Minutes 2025
Minutes of Meeting of Elie and Royal Burgh of Earlsferry Community Council held on 1st April 2025, Earlsferry Town Hall
Present: Angela Anderson, Kirsty Barclay, Grizelda Cowan, Cath McIntosh, Carol Birrell, George Cowan, Alison Christian, Christian Aitken and Cllr Alycia Hayes
Apologies: Nicky Nicholson
February minutes: Proposed by Cath and seconded by George
New declarations of interest: No new declarations
Questions from the Public
We have received repeated requests for repainting of all yellow lines throughout the villages plus new ones from the corner of Telfor Wynd to Sahara Park on main road to make it easier for lorries coming down Golf Club Lane.
Concerns were expressed about sewage at the Toft after recent heavy rain. Scottish Water have attended and a request has been made that the drains be cleared of sand.
Some residents in Woodside Crescent are unhappy about the noise from the new play park and are concerned about the use of the zip wire by several children at once and by adults. We were assured that there is no weight limit. A request was made that a sign be erected to direct children who wish to play football that, during the school holidays, they should use the pitch at the school which has goal posts and is available to all. A request was also made that there should be some regular police presence at the park during the holidays.
We received a request from Scottish Water that a ‘No Parking’ sign be put up at the access path to beach opposite School Wynd as, recently, workmen were unable to access the pipes.
The CC has received requests for an update of the new larger sauna with particular reference to its colour. Kirsty will ask Harbourmaster Stuart Barclay to speak to Judith about this.
Carol informed the meeting that a local resident had expressed concern about the ‘sad’ state of the Lady’s Tower and the area around it. It was agreed that we should enquire whether this would be the responsibility of FC or FCCT.*
Councillors’ Updates
Cllr Alycia Hayes informed the meeting that free school lunches can be collected from Toll Green Hall and St Monans Primary School during the school holidays.
The FC Cabinet Committee is to meet to consider Control Zones in Fife for short term lets – Elie is on the list for consideration.
She also stressed that FC will press for revenue raised in Fife by the proposed new tourism tax to stay in Fife.
Planning issues
Mobile Phone Mast installation, Park Place 25/00116/TPA. We are still waiting for a reply from Fife Planning to Angela’s email requesting a site meeting to discuss a more appropriate location for this much needed mobile mast.
Beachfield 25/00107/FULL
It was noted the CC’s objection to this application is now on line. * *
Traffic Management
FC’s proposals to operate new speed limits in the villages received a majority approval. For more information on the proposals please see our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1055911893237633&id=100064564971253
First Responders update
The CC was delighted to learn that there are eight newly trained responders bringing the total to ten. Angela is compiling a full report on this subject which will be available for all to see in due course.
Update on Elmwood College - supplied by the Save Elmwood College Group
The Vital Need to Save the Animal Care Unit at Elmwood College
The Scottish Rural College has just announced that it intends to close down the Animal Care Unit at Elmwood College. The students currently attending the unit have no alternative provision for this course without significant travel, which most are unable to do. This course at Elmwood has been the most popular for SRUC’s animal care students and it currently sustains the campus.
The careers available to the students following their education at the Animal care unit include:
Animal technicians, behavioural support & trainers, training for support animals like guide/hearing dogs, boarding kennels/catteries, breeders, veterinary nurses, groomers, animal rescue, pet shop workers, zookeepers, wildlife park workers etc.
Many of the students go on to start their own businesses.
In addition, every year, students join the College who have often not had a successful time at school and who can be a bit difficult to reach to begin with but by the end of the academic year they have blossomed, made friends and as well as learning about looking after various species of animals, they have learned important skills for work; working as a team, problem solving together and individually, using their own initiative, following instructions, time keeping, cleaning up, sweeping floors, and probably most important of all, they are more confident in communicating and have gained confidence in themselves and their abilities. Even if they do not gain a post in an animal care position, they have gained a set of skills which will help them in their personal and work lives.
Currently 50% of children who are leaving school have additional support needs.
1. Managed Decline and Asset Stripping at Elmwood College
This recent notice issued by the Scottish Rural College to close down the Animal Care Unit at Elmwood College is just one more step in what we believe is a Managed Decline approach that the SRUC has decided to implement at Elmwood College. It follows on from the sale of the farm in 2016, the attempted sale of the Golf Course at Stratheden, a move away from the forestry land on which Forestry Management skills were taught and the decision by the SRUC to no longer provide a number of land-based courses.
