Saline Environmental Group minutes click here

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Saline and Steelend Community Council
Minute of Meeting of 27.04.10 at Saline Community Centre

1. Present
Jim Hensman (chair), John Crane, Marie Crane (treasurer), Dave Quinney (secretary), Isobel Menzies, Irene Wardell, John Lyon, Helga Corp, Donald Murdoch, Cllr Bill Walker, Cllr Bobby Clelland, Alan & Ella Robertson, Douglas Anderson, Ann Anderson, Sandy Carstairs, John Gordon, Danielle McCaulay, David Chisholm, Kay Jackson

2. Apologies
Dennis and Margaret McIntosh, Ian Walker, Cathy Hall, Roger Featherstone, Muriel Philips

3. Minute of Previous Meeting
These Minutes were accepted. Proposed by Helga Corp, seconded by John Crane

4. Matters arising
• Zig zag lines at school only cover the same area as before.
• Transportation consider that the road surface through Steelend is satisfactory
• Cllr Clelland indicated that the area Committee has agreed to parking restrictions at the school

5. Treasurer’s Report
• Marie Crane indicated that the accounts have been audited and need to be agreed. This was confirmed
• £3,000 has been received from fife Council to permit work on the design of key projects
• £10,000 has been received from the BIG Lottery towards a study of housing needs in the village and the development of ideas. It was agreed that Moray Royles be appointed as architect and that office bearers negotiate a price. It was noted that the aim will be to actively involve potential participants as key players

6. Planning
• Comments on the draft Local Plan have been sent to Fife Council. These welcome the commitment to better quality design and suggest increased development at Comrie Colliery as an alternative to contentious sites in existing communities
• An appeal against fife Council’s refusal of a third house has been submitted. Donald Murdoch has written to the Reporters’ Office asking that a pedestrian link to Argyll Place be required if the appeal is sustained
• Fife Council has confirmed that the new house on West Road complies with the approved plans
• Forestry Commission Scotland is negotiating for the acquisition of the remainder of the Muirside Estate north of the Comrie Colliery access road. The Commission is also acquiring parts of Cadgerford Farm to create a mixed woodland. A consultation on their design plan will be carried out, which will be an opportunity for people to define path preferences. The Commission have indicated that people are free to access the site from day one and it is understood that this is already taking place
• It was noted that Kirklands House and Saline Glen are being sold separately. John Crane indicated that Forestry Commission Scotland had been asked to consider acquisition. Donald Murdoch confirmed that an estimate of essential safety repairs would be £6,500

7. Secretary’s Report
• A letter has been received from BTCV indicating what they can do. It was agreed that a representative be invited to a future meeting. It was noted that the Environmental Group would be joining BTCV, which has insurance advantages.
• A letter re Royal Dunfermline
• A letter re the Fife Access Forum. It was agreed that Dave Quinney should attend
• More consultation letters from NHS Fife

8. Blair House Opencast
• Jim Hensman and John Crane sent a letter to Cowstrandburn and Kinnedar Park residents asking what improvements should be targeted. Danielle McCaulay felt that there was a need for a new play park. Many felt that this was a Fife Council responsibility and John Crane will speak to Peter Howden (Parks) However, it was noted that other communities had enhanced Fife Council’s contribution by raising other funds. The precarious state of Fife Council budgets was also noted.
• There is confusion over who is organizing the Trust Fund but it was felt that this was Fife Council’s responsibility and Andrew Ferguson (Fife Council) will be consulted. It was also felt that there was a need for a local liaison group to deal with issues affecting site operations
• It was agreed that there was merit in a workshop session to discuss possible needs. Davis Chisholm offered to organize this, which was accepted
• Concerns have been expressed about operations to remove trees and officials ability to police activities on the site. However, it was noted that Angus Dodds has sent a strong letter to UK Coal

9. Councillors’ Report
• Cllr Clelland indicated that UK Coal was looking to sell the Blair House site
• Cllr Walker gave an insight into the effect of volcanic ash on Fife Council. 320 teachers were delayed abroad but this is now down to 31
• Cllr Walker shares the community council’s views on the road through Steelend and advised that Transportation continue to be pressed for action

10. Police Report
• Alan Robertson reported on Police consultation events where traffic issues were the main topic. He will attend the next meeting in May.
• Alan also attended a meeting with Stagecoach who indicated the possibility of low-rider buses in the not too distant future

11. Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 25th May at 8pm in Saline Community Centre following the Arts and Photography and Environmental Group meetings

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Saline and Steelend Community Council
Minute of Meeting of 30.03.10 at Saline Community Centre

1. Present
Jim Hensman (chair), John Crane, Marie Crane (treasurer), Dave Quinney (secretary), Isobel Menzies, Irene Wardell, Cathy Hall, John Lyon, Helga Corp, Muriel Phillips, Donald Murdoch, Adrienne Lyon, Elizabeth Banks, Laura McGuiness, Cllr Bill Walker, Cllr Bobby Clelland, Linda Bogue, Jean Barbour, Jeanette Anderson, Jan Owen, Liz Pullar, Catherine Cousan

2. Apologies
Dennis and Margaret McIntosh
Jim Hensman asked the group interested in paths for horse riding to introduce themselves

3. Minute of Previous Meeting
These Minutes were accepted. Proposed by Donald Murdoch, seconded by Marie Crane

4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising

5. Treasurer’s Report
Marie Crane stated that community council funds were still as stated at February’s meeting and that the accounts will be sent to Stewart Miller for auditing

