Report No. 918
Central Area Services Committee
10th November, 2006
Agenda Item No. 9
FIFE COUNCIL
LEVENMOUTH LOCAL COMMUNITY PLAN ACTIONS
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
This report highlights work being undertaken by Council services and partner
agencies in the Levenmouth localities under the themes of the Fife
Community Plan.
2.0
STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITIES
2.1
Hill Road, Kennoway - Play Park
£40,000 has been made available to refurbish the old play park and
consultation and designs are being carried out.
Outcomes – to provide a modern play facility to encourage interactive (social)
play; develop physical agility; mental stimulation and “partnership” working.
2.2
Seton Court, Kennoway – Football Problems
The local Community Council has raised issues regarding ball games being
played in and around this small play area. This is causing damage as well as
a disturbance to local residents. Previous attempts to stop the ball games
have failed, so a fresh approach is to ‘mound’ the centre of the grass with new
topsoil, carefully contouring the ground so that the grass remains visually
pleasant to the eye. This will omit the main flat area so reducing the likelihood
of ball games being played in the future. This is a pilot project for this area
and is being funded via Community Services and Locality Management.
Works are ongoing.
Outcomes – to reduce disturbance issues, while maintaining an aesthetic
approach to ground modelling thereby promoting community safety.
1
2.3
Hendrie Crescent, East Wemyss - Play Park
A new £20,000 play park has been installed with a nearby caged kick about
area. This is part of a £100,000 joint venture between Fife Council, Scottish
Enterprise (Fife) and Scottish Homes.
Shrub and tree planting plus some fencing has been completed. Electrical
work is still outstanding for the floodlights. Discussions have taken place with
regard to Community Services adopting the sites, however, the venture group
have said that they are not in a position to fund the required commuted sum £64,744.39. Discussions are ongoing regarding the amount of the commuted
sum.
Outcomes – to provide a modern play facility to encourage interactive (social)
play; develop physical agility; mental stimulation and “partnership” working.
2.4
Ossian Park, Methil - Play Park
£50,000 has been made available to refurbish the old play park. Consultation
and designs are being finalised ready for passing on to Facilities.
Outcomes – to provide a modern play facility to encourage interactive (social)
play; develop physical agility; mental stimulation and “partnership” working.
2.5
Viewforth, Buckhaven - Refurbished Play Park
Community Services are currently looking at upgrading the tar circular
surface, and renewing the perimeter fence though as yet there is no additional
funding.
Outcomes – to enhance a play facility which encourages interactive (social)
play; develop physical agility; mental stimulation and “partnership” working.
2.6
West High Street, Buckhaven - Sports Court Area
Community Services are working with Locality Management in providing
designs and costs for the location of a new set of goals within the sports court,
and secondly to cost for the supply and installation of new flood lighting.
Facilities Service is assisting in this project.
Outcomes – to provide a modern play facility to encourage interactive (social)
play; develop physical agility; mental stimulation and “partnership” working.
2.7
Leven Promenade Skatepark
Community Services are currently looking at costs of putting up new lamps to
floodlight the skatepark area. Development Services will have to approve any
design being prepared by Facilities Service. The sum of £70,000 has been
allocated from Scottish Executive Quality of Life Funding to further extend the
skatepark. The Skate Group produced sketch proposals which were used by
2
Community Services to provide professional plans. These are currently being
converted into detailed designs for costing/tendering purposes. The Skate
Group are satisfied with the main proposals and it is expected that the
tendering process will be undertaken soon in line with other skatepark
designs.
Outcomes – to provide an improved facility to encourage interactive (social)
play; develop physical agility; mental stimulation and “partnership” working.
2.8
Levenmouth Youth Strategy Group
This Group has four action groups and focuses on School Summer Holidays,
Participation and Health and Wellbeing. The fourth group enables the first
three groups to realise their projects and identifies funding opportunities.
2.9
Detached Youth Work
This is now being co-ordinated by a new appointment to the post, Debbie
Brand. The management responsibility for Detached Youth Work has moved
from the Community Education Worker (CEW) Methil, to the Integrated
Community Schools CEW. Moves have been made to further integrate the
work of the team with the local Community Police and the Community
Wardens. A review of the work of the Detached Youth Work team is
underway and the team will soon be operational again.
