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 1998 on are online at http://www.louisxiv.demon.co.uk/standrewscc/)
Chair: Donald Macgregor.
Anne Cameron and Kirsteen Lyall, both née Mackie, accepted letters of greetings and St Andrews Cross flags as gifts to the Mayors and people of Patras and Rion in Greece, as part of a family visit to the site of the second world war loss of their father Chief Petty Officer James Mackie, of St Andrews, when his ship struck a mine off Patras/Rion on 25 October 1944. Anne Cameron still lives in St Andrews, Kirsteen Lyall in Australia while brother Ian Mackie, organiser of the family pilgrimage, lives in Stockton-upon-Tees.
Community council thanked the Mackie family for the kind offer to convey these greetings to Greece as part of their journey.
Community councillors: Laurel Aguilar, Ken Crichton, George Davidson, Ken Fraser, Ian Goudie, Chris Lesurf, Pete Lindsay, Murdo Macdonald, Donald Macgregor, Joe Peterson, Ewen Sparks, Cynthia Tero, Penny Uprichard.
Students Association: Derek MacLeod.
Fife Councillors: Sheila Black, Jane Ann Liston, Bill Sangster.
Apologies: Frances Melville, Archie Strachan, Richard Douglas, Frank Riddell, Dennis Macdonald, Joe Lamb.
6.1. Houses in Multiple Occupation
Ken Crichton asked for the first para to be amended as follows to clarify his concerns:
Ken Crichton reported that in Edinburgh residents of tenements were attempting to restrict multiple oc-cupation of rented flats to keep out noisy students and unscrupulous landlords, and over concerns about the maintenance of flats (external paint etc) owned by absentee landlords, to prevent changes to the character of their area. He asked if community council should be opposing HMO licences similarly as a matter of principle.
Amended minutes were accepted.
Accepted
None
Mr Beech gave his concerns about the proposed refurbishment of the bus station and its effects on the service provided by local taxis. He was particularly worried by the second option, which only has three waiting spaces at the bus station pick-up, where there are 12 at present, filled from a remote holding area in the station car park with a signal to tell taxis when a space in the bus station level above is free.
He felt that three spaces, given the number of taxis operating in St Andrews, did not allow for sufficient cus-tomer choice of which taxis to use where, for instance, only certain firms support a discount scheme or a simple customer preference to use one company, nor does it allow for pre-booked pickups.
He suggested that using public money to upgrade the bus station, owned by the very profitable Stagecoach group, was wrong.
He also felt that the problem would be exacerbated by the sheer number of taxis licensed to operate, 72 in St Andrews, and criticised Fife Council for issuing licences “hand over fist”.
The new bus station design would be much more flexible if Stagecoach did not use it as depot too, storing buses overnight, which could be elsewhere – eg Kirkcaldy’s use of the sea front.
Murdo Macdonald noted that there are enough problems with taxis outside the Fife Council office in St Mary’s Place at present; he felt they were much better at the bus station.
Cllr Bill Sangster pointed out there was to be a meeting with taxi owners about the proposals on 13 May. These options are an early stage of design consultation; nothing set in stone yet.
Chris Lesurf found the sketch maps illustrating the options very poor, having no key to explain the features.
Speaking for the planning committee Ian Goudie said they’d prefer the first option if the choice presented was the only one, but that it was a poor choice to make. Fife Council has Scottish Executive money to improve bus stations, but option two would need Scottish Enterprise Fife money too. The sketches were a poor basis to form an opinion on, especially as the new road shown in option two is clearly unrealistic as with footpaths on either side in the space available.
He asked why the apparent urgency, given that he has heard work won’t start until after the Open. Things are being done in the wrong order redesigning the bus station before the new Area Transport Plan is drawn up. What the planning committee feels is needed at the bus station is to make proper provision for integrated transport links involving buses, taxis, the rail link etc.
Away.
There is money allocated for this in the second priority plan, so it may happen in 2005-6.
She agreed that it is a difficult location for people who need to get to the shops by bus. She is pressing for an improved service.
Ian Goudie reminded her that children from the Craigtoun development have to cross the busy roundabout area to catch their school bus.
Referring to item 4.1.1., the letter in Appendix C, he commented that we are still hearing “forms of words” about how this situation occurred when what is needed is to prevent such a thing happening again. The issue is that £50,000 is now required from public funds, to provide the circle in some years time, when it could have been done by the developer at the start.
Has promise that Viaduct Walk fence will be refurbished; asked that members passing that way keep her in-formed of the situation.
