Tuesday 3^rd March 2026, 7.30 pm Powmill Village Hall

Attendance: Community Councillors (CCllrs) Greg Blundell, Karen Morrill (Chair), Graham Pye and Gary Whittington; PKC Councillor (Cllr) Willie Robertson; Community Police Officers PC Ben Samson and PC Ashley Duncan; 13 Members of the Public (MoP)

Apologies: CCllrs Angus Cheape, Jill Hampson and Mark O'Bryen; Cllrs Dave Cuthbert, Neil Freshwater and Richard Watters.

1. Community Police Report

From 3^rd February 2026 (last report) there have been approximately 24 calls to Police from the

Fossoway area and six crimes recorded on Police systems including four for road traffic offences: 16^th February driver with no insurance (A977 Crook of Devon) -- ticket; 21^st February 46mph in a 30mph zone (A91 Carnbo) -- ticket; 21^st February 43mph in a 30mph zone (A91 Carnbo) -- ticket.

New email address for Community Police, replacing the ten previous ones. However, it would be helpful if the titles of any messages contained a location hint, e.g., "Kinross" to enable them to be routed more easily.

TaysideCommunityPolicePerthandKinross@scotland.police.uk

Since it's hard to get through on 101, use this email for general comments, or the Police Scotland contact form at: https://www.scotland.police.uk/secureforms/contact/

2. Approval of Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd February 2026 were proposed by CCllr Pye and seconded by CCllr Whittington.

3. Declarations of Interest: CCllrs O'Bryen and Pye declared an interest in planning application 25/01805/FLL; CCllr Morrill in 25/01861/FLL.

4. CC Membership: CCllr Wallace had previously tendered his resignation by email, which had been accepted by CCllr Morrill. We intend to adopt Hugh Wallace as an Associate Member at the April meeting.

CCllr Blundell tendered his resignation due to conflict of interest with the ongoing issues at Seamab. His resignation was reluctantly accepted by the other CC members present.

Anya Bacon will be submitting a nomination to become a CCllr to PKC, and assuming that her application is acceptable we intend to co-opt her in the April meeting.

5. Progress and Matters Arising

5.1 Speeding: This is an ongoing concern; residents are encouraged to report incidents to the Police.

5.2 Travellers' Site Crook of Devon: £5k worth of waste disposal services provided by PKC.

Cllr Robertson reported that the stream has rubbish in it, and has reported that to SEPA. CCllr Morrill asked how long before any action? Cllr Robertson said that they're actively investigating it.

MoP noted that the amount of rubbish, especially at the south end, is the worst he's seen in several years. Also, a lot of the fence has disappeared. There has been further discussion about the abandoned car, CCllr Cheape plans to try and get it onto the road, whence PKC will remove it.

5.3 Seamab School:

5.3.1 Since our last meeting in February the FDCC has received a response from MSP Jim Fairlie to the residents' concerns we wrote to him about in January -- via the MSP the FDCC has received a reply on behalf of Elaine Ritchie, the Strategic Lead for Housing and Communities at the HSE. The reply was dated 9th February 2026. In summary Ms Ritchie informs us that:

• Resident concerns should be addressed to the HSE as the responsible body, whilst PKC has been involved with investigations into residents' concerns -- such concerns are required to be handled by HSE.
• Regarding the completed school site, original assessments did not identify asbestos. Following residents' concerns about historic dumping, soil sampling was carried out, and low levels of asbestos were identified in one area. The outcome and any actions taken are detailed in correspondence issued directly by Seamab.
• For the adjacent car park/play area site (currently pending planning approval), conditions require investigation and remediation of any contaminated land, including asbestos.
• PKC has stated that communication is ongoing and that further site evaluation will take place in relation to areas outside the development boundary where concerns have been raised.
• As a Community Council, our role is to ensure concerns are raised appropriately and that relevant agencies are aware. The statutory investigation and enforcement powers sit with PKC, SEPA and HSE, and residents may contact those bodies directly for further clarification.

5.3.2 Planned meeting with Seamab CEO, at the school is planned for this month -- exact date is pending. It is likely that two or three CCllrs will attend, including CCllrs Morrill O'Bryen. Concerns raised by residents regarding litter, animal safety and communication will be discussed during the meeting and explore a named liaison contact and regular engagement.

5.3.3 Seamab School Development -- Rumbling Bridge Community Concerns

The Community Council received a detailed representation from a resident speaking on behalf of individuals in the Rumbling Bridge area regarding ongoing concerns associated with the Seamab School development.

The key concerns raised are summarised as follows:

• Asbestos Management and Health Risk - Health and Safety Executive response has focused on remediation only; No clear assessment has been provided regarding potential health risks to site users or nearby residents; Ongoing concern remains regarding whether the site is now fully safe.
• Accuracy of Information and Transparency - Information provided by PKC regarding the location of asbestos contamination and the consequences of incomplete information in assessing risks.
• Testing Evidence - Limited and incomplete evidence is available regarding asbestos testing.
• Planning Process and Lighting Impact - Works associated with the car park and surrounding area may constitute material changes that would ordinarily require a separate planning application and public consultation. See also New Business 6.1 below.
• Use of Incinerator Bottom Ash Aggregate (IBAA) - Use of this as a surface material, contrary to guidance that it should only be used as a sub-base; The potential associated risks.
• Road Resurfacing and Drainage - Proposed resurfacing works don't have landowner consent, and no planning for effective drainage.
• Demolition Compliance -- Are required asbestos surveys and appropriate building warrants in place for demolition works?