2.10
Active Steps Programme
A holiday provision programme ran throughout Easter and the summer
holiday period working with a total of 10 young people in sports and outdoor
activities. The group is working towards Natural Connections and Youth
Achievement awards and took part in a trek and overnight camp from Glen
Doll to Loch Muick.
2.11
Kennoway Football Group
Community Services continue to support the group in progressing the
development of the Carstairs Hall to bring it back to use. A report on costs to
repair roof, electrics and enlarge the changing room area is awaited.
2.12
Kennoway Youth Café
Two Project Scotland volunteers have been recruited to help with developing
the café project and programme. Some of the members have taken part in
digital training to develop portfolios digitally. The Summer Programme
attracted 192 young people who took part in variety of activities including
excursions, dance and art projects.
3
2.13
Free Gardners Hall, Buckhaven - New Senior Youth Club
The Club has a core group of seven young people, with attendances of
around 15. It operates from 7-9pm on Wednesdays. They are setting up their
own youth committee, and so far have developed their constitution. They have
been involved with the Scottish Youth Parliament visit.
2.14
Summer Activity Programme
This was implemented in the area, and had a variety of successes, including
the football project at Kirkland. The venture was introduced with the aid of
LAF funding which involved teenagers and their parents and it is hoped to run
this throughout the year. A new girls group looks likely to continue in
Coaltown of Wemyss.
The Centre, Leven Management Committee
contributed £1500 to youth provision summer programme for equipment,
transport and programme requirements this year. There was provision on
Sunday nights. It was found that the excellent weather affected attendances.
The programme of summer activities maintained continuity which will enable
work to continue/develop with young people after the holidays.
The Centre Leven Management Committee pay the summer wages of Youth
Workers. This was approximately £950, and transport costs of excursions
£250.
2.15
Fife Wide Youth Work Policy
Some changes have been made in the way youth work is practised with age
range encompassing, in the main, 13-18 year olds. The focus for working with
young people will be on the following:- Opportunity, Participation, Information
and Achievement.
2.16
Scottish Youth Parliament
The Youth Parliament held its AGM this year in Fife, on 17/18th June. Much
planning and preparation went into the success of this venture, as well as
building a Fife wide Youth Forum and Levenmouth Youth Forum. 10 young
people from Levenmouth have been involved in the Fife Youth Forum, to
which 3 have been elected as MSYPs. This involved support to local young
people to allow them to participate in elections and debates at the local AGM
Youth Parliament held in the Rothes Halls.
2.17
Kennoway Crèche
A successful crèche is running in the Sandybrae with 22 children attending on
weekly basis, giving parents some respite and also introducing children to
socialising and transition to nursery provision. This pilot project is nearing the
end and officers are currently investigating future funding and liaising with
parents to discuss becoming a voluntary group.
4
2.18
Savoy Sports Café
This is the new youth initiative in the area. With £30,000 of funding from the
old Regeneration Initiative, the plans are just devised for a three phased start
to the project. This will operate on Saturday and Sunday nights for 13-18 year
olds in Levenmouth. A number of meetings have already been held to
discuss the detail of proposals. There has been notification that possible
additional funding might become available through Community Learning and
Development. The group is currently awaiting an estimate of costs for works
which could be initiated if extra funding is made available. This would add
value to the funding granted by Regeneration.
2.19
Building Works - The Centre, Leven and Buckhaven Community Education
Centre
Works being undertaken at The Centre in Leven and Buckhaven Community
Education Centre. As part of the ongoing development plan adopted by The
Centre Management Committee in Leven, and in partnership with Fife
Council, the following areas will be completely refurbished West Wing – rear committee room, pool room, coffee bar, small meeting
room, and corridor.
East Wing – Side Hall
Substantial electrical work will be carried out in all areas, replacement of
lights, upgrading electrical sockets and in the coffee bar and rear committee
room power data will be installed (Cat 5). This will enable computers to be
installed and associated IT packages and software for public use.
The objective, apart from improvements benefiting the general public, is to
improve specific areas for young people’s use and other areas for adult use.
A very recent development is the possibility that Community Learning and
Development will part finance the creation of a Learning Suite in the rear
Committee Room in this financial year.
