TIM BRETT’S REPORT : NEWPORT, WORMIT AND FORGAN COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 2014
1. Crossing at the Top of Station Brae – The vegetation that is obstructing vision at the top of Station Brae is programmed to be removed on 19 September.
2. Fife Plan – Proposed Local Development Plan – This will be going to the Council’s Executive Committee on 9 September. If agreed, it will go out for a final period of consultation.
3. Newport War Memorial – I have received quotations for the cleaning and repair of the War Memorial. The Community Council are asked to apply for funding from the local community planning budget to carry this out.
4. Tay Road Bridge Closures – A review meeting was held involving the Police, emergency services and Council representatives following the incident in May. It had been suggested that it might be possible for the bridge to remain partially open during such incidents but the unanimous response from all agencies including the Fire Service, Police and Coastguard was that the bridge must be closed during such incidents. This is to ensure that all agencies can work and communicate effectively to resolve any incident as safely as possible.
5. Madras College – As members may have seen in the press, the detailed planning application for the new school will not be coming to this week’s meeting of the North East Fife Planning Committee. It is hoped that it will come to either the October or November meeting. More information has been requested on the potential flooding risks.
6. Fife Carers Centre – are offering free workshops for parent carers with a child with additional support needs of high school age and of anyone caring for someone living with dementia? I can provide details for anyone who may be interested.
7. Leng Resource Centre – This year’s annual fete will be held on Saturday 20 September starting at 12 noon.
8. Flass Road, Wormit – Further double yellow lines have been put down around the bend on Flass Road next to the primary school. This will hopefully improve road safety in this area.
9. Director of Health and Social Care – is Mr Sandy Riddell from Moray Council. He has taken up post on 1 September.
10. Waterstone Crook – Following discussions at the Waterstone Crook Sports Hub meeting, it has been agreed that Newport Primary School will use Waterstone Crook from 1pm to 3pm one afternoon a week.
11. Newport and Wormit in Bloom – received silver awards at the recent Beautiful Fife Awards ceremony on 28th August. Many congratulations to them and to everyone who has worked so hard to achieve this.
12. A Sign for the Elderly – has been erected on the High Road to warn motorists that the residents from the Caledonia Housing Complex and from Kinbrae Park may be crossing the road.
13. Graffiti on A92 Road Signs – I have reminded BEAR of the graffiti on the road signs on the A92 approaching the B946 turn off.
14. Eden Estuary September Newsletter - is now available on the community website.
15. Path in Wormit – I understand that the path from Wormit House to Peacehill Farm is blocked. I have asked if the criminal justice team can clear it.
16. Foodbank – I attended the meeting of the Management Committee on 22 August. The Foodbank is now fully operational and they would like to thank everyone who continues to donate goods or cash to the project.
17. Waterstone Crook Community Sports Day – 29 children from 5 – 11 attended the sports day on 16 August and had the chance to participate in bowls, gymnastics, karate, squash, tennis and trampolining.
18. Proposed Waiting Restrictions – at Blyth Street and Kilnburn and Castle Brae at Westfield Terrace were agreed for public consultation at the last North East Fife Area Committee.
19. Fife Elderly Forum – I have received a copy of their summer/autumn newsletter.
20. Domestic Waste Collection for Holiday Homes – I have received notification that such properties will no longer receive a household waste collection service as they are regarded as business properties.
21. Fife Housing Partnership – Local Housing Strategy Area Events – New local housing strategy for 2015 – 2020 needs to be in place by April 2015. A drop in event will take place at the Corn Exchange in Cupar on Tuesday 30 September from 5pm – 6.30pm and from 6.30 – 8pm.
22. Housing Repairs by Appointment – The Council is now able to offer customers appointments for both routine and urgent housing repairs. I can provide more details for anyone who would like to see this.
23. Next Generation Broadband Update – I have received an update from Steve Revell regarding the above programme. The target is for 98.4% of all premises in Fife to be able to receive superfast broadband of at least 24 mbps. Further details are available at www.digitalscotland.org or by e-mail to superfast@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
24. The Byre Theatre – As members will have seen, agreement has now been reached with the University of St Andrews for them to manage and operate the Byre Theatre.
25. Newport Skate Board Collective – I attended the AGM of the above group on 18 August. Tenders for the project should be received this week.
26. Tree Felling, West Links Road – A Wormit resident drew my attention to the tree felling in the above area. The area is covered by a current thinning licence.
27. Go Flexi Service – Minor changes to the above services have been introduced from 18 August. The new booking number is 01382 540624.
28. Empty Homes – I shall be meeting the Regional Empty Homes Officer later this month to review the number of empty properties in the Wormit and Newport areas. A number of these are now being charged 200% council tax.
29. ATM Machine Clydesdale Bank – Following contact with the bank I have been advised that arrangements are being made for the ATM machine to be reinstated week commencing 22 September.
30. Commenting on Planning Applications – As from 1 September 2014, the Council will accept comments on household applications for up to 30 days from the validation of the application. For all other applications the time limit is 40 days.
31. Wormit Boating Club – Skiff Project – I have been advised that the skiff to be called Catalina will be launched on Sunday 21 September.
32. Steve Grimmond, the Council’s Chief Executive has recently highlighted the way the Council has helped improve things for customers in 2013/14 . This includes:
• 1200 young or disadvantaged people into jobs
• 1800 adults involved in literary and language learning
• Reduced the number of people made homeless by 12% to just over 2000 households.
33. Homelands Trust, Fife – I recently visited the above project on Leven Road in Lundin Links. The Trust have completed the construction of four self-catering holiday cottages which are fully accessible and specifically designed for people with a range of disabilities. The Trust has also built the Paxton Centre which has flexible accommodation with therapy and meeting rooms. These facilities will be of interest to anyone who is looking for holiday accommodation for people with a disability. I can provide more details for anyone who would be interested.
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