Minutes 2025
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