The Community Worker is managing the refurbishment as it is being financed
by Centre Management Committee. May to the summer has been a time of
planning, preparing, securing estimates, gaining agreement from
management committee, and organising the programme of works, and
physical work has now commenced. To date the committee have committed
£19,600 to the project with further work still to be decided. The Centre is
undergoing substantial refurbishment.
Buckhaven Centre is almost complete, with the new Learning Centre being
installed at Buckhaven Centre. Rooms have been moved around to
accommodate the new Learning Centre to be nearer the café area. An adult
learning room has been created downstairs which can also be used as a
meeting room, and complements the Learning Centre. New equipment has
5
been obtained through the Inclusion and Employability Team, being 10
computers, 2 new laptops, digital cameras, PowerPoint projectors, amongst
other furniture. In addition to this new work, a new alarm system has been
installed in the Centre, and the windows in the large hall have been bricked
up. New electronic doors to the entrance have been fitted which are disability
friendly. The Pottery Studio has also been refreshed with new decoration and
new shelving.
2.20
B.L.I.N.G. (Blue Light In The Glen)
Friday 4th August saw Letham Glen, Leven, transformed into an excellent
outdoor venue for live music and disco with information and fun stands geared
at young people aged 12 to 17 years.
The event ran from 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. and was attended by some 360
young people. Fife Police, Fife Council and the local community and
businesses all worked together to make this the successful event it was.
Glorious sunshine was the order of the day and a great time was had by all
that attended. All youngsters were breathalyzed on entry to the event.
Once inside the Glen, opportunities abounded to experience fruit smoothies,
try your luck with the bungee run, mix some music, check out the Fire Service,
access health information, talk to the mounted police and a whole range of
other activities.
The key message attempting to be conveyed, as at all the Bluelight events, is
that it is possible to be entertained and have fun without alcohol.
A series of meetings have been arranged to start planning for next year's
event which is hoped to be even bigger and better than this year.
2.21
Face to Face Project Kennoway
The Local Services Network re-opened within the Kennoway Library on Friday
8th September. A new jointly shared counter is in place with I.T. support for
both services.
The focus is on providing advice, support and information with an enhanced
home visiting service to deal with more complex issues.
All regular cash payers at Kennoway have been lettered and offered
alternative forms of payment. Staff time is available to assist customers with
the completion of any paperwork and administration.
2.22
Trax Silverburn
10 Bikes and associated safety equipment have now been purchased and the
meeting room at Siverburn Park made ready as a base from which supervised
groups can operate.
6
Staff training has taken place and 5 staff have been assessed and accredited
by Lochore Meadows Outdoor Learning Team to supervise and lead groups in
the Levenmouth area, 4 from Y.M.C.A and 1 Community Police Officer.
Liaison with local landowners is ongoing and it is hoped to develop some
more challenging routes and tracks linking Silverburn Park.
Links with established groups through community centres, schools and the
uniformed organisations are being developed and individual group
programme requirements are being addressed.
2.23
Recruitment of Youth Workers
13 youth workers are due to be recruited into the Levenmouth team in the
next two months. These new staff will have an induction programme and will
be signed up for training. They will join the ranks of the youth work team
within the Centres in the area as well as the Friday Night Awakening project at
Levenmouth Swimming Pool.
3.0
IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELLBEING
3.1
DAPL
An update on the work of DAPL is attached as an appendix.
3.2
Broom Flat
Funding has been secured for an 18 hour Information Assistant Post to be
based in the Flat.
A visit with Kirkcaldy and Levenmouth Community Health Partnership staff
has already taken place, and a preliminary agreement has been reached on
providing Health and Wellbeing Services from the flat.
A Youth Worker and Kirkcaldy and Levenmouth Community Health
Partnership staff have engaged with young people on the streets of the estate
to identify their needs and to promote the service.
A Youth Drop In will open for young people in October/November at the flat.
They are presently identifying needs and the resources required. 130 youth
work hours have been allocated to this provision for 13+years.
Community Profile information is being utilised to identify learning needs on
the estate in order to provide adult education courses, classes on an outreach
basis at the flat.
7
200 Adult Education hours have been allocated to the provision to enable
