Present:

NQCC: - Lin Collis (LC) Vice Chair, Mary Finlayson (MF), Sheila Foggon (SF), Jim George (JG), David Shields (DS),

Fife Council (FC) Councillors: Cllr David Barratt (DB), Cllr Dave Dempsey (DD);

Police:  Jim Bell, Richard Duncan

Member of Public: Maricruz Garcia

   Agenda Reference

Description

Action

1. Apologies

Donna Beveridge (DCB), Bruce Finlayson (BF) – attending Edinburgh Noise Advisory Board for NQCC, Christina McKenzie (CM), Iain Mitchell (IM), Peter Selbie (PS), Cllr Alice McGarry (AM) 

Cllr Lesley Laird (MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath)

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting

Approved after DD changed to DB in 4 Police Report.

3. Matters Arising

10. Virgin Broadband: Kevin Hughes is reviewing options for the village and has been invited to report to the next meeting.

18.4 Damaged Slips at Taigh An Rubha: no action or resolution to date.

DS

CM(?)

4. Police Report

1. Eight calls recorded down from nine in the previous period.

2. One Crime File opened in last period.

The incident relates to an intended theft at the Ferrybridge Hotel at about 23.50hrs on the 3 May. An unknown person appears to have entered the kitchen area of the hotel and left after being disturbed by staff. Nothing was stolen.

3. Pierhead issues Kenny Bow responded to a Pierhead resident.  AM arranging a Pierhead meeting, SF suggested a weekend date.  Key people to invite Phil Clarke, Ian Jones, Alastair Mutch, Councillors.

4. Abandoned car at West Sands (untaxed / no MOT) DD established car is on Fife Council Housing land: he is contacting team for its removal.

5. Protest expected at Deep Sea World on 12 May by Empty the Tanks.

6. Vehicles using the Forth Road Bridge:  fines being introduced for illegal use.

DD

5. Traffic Issues

No Report

6. Edinburgh Airport Update

MF reports that Memorandum of Agreement for Edinburgh Noise Advisory Board (EDNAB) is now in place.  Edinburgh Airport has agreed to pay for investigation of noise levels.  EDNAB has requested a meeting with Gordon Robertson, Director of Communication, Edinburgh Airport.  Concerns expressed again about noise levels and night flying. 

7. Village Defibrillators, update

North Queensferry Heritage Trust is near to installing a defibrillator at the station due to successful funding from British Heart Foundation and permission from Network Rail.  The West Bay location may be at the cabin or the workshop – until the new public convenience is in place.  Community Centre (CC) location under discussion by CC Management Committee.   NQCC still to identify a site for the fourth defibrillator at the bottom of the village. SF making funding applications while ensuring all defibrillators are the same model and ambulance compatible.  Meeting David Booth from Linlithgow on 23 May for advice.  DS to investigate electric supply at The Albert / bus stop location.

SF

DS

8.  Fife Councillor’s Reports

1. Mount Hooly and The Brae: residents think the overgrown slope is infested with rats – DB contacting Environmental Health.  Discussed clearing slope replace with single species ‘carpet’. 

2. Bridge Graffiti: Followed up by DB.  Fife Council may do the removal – with Network Rail (NR) oversight.  DS to contact NR.

3. MUGA: DB received complaint about traffic and destruction of green space.

4. River Taxi: DB  proposes that FC develops a strategy to  identify key partners and consider infrastructure upgrades (including piers and toilets) which will be required to facilitate a ‘river taxi’ connecting Kincardine, Culross, Rosyth, North Queensferry, Aberdour and Inchcolm. FC undertaking a study.

5. New Battery Road Toilet: DB trying to secure funding.

6. Recycling Point at Rear of Station: DB reported that NQHT want to improve the appearance of the back of the station.  FC allows one recycling point per 800 houses so NQ has over provision.  Alternative at Deep Sea World is closed at night.  Site visit being arranged to discuss alternatives – DB will argue to keep both facilities.

7. Lighting on Ferry Crossing:  meets relevant standards but is being monitored.

8. Pierhead Playpark:  DD advises that the action group is making good progress. They have been advised to become a sub group of the Community Trust.  Dave Manderson of FC assigned to support.  DD contacting FC Parks Department.

DB

DS

DB

DD

9. Community Group Updates

1.Community Trust:  Agree to assist with Pierhead Playpark.  The Albert’s future has been discussed and options considered including proposals for a community pub.  A community consultation would be required to show that there would be support from at least 10% of population.  Request must be made to NQCC to begin consultation with the village and provide a note of interest.   Decision deferred to next meeting to allow more councillors to comment, meanwhile LC checking exactly what the Trust requires from NQCC.

2. Rowing club: Good turnout for fundraising wine tasting.

IM

10.  Planning Applications

2.5 Storey extension at Northcliffe.  Renewal of planning consent for 1 Bridge View, DB / DD / JG to check plans.

Extension at 29 Carlingnose Point – Additional Permission had to be sought from Scottish Wildlife Trust as work impinged on the adjacent Site of Special Scientific Interest.

DB / DD / JG

11. Treasurer’s Report

No report.

12.  Floral Enhancement

Advertisement in Ferry News seeking volunteers.  DB suggests working parties.  Tubs are OK – The Brae is main issue. LC has resigned from organising volunteers.

13.  Correspondence

One anonymous letter from a Pierhead resident to FC, Ross Speirs (RS), re use of pier by Calypso Marine.  RS replied to NQCC.  Discussion – parking vehicles and boats gives the impression that the pier is for the sole use of Calypso Marine who need to apply in writing for written permission.  N.B.: elsewhere, fishermen pay harbour dues.  Question raised about physical condition of the pier – that it’s ‘back is broken’.

14.  Any other competent business

1. Public Toilets: Suggestion to provide temporary public toilets.

2. CCTV at Rock House, Main Street – does this take in public areas?

3. Combined Sewer Overflow structure at Railway Pier:  DS advised to check ownership with Fife Region

4. Sewage Works by B981:  Comments on the continued foul smells. DB reported that improvements were in hand.

5. Battery Road Car Park – suggested that this is kept open until sunset.  Agreed more members required to discuss – carried forward.

6. Circular walking route: FC working with South Queensferry and LC to promote a route around the north and south sides of the Forth making use of public transport, cycling and walking. 

7. Snags:  JG advises repair to Battery Road wall still outstanding as well as selected road and manhole repairs.

8. The Brae: new 3T sign for lorries at lower end.

9. B981:  Poor quality join at boundary with Queensferry Crossing project.  More 20 MPH signs required.

10. Ferryhills Road: DD reports resurfacing due this year or the next.

11. A9000 Forth Bridge Approach FCBC slurry pit for road sweeper washings is non compliant and unsafe. DS reporting this to SEPA.

DS

DS

Next NQCC meeting:  7.30pm, Thursday 14 June 2018, North Queensferry Community Centre.  Members of the public are very welcome to attend.