There are three major initiatives that should be moving a step closer over the next few months. A description of the very substantial amount of work starting at the Seamill area of the Castle and Collinswell can wait until the next Burgh Buzz, to give me enough words in this edition to do justice to the school renovation and the skateboard park.
The future of the Palace Cinema site is likely to come to a head around about now or very soon. The town is divided on whether the façade should be kept or not. I would like it kept. Any potential developer will need to convince planners and the community if they want to demolish it. Keep it or not, it should not affect the timescale for improvement. Please keep your eyes peeled and play your part in the debate. Look at how well Bob Wilkie has renovated the Porte, and you can see what can be achieved, and give the town a lasting building to be proud of.
Burntisland Primary School Upgrade.
Originally I was asked by Collinswell Land to make sure that their grant of £120,000 was used to best effect for the school.
Up to May 2005, the proposal was to match-fund this to give a new entrance and parents' and reception rooms.
Over last summer, Education had a sea-change in attitude and put forward proposals to make the school pretty-well fully accessible, with new classrooms, gymnasium and reception areas, and to renovate all classrooms and the fabric - providing a school that would be fit for 25 years (given good maintenance). Myself and Lesley Murray were asked not to broadcast the plan until money was in place, but it became public a bit prematurely last autumn. The
proposal is now in the capital plan and will probably cost some £3m or more. We are now entering the consultation stage, with parents, staff, other services and the community to be approached to ensure that we get the best deal and get what people want. It is intended that this will give some (but limited) community use of the school. The consultation should be complete by next summer and tendered for Phase 1 at that time. It is expected to be in phases over five years so as to work in with school life and the influx from new housing.
Skateboard Park.
The Skateboard Park design is still nearing completion. The skateboarders themselves have completed the concept design and it is going out to tender on a Design and Build tender. It looks likely that some extra money over and above the £95,000 budget may be needed to give most of what the youngsters want and hopefully we will be able to raise that. The location will be within the Twilight Zone/Picnic Area next to the Beacon. The park will be floodlit and it is not yet decided whether to seek CCTV cameras. It is still targeting for spring or summer for the opening.
One last thing. The Police are pioneering a Neighbour Alarm Service. If you are going away you can borrow an intruder alarm which will alert a neighbour if disturbed. Contact Fife Constabulary Community Safety Support Worker through the call centre.
Remember, if I can do anything to help please let me know. I will do my best.
Phone 891330 or email cllr.ron.edwards@fife.gov.uk .
Councillor Ron Edwards
George Kay was elected in September to represent Auchtertool and Burntisland East on Fife Council. We interviewed him to get the real low down. He will have a regular column in future issues of the Burgh Buzz.
Q. We have had the election material, now tell us about the real George Kay
Born and brought up in Springboig in North Lanarkshire just outside the Glasgow boundary. I had known my wife, Mary since I was about 17. We have one son, Douglas and two Grandchildren. We moved to Fife in 1975. I worked in the textile industry and became a company director. After early retirement I became involved in social research interviewing.
Q . How did you come in to politics?
In 1974 I went to work for Levi Strauss in Brussels. I was a naïve young man who thought Scotland had the best of everything. In Europe I soon discovered that we were in fact behind other countries in many ways. I felt cheated and that Scotland was being betrayed: our potential as a nation was being wasted. When I came home I joined the Scottish Nationalist Party and became very involved. I took a back seat from politics for a while in the 1980s as I did not like what was happening in the party. I got more involved in the Church - and discovered the politics there was something else!
Q . How do your faith and your politics mix?
My overriding definition of myself is as a Christian. My sense of social justice comes from my faith and that is also what drives my politics.
Q. You were elected about two months ago. How are you settling in to your new job as Councillor?
Fife Council is so large I am still finding out who are the key people to talk with to get things done. The best is being able to help people a wee bit. The worst is probably yet to come.
Q. What do you see as the main role of a Councillor?
To be proactive in bringing initiatives into the town; developing appropriate tourism, commerce and industry. Employment is tremendously significant. It is sad that so many young people grow up and leave the town to find employment because there is no viable alternative.
Q . What qualities do you bring to the post and to the town?
Drive. Initiative. I am willing to work hard.
Q. What do you see as the main role of Fife Council in relation to the town?
Fife Council is there to take things which affect people on a daily basis and make it easier for them. I would like to see more decisions pushed down the way. A Community Council with executive powers to do things.
Q. What do you see as the role of the Community Council?
The Community Council will respond to things but the prime role is to initiate projects and carry them forward.
Q. How do you see your relationship with the Community Council?
I see the relationship as me doing everything I can to help them and they to help me. I will also work with other Councillors. I am involved in two projects with Ron Edwards. We may not always agree but we can work together towards common ends.
Q . What do you want to achieve for the town/community?
I would like to see more commerce and light industry in the town. Also a new transport set up. I would like to see the High Street developed. It is essential for the town to have a heart.
Q. There are around 6k people in Burntisland and only about 40% of the electorate bothered to vote. Why do you think that is and what can be done about it?
It is essential that people get involved in the democratic process. If we worked at pulling initiatives and decisions down the way as I have already suggested, people might feel more involved and get more involved.
The Last Word.
Like many other Councillors I find there is a lack of people bringing problems to me. There are plenty people with problems but they do not bring them through the proper channels. Perhaps it is better to listen in the pub, or find other ways of going to people where they are, rather than expecting them to come to me.
George Kay can be contacted by phone on Tel.: 01592 872901 and by email at cllr.george.kay@fife.gov.uk .