The Stratheden golf course used to work in partnership with local schools providing youngsters with the opportunity to try golf. They were coached by the college’s golf students who acted as excellent role models for the youngsters, but this opportunity was also closed down.
We believe that the Managed Decline approach and the stripping of the assets at Elmwood College has been adopted by the SRUC in order to deal with their £9m debt, the majority of which we believe (approximately £8m) has been accrued by activities at their other sites in Scotland. It is also our understanding that the SRUC now wishes to close down the Animal Care unit in order to increase the value of the land that the College sits on, when it puts the land up for sale in order to clear the SRUC’s debts.
In our opinion, these management decisions, which have been hiding in plain sight, to strip the assets from Elmwood College and implement a Managed Decline approach at the site, have been taken with the full knowledge that such an approach could make Elmwood College unsustainable. In 2016, the Educational Institute for Scotland wrote to the SRUC Board of Governors and warned that:
The land disposal programme undermines staff confidence and does not seem strategically aligned with the rural consultancy, education and research needs of the Institution and in the case of Elmwood leaves it potentially unsustainable
2. Innovative approach which should have been adopted
Yet, there will have been multiple opportunities since 2016 when the number of courses and students at Elmwood College was reduced, for the SRUC to avoid a financial deficit and maintain the buildings in a good condition by being creative and innovative and inviting other organisations onto the site to make use of the two main buildings they have now closed down and generate an additional income for Elmwood College.
We believe that the staff and students at Elmwood College have been poorly served by the SRUC. There are tremendous opportunities for the land-based sector with multiple environmental crises looming large. Managing farms, forests and golf courses requires skills and manpower, yet at every turn, Elmwood College students and staff would seem to have been stymied by the SRUC actions.
It seems that instead of being championed, it looks as if Elmwood College is being dismantled, and assets stripped and sold to create a slush fund to deal with the debt which we believe has mainly been accrued by the other sites elsewhere in Scotland. If this is the SRUC’s definition of fairness, it is not one that we recognise as the message being sent to the young people in this area would seem to be – look elsewhere for your education.
It really shouldn’t be this way. We are of the opinion therefore that Elmwood College should not have to pay the price for what we believe are the poor management decisions taken by the SRUC Board over the years. We think that the SRUC has a moral duty to treat the Elmwood College site in the same ethical way that it is treating the other sites across Scotland.
The Way Forward
What we need at Elmwood College is Vision and Real Leadership. The managed decline approach needs to be reversed, and every effort made to ensure that Elmwood College becomes and remains a vital source of regional land-based education and training. The Animal Care unit should be retained at Elmwood College.
With that in mind, the students have held protests outside Elmwood College and Parliament. Working with MSP Willie Rennie, a group made up of students, staff and representatives of Elie & Earlsferry CC has been formed to seek alternative solutions that will ensure the long-term sustainability of Elmwood College.
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/5211229/elmwood-protest/
St Andrews Community Hospital Update by the Out of Hours Group
The main issues at St Andrews Community hospital
1) Lack of GPs. Throughout Scotland, GP work is scarce due to increased costs to each GP practice when employing a GP. Overnight there are only 2 GPs for the whole of Fife, both based in Kirkcaldy.
2) Inadequate Mental Health service provision. There is a need for urgent care/emergency care MH teams. The police in Scotland are no longer willing to undertake safety visits. The patients being dealt with in A&E departments are often suicidal. There is no provision at all for CAMHS out of hours (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)
3) Lack of nurses trained in the management of Minor Injuries.
4) In addition to the rest of their OOHS work, OOHS GPs are apparently expected to provide cover at night for the patients in wards in the community hospitals. It would be preferable to have hospital doctors on-site to care for these in-patients.
Current OOHS provision at St Andrews Community Hospital
Weeknights Monday to Friday:
Base GP 7-10pm and 1 Nurse
Mobile GP 7-12pm
Weekends Saturday
Base GP 8am – 10pm and 1 Nurse
Mobile GP 8am - 12pm
Weekends Sunday
Base GP 9am – 9pm and 1 Nurse
Mobile GP 9am – 12pm
It is an appointment only system after 6.00 p.m. for OOHs and MIU
Cars (with drivers for doctors) for OOHS are based at St Andrews, Dunfermline, and Kirkcaldy. One car at each centre.
