Happy Easter

Tim's Update to the April 2014 meeting of Newport, Wormit and Forgan Community Council

1. Susan Reid – As members will be aware the body of Mrs Susan Reid was recently discovered in Tentsmuir Forest having been missing since 23 January 2014.

2. New Madras College – The North East Fife Planning Committee considered the planning application for the new school at the Pipelands site on 20 March 2014.  The committee voted by 7 votes to 6 to reject the application.  It was then considered by the Full Council on 3 April 2014 and was approved by 56 votes to 11.  The application will now go to Scottish Ministers because it is contrary to the Development Plan.  I seconded the motion to approve the application.

3. Newport & Wormit Sports Hub – A further well attended meeting took place on the 24 March 2014.  A number of members of the Community Council were present.   Michael Kavanagh is drawing up an action plan and the group will meet again in May.

4 Kinbrae Park Play Park – I am pleased to advise that the Newport, Wormit & Forgan Trust have agreed to make a donation on £2,500 to the above project.  If assurances can be given that local fund raising will make up the balance of funding.

5. Madras Attainment Review Meeting -  I attended a very useful meeting with the Rector and Senior Staff at Madras on 13 March 2014.  This was a valuable meeting to understand the way in which Madras College tracks attainment.  

6. Tayplan main issues – drop-in events – A reminder of the briefing event being held in Dundee on 15 April.

7. Commonwealth Games – Queen’s Baton Relay – Will be coming to Fife in mid-May and will be visiting Cupar and St Andrews. 

8. Newport and Wormit in Bloom – Have now produced an action plan for work to be undertaken with regard to this year’s programme. New volunteers are always welcome.

9. Incident at Liberton High School, Edinburgh – Fife Council along with other local authorities have carried out checks in all school buildings if Fife.  This will include more detailed structural surveys.  I can provide more information if required.

10. Air Quality Report – Following a recent report by Health Protection Scotland regarding air pollution in Scotland Fife Council have advised that they carry out regular air quality monitoring through-out Fife.  There are two air quality management areas – one in Bonnygate, Cupar and one in Appin Crescent, Dunfermline.

11. Minor Road leading to the dual carriageway at the top of Cupar Road – Fife Council’s Transportation Service have indicated that they will erect “No HGV” signs at both ends of the road, hopefully, by early June.  

12. Parking at Newport Primary School, Cupar Road – Following the discussion at the last meeting I have written to the Transportation Service and will arrange a site visit when the schools are back.

13. New speed limits on the A914 – I have raised this with Colin Stirling of Transportation.  He has responded that the new speed limits are based on public consultation that took place with local residents particularly those at Drumoig.  The new limits will be reviewed in six months.

14. “Cut-it-Out”, Safer Driver Behaviour – Fife Community Safety Partnership have organised an event in Fluthers Car Park in Cupar on Friday 2 May 2014 at 7pm following a number of road traffic collisions in North East Fife.  It is targeted at younger drivers but all are welcome.

15. Trauma Hubs – The Health Secretary, Alex Neil, has announced plans for four new specialist major trauma centres in Scotland.  One of these will be at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

16. Proposed Developments at Drumoig – A developer has issued a Proposal of Application Note (PAN) for proposed developments at Drumoig.  An initial successful drop-in event has been held for Drumoig residents.  The proposals include 30 new residential homes, 15 retirement homes, 21 holiday chalets, changes to the driving range area and changes to the hotel.

17. Newport Post Office – Is now selling “Meals on Wheels” vouchers. 

18. Tay Road Bridge – Will be closed on Friday 18 April 2014 from 0100-0400 for surfacing works to complete the ramp redesign work safely.

The Bridge Manager has advised that the old electronic signs should be removed by the end of April.

The Bridge Manager has also informed me that fresh planting to spell out the work “FIFE” will be made on the South side of the road bridge car park.

19. Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve – I have a copy of the special edition of the Reserve newsletter commemorating its 60th birthday. 

20. Disabilities Fife – Will be holding a meeting of its St Andrews Access Group in the Old Course Hotel on 16 April from 2-4pm.

21. Kirk Road, Newport road markings – Following concerns raised by the Community Council, Gordon Hughes of Transportation has advised that centre road markings should not be used as the carriageway is less than 5.5 metres wide.  He states that there have been no reported accidents from 2009-2013.

22. Clydesdale Bank, Newport High Street – Is closing on 22 July 2014.  I visited the bank and was advised by a member of staff that this was due to a lack of footfall.  All customers will be advised of the closure and their accounts will be transferred to Clydesdale’s main branch in Dundee.  It is one of 16 branches to be closed in Scotland.

23. Street Cleaning – We now have a dedicated street cleaner in Newport on Tay.

24. Fife Educational Trust – Has provided funding of £500 to Newport Primary School for the purchase of ukuleles and £250 to Wormit Primary School for educational excursions.

25. The Braes, Newport – Bushes have recently been pruned and litter picking undertaken.

26. Deaf Communication Service – Fife Council’s Deaf Communication Service are organising a sign language interpreter awareness training in Cupar on 24 April 2014.  It is open to anyone involved with voluntary organisations.

27. Woodhaven Pier – I met with Moir Gibson from Transportation on the 18th March with Stewart McKiddie to agree maintenance work that should be done at the pier.  

28. Fife Council Noise Complaints – Fife Council had over 19,000 noise complaints in 2013 making it the highest number of complaints per 1000 population of anywhere in the UK.  

29. Newport on Tay Common Good Moveable Property – I have received a list of the moveable property held on the above account. 

30. Tayview Medical Practice news – Has recently been published.  The practice will be closed on 18 and 21 April for Easter holidays and there was a total of 1,760 missed appointments in 2013. 

31. Tay Estuary Conference – I attended the above annual conference in Dundee recently in my capacity as Chair of the Eden Estuary Advisory Board.