Residents suggest the following points be formally addressed with Seamab and the Developers:

• Provision of the asbestos management plan - legally required and should be accessible.
• Clarification of future plans for the temporary play area on the car park site.
• Confirmation that road resurfacing will only proceed with landowner consent, and that drainage issues will be properly resolved, not exacerbated.

Actions Agreed by FDCC

• The Community Council will raise these concerns with relevant parties, including PKC and the local MSP.
• Further clarification will be sought on the issues identified, including asbestos management, planning process, and environmental safety.

5.4 Powmill Recycling Bins:

No replacement site identified yet. MoP present stated that he was the owner of the Milk Bar site and it couldn't be used as a location, however he is also the owner of some land opposite that might be suitable. He passed his details to Cllr Robertson for PKC to discuss this proposal.

5.5 Flooding -- Powmill Bridge:

Issue remains unresolved. PKC have item on repair list and will update the CC.

5.6 LDP3 Engagement:

5.6.1 Meeting minute provided following the site visit at Blairingone on 12^th February with PKC and members of the Fossoway Development Trust:

• Community Hub / Shop -- agreed to be a good idea for the village. Safe access essential. Location options to be considered.
• Housing -- previous submissions supported 20 homes of mixed size two‑to‑four‑bed homes. An air quality assessment may be required.
• Access -- a key consideration for the masterplan
• Setting and View -- masterplan to consider best means of minimizing disruption to current views
• Play and Green spaces -- masterplan to consider options, and maintenance / sustainability
• Land Stability -- masterplan to take consideration of coal mining classification
• Ownership -- clarification needed before development plans are progressed

5.6.2 PKC are moving into the next phase of LPD3 -- part of this stage will include community engagement sessions for CofD (and others) currently planned for May.

6. New Business

6.1 Seamab Application 25/01021/FLL: Alterations to access, parking, landscaping, external play areas, erection of training workshop, retention of stables and siting of yurt posted on 10^th July 2025. FDCC seeks clarification on whether this application together with subsequent alterations, was ever subject to public consultation. It appears to have disappeared from the online system. A MoP was told that its contents had been added to 21/01467/FLL, but there are no details on the system there either. Cllr Robertson agreed to investigate.

6.2 Kinross Committee Meeting: was held on 19^th February 2026.

6.3 Rumbling Bridge Gorge: Cllr Robertson has submitted a funding proposal to produce a management plan.

6.4 Fossoway Development Trust:

Newsletter published -- funding sought to provide for Fossoway Primary school events; Estimates for the replacement gorge bridge are being prepared; A working group has been setup to create a heritage trail.

6.5 Resident reported the following issues to PKC for action:

• Camber of road in Crook of Devon resulting in water gathering -- nearby drain is not alleviating the problem.
• Wall left of Crook of Devon shop is damaged -- order issued by PKC on 19^th February for the required repair.
• Fencing outside Kincraig is damaged -- order issued by PKC on 19^th February for the required repair.

6.6 Resident concern over parking at the Powmill shop - Powmill: The CC requested that people should submit pictures and complain to PKC.

7. Consultations

7.1 Fossoway Gathering -- FDCC received an invitation to provide feedback on plans for future events in a meeting held on Friday, 20^th February.

7.2 FDCC has received an invite to collaborate on a 'unified statement' to the Scottish Government on the topic of renewable energy projects in planning across Scotland. The statement is supportive of renewable energy and seeks clarity on the plans to develop a national strategy.

7.3 FDCC has been notified of two public consultation events covering the proposed development of lodges and a spa at the Burleigh Castle site: to be held on Wednesday 4^th March and Wednesday 8^th April in the Milnathort Golf Club.

8. Community Council Business

8.1 Carol Farquhar resigned from the FDCC with effect from 4^th February. We would like to note our sincere appreciation for the support Carol provided to the FDCC during her time on the council. A note of thanks was shared in the last Fossoway newsletter.

8.2 Hydro Fund application for admin support -- ongoing.

8.3 Proposal to engage Kinross High School students on community engagement supported -- ongoing.

9. PKC Business:

Cllr Robertson had met with Mike Barnacle, FCDT Chair, to discuss an extension to the CofD Church Car Park. Land destined for possible future cemetery expansion could be leased from PKC to the CDT.

10. Planning Matters

10.1 Planning applications

25/01805/FLL Erection of agricultural storage building and formation of hardstanding at Land 30 metres south‑east of Cairnfold Cottage, Blairingone, FK14 7ND. No CC Comment.

25/01861/FLL Erection of dwellinghouse at Powmill Cottage, Rumbling Bridge. No CC Comment.

10.2 Planning decisions

23/01224/FLL Erection of 29 dwelling houses and associated works (phase 1 - allocated site H53) Land 80 metres north‑west of Huize Baahock, Powmill, Dollar FK14 7NW. Approved.

25/01706/FLL Alterations and replacement extension to dwellinghouse at Fernbank, Powmill, Dollar FK14 7NS. Approved.

11. AOCB

Blairingone and Powmill Notice Boards have been ordered.

Debris from car crash has not been cleared up -- Resident to send photo to PKC and advise CC of incident number.

23/55 Service is working well, possibly too well as buses are sometimes full! DRST service trial was successful, funding is needed to run the service. Community Bus is also being well used; the aim is to fund 50% of its running costs from donations.

12. Next Meeting

Tuesday 7^th April 2026, 7.30 pm, Crook of Devon Village Hall.

Actions & Follow-ups Summary