Minute of Meeting of Kinross-shire Committee of 21 November 2024 for Approval
Perth and Kinross Council · 20 February 2025
Back to Kinross-shire Committee — 20 February 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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KINROSS-SHIRE COMMITTEE Minute of hybrid meeting of the Kinross-shire Committee held in Loch Leven Community Campus, Milnathort, on Thursday 21 November 2024 at 5.00pm. Present: Councillors D Cuthbert, N Freshwater, W Robertson and R Watters; B Freeman (Kinross Community Council); S Bruce-Jones (Fossoway Community Council; N Bingham (Milnathort and Orwell Community Council); and D Smart (Glenfarg Community Council). In Attendance: L Haxton (Strategic Planning, People and Resources); S MacDonald and S Panton (Economy, Development and Planning); A Clegg and W Greig (Housing and Communities); and W Mahoney (Environment and Infrastructure); K Molley, A Brown and M Pasternak (Legal and Governance). Also in attendance: N Mainprize, TRACKS and; M Annet and N Marchant, Fossoway Community Development Trust. Councillor D Cuthbert, Convener, Presiding. The Convener led the discussion on Items 1-4, 7 and 9-14, with the Vice-Convener leading the discussion on Items 5, 6 and 8. 1. Welcome and Apologies The Convener welcomed all present to the meeting. 2. Declarations of Interest There were no Declarations of Interest made in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. 3. Minute of Previous Meeting The minute of meeting of the Kinross-shire Committee of 15 August 2024 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. Outstanding Business Statement Resolved: (i) It be noted that action 6 had now been completed. (i) The contents of the Outstanding Business Statement, be noted. (ii) It be agreed that completed actions would be removed from the Outstanding Business Statement.
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5. Agenda Note L Haxton, Community Planning and Policy Team Leader, advised members of the remaining budget of £50,000 available to the Kinross-shire Committee for the current financial year. Members discussed different options of how the sum of £50,000 could be used. Councillor R Watters suggested using the monies towards the development of a mapping app which had been one of the main priorities of the Active Travel Masterplan. A Clegg advised that the Council do have a mapping system available for the Countryside Path Network. A Clegg advised that the tool could be investigated further to see if it would be suitable for other active travel formats. A Clegg suggested that an officer would attend the next committee in February to provide a demonstration on how the current system does work. Resolved: (i) It be agreed that the sum of £50,000 be earmarked for the development of a mapping app as part of the Active Travel Masterplan in Kinross-shire. (ii) A demonstration of Perth and Kinross Council’s current mapping tool be submitted to the Kinross-shire Committee in February 2025. 6. Former Blairingone Primary School There was a verbal update by M Annet and N Marchant, Fossoway Community Development Trust, on the process of the community asset transfer on the former Blairingone Primary School plus the attached schoolhouse and car park grounds to the Trust. As part of their update, M Annet and N Marchant confirmed that the Scottish Land Fund have funded consultants who engaged with communities and have produced different options for the site. M Annet and N Marcant confirmed that the Blairingone Sub-group (the hall committee) would like to carry on with the option to buy the site. The consultants had prepared an options appraisal and look to prepare a feasibility study and a business plan. To go to stage 2 of the process the Trust would have to fund an independent evaluation. The Trust have started to look at diverse options for the use of the former Blairingone Primary School for community benefit. L Haxton advised that a clarification on figures of the site to the Council would be provided and reported back to the Trust. L Haxton suggested that a further meeting be held with members from the Trust, A Peace – Senior Estates Surveyor, C MacLeod – Solicitor, S Kimmet, Community Empowerment Officer, and representatives from the Scottish Land Fund, to look at different ways that the site could generate income. The Committee noted the position.
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7. Windfarm Developments There was a verbal update by S Panton, Team Leader, Major Applications & Enforcement which highlighted the processes, including community consultation, and the status of the two major windfarm applications at Brunt Hill and Criaghead. S Panton advised that when a windfarm generates more than 50 MW regardless of the height of the turbine or how many turbines there are, the Scottish Government - Energy Consents unit would deal with that application and Perth and Kinross Council would become a consultee. Alternatively, if the windfarm generates less than 50 MW, Perth and Kinross Council would be the determining authority. S Panton confirmed that Brunt Hill application had been dealt with by the SG – Energy Consents Unit and Craighead application by Perth and Kinross Council. S Panton advised that both windfarm applications are currently on hold. S Panton confirmed that he would report back to the committee with Planning’s recommendations on the applications once they are ready to be considered by the Planning and Placemaking Committee. Members questions were answered. The Committee noted the position. 8. P&K Tourism Strategy There was a verbal update by S MacDonald, Economic Development Manager – Tourism, Culture and Place provided a verbal update on the Perth and Kinross Tourism strategy. S MacDonald led a discussion on engagement which key stakeholders and communities in Kinross-shire on the development of the Perth and Kinross Tourism Strategy and how the committee could be involved in the process. S MacDonald advised that the Strategy would cover several key areas such as destination marketing, an infrastructure plan, events and business support. S MacDonald advised that a couple of consultation workshops had been arranged in Birnam for mid-December for the whole of Perth and Kinross and suggested a separate session in Kinross-shire as a lot of activity does occur in the area. Members were in favour of the suggestion. In response to a question from Councillor R Watters regarding timings for the local consultation in Kinross-shire, S MacDonald hoped that the consultation period would be completed by the end of January. S MacDonald confirmed that the Tourism Strategy and Action Plan would be submitted to the Economy and Infrastructure Committee in early 2025 and the Tourism Levy would be submitted to the Finance and Resources Committee for approval in April. The Committee noted the position.
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9. Core Paths A Clegg, Community Greenspace Manager, delivered a short slide-based presentation on the process of new core paths. In response to a question from Councillor W Robertson regarding the potential new core paths in Kinross-shire and if resources are available to take those forward, A Clegg advised that if not contentious, the team may be able to proceed, however, if the amendment was to be contentious, the suggestion would be noted and added to the list to be looked at under the Core Paths Plan Review when available. A Clegg advised members that they are welcome to contact him or his team with suggestions for new core paths or amendments. The Committee noted the update. 10. Infrastructure Adoption (Roads and Greenspace) A Clegg, Community Greenspace Manager delivered a short slide-based presentation on greenspace adoption. W Mahoney, Senior Engineer, provided a further update in relation to the process of the adoption of roads. The Committee noted the position. 11. Tracks – Loch Leven Heritage Trail There was a verbal update by N Mainprize, The Rural Access Committee for Kinross-shire (TRACKS) Project Officer on the condition and work being undertaken of the Loch Leven Heritage Trail. N Mainprize outlined the next phase of the project and advised that TRACKS are seeking further funding to carry out the works. W Robertson confirmed that he had been in discussions with the Leader of the Council and hoped that £30,000 for the project would form part of the Council Budget for 2026/27. The Committee noted the position. 12. Cemetery Expansion W Greig, Senior Bereavement Services Officer, delivered a short slide-based presentation on the cemetery expansion. The Committee noted the position.
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13. Kinross-Shire Community Investment Fund 2024/25 There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities (24/323) (2) asking Committee to homologate the decisions made by the Kinross- shire Ward Panel for the 2023/24 Community Investment Fund, and also (2) summarising the process for a further round of funding to be completed before the end of the 2023/24 financial year. Resolved: The funding decisions taken by the Ward Panel outlined in Report 24/323, be homologated. 14. Committee Development Session Members agreed for the item to be brought back to committee in February 2025 to discuss further if a committee development session would be required and to give members the opportunity to look at what the committee does well and what could be done differently. ~~~~~~