Patients from all over Fife are coming to St Andrews hospital as Kirkcaldy is so busy (parking is extremely difficult).
Opportunities for improvement at St Andrews Community Hospital
1. Extension of OOHS hours in St Andrews Community Hospital
Weeknights: extend OOHS GP provision at base to 12pm.
Weekends: extend OOHS GP provision at base to 12pm on both Saturdays and Sundays.
2. GP recruitment - Increase GP recruitment.
3. Establishment of Mental Health urgent care/emergency care teams
4. Minor Injuries - Increase the number of nurses trained in Minor Injuries management to increase attendance/provision of care in OOHS in St Andrews Community Hospital. Remove the need for patients to make an appointment to attend the MIU after 6pm. Rather than wait on a call-back from NHS 111, e.g. when a child has suffered a head injury, or an adult has cut themselves with a kitchen knife some patients will head towards A&E at Kirkcaldy or Dundee which are already overcrowded.
5. Community hospital wards - at night, medical cover for patients in the wards in the community hospitals should be provided by doctors on-site.
6. Expand the use of the Hospital unused/under-used premises for community use.
Toll Green
Cllr Alycia Hayes informed the meeting of prices obtained by FC for installation of new flagpole are:
Remove existing and supply new 12m pole - £9,000
Remove existing and supply new 15m pole - £12,400
It was unanimously agreed that a 15m pole would be preferable. Question now is – who is going to pay for it?
Infrastructure
We are still waiting for ‘Watch Your Speed’ signs at both entrances to Elie, as promised at the meeting with Transportation Services in June 2024. **
Due to the several accidents on the shops side of Elie High Street we have once again requested that bollards be placed to a) protect the shop fronts and b). prevent cars from being parked so that their bonnets protrude into the pavement thus making it unusable by wheelchairs and pram pushers.
We understand that both the Sports Club and Elie Golf House Club are considering the instillation of EV charging points. It was universally agreed that this would be much appreciated by visitors.
Police report – from our local community officers. PC Robert Wallace and PC Rob Cook.
ROAD SAFETY
Road Safety within North East Fife continues to be a concern. We are often requested to attend specific roads where speeding is an issue for persons who both live and work in that area. PC’s Cook and Wallace have carried out speed detection checks at sites throughout the area with a total of 12 drivers being warned in respect of their speed. We will continue to carry out such checks whenever possible.
Last month in Elie/Earlsferry there were 8 calls to the police and1 crime recorded
Contact your local community team on email address: eastneuklandwardCPT@scotland.police.uk
Treasurer’s Update
£14,139.14 in bank, of which approx. £9k belongs to Play Park Group. We await invoice from Play Park group for final settlement.
EAG Update
FC has agreed that the Community pay back services will paint the railings round Toll Green but preparation will have to be done by us.
New Community Council Charter
Fife Council is reviewing the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils and inviting members of the public to share their views.
Have your say between 24 March and 16 May 2025
For more information visit https://www.fife.gov.uk/communitycouncils
Next meeting Tuesday 6th May 2025 at 7.30, Earlsferry Town Hall
* Robbie Blyth, FCCT has informed us FCCT are not responsible for the maintenance or inspections of the tower. It is on Fife Council Land. He has copied the Grounds Maintenance Department and the department that deals with public safety and dangerous buildings.
** Since the meeting we have been informed that this application has been withdrawn.
*** Since the meeting we have received communication from Transportation Services apologising for the delay and giving assurances that this will be attended to as soon as possible.
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Minutes of Meeting of Elie and Royal Burgh of Earlsferry Community Council held on 4th March 2025, Earlsferry Town Hall
Present: Angela Anderson, Kirsty Barclay, Grizelda Cowan, Cath McIntosh, Carol Birrell, George Cowan, Alison Christian and Cllr Alycia Hayes
Apologies: Nicky Nicholson, Cllrs Fiona Corps and Sean Dillon
February minutes: Proposed by George and seconded by Carol
New declarations of interest: No new declarations
Councillors’ Updates
Cllr Alycia Hayes apologised for her absence at last meeting due to a family illness.
