December 2006

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1. Present : A. Arbuckle; D. Dallas; W. Fenton; B. Forrest; J. Gordon; M. Grossert; D. Hamilton; L. Harvie, M. Kidd; H. Laidlaw; P. Laidlaw; G. Mossman; G. Smith; J. Vaughan, C. Gilbert (Fife Council)

2. Apologies : H. Grant

3. Minutes of Previous Meeting : minutes of the meeting 09/10/06 were accepted.

4. Matters Arising :

• Play Park : There is a reasonable amount of ill feeling within the area regarding the new slide in the park. The concerns are about the suitability for younger children with the first step being far too high for anyone under the age of around 4 - it appears to have been designed for the 5-8yr age group. It is also far too near the main entrance/exit to the park. The CC has received a copy of a letter of complaint to this effect. Colin Gilbert will liaise with Iain Barbour, Parks Operations Officer. One set of the wooden goalposts have been removed now as they were irreparable after being blown down. Iain Barbour has suggested that instead of replacing with full size metal posts, the pitch in the park could be marked out in 7-a-side size with appropriate goals. This suggestion was put to the School who agreed it would be an excellent idea as they currently play any school fixtures outwith Letham due to lack of suitable pitch
  Colin Gilbert to discuss with Iain Barbour and hopefully this will happen.

• Shelter : not sure where this could be re-sited but there are still kids climbing on it. Concerns over someone getting hurt. Colin Gilbert to discuss with Iain Barbour.
• Twinning : A Cupar football Team will visit France at the end of March, this being 13 players and 7                            adults. Currently looking at other ideas to enhance the links with the area but it has to be noted that this is not purely a Cupar project but covers the whole of the Howe of Fife.
• Toll Junction (BEAR) : still major issues with people parking at the junction. BEAR Scotland are at a meeting at Gauldry tomorrow night (12/12/06) and Cllr Arbuckle will mention the comments re the Toll Junction on our behalf.
• Bow of Fife Speed : reports regarding the concerns have gone to the Police and they have made enquiries at the Post Office.   Cllr Arbuckle stated that apparently some “trapping” has taken place but we have no figures as yet
• 20mph zone (Letham) :  this will not be progressed before the next financial year
• Recycling Centre : still on trial but there have been issues regarding the emptying of the various bins on a regular enough basis and they only empty full bins!. The bin provided for plastic bags is no use as they just blow away and scatter all around the Hall/Park area so a “standard” wheelie bin with a lid would be more appropriate!  Laura Duncan to be contacted with our concerns.

However, apart from these issues the bins appear to be well used

5.         Treasurer’s Report :
The account balance stands at £643.13 including the Floral Enhancement Grant.

•       Planning :

Mountcastle Quarry : Nothing to report
TPO’s (Tree Preservation) : Donald Dallas has provided a plan of the area with the various trees requiring TPO’s marked on it. It was agreed this should be sent to Fife Council Development Services with the request they be considered for TPO’s
 
7.         Best Kept Village / Grant
Nothing to report other than we are currently waiting for next year’s Grant award.
The school were unhappy about mention in the last minute about the school grounds. It was pointed out to them that we do not have any specific report but it was a comment made at the time of initial judging and we are unsure exactly what areas were being referred to. We could plant this area up with shrubs so if we have any thoughts then the plans could be forwarded to Colin Gilbert who will raise with Community Services. Any other ideas for enhancing the look of the area will be welcomed

8.         Village Hall
The Disabled Toilet is now complete.
It was reported to the Committee that the Shands who have had a long association with the Village have decided to move to Collessie Hall. The Hall have taken a Wednesday Afternoon weekly let from the Toddlers group which has now meant the Shands could not get into the Hall before 4pm to set up for the evening.

9.         Jimmy Stewart Memorial         
There is currently a sum of £431.57 in the account set up for Jimmy’s Memorial. A quote of £680 has been received for the fabrication and erection of a tree seat around the Well tree at the top of The Row. This includes a degree of levelling around the seat.
Due to Mrs Stewart currently in hospital it was felt contact/progress should be made through their daughter. Mary Grossert will provide a contact address.  One point to make is that the larger shrubs planted (by Fife Council) in that area will need to be cut back.

10.        Questions for Cllr Arbuckle

• Line Markings (top of The Row) – these have only been half done!  The actual junction has         been marked out however there were no lines put down on the bend from The Row into Monimail Rd to show the middle of the road. Cllr Arbuckle will follow this up
• Broken Culvert – as suspected the temporary repair (slab) has actually broken so a 3rd repair will be required. Apparently a metal cover has been ordered and the slab was only a short-term fix!
• Monimail Drains – in desperate need of cleaning out.
• Whinneyknowe Cottage Bend – major concern about the amount of surface water on the road at this corner between Monimail and Collessie. With us being in the winter this area will no doubt freeze over on numerous occasions and will be a hazard.  The general feeling is that the gritter no longer covers this road although it should surely grit this area as it is part
• of the school-bus route?

11.        Any Other Business

Notification of Public Consultation Exercise : :
            Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance Wind Energy
            Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance Renewable Technolgies other than Wind
The CC have just received notification of the above public consultation regarding the above.  This will take place between 22nd January and 19th March and we will receive copies of the planning guidance in due course.
This will also be available online at www.fifedirect.org.uk from around the end of December
It is hope we will be able to provide a better update at the next meeting

There has been a meeting held recently in Newburgh by the Fife Rural Partnership and it is hoped that a further meeting will be held in the Howe of Fife. This is not purely Wind Farms/Turbines but covers various potential renewable energy sources

Community Website :  David Hamilton would like ANY information about the area for the website he runs    www.letham.org.uk

12.        Date of Next Meeting

Monday 12th February 2007, Letham Village Hall, 7.30pm