Minute of Inaugural Meeting of the Elie and Royal Burgh of Earlsferry Community Council held within Earlsferry Town Hall at 7.00 pm on Monday, 1st November, 2010 Present: Mesdames Rowan and Stevenson; Messrs Bell, Blaney, Meldrum, Ritchie, Robertson and Sneddon with Councillor Riches in the chair. Welcome: Councillor Riches congratulated those present on their election. Appointments: Mr Robertson was elected Chairman on the motion of Mr Blaney, seconded by Mr Ritchie; Mr Ritchie was elected Vice-Chairman on the motion of Mr Robertson, seconded by Mrs Rowan; Mr Sneddon was elected Secretary on the motion of Mr Robertson, seconded by Mrs Rowan; and Mr Meldrum was elected Treasurer on the motion of Mr Blaney, seconded by Mrs Stevenson. Mr Robertson then took the chair and thanked the council for the honour done him. Elie Surgery: The Chairman invited Drs Marston and Francis, who were present for this item, to speak to proposed changes in hours at Elie Surgery. They explained that since the amalgamation of Pittenweem and Elie Surgeries in 1992, the partners had tried to work as one practice while retaining the benefits of local services, but that this had become increasingly difficult for several reasons including employment law, health and safety issues and the need to utilise advances in technology to provide local investigations such as ECG, spirometry, Doppler testing, etc which cannot be duplicated at two sites. In the circumstances it was proposed to close Elie Surgery on Thursday afternoons and, in exceptional circumstances, on up to three afternoons per week, at which times, however, full service would be available at Pittenweem and, to compensate for the reduction in routine afternoon appointments, there would be a proportionate increase in afternoon appointments in Elie on Mondays and Fridays. After further explanation, the council indicated their support for the proposed changes and agreed to post details of the proposals on the council notice board. Drs Marston and Francis thanked the council for the audience and left the meeting. Minutes: Minute of meeting of 1st October, 2010 was held as read, approved and signed. Matters arising from the minutes: (a) Armorial Stone: It was confirmed that Mr A Rennie would continue to advise on progress in this matter. (b) Braehead Lane: Mr Bell reported on his investigations into this matter and confirmed that Braehead Lane was in fact the lane generally referred to as such. (c) Chain of Office: It was agreed not to remove the chain of office from safe custody in the Royal Bank of Scotland until the question of insurance was resolved. Council Service: The Secretary was requested to write to Mesdames Barclay and Walker, thanking them for their years of excellent service on the community council. Questions from the Public: (a) Earlsferry High Street One Way System: Mrs Rowan advised that on several occasions, motorists travelling west on Earlsferry High Street, on realising that there was no further through road, had turned and driven back down the High Street. It was agreed to seek a site meeting with a representative of Fife Council Transportation Services with a view to resolving the problem. (b) Wadeslea: There was submitted a request by a local resident that “No Through Road” signs be provided at the cul de sac at Wadeslea, which visitors erroneously assume gives access to the High Street and that a Wadeslea sign be provided at the eastern end of Admiralty Lane. It was agreed to raise the matter with Transportation. Arising from discussion of this item, Councillor Riches undertook to check on progress in the provision of “Slow Down” signs at the eastern end of the High Street. Notice Boards: It was agreed to seek funds from the Fife Council Locality Budget for the provision of replacement notice boards ex adverso the Town Hall and at the Church gates. Councillor’s Report: Councillor Riches advised that (a) counsel’s opinion on the wall at West House, South Street had been received earlier in the day and that the community council would be advised further in early course: (b) the Planning Committee had continued consideration of the application for permission to erect a replacement bus shelter at Toll Green of a similar type to that at the Church in view of the public petition submitted, in respect of which It was agreed to advise the petition organisers of the situation: and (c) Fife Council intended to undertake public consultations on the means by which the required savings of £20million in their budget could be achieved and the implications thereof for council services. Projects: At the instance of the Chairman, it was agreed to pursue the acquisition of a St Ayles skiff for competition with neighbouring villages. It was agreed to seek part funding from Fife Council’s Locality Budget and remitted to Mrs Stevenson and Mr Meldrum to take the project further in terms of financing and building the skiff. The Chairman also outlined a proposal to create a scrub woodland on the East Links by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. It was agreed to support the proposal and the Chairman undertook to raise the matter with the landowners. It was further agreed to ask Mr Albert Lawrie to be involved in the matter. Secretary’s Report and other correspondence: (a) Alzheimers Association. It was agreed to accept an offer by the association to address the next meeting on their work. (b) Insurance: There was noted submission by Bluefin Insurance Services Ltd on the cover offered by them for the personal liability of individual community councillors. Treasurer’s Report: It was noted that the balance of funds as at date stood at £1412.61. Planning Matters: There were noted planning applications submitted since the last meeting. AOCB: At the instance of Mr Blaney, it was agreed (a) to consult with Mr Graham Meacher with a view to publishing community council minutes and related matters on the Elie website and (b) to have an official photograph of the council taken at the next meeting. There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.40 pm with a vote of thanks to the chair