She updated the meeting on the pressures facing FC re spending on education. The plan to distribute iPads to all Primary school children at a cost of £36k is proving to be quite a task.
FC is to vote on bringing in legislation to ban parking on pavements. Due to their narrowness some streets will be exempt. Angela to advise of any such street in Elie or Earlsferry.
Co-option of new CC member
We have received resignation from Nicky Nicolson. She is happy to attend meetings whenever possible and will remain on the Planning sub group but will no longer have voting rights. It was unanimously agreed that Christian Aitken should be co-opted on to E&ECC with full voting rights.
Planning issues
Proposal for Development on the Dunes by the Harbour
The meeting welcomed local resident Andrew Ovenstone to the meeting who gave a brief introduction of his proposal to build some small ‘pod’ type accommodation on the dunes between the Toft and the Harbour. This proposal is at a very early stage and more details can be found in the News section of EECC website.
It was accepted that there would be a demand for such a development but concern was expressed with regard to possible resulting damage to the dunes, traffic congestion and parking problems. Andrew stressed that everything is at very early stages and that he would be happy to consult with residents of our villages at every stage.
Mobile Phone Mast installation, Park Place 25/00116/TPA. We are still waiting for a reply from Fife Planning to Angela’s email requesting a site meeting to discuss a more appropriate location for this much needed mobile mast. Meanwhile it was agreed that the CC should lodge an objection to the present planning application. (Grizelda to action)
Annerley Glovers Wynd Earlsferry 24/01514/FULL
An objection from the EECC has been submitted and should be available for anyone to see after the notification date has expired – 26th February.
Earlslea, 71 High St Earlsferry 24/03296/FULL and 24/03297/LBC
An objection from the EECC has been submitted and should be available for anyone to see after the notification date has expired – 13th February.
Beachfield 25/00107/FULL
An objection from the EECC has been submitted and should be available for anyone to see after the notification date has expired – 3rd March
Kilspindie 24/03202/CAC
An objection from the EECC has been submitted and should be available for anyone to see after the notification date has expired – 6th March
Elie and Earlsferry Local Place Plan
This has now been officially lodged and registered with Fife Council. Find Elie and Earlsferry’s Local Place Plan here, All planning applications should abide by its guidance.
Update on Participation Request regarding Elmwood College
Angela attended a meeting along with Fife Councillors, students and staff, MSP Willie Rennie and MP Wendy Chamberlain, at which the closure of the Small Animal Department was being considered. Following a very lively meeting a campaign and a petition have been launched in an attempt to save this valuable department. The EECC has produced an Interim Report on Elmwood College and the Community Council’s sub-group’s experience of the Participation Request submitted to the SRUC seeking engagement in the decision-making process on its future. Please go to our website to read this.
For more information about the future of Elmwood College Watch MP Wendy Chamberlain’s video.
First Responders update
Local training has been arranged with eight trainees signed up. This will be delivered by members of the Scottish Ambulance Service but local qualified First Responders have not been invited to attend or assist in provision of the training. Yet the recent Scottish Ambulance Service: Independent Review of Volunteer Delivered Services (31st January 2025) flags up a number of issues including the findings that there was a general feeling across some of the volunteer network that Responders were not considered as part of the SAS Family. Whilst it also states that ‘much is being done to try to reverse these negative impacts’, it does not appear to be happening in NE Fife.
Reconfiguration of Minor Injuries Services in N E Fife
Proposals for reconfiguration of Minor Injuries care units in North East Fife are being considered. The clinically preferred model chosen from that process was the proposal to relocate Minor Injuries services currently delivered at Adamson Hospital in Cupar into one single Minor Injury Unit based at St Andrews Community Hospital.
For more information on this please click here where you will also have the opportunity to share your views via online survey about the clinically preferred model being considered.
Toll Green
We are still waiting for a decision from Fife Council on the future of our flagpole. Cllr Alycia Hayes is on to it. Meanwhile, it was decided that, when the new flagpole is eventually installed, it will be dedicated to Ian and Cath McIntosh in recognition of their services to the village during their 21 years as proprietors of Elie Newsagents.
Infrastructure
The CC was glad to note that the lamppost at the end of Earlsferry High Street has been repaired. Cllr Alycia Hayes informed the meeting that, in future, all signposts will be galvanised which should prolong their lives.
