Kelty Community Action Plan 2016-2021 Kelty Community Action Plan 2016-2021 Contents
ɀ Introduction ...... 3
ɀ Our Community Now ...... 4-6
ɀ Our Community’s Vision for Kelty ...... 4-7
ɀ Kelty Likes ...... 9
ɀ Kelty Dislikes ...... 8
ɀ Themes and Priorities for Action ...... 10-14
ɀ Links to Fife Community Plan ...... 15
ɀ Early Actions Identified in the Community ...... 15
ɀ Making it happen ...... 16
Coalfields Community Futures The Coalfields Community Futures Programme is an approach to local community planning and sustainable community development that aims to encourage active citizenship and build local democracy. It enables communities to devise a community action plan which makes a case for the things that the community thinks are important and wishes to make happen.
The process builds on existing processes of community action research to identify local needs and priorities, using residents as co-researchers. We work with local residents and groups to develop a common sense of purpose and assist them to produce a deliverable community action plan.
To support the action planning process the community receive a Participatory Budget which is available to local constituted community or voluntary groups.
This budget enables the community to fund small projects that are identified by the community through the results of the household surveys, stakeholder interviews and the Open Event.
These projects are aimed at being Soon, Seen and Successful.
2 Kelty Community Action Plan
Introduction
ɀ 208 Community Surveys were returned representing approx. 460 residents ɀ 9 Stakeholder interviews took place with local groups, schools, business and support organisations
ɀ 255 people attended the Community Futures Open Event
Kelty Community Action Plan The Action Plan summarises community views and information about:
ɀ Our community now ɀ Vision for Kelty ɀ Priority themes and actions
Kelty Community Futures Steering Group The Steering Group brought together representatives from Kelty Community Council, Kelty Bowling Club, Moray Institute Development Trust, Blairadam Fields Action Group, Kelty Knitting Group.
Thanks go to everyone who took part in helping Kelty plan for a bright future.
In remembrance: During the process of producing this action plan one of our steering group members passed away suddenly. We would like to recognise the life of David Love and his great contribution toward the Kelty Community Action Plan. In his earlier years David supported the young people in the village as a youth worker. David was a well respected member of the Kelty community committing most of his adult life to supporting many local groups including the Bowling Club and the new community centre management group. Although he did not have any children of his own it was quite clear that he saw the people of Kelty as his family. David Love will be missed greatly by all in the community.
3 Kelty Community Action Plan 2016-2021 Our Community Now
Background
This Profile has been produced to give an insight into the Kelty area. It is part of a wider Community Futures process being delivered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust across Scotland’s coalfield communities to assist them to reflect on what is good, what could be improved and how.
The village of Kelty lies immediately to the east of the M90 motorway just before, if you are heading north, it passes from Fife into Perth & Kinross. To its east is Loch Ore and, beyond, the villages of Ballingry and Lochore, while a little over a mile and a half to the south east is Cowdenbeath.
A settlement was established here by 1600, when "Keltey" appeared as a village on the line of the coach road between Edinburgh (via the ferry) and Perth.
Development of Kelty really took off with the arrival of the branch railway from Cowdenbeath to Kinross in 1860. "Arrival" is a slight overstatement as Kelty Station lay some distance to the east of the village, but it nonetheless led to the transformation of the village and the surrounding area. Coal mining may well have taken place in the area on a small scale as early as the beginning of the 1800s, but it was only after the coal could be transported by rail that the area's huge reserves began to be exploited fully.
The Fife Coal Company was established in 1872, by which time three deep mines had already been sunk in the area. At the height of the coal boom, the population of Kelty reached some 9,000. It has since reduced to nearer 5,500, and in the half century since the closure of the deep mines Kelty, like villages in other parts of the Fife coalfield and elsewhere in Scotland, have had to face the difficult task of adapting to very different economic circumstances.
Kelty's deep mining heritage is remembered today in the form of a life-sized statue of a miner, recently moved from outside Kelty Library to the entrance of the new community centre.This serves as a memorial to all the men who lost their lives in the Kelty collieries.
Kelty itself was bypassed by the M90 motorway in 1970, and since then it has existed for most people only as a sign beside a motorway junction. Those who take the slight detour through the village find a place of considerable character.
While deep mining may be long gone, coal extraction carries on in the form of open cast mining. The most obvious site is at St Ninians, immediately to the west of the M90 just south of Kelty.
Population
The population resident in the area taken from Mid-Year Estimates (ONS) 2013 was 5,475. The area profile shows this is due to a gradual increase in population over the years. From 2001 to 2011 there was a consistent rise leading to a 20% increase in population. Future projections are likely to significantly increase the rate of population growth due to plans for major housing developments in the area in the next few years.
