Burntisland plans moving ahead

Residents’ priorities were identified last year through many hundreds of surveys and interviews, culminating in a community event which proved highly popular and very successful.

Now, to help focus on what matters most, the new Community Action Plan will be launched at an open event on July 3. Hosted in the primary school from 2-4pm, the event will give people an opportunity to explore parts of the plan with like-minded people.

It will help existing groups to expand their horizons by attracting new members. It will also stimulate the creation of more new groups where that appears to be the best way forward.

Alex MacDonald, chairman of Burntisland Community Council said: “Local people clearly have big ambitions for the town across a range of themes. Some of the key projects are already underway or are being led by individual groups. However, the Community Action Plan - which is about to be distributed to all households – will make it easier for the most ambitious groups to show evidence of demand for their projects and to raise the necessary funds.

“For example, the Community Council is leading the way in the possible creation of a local development trust.

‘‘We’ve taken advice at a national level and we’re very keen to provide support if there are enough people who are ready to help drive the initiative forward.

“Any such trust will be independent of the Community Council but we’re more than happy to facilitate its creation. Such a body could act as the umbrella group for related projects. For example, it could be the catalyst for rapid progress where there is clear synergy from different ideas.”

One of the key projects will be the development of the Burgh Chambers complex as a community resource, complete with a reinstated clock tower, while another will see a focus on the High Street, ensuring that it is attractive, welcoming and enterprising for locals and visitors alike.

Other priorities included improving health facities; introducing more events; improving access to the railway station; improving community safety and more activities for youngsters to provide: “a vibrant, forward looking seaside town with great community spirit, working together to make the most of our cultural and natural assets providing quality services and facilities for visitors and locals.”