There remains a build up of sand on South Street and it is hoped that this will be dealt with soon.
The lights on South Street and Fountain Road still require attention.
We are still waiting for ‘Watch Your Speed’ signs at both entrances to Elie, as promised at the meeting with Transportation Services in June 2024
Police report – from our local community officers. PC Robert Wallace and PC Rob Cook.
Contact your local community team on email address: eastneuklandwardCPT@scotland.police.uk
Road Safety within North East Fife continues to be a concern. We are often requested to attend specific roads where speeding is an issue for persons who both live and work in that area. PC’s Cook and Wallace carried out speed detection sites throughout the area with a total of 21 drivers being warned in respect of their speed and one driver being issued with a fixed penalty ticket for an expired MOT. We will continue to carry out such checks whenever possible.
In Elie/Earlsferry there were five calls to the Police,1 crime recorded, February 2025
Playpark Update
All new equipment is now in place and it is expected that the park will be officially opened shortly.
Treasurer’s Update
£14,139.14 in bank, of which approx. £9k belongs to Play Park Group. We await invoice from Play Park group for final settlement.
Next meeting Tuesday 1st April 2025 at 7.30, Earlsferry Town Hall
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Minutes of Meeting of Elie and Royal Burgh of Earlsferry Community Council held on 4th February 2025, Earlsferry Town Hall
Present: Angela Anderson, Kirsty Barclay, Grizelda Cowan, Cath McIntosh, Carol Birrell, George Cowan
Apologies: Alison Christian, Nicky Nicholson and Cllrs Fiona Corps, Sean Dillon and Alycia Hayes
November minutes: Proposed by Kirsty and seconded by George
New declarations of interest: No new declarations
Councillors’ Updates
Sean Dillon via email:
East Neuk Cash Access:
After having several discussions with LINK and the FCA, a report into cash access in the East Neuk has been compiled. This report found that our community does not have adequate access to cash and as a result has recommended that a Cash Hub be opened in Anstruther. This would be operated by the Post Office and would allow people to deposit and withdraw money free of charge as well as provide a change service to local businesses. I am meeting with the project manager on Thursday, (06/02/2025), to visit potential locations. I will provide an update to the Community Council in due course.
Provision of After School Care in the East Neuk:
The East Neuk Centre, of which I am trustee, is currently undertaking a consultation about providing after school care in one of our building in Anstruther. Parents that would be interested in using this service can visit the Trust’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/eastneukcentre.trust) or contact the trust at info@eastneukcentre.org.uk.
Secondary School Enrolment:
If your child is currently in P7 and you don't want them to attend their catchment secondary school, you'll need to make a placing request. For children due to start S1 in August 2025, placing requests must be received by 9.00am on 17th of March 2025. Further information and the placing request form can be found on the council’s website at https://www.fife.gov.uk/services/apply-for-it-online/apply-for-a-school-place/enrol-in-secondary-school.
Co-option of new CC member
Christian Aitken was welcomed to the meeting as a possible new member of the CC. Enquiries are to be made as to whether we can have an extra member as the present role stands at eight and if he can have voting rights.
E&ECC Website
It was agreed that we should continue with Spanglefish as provider of our website and pay £39 for ‘Gold’ status in order to avoid adverts.
Constitution
Our updated constitution has now been signed and sent to Fife Council for validation. This can be read on the CC website - https://www.elieandearlsferrycc.org/index.asp?pageid=739700 .
Planning issues
The following planning applications were discussed:
Mobile Phone Mast installation, Park Place – the meeting supports Alex Nairn’s proposal that the mast should be placed in a less obtrusive location, near to present proposed site but more out of sight from the road, on land owned by Elie Estate. Angela to send proposal to Graduate Town Planner – WHP telecoms Ltd.
Annerley Glovers Wynd Earlsferry 24/01514/FULL
Following discussion with some input from several neighbouring residents, it was unanimously agreed the E&ECC should lodge an objection to the application. Full details of the objection will be available to read once the FC Planning Department makes all comments visible but, briefly, the reasons for objection are that the application is not in line with the Local Place Plan guidelines and is grossly out of scale with the site.