those with no qualifications to participate in courses/classes relevant to their
learning needs.
The intention is to provide 200 hours of advice, guidance, and information to
local residents who are income and employment deprived.
3.3
Active Levenmouth Project
The aims of this project are to identify and target key groups of people who
experience the greatest health inequalities with a view to increasing and
sustaining levels of physical activity.
It is hoped that an evaluation of current provision leading to a greater
understanding of what the gaps and barriers around physical activity are will
be achieved.
A participatory appraisal exercise is well underway in Levenmouth focusing
attention on the factors which make it easy for people to be active and those
factors which make it difficult or act as barriers – what changes need to be in
place to help people become more active.
Once this exercise is completed a physical activity action plan will be
developed linking into the Sport 21 Agenda; Sport and Active Recreation
Strategy and Fife's Joint Health Improvement Plan.
4.0
MAKING COMMUNITIES SAFER
4.1
Community Wardens
The Wardens have been busy during the summer months, especially with the
good weather bringing up the usual problems of open air drinking, quad bikes
and mini motos, of which 33 were reported to Police as a nuisance. There
were also 28 cases of fly tipping reported to Environmental Services.
Whilst the under age drinkers continue to be a problem they did show a
different side to their nature when asked to help the Wardens remove furniture
from the Shore to Victoria Road. They did not have to be asked twice and the
result was one very delighted resident who received her “new furniture”.
Inroads have been made with this group and it is hoped that the identification
of premises for a Youth Café will enable further progress to be made.
An excellent relationship exists between the wardens and the local
Community Education Worker Chic Copeland and his team. A number of
projects have been developed in partnership including the proposal to screen
the World Cup Final. Chic took the wardens idea and delivered it providing
food, premises and a wide screen television.
8
A group of 19 local children took part in a beach clean up at the shore in
Buckhaven. They collected 23 bags of rubbish. Alex Proctor from Take a
Pride in Fife came along armed with recycled goodies for the children. The
following week a Cycle Safety Fun Night & BBQ was held as a reward. Local
businesses contributed to the event by providing burgers, sausages, rolls and
soft drinks. The Locality Manager also part funded the event. Brian Forsyth
from Road Safety at Police HQ, Rosemary and Martin, local Youth Workers,
were also in attendance. The local fishermen gave advice about tides and
Environmental Services arranged the uplift of the rubbish that was collected.
The wardens continue to attend weekly Police Musters and have an excellent
relationship with all of the Levenmouth Police Staff. They also participate in
the Bluelight Discos and assisted at the successful BLING event held in
Letham Glen during the school summer holidays.
The wardens are currently working with Fraser Laird, the Safer Transport
Liaison Officer, to try to address the problem of vandalism to buses that stop
in College Street, Buckhaven.
Finally in the future, probably around next Easter, the Junior Warden
Programme will start. A number of ad hoc activities based on the theme have
taken place including hour long mini patrols involving local children. The
smaller children love to help the wardens look for things that will improve their
area and are duly rewarded with a badge or small token.
5.0
A WELL EDUCATED AND SKILLED FIFE
5.1
Levenmouth Local Children's Services Group
The group has recently devised the new action plan outlining the priorities to
be addressed this year. A number of new programme have been developed
and are now underway across the Levenmouth area as follows:
-
Nurture bases in Methilhill and Aberhill Primary Schools aiming to raise
attainment and reduce exclusion.
-
Lunchtime clubs in Methilhill, Aberhill and Mountfleurie Primary Schools
-
Interactive baby programme with the aim of preventing teenage pregnancy
-
DAPL drug and alcohol awareness training sessions for youth workers
-
Summer programme in Woodlands Nursery Centre
-
Family outings at Paxton Nursery
-
Flexible curriculum programme in Buckhaven and Kirkland High Schools
-
Input to the health education curriculum at Buckhaven High School
9
Some of the above developments build on work initiated as part of last year's
action plan which proved to be successful in addressing targets such as
raising attainment and reducing exclusion e.g. the Nurture Base at Methilhill
Primary School has helped to raise the attainment of the Primary 1 children
while the Nurture Base at Aberhill Primary School has contributed to the 67%
decrease in exclusion in the school.
The Local Children's Services Group will continue to meet throughout the year
to progress this.
5.2
Integrated Community Schools

