Bid to secure funding for historic Burgh Chambers as councillors debate budget

Councillor Kathleen Leslie has put the issue on the agenda for next week’s Fife Council meeting to discuss its budget.

The Conservative leader at Fife House will call on the minority Labour administration to commit to putting money into progressing restorative work at the historic landmark which locals fear has been left out in the cold for too long.

The Chambers, which sit at the heart of the town’s High Street, were at the centre of a row when a ‘for sale’ advert was posted online last year, and then quickly removed. While visitors and users have dwindled, local groups insist it is important to the town’s history, and it has a clear role to play in the future.

Burntisland Heritage Group’s ‘Raise The Steeple’ initiative was among the winners in the local authority’s ‘You Decide’ 2025 initiative to fund grassroots projects - only for the council to say the project was simply not on its radar, sparking further concerns.

Now the building, and its future, is back on the council agenda as budget discussions get underway.

Cllr Leslie (Burntisland, Kinghorn & Western Kirkcaldy) said: “The Burgh Chambers needs a marker laid down to demonstrate a commitment on the part of the council to progress towards a sustainable future.”

“Burntisland High Street is busy, the town is very much a tourist destination, and groups such as the Heritage Trust have been doing a huge amount of work over the years to highlight the long and rich history of the town. The rooms on the upper floor showcase detail of the history and character and it is sad to see these not being shown to their advantage to many more visitors which could be possible were the building fully accessible.

“Groups that have used the Burgh Chambers consistently such as the Community Council have been talking about this for a long time. Now is the time to do something - indeed it is long overdue.” The Conservatives’ amendment calls for a commitment to funding to be pout into this year’s budget.

“To completely carry out all works will potentially run into millions, said Cllr Leslie. “However, if urgent matters such as full accessibility and upgrading the heating can be addressed, those should hopefully go a long way to widening out the user group interest around Burntisland and the surrounding area. These in turn will secure a viable and sustainable future.”