Meeting Date: Thursday 24th November 2016 @ 6.30 pm Benarty Community Centre In attendance: Gavin Turner- Fife Council Architect Andy McLellan Fife Council Mark Hood Cllr Chris Broome FCCS Board, Lochore Meadows County Park Michael O Hare Benarty Forum Lorna Bett Benarty Forum Lea McLelland Benarty Community Council Kerry Duff Benarty Astros Terry Ironside Golf Club Kevin Sayers Fife Council Diane Diplacito Community Tom Kinnaird Community Brian Menzies Benarty Community Council Sharon Shields Benarty Forum Kevin Payne Community Apologies: Gordon Mackie Benarty Community Council Andy advised that list of planning applications had been sent to all surrounding Community Councils including Benarty on 13th June 2016. They do not have plans attached. Andy produced the plans to show how we could amend the building. Diane asked if they had brought any other designs and other building options as those who attended the public meeting had made it very clear that they did not want this design and wanted an alternative building. Andy stated that this was the only building on offer. Brian Menzies asked/stated that Fife Council have not met the protocol of the regulations to planning. He also stated that originally, the budget for the new centre was 2m. Diane asked that is further funding was not available, could we not ask the community groups to support fund raising, not the community. Diane also asked Cllr Hood if he was able to go back and look for more funding. Cllr Hood said it was possible for him to do this but a business plan would have to be discussed. Lorna Bett advised the members of Fife Council that some of the Community are angry that they have not been consulted and they do not want the building that has been chosen by Fife Council. (We) The group that we have been asked to put together, need to answer the community to the failings of Fife Council and the Trust. Andy from Fife Council advised that on or around 20th January there was a presentation of the project then the project was left for the Officers/Planning to manage. He advised that boards had been handed into the Benarty Centre for the public to view. Michael O'Hare stated that, after investigation it was found that the plans had not been handed in to the centre or the library. Lorna went to reception to check and was told that the plans had been handed in but only earlier in the week. Andy conceded that 'the boards might not have gone up, but that's just the way it is. The fact is this is where we are now and we have to move on'. Andy advised the square footage of the building as explained in the plans. The reason for demolition was given that the current building has too much
office space. Tom pointed put that office space can easily be assigned to any purpose the building requires and that that is not a reason in itself to condemn the building. Michael O Hare advised that building is not going to be suitable to meet the future needs of the park. Chris Broome advised that it is as he previously worked in the park for 28 yrs with the old building and the figures for the visitors has not changed. Tom said that in 2015 there was a press article asking the public what facilities they wanted in the new visitor centre. He asked if the responses from this exercise were available? None of the representatives knew anything about it. Chris Broome asked if Tom could forward that article for him to investigate. Andy also advised that emails had been sent to the community council on 13th June regarding the proposal. Andy referred to minutes from an advisory board meeting and stated that the advisory board had agreed to go ahead with the building. Lorna Bett refuted that and stated that the board had been split on their feeling about the building. Lorna had herself raised the issue of the outside of building. Andy talked around the plans and the functions that the current building has and what the new building is going to cover, (Pg 2 of building plans) Pg 1 Acoustic Dramatic Walls, he stated that this can create 3 rooms. It might be a smaller building but will meet the needs of the public as has more footage rather than non public access. 260 sq mtr of room. Andy also chatted around the toilet plan and the access which also has the same footing as the current building. Also if needed, the Golf/Football new build will also have access. Kevin Payne stated they will be there as nothing to do with the new building decision anyway. Tom Kinnaird challenged square mtr, Andy advised no wasted space. Leah McLelland challenged what if Golf/Football new building is being used on same day as events. Andy advised that Golf Trust/Football has had to meet compromise and explained. Tom Kinnaird advised according to records the Trust has been very successful in the first two years raising funds. The Trust was going to Match Fund why has this not come to fruition? Chris Broome advised that Trust would need to have occupancy for 25ys plus to get funding. Trust has been going round in circles trying to get funding. He advised that funding is more complicated than it looks. Mark Hood advised that due to Legislation changes funding is not available. Andy McLellan advised funding is not guaranteed to anyone/organisation externally. Tom Kinnaird challenged this due to the evidence he holds in paperwork. Andy McLellan advised if they had got funding it would be a different conversation. Michael O Hare asked if the Trust didn t get funding did Trust/Fife Council go anywhere else to get funding. Michael challenged the budget as it had gone down to 600k then to 300k. Should alarm bells not be ringing as the project started at 2m? He asked Fife Council/Mark Hood/Trust why was the community not
