Community Council Minutes - September 2025
September 2025
Community Council Minutes - September 2025
Draft Minutes of Fossoway & District Community Council Meeting
Tuesday 2nd September 2025 -- 7.30pm, Moubray Village Hall, Powmill
Attending: Community Councillors (CCllrs): Angus Cheape, Tony Lamb, Nicola Marchant (Chair) and Kaye Williamson; Associate CCllr Farquhar; PKC Cllr Dave Cuthbert; 12 members of the public (MoP), PC Ben Samson, Sgt Jamie Marshall and Special Police Constable George Morley
Apologies: CCllrs Adrian Carter, Sarah Bruce Jones and Graham Pye; PKC Cllrs Neil Freshwater, Richard Watters and William Robertson.
Declarations of Interest: None
1. Community Police Report:
From 5th August 2025 (last report) there have been approximately 20 calls to the Police from the Fossoway area, and nine crimes recorded on Police systems (two of these are road traffic related and two are the same domestic abuse related incident.)
Crimes of Note: On the 7th August four suspects were arrested and released pending further enquiry in relation to the supply of a controlled drug after a car was stopped in Powmill. This is the subject of a live investigation.
On the 14th August there was a report of fraud in Solsgirth where a person had booked a plumber via mybuilder.com, made a payment and the suspect did not complete any work. This is the subject of a live investigation.
A MoP reported that during the recent storm they came home to find a person on their roof and another person in their garden. They claimed to be there to quote for emergency fixing of the roof and were very intimidating. Eventually they left but returned the next day and again were very intimidating when asked to leave. PC Samson noted that unfortunately this is a common occurrence, and the MoP was right to ask them to leave. The MoP did contact the Police and Trading Standards.
Road Traffic Reports: Community officers will continue to make efforts to carry out speed checks across the area during their patrols. On 20th August two drivers were issued with conditional tickets for driving using mobile phone (A977 Crook of Devon.)
On Wednesday 13th August 2025, PC Samson and PS Marshall carried out speeding checks in Powmill. During these checks one vehicle was stopped, and the driver was warned regarding their driving.
Fly Tipping: The CC have been made aware of fly tipping on the old golf course road. This should initially be reported to PKC, not the Police.
Seamab School: A MoP asked who they should inform if a child from Seamab school is found on their property or in a field containing cattle. Police stated that the first call should be to the school and if they are not contactable, then phone the Police, if they think the children are at risk.
Speedwatch: CCllr Lamb asked for an update on the speedwatch programme being led by Milnathort CC. In answer, PC Ben Samson confirmed that approximately 12 volunteers had gone through the process to approve for the Speedwatch initiative, that teams would consist of three at a time and that the scheme was being managed by Milnathort CC. This means that Speedwatch checks can now take place. Cllr Cuthbert noted that he had recently referred a new member to Milnathort CC.
2. Approval of minutes of the last meeting:
The Minutes of the 5th August meeting were approved and signed off.
3. Progress and Matters Arising:
Windfarms
Brunt Hill: The CC has received notification of an amendment to the Brunt Hill wind farm planning application. The application has been amended in response to addressing consultee comments, namely the removal of five turbines and their associated infrastructure and refining the position of the remaining 13 turbines, removing two borrow pits and adjusting the track layout. The Additional Information can either be viewed on the applicant's website at https://brunthillinfo.co.uk/ or on the Scottish Governments Energy Consents Unit website at www.energyconsents.scot under application reference ECU00004654. Any new representations on the application should be received not later than 15th October by email to representations@gov.scot
The CC is working with Carnbo Village Hall to agree a date where the revised plans can be reviewed. It was agreed that the CC should invite our MSPs and MPs to this event. The CC will be writing an additional objection for discussion and approval at our October meeting.