Family Support
Family Workers continue to support families across the Levenmouth area.
Currently 57 families are being supported and there are 14 families on the
pending list. The Family Work Co-ordinator now delivers a parenting
group to families at Paxton Nursery.
A family outing to Craigtoun Park was held during the summer holidays for
over 100 participants. Other provision throughout the holiday period
included visits to the zoo, Sea Life Centre and Deer Park as well as
securing a number of protected places to various out of school provisions.

Active Schools
Holiday programmes operated throughout the summer holiday period for
children in the Buckhaven and Windygates areas. Children were offered
activity sessions in football, rugby, lacrosse, judo, dance and multi activity.
The programme rotated around various village halls and community
centres. Children were provided with free fruit and bottled water at break
times in partnership with Fife Council's healthy eating initiative.
5.3
Levenmouth Community Learning Plan Partnership Group
This group has produced a Community Learning Plan. The training for
National Standards for Community Engagement has been completed for 21 of
the local partners in the area, as has the community profiling exercise. An
application has been lodged for funding to take forward and implement the
Standards. Locality Community Profiles are in the final stages of completion.
Training in chairmanship has taken place for partnership members.
5.4
Adult Education in Kennoway
The computing class continues to run in Sandybrae for 2 days per week. A
total of 7 students have been successful in completing ITOA1 and 2
qualifications. A computing class for retired persons also ran introducing the
Internet and email.
10
6.0
A STRONGER, MORE FLEXIBLE AND DIVERSE ECONOMY
6.1
Opportunities Out There and Working For Families
The ethos of this project is to take a holistic approach to re-engaging people
back into the local community. The 2 workers, Doreen Ovens and Sheelagh
Lister, work with many local agencies and cover many different areas of work.
For example one of their clients had spent many years on training courses
and programmes. He wanted to get into full time work but had other issues
which required to be dealt with prior to looking for work. His washing machine
had broken down and he was unable to keep his clothes clean. Arranging for
a washing machine, getting it plumbed in, then ensuring the client used the
machine to clean his clothes were the first steps taken in getting him ready for
work.
Doreen and Sheelagh have a remit covering all the regeneration areas within
Levenmouth for both Opportunities Out There and Working For Families.
A major part of their work has been making people aware that they are in the
area and willing to assist where they can. They have spent time out in the
local streets knocking on doors and introducing themselves and explaining
what the project is about and how they can help. They have also visited
libraries, doctors' surgeries, local businesses – even pubs – to make people
aware of them.
Both Doreen and Sheelagh have clients who not only have been able to
benefit from the one to one assistance, but were able to benefit from a STEPS
course run by them recently. This helps to improve the self esteem,
motivation, speech and personal appearance of those taking part. Local
childcare is also desperately necessary particularly on an ad hoc basis and
this caused major problems when setting up the course.
They have also taken part in a Health Event held in Sailor’s Rest as well as a
Be Safe Be Secure Event in Methilhill.
6.2
Incubator Units
Leven Valley Development Trust are the lead partner in developing these
units and have a licence signed and agreed by the owner of the property on
College Street, Buckhaven. The renovation of the units is ongoing and the
first unit is almost complete. New businesses will be setting up in the units
rent free for the first year and then at a reduced rate for a further 4 years.
6.3
Energy Park
A masterplan for the Energy Park in Methil was unveiled on 4 July to coincide