Earlslea, 71 High St Earlsferry 24/03296/FULL and 24/03297/LBC
Concerns were expressed on over development of the garden with the extensive modern extension with flat roof and extensive glazing which bears no resemblance to the existing building. It was felt that this modern extension is out of proportion with the main property both in size, construction and materials. The CC has requested Consultee Status to allow further discussion
Carnethy 49 High St, Earlsferry 24/03331/FULL
The CC has already requested Consultee Status but it was agreed that no objection should be lodged
Beachfield 25/00107/FULL
It was agreed, unanimously, that there were enough concerns about this application to justify an objection. Beachfield would have a significant impact on surrounding houses with its non-conventional design. As the application is for 2 storeys, it would be out of scale, have windows overlooking adjoining gardens and a very large metal roof sloping back towards the north which would be very intrusive. The CC has requested Consultee Status to allow further discussion.
Kilspindie 24/03202/CAC
Concern was voiced over the new access gates onto Bank Street for six cars which would impact on visibility. The CC has requested Consultee Status to allow further discussion.
Participation requests
Update on Participation Request regarding Elmwood College
Elmwood college has now been left with a reduced footprint following the closure by the SRUC of its main building and accommodation. It would seem that there is now no social space where the students can meet up and share information and learning. There is no café or pool table and only a very small room which would seem to serve as a library. As the SRUC now has university status, its focus in the future may be on undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses.
However, if there can be an extended footprint at Elmwood college, which makes use of some of the land which the old buildings sit on, it would be helpful to have some knowledge of what the students are currently seeking when they attend college and see if it can be provided at Elmwood. Is the emphasis on Apprenticeships, blended learning, social integration space etc. How successful and productive are the school/college partnerships?
With Elie & Earlsferry community council being part of a wider community of interest, focussed on the improvement of further education in the East Fife area, research is now ongoing into the type of model which is available at other colleges in rural areas in Scotland. Newbattle college at Dalkeith, Fife College, Dundee and Angus college and the NW Hebrides colleges have been contacted with a view to gathering information on the educational models they are currently providing.
First Responders update
Following our recent Freedom of Information Request the Scottish Ambulance Service provided our Participation Request group with access to their recent review of the Volunteer Responder Service (31st January 2025).
The review can be accessed at: Reports - Microsoft Word - 2025-01-31 Volunteer Delivered Services Report
It was noted in the review that:
there was a general feeling that across some of the volunteer network the Volunteer Responders were ‘not part of the SAS family’. It should be recognised that much is being done to try to reverse these negative impacts. There are areas of excellent practice being delivered – proactive collaboration between local ambulance staff/stations and responders, new staff to deliver training and support, changes within the ACC and the AR Desk, and an emerging view that Volunteer Responders count. These incentives need to be capitalised on, enhanced and developed; with further work the network could feel better supported and valued by SAS. This in turn delivers enhanced healthcare and wellbeing to SAS patients, local communities and the general public. SAS has committed to building on and developing the role and remit of volunteers in the network and this report represents part of that commitment.
uilding the Volunteer Responder Service There is a requirement to evolve from managing volunteers to delivering a Volunteer Responder Service. This Service needs to be integrated into SAS, to be supported by training, logistics, project management, corporate communication and ITC. The Volunteer Responders have a critical role in the delivery of compassionate, safe and effective care to patients across Scotland.
The review findings would seem to aspire to strengthen the role of the Community First Responder Service and seek to integrate it into the Scottish Ambulance Service, which is very positive. A meeting will be held shortly hold with the local Community First Responders to see how we can build on these findings and recommendations.
Toll Green
The Green is looking so much tidier now all the trees have been pollarded and, when the better weather comes, it will be a much more pleasant place to sit in.
We are still waiting for a decision from Fife Council on the future of our flagpole.
Infrastructure
The CC was glad to note that the excess sand on all the roads following Storm Eowyn at the Harbour Road, Fountain Road and South Street has been removed.
The CC is delighted to note that repairs have been carried out at Boat Wynd and the cage, has at last been removed.
Transportation Services have been informed of the sign on A917 north of the entrance to the caravan site has been blown down in Storm Eowyn.
Police report – from our local community officers. PC Robert Wallace and PC Rob Cook.
Contact your local community team on our email address:
eastneuklandwardCPT@scotland.police.uk
In Elie/Earlsferry there were 11 calls to the police and 3 crimes recorded.