Craighead: No additional information has been received since the August meeting however it is noted that there are several new documents on DPEA website (PPA-340-2162 (Planning Permission Appeal) notably exchanges between the DPEA and Historic Environment Scotland, the Gliding Centre and PKC Planning. The date for a decision by the DPEA is now 6th Jan 2026. PKC had been asked to provide a list of planning conditions, but they failed to do so. The DPEA have then asked the Developer to provide their own list of planning conditions for PKC to review by 12th Sept. The CC are disappointed with the lack of engagement by PKC Planning and will submit to the DPEA our view on the proposed planning conditions.
Windburn Farm ECU Application -- Clackmannanshire Local Authority: No additional information
Local Place Plan (LPP) Update
The Fossoway and District LPP has now been registered with PKC and can be found on their website: https://www.pkc.gov.uk/localplaceplanregister
Community Development Trust (CDT)
The Trust will have a stall at the Fossoway Gathering, residents are encouraged to come along and find out more about the workings of the Trust.
Road Safety in FDCC area including A977 mitigation measures.
Review of proposed 20mph zones and other speed limit changes in Fossoway
The new temporary (18 months) 20mph speed limits are now in place although some of the Vehicle Activated Signs are still to be changed. After this time there will be a consultation process before permanent changes are made.
Residents have raised their disappointment at the refusal of PKC to change the speed limit at the Drum crossroads to 30mph where there have been two accidents in recent months. Several MoPs have reported cars going through red lights in Drum and Crook of Devon.
In addition, there is no safe walking route, due to lack of footpath, for children to walk to school from houses on the edge of Drum. There was a lively discussion regarding significant road safety concerns. The CC will write to Ward Cllrs and PKC Road Safety seeking an independent review of road safety on the A977 and A91 before any further changes are made e.g., consideration of introducing ramps.
Fossoway area transport
Cllr Lamb reported that the Glenfarg 23 service continues to operate well in spite of successive roadworks. It is hoped that the Powmill roadworks would end within two weeks. The 23/55 service is now approaching 2000 passenger journeys a week. Glenfarg CGT are also rolling out its Digital DRT service, which will be a pilot for four months and will need to be used to demonstrate the need and to secure future funding.
The Fossoway Community Bus has already been operating to support Carnbo Hall's Anniversary celebrations, and has a programme of events and trips in planning for the Autumn. It will be transporting people to and from the upcoming Fossoway Gathering at no cost to any individual. More trips are planned to Errol Sunday Market on the 21st September -- there will be a small donation to support the ongoing running of the Bus. Please keep an eye on the CC's Facebook page.
Seamab School Construction Work
The CC raised concerns with PKC's Enforcement and Environmental Health Officers once more and have been advised that PKC have again contacted the contractor regarding dust and the open trench. They also stated that the work carried out on Saturday after 1pm was by Scottish Water who have access and work rights outside of the agreed planning conditions.
A MoP reported that they have had more samples from the track and their property privately analysed. The results show the presence of blue asbestos in the dust. Local residents are deeply concerned about the presence of this hazardous material as the dust suppression activities of the contractor are clearly inadequate. To date the MoP has had no response from HSE or SEPA and whilst PKC have visited them, they have failed to follow up to confirm that the material has been safely removed. Cllr Cuthbert will once again raise this urgent issue with PKC Officers. The CC will write to Ward Cllrs and PKC Environmental Health Officers seeking an independent analysis of the soil without delay.
Community Noticeboards
The Trust has now received formal notification of the grant to provide these and will be working with the village shop, Blairingone, Carnbo Village Hall and Rumbling Bridge to choose appropriate noticeboards. The Trust will require volunteers to erect the new boards and remove the old ones.
Crook Moss Travellers Site.
A MoP again raised their concern on the state of the site and Cllr Cuthbert agreed to raise this with PKC Officers. The abandoned car is still in the woodland as SEPA have failed to have it removed.
4. Matters arising with no update since last meeting: None this month.
5. New Business:
Dog Fouling in Parks
Cllr Robertson has reported that there is a growing problem with dog fouling in our parks and sports pitches here in Kinross-shire. He requested a fenced off designated dog exercise area in our parks, but this has been refused by PKC. The CC agreed to send Cllr Cuthbert a map of the footpath between Drum and Aldie Road marking locations for new dog waste bins.