6. Planning
• Listed building consent has been given for alterations to Craig House
• The draft Local Plan is out for consultation. This proposes additional housing around Kinnedar Steadings on the basis that this will permit a contribution towards remediation works at Comrie Colliery.
• The Local Plan also proposes a mixed development and opencast working at Comrie Colliery. It was felt that additional development at Comrie Colliery would relieve pressure for development in communities like Saline and Donald will respond accordingly
• The Environment Group’s consultation exercise had shown strong support for the path to Oakley and a need to provide safe routes for horse riders. John Lyon, Jim Hensman and Donald Murdoch will arrange to meet landowners to establish their attitudes.
• Cllr Bill Walker will contact Housing to establish the need for elderly persons’ housing in the village

7. Secretary’s Report
• A letter to be sent to Ian Henderson (Transportation) to have zig zag lines extended at the school to try to prevent parents stopping cars at the school gates
• Police approval needed for a 20mph speed limit on Oakley Road from Eastercraig Gardens to Main Street.
• The poor state of the Steelend Road and bollards
• The protesters at the start of the Blair house opencast mine and the problems of heavy timber lorries using Oakley Road through the village to remove felled trees

8. Councillors’ Report
• Cllr Walker indicated that UK Coal was arranging to evict the protesters
• Cllr Walker gave an insight into Fife Council’s budget cuts and that an established budget does not keep up with inflation

9. Police Report
• A new reporting system is now in place and Police reports will be e mailed to community councils in the future
• 4 people warned for speeding through the village
• Drugs being found among people in High Valleyfield

10. Gala Committee
The committee will be holding a fund-raising race meeting on 15th May in Saline Golf Club and asked for any donations of gifts for prizes.

11. Environmental Group
Jim Hensman said that Saline needs to have an understanding of what other groups in the village do. He invited John Lyon (chair of Saline Environmental Group) to hold a short meeting on items they are looking into.
• Regarding the path to Oakley, it was agreed that John Lyon, Donald Murdoch and members of the horse-riders would investigate the feasibility or the short-term circuit proposed by the riders
• Saline Glen will be inspected for possible acquisition by the community and this will be discussed at a later meeting. Maintenance will be a key issue
• Information Boards for the Glen entrances need to be progressed

12. Chair’s Comments
• The Arts and Photography Exhibition will be held on 8th and 9th May. All will be welcome with tea/coffee etc in the church hall
• New members are needed for Open Forum meetings

13. AOCB
Concern has been raised about the size of the new house being built on West Road. Donald Murdoch will investigate and report back

14 Next Meeting
Tuesday 27h April 2010 at 8pm in Saline Community Centre following the Arts and Photography meeting at 7pm

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Minutes of Saline and Steelend Community Council held in the Community Centre on Tuesday 29th September 2009 at 8:00pm

1. Present
Jim Hensman, John Crane, Marie Crane, lsobel Menzies, Irene Wardell, Helga Corp, Muriel Phillips, Donald Murdoch, Joan Featherstone, Roger Featherstone, Gill Hart, Laura McGuinness, Alan Robertson, Ella Robertson, Cheryl Hall, Craig Mitchell, Cllr Bill Walker, PC E McKenzie, Cathie Hall, Irene Walker.

2. Apologies
Dave Quinney, Margaret Mclntosh, Dennis Mclntosh

3. Minute of Previous Meeting
These Minutes were accepted. Proposed by Joan Featherstone, seconded by John Crane

4. Matters arising
Alan Robertson requested an update on financial matters in the Treasurers report. Marie Crane clarified the situation

5. Police Matters
No incidents were reported but several items were discussed: -
• Children playing in the school playground and sheds in the evenings.
• Parents with cars still ignoring “No Parking" signs on Oakley Road, which causes
problems for vehicles passing the school entrance and vehicles, such as buses,
turning into Oakley Road from Main Street.
• Vehicles speeding at the Saline end of Oakley Road and at the double bend
approaching the chicken farm.
• The blind T-junction at Craighouse Place for vehicles entering the village from Oakley, which is seen as "an accident waiting to happen"
• Vehicles still speeding in both directions on Main Street, past the bus turning area, and West Road. There is also concern about the number of speed limit changes between and Steelend and Saline (40mph through Steelend, short derestricted length, 30mph through Saline)
• File Council Transportation Service need to attend the community council to discuss
the above traffic issues and to consider 20mph limits in some areas. Note:
Transportation have previously advised the community council that there was little they could do as they do not have the finances.
• Saline Village Bonfire: Police may be stretched to attend as it is also Remembrance
Weekend and the G20 meeting at St Andrews. It there are any problems, PCs
McKenzie or Davidson should be contacted at Oakley.

6. Treasurers Report
Marie Crane gave an update in addition to matters covered in Item 4

7. Secretary’s Report
There was no report at this time.

8. Planning
Nothing new to report.

9. Chairman’s Comments
John Crane was thanked for the photographs he took of the memorial benches that were recently installed

10. AOB
• Laura McGuinness and Cheryl Hall attended from the Saline Gala Committee. They
reported on the Gala, which went well despite the weather that caused Saturday
events to be transferred to the Community Centre. The Gala itself was opened by
Rosemary Delargie, head teacher at Saline PS. Outdoor events were held on the
Sunday.

The Gala Committee were concerned about the disgusting condition of the toilets at
the Gala Field, which were found to be unusable and appeared to have not been
cleaned for some time. This is impossibly something that can be discussed at the
forthcoming meeting of all village organizations.

The Gala Committee is being re-formed as an Events Committee to organize more
activities in the village and funds to get this started are currently being sought

Donald Murdoch gave an update on projects that could be of value to the village i.e

a. Extending the path through Saline Glen to Steelend.
b. Building a path from Saline to Oakley including traffic controls at the double bend approaching the chicken farm.

• Saline Bonfire will be on Saturday 7th November at 7pm

11. Date of Next Meeting
8pm Tuesday 27th October at Saline Community Centre. All will receive a warm welcome.