with the completion of emergency earth works on the site.
11
The masterplan includes ambitious regeneration of the brownfield site which
will result in zoned industrial areas ranging from 2 to 25 acres in size to
accommodate businesses operating in Scotland’s renewable energy sector.
Phase one of the development which is now complete has seen more than
200,000 tonnes of earth moved to stabilise the ground and prevent land
slippage into the Firth of Forth.
Vital infrastructure including access roads, site services, boundary fencing
and upgrading of coastal defences are now programmed to pave the way for
the flagship development.
Maximising the advantages from the deep sea access and long quayside, the
10 year masterplan will accommodate up to 500,000 square feet of high
specification business space ideally suited to those operating in the energy
sector.
The project is being funded through a partnership between Scottish Enterprise
Fife, Fife Council and the European Regional Development Fund.
Once complete it is anticipated that the Park will inject more than £130m into
the economy, create several hundred jobs and generate more than £65m of
new investment for the Levenmouth area.
Recognising its national impact, the project has been successful in gaining
high impact project status within the Scottish Enterprise Five Year Investment
Plan and has secured funding of £1m from the European Regional
Development Fund.
7.0
SAFEGUARDING AND IMPROVING OUR ENVIRONMENT
7.1
Kennoway Environmental Improvements
A draft Environmental and Heritage sub-group has been set up consisting of
representatives from the Kennoway Den Action Group, Kennoway Community
Council, Halfields and Lower Kennoway Tenants' and Residents' Association,
Community Safety Police, Community Services, the Locality Manager and
local elected members. The new group is looking at environmental
improvements on a wider scale covering the whole of Kennoway and all
parties feed back on issues that they have been considering/working on. The
initial meetings have been positive.
Outcomes – to look at the overall environment and seek outcomes which will
improve the environment visually; encourage greater understanding and use,
thereby promoting community safety.
12
7.2
Kennoway Den
A Community Services capital bid of £3000 has been successful, with
contributions from the Kennoway Den Action Group £1000, Locality Manager
£750 and Community Services £1250, giving a total pot of £6000 to spend on
improving drainage and topdressing the main footpath, clearing fallen timbers
out of the burn, and re-building a collapsed section of the local well. Included
is the location of a new drainage outlet for the well and making safe the entry
door. The well works are now completed as is the top dressing of the main
path.
A new woodland management plan for the Den has been devised by Langton
Vaughan (Woodland Management Consultants) through discussions with the
Kennoway Den Action group and Community Services. The consultancy fees
of £3600 are to be shared between Community Services/Locality
Management/Kennoway Den Action Group and grant funding from the
Forestry Commisson. The new management plan will be put forward by
Langton Vaughan for 2 grant bids from the Forestry Commission and if
successful could create considerable improvement works.
Outcomes – to look at the local importance of this asset as an important
“ancient woodland” environment and seek outcomes which will improve the
environment visually; encourage greater understanding and use, thereby
promoting community safety.
7.3
Festival Gardens, Leven
Areas of the gardens are well passed their best, so redesigning of some areas
will be undertaken during the autumn. Funding of the project has not been
confirmed though it is anticipated that the Leven Environment Group will
contribute along with Community Services and Locality Management. With a
successful funding package in place it is hoped planting will be carried out
over the winter period.
Outcomes - enhance the shrub planting within the gardens to make them
more attractive and interesting to visitors.
7.4
Letham Glen Developments

