Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 4th August 2008 at 7.30 pm, Boarhills Village Hall

Present – D Macgregor, R Simpson, L Roger, M Craig, A Jarrett, V Kilgour, H Mann, E Ogilvie, J Overing, N Russell, A Angus, S Raeside, P Duncan, H Knight, J Furness, L Matthews
1) Apologies – E Riches
2) Community Council membership. For clarification, the Chairman explained that, following the CC elections in October 2007, we have 6 elected members and 2 co-opted members, which fills our total complement of 8 places. Elections take place every 3 years.
3) Matters arising not covered in the agenda items listed below
Flooding at Cardean – no recent reoccurrence.
Neighbourhood Watch. The next meeting is on 21 August, which M Craig plans to attend. New notices have been put up in the Dunino area, some for Boarhills awaited.
4) Hall lighting
Following a meeting with the Locality Manager, A Hadley of the Council and D Macgregor, the Chairman reported that a new light can be provide towards the hall, and one of the existing lights moved nearer the junction. It is hoped to carry out work this autumn, with an estimated cost of around £2000. This should greatly improve the lighting in the area of the hall, but some additional lighting at the hall may be needed to complete the project satisfactorily. (Since the meeting, this has been approved out of the Locality Budget).
5) Dunino foot bridge
A Roger has given a rough estimate for the metal work repairs (new deck, refurbish hand rails) of approx £700 plus £250 galvanising plus £500 for the work. Repair of the stone piers might be more costly, but he suggested that placing the bridge on concrete pads would obviate the need to repair these. The land owner at the S end of the bridge has been consulted, but the other land owner has still to be contacted. More funding is required for the project. L Matthews to contact the Core Path network, L Roger to enquire about Leader funding. P Duncan is also in talks with the TA, who might be interested in carrying out this project. (The Core Path Statutory Consultation runs from 8 August to 31st October. More info at www.fifedirect.org.uk/corepaths).
6) University wind farm proposal
We still await a response from the University following the Secretary’s letter of 10 June. Concern was voiced by those present about the proposals, but it was agreed to circulate the response from the University and then meet to consider a reply, if necessary.
7) Recent planning applications
Fairmont Resort appeal for 37 lodges, pub, bistro and spa. Although lodged with the Council in April, we have only just been notified about this. The appellants have decided that the appeal be dealt with by written submissions rather than a public local enquiry. They must submit their full grounds of appeal by 6th August. Unfortunately we will not be sent these automatically by the Council, despite being a statutory consultee. The papers can be viewed in St Mary’s Place, but it is hoped that D Macgregor may be able to circulate them to us. Written submissions must be received by the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals, 4 The Courtyard, Callendar Business Park, Callender Road, Falkirk, FK1 1XR by 20th August. It was agreed that the Secretary would circulate the information and those interested would meet in the next fortnight to formulate our response.
Balmashie. Following discussion with the applicant, he has agreed to increase the distance between the end of the landscaped leisure area and the road, and to increase the screening around it. It should be noted that this application is at outline level only.
8) Water Supply update. Scottish Water has completed 2km of the 21km pipe line replacement.
9) Street lights. There was discussion as to the possibility of turning off the street lights for a few hours in the middle of the night as an energy conservation measure. It was thought that the lights at the A917 road junction would have to be kept on, for road safety reasons, but several people said that they would welcome their being turned off. Comments from the wider community to be sought, and the Secretary to speak to the Council.
10) Safety of A917 road junction. Following a recent crash, would it be possible to have a flashing slow down sign, or illuminate the chevrons more?
11) Green belt boundary. The Secretary outlined the Greenbelt Forum proposed boundaries, which take in Boarhills, Dunino Law and the Stravithie/Lathockar road as outer limits in our area. The CC was fully supportive of these proposals.
12) AOCB