In response to a question from Ian Goudie on the resale price of “affordable” housing Ewen Sparks, whose work involves the property market, said that these are coming up for re-resale – the 10-15 year clawback period only applies to the first occupier. Some properties advertised with two prices – one for a 1st time buyer with grant assistance, the other to a private buyer.
He has recently undertaken one of his walkabouts, with Peter Milne of Transportation Service, to identify problems.
Gave an overview of the proposals: widen footpath between Bell St and Church St, reconstruct road surface, new lamp posts (example by Macarthurs bakers), change to parallel parking to allow space for footpath widening will reduce parking by 50%. He’s asked for the new bus shelter by Madras College to be included in the programme. Replace pelican crossing by WH Smiths with zebra crossing. Trees replaced along South Street. etc.
Responding to a question from Ewen Sparks about difficulties outside the Students’ Union Cllr Sangster said the situation was being looked at. One idea is a formal taxi rank opposite the union. He emphasised that this is at a very early stage yet; there will be proper consultation when appropriate.
Officers are investigating whether there may be money from Scottish Enterprise Fife for the repair to this his-torical and ornamental fence. It is also possible that East Area capital funds may be available as this is not just a simple safety fence.
The target opening date is July 2005.
Reminded the meeting of the local consultation meeting on meeting 20th May, at Madras College Kilrymont Rd. Affordable housing would be a very pertinent matter to raise – both the definition and suitable locations. As many people as possible should attend.
Joe Peterson objected to affordable housing, asking where it would go and how it would be funded. Publicly subsidised housing was/is sold off to the sitting tenant at a loss to public funds.
Cllr Liston responded that the local plan consultation is the time to bring these points up. All councils are in the process of putting their housing strategy to Scottish Executive. She mentioned ‘pressured area’ status whereby new tenants won’t have ‘right to buy’ council or housing association properties.
[April 4.4.5.] Investigations by environmental health officers found neither evidence of rats in the Madras Kil-rymont area nor that the pupils’ litter is attracting them.
Murdo Macdonald thanked Cllr Liston for the swift response to the concerns raised last month – there were people checking the next day. He noted that a neighbour of his had written to Fife Council complaining about rats two years ago but was ignored until the story appeared at community council and subsequently in the press.
She suggested that getting on to their councillor directly would have been quicker.
Welcomed the amnesty scheme for the return of the cast metal tops. Fife was one of the few places to retain them after the war. As well as being of historical value they are helpful to walkers and cyclists.
Is coming to record in St Andrews at the Students Union on 13th May. Get (free) tickets via the BBC web site.
Ken Crichton remarked on a recent press report of a revived steam train service and suggested that a St Andrews Rail Link should operate as a steam line. Jane Ann Liston responded that the first thing to do was to re-establish the line. Once a line is back special tourist and enthusiast trains might run but a pretty little steam train couldn’t provide a serious commercial commuter service.
Cynthia Tero reminded the meeting that she has several times asked for Fife Council to put up a plaque or in-formation board in the Logies Lane/Church Square area noting the site of the town graveyard.
Planning minutes of 26/4/04 by Penny Uprichard, circulated at the meeting:
1. Bus station – for the purpose of improving the bus stop, Option 1 appears to be the least harmful. It improves access to the bus station, parking etc. It does not cost too much, and will mean minimum change to the bus station. It is worth going for the cheaper option in the absence of any coherent long term plan. Details required on the three trees, also the impact on City Road and proximity to the present traffic lights. Should there be an traffic island, or zebra crossing? obj PL
2. 39 Bell Street – Bella Pasta – repaint shop front. NC
3. Ashleigh House, St. Mary Street – (a) material variation to the design of five dwelling houses, also roof lights, and (b) including balconies, window and door alterations. Plans awaited.
4. Glebe Road – reconstruct burn bank. Plans awaited
5. 8 Kinnessburn Terrace – five houses. obj PU
6. 76 Argyle Street – 16 flatted dwellinghouses, access etc. obj PU
7. 76 Argyle Street – demolition of vehicle repair workshop. NC
8. Fife Park – extension to nursery building. NC
9. 52a North Street – new UPVC rear door. NC
10. 22 Grange Road – extension to dwellinghouse. NC
11. 70 Buchanan Gardens – extension to dwellinghouse. NC
12. 92 Lamond Drive – install dormer extension and roof lights on flatted dwelling. NC
13. 13 Church Street – erect security railings on roof at Crail’s Lane premises and single wire on roof. obj RD
14. 141 South Street – internal alterations to flatted dwelling to form HMO. NC
15. 7 Little Carron Gardens – alter roof to form glazed screen. NC.