Nature Centre
The new electric supply to the former Nature Centre is now complete. This
upgrade includes space heating provision. These improvements now
enable the general public and local groups to access and use this site
more.
Outcomes – to expand the potential use of a local facility.
13

New Lighting Column at Entrance to Car Park
Funds have been secured to upgrade the lighting at the path link between
the Glen car park and Coldstream Park. Facilities have costed for the
installation of one lamp, with the power supply coming from the nearby
Council toilets which are under the remit of Community Services. Costs
are £3500, with contributions from Community services (£500) Locality
Management (£500), with the remaining £2500 coming from a successful
area capital bid.
Outcomes – to improve the safety/security of footpath link users.

New Seats in line with Disability Discrimination Act
£10000 is available to replace and add in new seating throughout the
Glen. This project is now being assessed.
Outcomes – to improve accessibility for those visitors who require
intermediate resting points along the attractive circular walk within the
Glen.

Boy Racers
The police have raised concerns regarding ‘boy racers’ causing a
disturbance at night, through loud music and vehicular noise. Community
Services as an interim measure have located a new sign at the entrance to
the car park stating that the car park is closed from 9pm till 6am.
Depending on the success of this, further plans include the location of an
automated barrier similar to that already operating on Leven Promenade.
The adjacent community has been consulted and we are monitoring
feedback over the coming months.
Outcomes – to reduce disturbance issues affecting local people while
maintaining a reasonable level of accessibility for visitors.

Boyack Homes New Water Outfall into Scoonie Burn
The Estates Service and Community Services agreed the excavation of
ground from this new development to Scoonie Burn. This is to provide a
surface water outfall, and is all within the Council's and SEPA’s
requirements. Community Services have agreed with Boyack Homes a
compensation payment for the disturbance to the site, the ground and the
adjacent woodland. The payment is £2000 towards improvements in
Letham Glen and £300 for replacement shrub material. The excavations
have been carried out, Community Services have reinstated the soft
landscape and are awaiting the reinstatement of the tar area.
14
Outcomes – to balance the need for new housing infrastructure
encroaching into the Glen, while seeking to balance this by improving the
overall environment.

Removal of Old Putting Shed
The shed is no longer used for storage so serves no purpose and it has
also been severely damaged, being a target for vandalism. A cost is
currently being prepared for its total removal which is expected to be
carried out prior to the return of the darker evenings.
Outcomes – removal of shed will remove ‘focus’ for vandalism for youths
and remove the current visual eyesore.

Duck Pond
At present the flow of water is very poor and measures to improve the flow
have been unsuccessful. Capital monies will be used to install new ‘inflow’
from the Scoonie Burn. This project has still to be surveyed, tendered and
costed.
Outcomes – improve flow into pond on a permanent basis both to improve
the habitat for wildlife and visually enhance the site.

Provision of Toddler/Young Children's Play Feature
Around £40,000 is available to locate a much needed feature within the old
putting green site. Design and consultation have yet to be undertaken.
Outcomes - to provide a modern play facility to encourage interactive
(social) play; develop physical agility and mental stimulation.
7.5
Silverburn Park Estate

New Driveway Lighting Columns
These are required to replace rotten lighting poles at an estimated cost of
£10000. Monies have been allocated for year 2007/2008.
Outcomes – to maintain safety and security.

Guides, Brownies and Rainbows
The girls have completed various improvement works over the last year.
Unfortunately the group's co-ordinator has left and seeking an enthusiastic
replacement to continue the good work has been difficult. This has been
supported by Community Services who will make contact again to
hopefully promote further works.
15
This links in with ongoing liaison with the Letham Glen and Silverburn Park
Estate Development group who are actively seeking ways to improve both
Silverburn and Letham Glen.
Outcomes – to involve the voluntary sector in the overall improvement
and maintenance of a well used feature within the park, which both
stimulates and educates the participants.

New Footpath Within Walled Garden
A second section of new footpath has been completed improving the
disabled access from one end of the walled garden to the other. Positive
feedback has been noted from visiting parties.
Outcomes – improving accessibility to the garden area using a long
lasting and aesthetically pleasing surfacing.

Main Entrance into Silverburn
Capital monies are available to improve the main entrance. Community
Services are linking in with Transportation Services to look at the best
approach to improve this junction.
Outcomes – to improve vehicular access safety both going into and out of
Silverburn.

Improvements to Pond and Surrounding Area
Community Services have used capital monies to engage a local
contractor who has drained and cleaned out the pond. The felling of some
of the adjacent trees has already been undertaken to let more light into the
pond area, and reduce the amount of leaves dropped into the area in the
autumn. The intention is to redesign the landscaping around the pond and
improve the access, whilst at the same time locating safety fencing at the
pond view point.
Outcomes – enhance the only area of water within the park and so
improve the habitats for wildlife and plants. Provide visitors with an
attractive natural feature.

