) 15 Kinnessburn Road The committee agreed that an objection should be submitted to the proposal to build 20 flats. As in the case of Nelson Street, this is also a windfall housing site which is not required. The proposed development is over-intensive, with the block of flats being five storeys high plus the height of the roof. This huge building would be completely out-of-scale with the existing properties on Kinnessburn Road.
(iv) Bank of Scotland, 1 Queens Gardens Mr Douglas agreed to submit an objection to the proposed internally-illuminated projecting signs.
2. Hospital / Health Centre Following the retiral at the end of March of Dr John Bell from the post of Chairman of the North East Fife Local Healthcare Co-operative, Dr Riddell suggested that the full Council should consider sending him a letter of thanks for all his work in furthering the hospital project.
Discussion:
5.1.ii 'Flat-roofs' was clarified to monopitch.
5.1.ii and iii Joe Peterson suggested that we should also object to the change of land from commercial to housing use, given the need for small business premises in St Andrews. Ian Goudie agreed to add this as another objection point. However Archie Strachan understood that the former Livingstone Builders' yard had only been intended as temporary, to service the building of the surrounding houses, and that the area was designated for housing building, he thought. Ian Goudie will investigate this possibility.
5.2. Dr John Bell Meeting agreed to send thanks.
FGR to draft, DMcg write
Penny Uprichard reported; 17ft tree planted in Kinburn Park. A circular ironwork seat would cost £2,000+, so other looking at other possibilities.
There will be a formal 'opening' ceremony arranged when an information plaque is in place.
Murdo Macdonald reported that the Kilrymont Rotary Club have come forward to prepared to run the concerts. in conjunction with us. Conact George Donaldson. Murdo and Archie Strachan to sort out funding applications and band paperwork with the Rotary Club.
MM
Ian Goudie emphasised the need for routes for people to get in and out of town.
Noted
Noted
Follow up and ask for progress reports from Transportation Service.
PL
[April 6.6] Cynthia Tero reported that due to the short notice given she had been unable to attend a meeting of this committee. It was agreed Penny Uprichard should deputise.
PU
[April 6.7.] Despite Chris Lesurf being unable to take this forward herself, it seems that the Social Work Service are now looking into this idea and will be meeting her to discuss it.
[April 6.10.] Joe Peterson confirmed that the sponsorship cheque had now been returned to the Dunfermline Building Society.
7.1.1. 200 Club Coordinator Cynthia Tero to assist Archie Strachan for a while with a view to taking over from him in due course.
7.1.2. Cosmos Representative George Davidson volunteered.
PL inform Cosmos
Pass to golf committee for golf links, inform of support for cultural links.
MM. DMcD golf
PL inform
While all the other proposed dates were uncontroversial, Ewen Spark, who is Chair of the Merchants' Association, put their case for a date other than May 3rd 2004 as the May Day holiday. Counter arguments were put by Murdo Macdonald, also a member of the Merchants' Association, and others. A vote was taken
May 3rd, proposed Cynthia Tero, 2nd Pete Lindsay: 7 votes
May 10th, proposed Ewen Spark, 2nd Chris Soper: 3 votes
PL write
Both proposed renewals agreed.
PL AS
Noted
June agenda
none
none
8.3.1. Kate Kennedy Parade Committee Penny Uprichard to deputise (noted under 6.7. above)
8.3.2. Community Engagement meeting noted
8.3.3. Community Council Vacancies noted
8.3.x. Work Outstanding noted
9.1.1. Publicity Frank Riddell to take over as chair from Donald Macgregor.
9.1.2. Recreation called for members to join.
9.1.3. Health Education and Welfare Joe Peterson resigned as chair. Committee to agree a new Chair.
9.1.4. Arms and St Andrews in Bloom Bill Sangster will remain as Chair for now but longer-term will depend on his workload as a Fife Councillor. Murdo Macdonald felt he could take over Arms if necessary.
None.
None.