Playpark Update
Work has started on construction at the play park. The children are hopeful that when it is all finished the workmen will leave their digger behind.
Church Update via email
The paperwork for registration of the Community Benefit Society was filed at the start of January so we are waiting to hear back from the FCA. Once we have confirmation that the CBS is registered we intend to proceed with grant funding applications.
We are preparing our application to the Scottish Land Fund for stage 1 funding which would support the costs of the feasibility work, including the condition survey, independent valuation and feasibility assessment for proposed new purposes for the church and architect support. We will also be looking at other funding sources to cover these costs.
We have also received quotes for the legal work associated with the purchase to allow us to consider future costs if we proceed with the purchase.
We had our last meeting on 31 January and also had someone from the Earlsferry Townhall Committee join as an observer to share information.
We have our next steering committee meeting on 21 March.
AOB
We have received a request from Bill Porteous and Andrew Ovenstone who wish to attend our next meeting to make suggestions for various projects they are considering in Elie Bay. We have asked them to provide more details prior to our next meeting.
Kirsty spoke with Alex Nairn about the possibility providing electric car charging on his land at Ruby Bay. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be a viable proposition.
The costs of maintaining the defibrillator at the bus stop in Elie was discussed.
Next meeting Tuesday 4th March 2025 at 7.30, Earlsferry Town Hall
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Minutes of Meeting of Elie and Royal Burgh of Earlsferry Community Council held on 7th January 2025, Earlsferry Town Hall
Present: Angela Anderson, Kirsty Barclay, Grizelda Cowan, Cath McIntosh, Carol Birrell, Nicky Nicholson, George Cowan and Cllr Alycia Hayes
Apologies: Alison Christian and Cllr Fiona Corps
November minutes: Proposed by Nicky and seconded by Kirsty
New declarations of interest: No new declarations
Councillors’ Updates
Alycia Hayes
Alycia has alerted FC to the need to have Toll Green Flag Pole removed and discussions are on-going re its replacement. Once we have an idea of what might be on offer from FC we will share this information with the local community. Thanks were expressed to Neil Grieve for his input and suggestions.
Alycia has requested that extra general waste bins should be provided, mainly for the benefit of visitors staying in holiday homes where there is no provision for waste disposal, but it seems unlikely that this request will be actioned. It is understood that the letting companies which manage short term lets do advise all their tenants on how to dispose of their rubbish but, regretfully, many are still using the village bins for all types of household rubbish.
Alycia informed the meeting that certain areas in Fife are being considered as ‘control zones’ for short term lets and it was agreed that Elie and Earlsferry should be considered as a pilot.
Questions from Public
We have received a request that street lighting in Fountain Road and South Street should be improved. Not only are the new lights not effective but there are parts in both streets where there is no lighting at all. Alycia to make request to FC.
We have also received request that the villages urgently need some public electric car charging points. It was noted that an application to install two points behind the church was made last year but there has been no action. One suggestion from the floor was that the lower Ruby Bay car park might be an ideal location.
Participation Requests Update
A further request was submitted to the parliamentary committee reviewing Participation Requests for a body which could oversee Participation Requests and establish an Appeals mechanism along with sanctions for non-compliance. Evidence of the Public Bodies’ negative and at times, obstructive response to Participation Requests was also submitted. Malcom Cowie who heads up the committee responded and advised that there is an ongoing review of the Community Empowerment Act and the need for Appeals and a review mechanism has been included in the review. The findings will be made available early next year.
Community First Responders
The Scottish Ambulance Service rejected the Participation Request submitted by Elie & Earlsferry Community Council on the grounds that they did not wish to discuss one of the key issues raised by our group i.e. extension of the Community First Responder role and recognition and accreditation of prior learning, as a review of the Community First Responder role is already ongoing. The recognition and accreditation by the Scottish Ambulance Service of the prior learning obtained by the Community First Responders would enable the Community First Responders along with paramedics to deliver the training locally.
The Scottish Ambulance has however agreed to provide training locally at Anstruther. Eight people have applied to take part in the training but there is concern that, if 10 suitable candidates are not available for training on the dates specified by the Scottish Ambulance Service, the training location will revert back to Newbridge. Information on the reasons for the Scottish Ambulance Service rejection has been included in the submission to Parliament. Also, a Freedom of Information Request was submitted to the Scottish Ambulance Service on 20 December 2025 requesting they provide us with up-to-date information on where the review of the Community First Responders is currently at.