asked for a contribution, Andy advised he doesn t know if this is possible with Fife Council. Lorna Bett asked why was it not considered or thought about. Andy explained that the Golf Course funding is different as made up of different groups. Lorna advised that at last meeting of Advisory group, she spoke to the Golf Trust and they advised her what that what they were getting wasn t what was first offered. Lorna advised what if the Council could get money from the Community & why did council not speak to the community? Diane Diplacito asked about the commitment? Community is paying the price for no match funding, this should been the responsibility of Fife Council. Were alarm bells not going for a long time? The match funding not being accessible and Fife Council should take responsibility. Andy advised that the Trust took the lead and they were advised that they would get funding of 1m from Fife Council, but again Trust are not guaranteed match funding. Andy advised Fife Council have to balance a budget to get a lot of projects to all communities, which is very difficult to do. Diane advised but Meadows is not getting same funding support! Michael O Hare advised that for 20-30yrs the park has been starved of money. When the Council were advised that the Trust couldn t get funding why did the Council not act? Andy advised that consideration had be taken to move things forward as there is a danger of losing funding from the Council. Michael O Hare asked could the park not be moved to Community Asset Trust, therefore why is it been rushed? Andy advised now Administration is under very difficult times and he is trying to deliver as an officer of the council. Lea McLelland asked if money taken away what would happen? Andy could not answer that question. Kevin Payne asked why not go to the Community, Andy advised he wouldn t ask that question as it isn t what he would do. Andy McLellan advised that the advisory board made the decision and the plans of the building. Lorna Bett advised she had gone to meetings and did not agree that that was the case. She advised that the advisory group only invited her to 3 meetings. Chris Broome advised that the advisory board only had 5 meetings at most and needs to check if this is correct. His understanding was that this meeting was going round in circles and if there is no commitment the funding will be lost. He asked what don t you like about the building. Size issues? Outside? Brian Menzies advised that the Trust has limited powers to bring in funding to the country side( stated from documentation he acquired.) Brian advised on 24.03.15 Trust Board 177k felt to be too high (quoted from documentation acquired). Size = Less capacity Design of building pleasing to some and not to others. This was from Business Update. Mark Hood advised SM found difficulty in getting break down on costs- Design and Business Case offered figures. Brian Menzies advised the community has never been involved that is the problem. What should have been done is same as what Cllr Hood is doing in Cowdenbeath. Brian advised that we are not your problem in this matter, it is the public as explained by Diane. Why there was no consideration for a second choice
Andy McLellan advised this was not an option as multi reasons such as Utility etc. Lea McLelland advised only 1 plan? Andy McLellan advised it was a traditional plan/contract put in place. Tom Kinnaird advised that is not a rule. Andy McLellan advised it is in the Public interest and Public Contract. Michael O Hare asked Chris did the Trust ask someone else to put plans together? Chris advised yes and passed to board. Andy advised seen architect design which was done on a critical analysis, wouldn t be functionally better. Tom Kinnaird asked Gavin Turner was the Lynebank School design used? Gavin advised it was not being used as not suitable for this site. Gavin advised Cllr Campbell visited Lynebank as it was the most recent build of its type, however not suitable for Meedies. It is going to be a timber and steel frame. Michael O Hare asked why Gavin (Architect) had seen plans from other builder then why were they not considered? Chris advised he cannot find any evidence of these plans. Michael advised that there are plans and the building would cost another 200k from Purves. Mark Hood advised it isn t as easy to go with contractors plans as they go ahead and then on top cost and other fees. Michael O Hare asked why have Purves plans not been looked at? Andy said that there were no plans from Purves. Michael said that there were because he had seen them for himself. Cllr Hood demanded to know how Michael had seen them. Michael replied that he was not going to tell him how he had