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Present : A. Arbuckle; C. Bache; D. Dallas; M. Farrell; W. Fenton; B. Forrest; J. Gordon;
M. Grossert; D. Hamilton; L. Harvie; WHO Hutchison; C. Jones; P. Jones; H. Laidlaw;
P. Laidlaw; A. MacGilchrist; N. Mossman; T. Nesbitt; J. Rotheram; G. Smith; J. Vaughan
Apologies : G. Mossman
Minutes of Previous Meeting : minutes of the meeting 11/12/06 were accepted.
Matters Arising :
Play Park : Play Area – Fife Council had responded to a complaint however the response doesn’t really say anything of use!
Shelter – the back has now fallen out of the shelter.
Football Pitch – no news on the smaller pitch marking and goals
Twinning : Three of the Soccer Sevens Committee have been out to France checking arrangements for their team visit at the start of April. There has also been contact set up between Bell Baxter S1’s and the corresponding secondary school in France.
Bow of Fife Speed – nothing much to report regarding the outcome of speed trapping recently carried out in the area
Recycling Centre – the area around the Hall and park is particularly untidy due to polythene bags – no lid on the bin at the side of Recycling Point for these and the wind has obviously blown rubbish all over. The area WAS cleaned up by Council workmen however they stated the park was not their responsibility!
Council have been contacted about a better bin for empty bags. It was also agreed that a notice be put in the CC news stating that the area must be kept clean by users to minimise general litter around the area. Cllr Arbuckle will discuss with Laura Duncan at Fife Council
Toll Junction (BEAR) : BEAR carried out a site visit last Wednesday (7th Feb) and met with Bruce Forrest and John Vaughan. The whole junction is currently being reviewed and the plan is to resurface the area in sections. Re-positioning of the road-end is still on their agenda and a report is due at the end of the month. Some suggestions were made at this meeting :
- Speed Check required to update the traffic flows around this junction
- Move the “Letham” signs onto the main road to identify the fact that there is a settlement in the area (currently the signs are on The Row)
- Red Surface on the main road at the junction, surface definitely needs upgrading as it currently doesn’t meet the anti-slip criteria
- “Slow Down” flash signs set at 58mph MAY be possible but probably not likely
- “Lay-by” area – suggestion was for new high kerb-stones along the main road edge with low entrance/exit kerbs – this would highlight that the area is NOT a sliproad into the village
- moving the junction road-end out by 1m may be possible
It was commented by BEAR that there had not been any accidents at the junction for a while! -
Unfortunately it would appear that the re-positioning of the Bow Road End is the most likely option but again the meeting felt that the junction would be better left as it is!
It was suggested that a good idea would be to set up a traffic monitor on the OPPOSITE side of the road to show the amount of traffic moving through the area on the wrong side of the road (over-taking) – this would show potential for accidents!
Cllr Arbuckle has received correspondence from Mel Edwards of BEAR stating he was very impressed with the safety arguments put forward at their meeting!
Road Markings – Top of The Row : these are now complete
Broken Culvert – Top of The Row : still a slab covering the drain. No sign of metal plate yet
5. Treasurer’s Report :
The account balance stands at £554.59 with a couple of cheques still to be presented.
6. Jimmy Stewart Memorial : No progress on this as no response has been received from the Stewart family regarding the collection from the church service. Hopefully an update will be available at the next meeting.
Planning :
TPO’s (Tree Preservation) : list has been sent to Fife Council. Awaiting response
Steadings Development (behind The Row) : the Community Council have been approached regarding news of a possible change to the submitted plans for this area. Any change request would have to be re-submitted to Planning only if there was a Material Change to the Application. If the change did not require re-submission then there would be no neighbour notification required.
No other issues were raised
8. Jimmy Stewart Memorial : No progress on this as no response has been received from the Stewart family regarding the collection from the church service. Hopefully an update will be available at the next meeting.
9. Best Kept Village / Grant : Nothing to report
10. Village Hall Report
A report showing the various costs currently incurred was presented to the meeting. In summary, the Hall has had to endure the following major costs over the last financial year :
Energy (Gas & Electric) £2163 (up 300% over the last 7 years)
Insurance £1052 (up 90% over the last 5 years)
There are obviously many other costs incurred annually but these are the two majors!
The Hall Committee have worked hard to raise money through lets and fundraising as well as a couple of successful applications for Grants which have enabled work to be done on refurbishment and disabled access to the Hall. In the last 5 years to March 2006, income has been :
From Lets £14074
From Fundraising events £ 4618
Grants awarded £14110
In this period, £15553 has been spent on refurbishment and repairs.
In addition to the above, a further £9000 has been spent this year to provide disabled toilet and baby-changing facilities!
The overall feeling from those present was surprise in the size of the figures involved in keeping the Hall running for the Community! It was suggested that the Hall itself could be more widely advertised as a venue for events, using Council information outlets and websites.
Those present were informed that the next major project would be replacing the windows (for which we have planning permission) as well as refreshing the outside of the Hall. It was suggested we should apply to Scottish Community & Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) for possible funding – Mike Farrell will forward the information.
Public Consultation : Wind Energy etc
Two brochures have been received : Wind Energy
Renewable Energy Technologies other than Wind Energy
Public consultation ends on 21st May 2007 and comments on the strategic environmental assessment are invited. More information is available online at www.fifedirect.org.uk/renewableenergy
12. Questions for Cllr Arbuckle
Cllr Arbuckle reported that the Fernie Bridge (at Fernie Mill Farm) will be closed for 3 days 14/02 to 16/02
The question about use of the old depot on School Brae was raised. There appears to be more than one business operating so Cllr Arbuckle will make enquiries with the Council
13. Any Other Business
Secret Garden : Cathy Bache reported to the meeting that The Secret Garden will no longer be linked with Monimail Tower and is currently looking into other options for their “indoor” base. It would be ideal to keep this within the catchment area for Letham Primary
Community Council Minutes : It was suggested that the minutes be published in the Fife Herald. GS agreed to look into this
Community Website : David Hamilton would like ANY information about the area for the website he runs www.letham.org.uk
The annual cost of the website has risen and it was agreed that the Community should pay for this rather than David having to pay it himself
14. Date of Next Meeting : Monday 9th April 2007, Letham Village Hall, 7.30pm