Elmwood College
At the workshop with the Scottish Rural College, we tried to promote Apprenticeships as a way forward for Elmwood College. The Rural College indicated there was a limit on the number of Apprenticeships they could utilise. However following an approach by MSP Willie Rennie to the Minister for Further and Higher Education as to whether the Land based pilot project is to be extended, the Minister responded and shared the sentiment that the Land-based Pre-Apprenticeship program is a good route into the agricultural sector for students and while the Land Based Pre Apprenticeship Program has been developed on a pilot basis, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon and her officials are considering next steps for the programme. This includes options on taking it out of the pilot phase, expanding the programme, and providing more certainty over the longevity of the programme.
A Freedom of Information Request was submitted to the Scottish Rural College on 2 December 2024 to provide information on the income generated from the sale of the assets at Elmwood – the farm and the forestry land. We also asked for a tour of the site. The College declined to provide us with requested information on the grounds that it can be obtained from the Land Registry. We then advised the College that this would incur quite substantial costs, and we would expect to be reimbursed. The College responded that any additional information we wish to obtain from other bodies would be at our own cost, as the Scottish Rural College has no responsibility for this. They have however agreed to allow us to walk round the grounds. We are interested to see what space is available to extend the footprint at Elmwood.
We will be contacting the Scottish Rural College towards the end of January about the establishment of the working group to take forward the Outcome Improvement process. To-date, no clear Outcomes have been identified or systems put in place to monitor the Outcome Improvement Process and to see whether the desired improvements have been achieved.
Planning issues
We are awaiting decision from Fife Planning for:
A 12m flagpole at The Old Parsonage next to the Episcopal Church
A 2nd balcony at 1 Williamsburgh overlooking Mount Stuart and two over large dormer windows 24/02953/FULL and 22/02278/FULL)
The CC confirmed their support for erection of a mobile mast at the top of Park Place.
Local Place Plan
This has been sent to Fife Council but, unfortunately, has not yet been ratified. We hope that this will be actioned soon.
Infrastructure
The CC was glad to note that the excess sand on the road at the Harbour Road has been removed. Angela has sent another request that the dunes which are now encroaching on to the road be cut back to the original wall. Alycia informed the meeting that a pedestrian footway from the Toft to the harbour area is scheduled to be put in place this year. The CC has requested that this work should not be carried out during the busy summer months.
Yet again particular concern was expressed about the state of the access to the beach at Boat Wynd. Despite repeated requests, this has not been attended to and is now very dangerous. Cllr Alycia Hayes agreed to bring it to attention of FC – again.
Police report – from our local community officers. PC Robert Wallace and PC Rob Cook.
Contact your local community team on our email address:
eastneuklandwardCPT@scotland.police.uk
ROAD SAFETY
Road Safety within North East Fife continues to be front & centre for our officers. We are requested weekly to attend specific roads where speeding is an issue for persons who both live and work in that area. PC’s Cook and Wallace have carried out several speed detection sites throughout the area with a total of 25 drivers receiving warnings in respect of their speed, 1 vehicle seized for no insurance and 1 driver issued a ticket for not having an MOT certificate, we will continue to carry out such checks whenever possible. These deployments will continue to #KeepingPeopleSafe
In Elie/Earlsferry there were18 calls to the police. 2 crimes recorded
Giffordtown Speed Camera Trial
The cost for operating a similar trial as the Giffordtown one was confirmed to be £800. This would be paid by the CC who would also have the responsibility of collecting the data of speeding traffic and passing this information on to the Police. It was felt by the majority of CC members that this is not a job for the CC and, as a result, it was agreed we will not be participating in this project. It was also noted that that we are still waiting for ‘Your Speed’ signs at the two main entrances to the village. These were promised at the transportation meeting held in June 2024. Alycia agreed to speak to Nigel Hampton to request they be put in place as soon as possible.
Gateway Signs
They have now been repainted and replaced. Thanks were expressed to Carol who organised this.
Next meeting Tuesday 4th February 2025 at 7.30, Earlsferry Town Hall