16. 54 Market Street – repaint exterior of building. NC.
17. 11 Moir Crescent, Bogward – conservatory extension. NC.
18. 37 Scooniehill Road – extension to dwellinghouse. NC.
19. 2D Alexandra Place – internal alterations to listed building. NC.
20. 111 North Street – retrospective application for extension to flatted dwellinghouse. NC.
Planning convenor Ian Goudie added that Penny Uprichard would be writing on the Bruce Embankment scheme to question whether there is a clear safety case behind the extent of the proposed railings and the lighting.
A draft paper on the local plan was circulated. As there was not time read in detail it was agreed that the final paper should take additional input from members over the next few days and that it should note alternative opinions where they exist, such as the site for the hospital. Paper to be finalised at the next Planning committee – as ever, any member of community council is welcome to attend Planning committee on 2nd and last Monday of the month at 7.30pm, Fife Council Local Office, St Mary’s Place.
At first glance most members agreed with most of the paper.
Response noted.
Still waiting for a response from Kilrymont Rotary Club whether they can help out.
June Agenda
For the benefit of the Secretary the following points were clarified. Community Council:
Only a couple of responses were received, too few to submit as a community council response.
Due to illness Health Education & Welfare committee had not been able to meet, so could not present a recommendation.
On the basis of April’s presentation and the Fairtrade Town scheme outline Pete Lindsay said that Fairtrade Status for St Andrews was worthy of support, and could do no harm as it is neither exclusive nor compulsory. He made this a formal proposal.
Community Council should support the Fairtrade Status campaign in St Andrews. Proposed: Pete Lindsay, 2nd Joe Peterson. Agreed, no dissent.
Support for Fairtrade Status agreed
While there was some sympathy for the situation of the correspondents the meeting did not feel it would be appropriate to involve community council directly in individual cases.
Agreed to support the call for a memorial tree
Pete Lindsay to write
Laurel Aguilar will attend.
Laurel Aguilar
Donald Macgregor to respond with numbers.
Donald Macgregor
Murdo Macdonald and Joe Peterson will golf for St Andrews.
Murdo Macdonald to arrange
£30 sub agreed
Ewen Sparks reported the Merchants’ Association concern with the problems of free parking on May Day local holiday coinciding with the bank holiday.
Meeting agreed to support the dates proposed by Fife Council.
Pete Lindsay to write
No presentation required; Clatto is not in our area of interest and no wind farms are proposed closer.
Penny Uprichard will be attending in her own right.
Pete Lindsay suggested community council should sponsor the word “Bejant” – a first year student, possibly from the French for fledgling.
£20 Agreed
While there was some concern at the level of noise coming from the main CLAN event itself, it was agreed to take advantage of this offer.
Joe Peterson to coordinate
Joined the platform party even though the formal invitation was, somehow, overlooked by the Club.
Reported Planning Committee view that this would need a written agenda and asked for any points for discus-sion from community council in general to be passed to him.
[March 9.1.1] Cheque received from Fife Council for £740 for floral decorations.
Cynthia Tero reported that student bodies have asked if they could use their matriculation cards as IDs for Fife residents’ discount instead of having to buy a Fifestyle card?
Cllr Jane Ann Liston recalled that this used to be the system before Fife Council; she’s be happy to back the request.
Meeting agreed to support the students.
Pete Lindsay to write
Joe Peterson reported that he was unable to make meetings on a regular basis.
Ken Crichton agreed to take over as CSP representative.
Murdo Macdonald reported that an emergency phone at the West Sands had been damaged.
Meeting agreed to send a letter of congratulation on this anniversary.
Pete Lindsay to write
Noted Chair’s statement mislaid, otherwise approved.
approved
Taken as read.
Administration account expenditure £3617.68 not £23617.68 as printed.
Accepted
Murdo Macdonald summarised a progress report which will be filed with the Secretary.
Agreed to stay with 12 meetings, on the first Monday of the month with allowance for any New Year holidays.
Noted
Donald Macgregor – proposed Murdo Macdonald, 2nd Cynthia Tero. No dissent.
Agreed to retain existing numbers and personnel.
Penny Uprichard and Murdo Macdonald retained by acclaim.
Though absent Archie Strachan had indicated his willingness to continue to the Secretary. Agreed, no dissent.
Pete Lindsay agreed to continue in this post.