Neighbourhood Watch Scotland
Neighbourhood Watch Scotland have advised that the UK's telephone landlines are going digital. By January 2027, the old analogue network will be completely replaced by new digital landlines which work using broadband. This means that residents using telecare devices will need to ensure that their equipment is compatible with the new digital technology. Cllr Cuthbert reported that PKC are knocking on all impacted peoples' doors and arranging modification of their telecare system.
Scottish Water
There has been media coverage that Scottish Water has renewed their call for customers to help take care of Scotland\'s drinking water supplies, after the driest Spring nationwide for 70 years. Also, Scottish Water advised residents of smelly water caused by Geosmin in which has a distinctive earthy or musty smell. To help reduce the taste or odour, they recommend chilling the water, adding ice, a slice of lemon, or a few drops of lemon juice.
6. Consultations:
In May 2024 the Scottish Parliament passed legislation giving local authorities the ability to charge a set percentage on overnight accommodation to be paid by visitors and tourists -- The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2024/8/contents) Any proposal for a levy will be decided by PKC in December 2025. https://consult.pkc.gov.uk/communities/perth-and-kinross-visitor-levy/ Closes 30th September 2025.
7. Community Council Business:
Fossoway and District CC Elections: The next CC elections will be held on 6th November 2025 (https://www.pkc.gov.uk/communitycouncilselections). Nominations close at 4pm on 25th September. In the event of there being more than eight nominations there will be an election on 6th November 2025. To continue to exist the Fossoway and District CC must have a minimum of four CCllrs. Currently the Chair has advised that a number of CCllrs, including herself, will not be standing for re‑election, and as a result we require new CCllrs in order that the CC continues to exist. CCllrs are all volunteers and if anyone wishes to find out more about becoming a CCllr please reach out to us on fossway.cc@gmail.com.
It was agreed that the remaining Science Award fund of £201.56 would be transferred to the Fossoway Fund.
The Fossoway Gathering will be held on 6th September in Waulkmill Park featuring Historia Normannis Medieval Village and Display. Gates will open at 11.30 and close at 4.30. This year there will be a free Community Bus service running with pick-ups from Carnbo 12pm and 1pm and from Muckhart at 12.15pm and 1.15pm. Returns will run at 3pm and 4pm.
Meetings Attended:
CCllr Lamb attended Stronger Communities PKC on 26th July and Kinross-shire Transport Forum PKC on 28th July.
CCllr Lamb reported on the recent PKC led Communities Together meeting and commented that there were concerns about its future existence as PKC, for various reasons, were intent upon ceasing management of it and asking the Community to take this on. A further report will be made when decisions have been made about its future.
CCllr Cheape attended the Kinross‑shire Fund, where grants were made to Orwell Bowling club and Perth Autism.
8. PKC Business -- Councillors reports:
Cllr Cuthbert noted that the Fairer Communities for All Fund is now open, this has replaced the Community Investment Fund.
9. Planning Matters:
Planning Decisions
08/01561/FLM Easter Muirhead Blairingone S42 application to vary condition 12 (road widening) of permission.
The CC have been advised that the application has now been returned to the applicant/agent as Technically Invalid and will not be determined.
Planning Applications
25/01236/FLL Erection of 4 dwellinghouses, garages and associated works at Land 40 metres north‑west of Ladieshall Vicar\'s Bridge Road Blairingone. No CC Comment.
Energy Consent Unit ECU00005240 Installation of a battery energy storage system and associated infrastructure with a generating capacity of up to 250MW located on land to the north‑east of Kincardine and east of Kilbagie, Clackmannanshire. No CC Comment.
10. AOCB:
Details of CC meetings for the coming year can be found on our website: www.fossoway.org
Next CC Meeting (including the AGM) Tuesday 7th October 2025 Crook of Devon Hall at 7.30pm