Published Date: Nov 27th, 2024
Councillors on the Levenmouth Area Committee met earlier today for their November meeting.
Here's a round-up of the main agenda items discussed.
Funding for series of anti-poverty initiatives
Financial support for a range of worthwhile projects has been approved by members of the Levenmouth Area Committee.
Councillors agreed to make contributions to three initiatives in particular from the Local Community Planning Budget (LCPB) Anti-Poverty Fund following positive results in recent months and years.
A total of £37,500 was agreed to continue employing a specialist welfare support worker based within the Levenmouth Justice Social Work (JSW) team – effectively backing a pilot scheme that aims to provide additional support for clients and reduce reoffending rates.
The ‘test of change’ sees a member of staff give proactive support to local people who have engaged with JSW with the aim of reducing reliance on crisis interventions.
In the first six months of the project, participants have benefitted from improved housing, improved engagement with community-based support, and help into employment. Sixty people also received practical financial support of over £34,000 via grants and benefits.
Councillor Colin Davidson, Levenmouth Area Committee convener, said: “The project has been managed effectively as a small-scale pilot approach but it gives us the unique opportunity to test and learn what works most effectively to support greater resilience amongst clients.
“Most of our effort to address poverty in Fife is directed at dealing with crisis, which could have been prevented.
“Easier access to, and better design of, services could be a major factor in reducing crisis and helping people move out of poverty.”
Up to £12,000 was set aside to cover costs relating to the Levenmouth Independence Initiative, which is a partnership between Castle Furniture and the Levenmouth Community Learning and Development Team.
The project provides an access point where the community – both local staff and residents – can request items they need to manage households successfully.
This includes the re-use of white goods and furniture items and, where necessary, new or unique items – such as bunk beds which sleep three children – can be purchased.
As a project team, Fife Council can also work together with partners to respond to households by offering appropriate additional support such as benefit checks and referrals to specialist services to address more fundamental barriers to resilience.
Elsewhere, £19,000 was also pledged towards supporting the continuation of Corra Foundation officer in the Levenmouth area for 2024/25.
Since 2016, Corra and Fife Council have been working in partnership alongside the communities of Buckhaven and Methil. This long-term work has supported strong connections to be built and established a firm foundation of increased confidence, capacity, and community-led action.
Community facilities to be upgraded after budget allocation
Much-needed upgrades to community facilities in Levenmouth will progress as soon as possible after funding for the projects was agreed by councillors.
Members of the Levenmouth Area Committee gave the green light to spending £10,524 from the Community Recovery Fund budget towards improved changing facilities at Greig Park in Windygates.
The current condition of the changing room, referees' room, and external access WC is poor, but this project will bring the facilities up to a much better standard.
Work proposed within the changing rooms will consist of the installation of new bench seating and full decoration, while all walls in the referees’ room will be suitably prepared to allow full decoration.
The external WC unit will similarly be fully decorated and have new hardwood panelling installed among other upgrades, and lighting improvements will also be carried out to all rooms.
Two teams currently use the Greig Park pitches, namely Eastvale and Greig Park Rangers, and there are longer-term proposals for the improvement of the playing facilities at this site to potentially incorporate a 3G/4G pitch.
Meanwhile, councillors agreed proposed funding allocations which will enable two other important projects to go ahead.
A funding package of £137,500 – split between area capital funding and Community Recovery Funding – was approved for the Bishop’s Court Public Realm Project in Kennoway, while work to renew the pavilion at Herd Park in Methilhill will benefit from at least £100,000 – again split between the two funding sources.
At Bishop’s Court, the funding will go towards the demolition of the old public toilets, the removal of existing brick planters and the replacement of railings, and the installation of a ramp from the bus stop to the shopping area.
At Herd Park, the money will go towards replacing the current changing facilities and significantly improving quality, sustainability, and running costs.
20mph zone approved for East Wemyss housing development
New 20mph zones are to be established on roads within the new Castle Gait housing development to the west of East Wemyss.
The move effectively brings the area into line with other residential areas in Fife, with Fife Council promoting mandatory 20mph zones in these areas since 2003.
Councillors also agreed that the existing 20mph zone on the A955 westwards should also be extended to cover two road junctions that give access to the new estate.
Support for Leven’s Christmas Lights Switch On
Don’t forget that Leven’s Christmas Lights Switch On takes place this coming Saturday, with our very own Cammy Barnes doing the honours.
There will be stalls, refreshments, music and much more between 12 noon and 5pm, and Leven High Street will definitely be the place to be to get into the festive spirit.
The family-friendly event is organised by Leven Community Council and Leven Environment Group, and Fife Council is delighted to support the event each year.
Levenmouth Area Committee is expected to agree a £7,500 contribution from the Local Community Planning Budget (LCPB) towards the festive lights display at their meeting next week, as well as any additional costs in terms of repairs to fixing points identified as they were put up.
Entertainment will be on all afternoon ahead of the switch on at 5pm, and for full details of timings visit Leven Community Council’s Facebook page.
Other agenda items
Councillors also considered a number of other update reports during the meeting, covering topics including engagement work and activities delivered by ONFife at Methil Heritage Centre; an overview of complaints received in the Levenmouth area; the Levenmouth Area Housing Plan; and an annual report into Common Good and Settlement Trust Funds.
Full agenda papers can be accessed via the Fife Council website here.