Re-design of Landscaping Within Walled Garden
Areas of the walled garden are well passed their best, so redesigning of
some areas was undertaken during September/October, with the planting
of the areas being carried out over the winter period.
Outcomes – enhance the shrub planting within the walled garden and so
make it more attractive and interesting to visitors.
16

Provision of Children's Play Feature
Around £45,000 is available to locate a much needed feature within the
park. Monies have been allocated for year 2007/2008.
Outcomes - to provide a modern play facility to encourage interactive
(social) play; develop physical agility and mental stimulation.
7.6
Scoonie Bowling Club
Capital monies of £8,000 were available to remove the grass embankments
and replace them with artificial embankments. All remedial works have now
been completed.
Outcomes – to improve play and meet the league requirements for match
play.
7.7
Levenmouth Entrance Gateways
Funding to the value of £20,000 will be made available from Regeneration
sources for the year 2006/2007. Designs have been carried out looking at
planting up some areas of the main entrances into Kennoway, Windygates,
Buckhaven and Methilhill. Choice of material will include spring flowering
bulbs, spring, summer and autumn flowering shrubs and some evergreen
shrub material which will give colour over the winter period. Additional grass
cutting to the verges at Methilhill and Windygates has also been paid for via
the same monies, with Community Services looking to reduce their grass
cutting in less visual areas so as to continue this extra grass cutting in
subsequent years. After initial consultation some minor changes will be
undertaken and Community Services are also to look at other funding options.
Outcomes – to improve the appearance of the town approaches for local
people and visitors while relating to the rural aspect where required.
7.8
Lower Methil Environmental Improvements
Environmental Improvements, including landscaping, hard landscaping and
planting, have been carried out at various locations throughout Lower Methil.
Additionally, an outdoor play area has been created at the Sailor’s Rest and
the official opening took place on Friday 22nd September.
7.9
Ness Brae Sea Wall/Landfill Enclosure, Buckhaven
The tenders for this project have now been returned and following some
supplementary questions it is anticipated the contract will be awarded in the
next week or so. It will be some weeks before work begins on site following
the award of contract as mobilisation and ordering of materials takes place.
Once started, works should be completed in 12-14 weeks. It is necessary to
undertake much of the work at or around low tide and this will involve night
17
time working when this occurs. Hopefully this will not be too disturbing for
most residents given the distance from the site to the nearest houses. A
contact telephone line will be set up and advertised for any concerned
members of the public who wish to discuss or have complaints regarding the
project. The transport of rock to the site will almost certainly be by barge
avoiding haulage by lorry through Buckhaven. A presentation and discussion
session was held during the next Community Forum on 31st October 2006.
7.10
Barrie Street, Methil
Demolition of the properties in this street is ongoing and planning consent is in
place for the redevelopment of the site. Consultation has recently taken place
with local tenants and residents on proposed boundary treatment works in
Barrie Street and environmental improvements in Wheatley Street and the
proposals are being amended to take account of comments received.
7.11
Lady Wynd/Shore Street, Buckhaven
Demolition of Lady Wynd and the Old Club on East High Street took place
some time ago and planning consent is in place for the redevelopment of the
site. Approval for the demolition of 13-30 Shore Street was granted at the
Area Services Committee on 8th September and a planning application is
being prepared.
The redevelopment of the site has been delayed due to ongoing discussions
with Wemyss Estates around the acquisition of part of the site. Accordingly,
in order that work can start on the development, a 3 phased approach is being
proposed.
7.12
Shakespeare Avenue, Buckhaven
This redevelopment by Kingdom Housing is complete and fully occupied.
8.0
LOCAL COMMUNITY PLANNING BUDGET 2006/07
8.1
The undernoted bids were dealt with as follows at the last Levenmouth
councillors' meeting Project
Decision
Traffic Calming - Various Locations
across Levenmouth
18
Agreed grant of £16,000
towards cost of providing
additional speed cushions
within existing school 20mph
zones.
Project
Decision
Methilhill Gateway
Agreed grant of £10,000
towards cost of providing
soft landscaping along road
frontages, a gateway feature,
and new off street parking
areas.
9.0
RECOMMENDATIONS
9.1
It is recommended that the Committee (a)
(b)
endorses the local community plan actions detailed in this report; and
monitors implementation of the projects outlined in paragraph 8.1.
Jim Findlay,
Head of Local Services.
4th October, 2006
Report Authors:
Fiona Mitchell, Leven Locality Manager
Ken Halley, Buckhaven/Methil Locality Manager
19