1. Chair : Jane Hutchinson,Present : John Arbuckle, Sandy Brydon, Everett Hill, Nova Pinfold, Jan Wightman, Councillor Andrew Arbuckle and 2 members of the public

2.  Apologies : Councillor Donald Lothian, Monique Sanders

3. Minutes of Meeting held on 7 November 2011 : were approved and signed.

4. Business arising from the minutes :-

4.1    Cycle Path – The Secretary had written to Cemex to ask that they allow a strip of their quarried out land to be used as a cycle path. Despite several follow-up phone calls no response has been received. We would give the company another week to respond and if nothing was forthcoming we would make the press aware of this matter.

4.2    Kinloch Quarry – Fife Council had received a ‘Scoping Enquiry’ from the developers. This appears to ask ‘Planning’ if they require any more information on the proposed project before an application is made. No comments from interested parties are invited at this stage.

4.3    Planning Application – This application for 5 houses at Charlottetown has been refused.

4.4    Choked Gullies –  Donald was pursuing this problem with the householder involved.

4.5    Ponding at Q63 Corner – Donald had spoken to the appropriate Fife Council official and the matter was receiving her attention. Members expressed their frustration at this continuing problem over at least 5 years and despite our entreaties no action from the Council.

4.6    Angle Park Road – A complaint from the owner of an equestrian establishment about pigs and other animals kept close by was discussed again. Members could see arguments on both sides but the meeting agreed that we did not have the power to do anything. We hoped that the parties involved could compromise on their positions and attitudes.

4.7    Fife Forest and Woodland Strategy – A member of our community had attended a recent drop in session to discuss the above. Policy was for Fife to have attractive, biodiverse woodland, contributing to the local economy, providing benefits to local residents. Local people were to be involved in planning, creating and developing this. Our representative made the point that post quarrying we didn’t want any more ponds or water features but trees and forestry could play a part.

4.8    Grit Boxes – The Secretary established from Fife Council that we were not immediately in line to receive a grit box for the Jacobscroft corner. One has been purchased and installed on site. Fife Council agreed to keep it filled.

4.9    Autumn Clean-up – This was carried out with a good number of volunteers. Because it was a month later than normal it was more difficult to see the rubbish for the leaves, but there was still a sizeable pile of black bags at the end of it.

5. Business :-

6. Correspondence :-

6.1 The A92 Action Group had been in touch with the Secretary about support for improvements to the road. He reiterated our view which is - total opposition to dualling north of New Inn and support for BEAR’s proposals to improve the junctions around Ladybank.      

7. AOCB :-

7.1 Rossie Road – Concern was expressed about the state of the road from Charlottetown to Rossie, especially the part going through the woods north of Kilwhiss.Andrew would investigate.

7.2 Potholes – Just south of the Kinloch road-end were now more visible. The Secretary would report them.

7.3 Monkstown – The surface there was very poor but Andrew said that several other places were in a similar condition and resources were limited.

7.4 R.O.W. – From Kinloch to Burnside of Innerleith was no longer signposted. Chair would investigate.

7.5 Kinloch Bends – Concern was expressed at the number of accidents here on frosty mornings. The road was never dry and black ice was always a potential hazard. Andrew would investigate gritting on the whole of the B937 which is a bus route, but especially the Kinloch bends.

7.6 Angie Emmler – of Kinloch was willing to take Margaret Greig’s place on Council.The meeting agreed to her appointment.

7.7 Methane smell – Several local residents complained about an unpleasant smell emanating from Melville landfill site on some frosty mornings. The Secretary would contact SEPA.                      

8. Confirm Date of Next Meeting - Monday  5 March 2012