seen them. Kevin asked why not go and ask the Community for contribution? Gavin Turner advised there has been 3/4 designs. Lorna stated Andy you asked to meet us about the building but the Communities do not like the building. What do we say to the Community? Andy asked what is it, the design? what are the likes/dislikes? Lorna advised Andy we have contacted you, Melanie & others and no-one and noone would come and visit us. The cafe is the biggest problem. If someone came to speak to us earlier then we wouldn t be in this position. Andy advised I am here now and we have consulted teams. Michael O Hare advised points regarding the cafe - What is served to the public How it is served to the public. Another point why not move staff? They have gone on training to Home Baking Course to provide this within the cafe, Andy agreed and asked for this in emails to raise all these points from Lorna Bett. Brian advised for the Community Centre 2m of a limit was given to MSP Alex Rowley and Cllr Clark but they went back and asked for and got another 2m. Diane Diplacito asked if we cannot get further funding, can we ask the Community for funding? Mark Hood advised there is always additional funding with another phase, Heritage Centre/Wedding Conference Room/Retails space. If we had unlimited
resources this would be our first plan. However we can build on with additional funding. No funds came from the Trust. Mark was speaking to Council about renting space to gain capital to invest in park which is the plan for phase 2. Diane D asked can we go back to community with this. Mark asked if we could have a board showing phase 2. Diane asked can we go back to the community and say if we go with the current plan. Mark Hood said might not be the case if we don t accept building and add- on. Diane asked do you have the authority as we don t. We have to ask the community? Mark asked is there going to be another Public Meeting. Lorna Bett advised 5th December we go back to the community and ask them. If we find out that they don t like the colour/outside building, is there scope to change? Andy McLellan advised yes. Diane D asked Mark Hood - Add on to it/colour change if they don t accept, where do we go from there? Tom Kinnaird asked if everyone says no, can they scrap the plan? Andy advised he has no authority to agree further. Brain Menzies advised Andy that Trust in difficult position re 2013 Master Plan. 2m was to be spent on new centre They go back for more money as per Cllr Hood Cllr Hood advised need Business Plan to challenge. Brian discussed further points from Master Plan: In Reg 1.5m - 2m these would be highly dependent on specification/dimensions. Proper channels should have been implemented. Terry Ironside asked about the implications on their new build for Golf/Football? Andy advised it would be delayed until after next session to start next winter as would need to go to tender if both buildings not being a joint partnership. Kevin asked how many tenders? Andy advised 7. Andy advised plan would be divorced and back to another plan. Funding would be lost after 31.3.17. He had spoken to David Dickinson at Legacy (Sport Scotland) on many occasions and if not hitting timelines this would happen. He also advised Bike Trails not affected as they have been started. Kevin Payne advised the process takes 5wks so this should not affect but Andy advised it has to be put back out to tender. Lorna Bett asked what are the Council and Trust were looking for. Advised: Email from Lorna re-cafe Mark Hood to go back to Community and get agreements after 3wks. Are we going ahead or not Keeping funding on the table.
Michael O Hare questioned Phase 2. When it comes to Cllr Hood, he cannot guarantee! Lea McLelland asked for plans for all phases. Cllr Hood advised need to continue with investment. Tom Kinnaird asked what have you invested before? Cllr Hood advised Cycle Track. Michael O Hare advised there has been peanuts spent on the park and the money made from the park has gone elsewhere! He advised Chris? it is bad that someone on your Board/Trust suggested they only need Chip pans down there! Tom Kinnaird advised: 2015 Idea for centre. Did you Mark see these ideas that where in the Press in 2015? No one has seen this. Andy advised he understood the explanation but has looked at the space of the new building. Brian Menzies asked Andy Lochore Meadow Country Park development plan shows: Plans for an Eco Campsite to be built upon a Historic Monument Andy could not comment. Tom asked Andy what considerations were given to attract visitors inside the building on wet weather days such as a climbing wall, soft play, jungle gym, games console room, aquarium, craft shop, farm shop? The response was, does anyone really want a jungle gym? There was no provision given the budget constraints. Lorna advised the following points: Drawings - spelling incorrect. Should be Meedies on the Café board. Realise this is a highly emotive subject as community love the place. The work that Ian Laing has brought to the park, wish this to continue. People angry with building Can someone from group work on the Advisory Board Trust? Andy asked for clarity of questions and agreed with L