Royal Burgh of Crail and District Community Council

Minutes of meeting held on Monday November 30th 2009
7.15pm Crail Town Hall

1) Welcome   Jack Jarvis in the chair welcomed all present.

2) Present  Cllr Donald Macgregor, Bruce Woodcock, Alan Mowbray, Victor Reynolds, Eileen Wood, Isobell Hanlin, Jack Jarvis and 45 members of the public

3) Apologies Cllr Mike Scott-Hayward, Cllr Elizabeth Riches, John Nisbet,  Ronnie Webster, Alan Nairn, Community Policeman

4) Minutes of Last Meeting (26/10/09)

Proposed:  Isobell Hanlin
Seconded:   Bruce Woodcock
 
5) Matters Arising  
Matters Arising are dealt with later in the meeting

6)  Discussion of Local Plan

The chairman welcomed the large number of residents who had attended the meeting because of interest in and concern about the proposals in the local plan for Crail. There was unanimous objection to the proposal to re-site part of the Cemetery extension and the housing developments on the northern periphery of the village.

Residents were concerned that Lairs are no longer being sold and previous decisions concerning the location of the cemetery extension and attempts are being made to overturn that decision for reasons that do not benefit Crail. The proposed alternative site is prone to flooding and reported to be rocky.  The Cemetery extension used to be the site of annual Crail events and should remain as a part of the village and not be used for housing. The alternative proposal in the Local Plan for housing would mean that public rights of way were disrupted by roads and gardens.

Many present considered the extra housing was not needed in Crail if it merely filled the pockets of landowners and developers without consideration of the impact such developments had on the village. Crail is becoming like Elie with a large percentage of houses bought for investment or holiday homes and being used for a few weeks in the year. These people are not able to contribute to the village because they are absent for much of the time. In order to sustain the village permanent residents preferably families are needed. The proposed housing to the north of the Cemetery extension would most likely become similar to the Pinkerton Development  where some 80% of the houses are not permanent resident. The proposed location and its access was considered by those present to be undesirable with a convoluted connection to the Balcomie Road past a considerable number of rented houses  that it is hoped will include some families.

Similar arguments can be suggested for the housing development adjacent to the St Andrews Road. Local residents observed that this area has been under water on two occasions this year and has flooded frequently in the past adjacent to the burns that cross the field.

A few present thought that any development of Crail might be better located to the east of the village and entered from the Balcomie Road. In this location cul-de-sac developments would be possible which are a successful residential layout in the village and do not suffer from dangerous through traffic passing both old and young households.

7) Chairman's Report

The Crail School fair and lighting of the Christmas Tree will take place on Saturday 5th All are asked to assist at the Tree and hand out mince pies.
At the East Neuk Communities Group meeting on Thursday an opportunity will be taken to liaise with other communities in submitting a joint proposal for a feasibility study for a wind turbine for Crail.
Alan Nairn our Community Policeman’s reported 5 crimes in the past month. A number of youths descended on Crail during the bonfire event and a number had alcohol in their possession. 7 were returned home under Operation Guardian. The results of a recent speed survey on the St Andrews road by Bow Butts returned an average speed of 30.1mph.

8) Treasurer's Report  
 A donation of £70 has been made to Crail First Rainbows to assist with the centenary activities. This results in a balance of £3390 in the current account
.
9) Secretary's Report

Among the Correspondence received was:

10) Fife Councilor’s Report
Cllr Donald MacGregor reported that a program of road repairs were proposed for Crail in the next financial year. Carriageway repairs will take place on  Marketgate/Balcomie Road, from 30mph signs to St Andrews Road(A917);  High St – St Andrews Road to Shoregate  and  the full length of St Andrews Road. .
Funds have been allocated for a buildout/boarding area at the bus stop in the  High Street a brief is going to the design team.
After much delay it has been determined that repairs to the Deveron  yard at the harbour is in the remit of Fife Council Estates, not Harbours and this is now being pursued.
Work is progressing on a new timetable for the 95 service and it is noted that
since early Nov all 95 buses now have low-level entry, no high steps.
The requirement for the ironwork at the entrance to Beechwalk Park to be painted. This was noted several years ago but it still remains rusty and untidy. Several benches in the park have been vandalized and are potentially dangerous because they are no longer secure. The bollard controlling entry to the park has been knocked out of the ground. Paint on the Tarmac at Roome Bay still needs attention. All these have been reported to Duncan Gray who undertook to look at them.
Roome Bay toilets are now closed for winter.
Money has been allocated to refurbish the original harbour crane, to rake and repoint harbour walls. Dredging will take place in the harbour next spring and access will be needed down Shoregate for a heavy transporter.
Concern was expressed that a number of areas in Crail will, according to the appropriate web-site, be unable to receive digital television transmissions when the analogue signal is switched off.  Cllr Macgregor has reported it to Iain Smith MSP who will take it up. Menzies Campbell.
Funds for local projects may be available from Fife Council including school projects


11)  A.O.C.B.
The netting below the Hens Ladder still needs securing and overhanging branches at 2 Shoregate are in need of cutting back. The rumour concerning a bottle bank in Lamont Terrace is believed to be false. The road is still flooding at the bottom of Lamont terrace and the drain needs cleaning. It was requested that consultation with the new owners of the East Neuk Hotel should take place to see if it was possible to restore the former bottle container behind the hotel. The Lights at the harbour still need attention. Irresponsible residents are leaving broken glass on the ground at the recycling centre by the school and presenting a hazard for children. A litter bin is also needed here. A meeting, to which all are invited, of the Crail 2020 CIC group will take place on 8thDecember in the Kirk Hall  at 7.00pm to discuss local projects.  Problems still exist with the light numbered 2 Backdykes.  Confusion still exists with signposting defining the extent of Bow Butts and its junction with the Glebe.

Next Meeting Mon January  25th at 7.15pm



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