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Housing
The spread of household size broadly reflects the picture for Scotland as a whole with 58.7% owner occupiers ( Scotland wide 62%). This figure is set to rise in Kelty with plans underway for further private housing developments in the near future. This may push Kelty into a position where it sits above the national average for private home owners. The greatest disparity is in the Local Authority Rented figures that shows Kelty has just over 30% of people living in council rented homes as against 13.2% in Scotland as a whole. Regarding Housing Association tenants, there are just under 3% as opposed to just over 11% in Scotland.
Source Census 2011
Health
The average age of people with good health or people with a limiting long term illness roughly equates to Scotland as a whole with 23.7% of residents living with a limiting long term illness (Scotland figures 19.6%). Health and other services are accessed from the local health clinics in the Main Street.
Waiting times are an issue for some.
Source Census 2011
Employment and the Economy
More people are economically active (68%) than inactive (32%) and of these less are self-employed (4.7%) compared to Scotland as a whole (7.5%)
In Kelty, the job breakdown shows that 41% are full time employees with 13.5% in part time work.
Source Census 2011
Fife Council’s website shows that Kelty has 142 companies operating within it. Some of the top listed businesses include:
Builders, Hairdressers, Boarding Kennels, Groceries and Convenience Stores, Electricians, Farmers, Party Planning, Dog Grooming, Picture Framers, Car Dealers - Used Cars, Embroidery Shop, Carpenter, Stone Cleaners and Restorers, Community Centre, Newsagents, Fish and Chips, Garage, Supermarket, Catteries ,Beauty Salon and Florist . Baxter’s Home Farm is located on the outskirts of Kelty next to the exit onto the M90. It has a large housewares’ shop with a coffee shop included.
Education and Skills: Qualifications
The % of households where residents aged 16-74 have no qualifications is 32.5% which is above the Scotland average of 26.8%. In relation to those with Level 4+ (degree) qualifications, Kelty is significantly lower at 14.9% than Scotland as a whole at 26.1%.
Source Census 2011
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Social and Community
The town centre has a good variety of shops and has the feeling of a traditional high street, including a Co Operative and a newly opened Costcutters store. There are several public houses, community halls, cafes and churches. It also has an increasing number of community organisations with several annual events including the Kelty Coal Race and Kelty Gala.
Regarding community spaces, Kelty has a new community centre. This building hosts the library and the Fife Council local office as well as a focus on offering facilities for indoor sports activity. The Moray Institute is another community building that is currently owned by Fife Council and is due to close with the opening of the new community centre. The community is actively working to take ownership of the building as well its management and to run it for the benefit of the community.
Environment Kelty is well located for access to nature including woodland walks and cycle paths at Blairadam Wood. It has three major trails that wind through the wood with an attractive mix of mighty spruces and colourful beech woodland. William Adam, the noted Scottish architect, built Blairadam House here in the 1730s and landscaped the surrounding estate. He also built pits to extract coal. Kelty has access to water sports at Lochore Meadows Country Park and the RSPB Nature Reserve at Loch Leven, all within a few miles of the village. Regarding local parks, Fife Council maintain Central Park which is situated off Bath Street. There is a play area with football pitch and changing facilities within the pavilion. Fife Council also manages Earls Row Allotments in Kelty.
Transport There is no rail link in Kelty with the nearest station being Cowdenbeath. Kelty has regular local bus services covering the Fife area and beyond.
Community Action Plan: Considerations Kelty has a strong community spirit and people who live there have a strong sense of identity to the place. There are a lot of community groups delivering activities but there is a feeling that communication between groups could be better and this is something that could be addressed as part of the action plan. Increased space for community activities, mainly sports based, is now available with the new community centre now open. Other public services are now based there too including the library and the local office. There is a clear message coming out from the survey responses that this new building will not fulfil all the needs of the community and therefore there is a strong case for keeping the Moray Institute open for business. There is already a core team of local residents working to do this through the creation of a Moray Institute Development Trust. Car parking issues in the High Street are an issue for people as are concerns about the speed of traffic going through the cross at Kelty. As evidenced from the latest government statistics there is a need to improve levels of education and training in the area. This is reflected in the employment profile with fewer managerial, professional and technical workers in the area and also in the high level of youth unemployment.
6 Kelty Community Action Plan The Community’s Vision for Kelty
“Kelty thrives on its deep rooted community “An attractive, spirit, a village which is well kept village with inclusive and made up of good recreational spaces, people who respect attractive gardens and each other and their welcoming gateways.” environment.”
“A place with modern “All community facilities and accessible paths, are utilised to their full tracks and parks, potential providing space encouraging people to for events and activities enjoy being outdoors and for everyone.” to get active.”
“A vibrant village “A place that celebrates centre with good parking, its heritage and makes clean pavements and the most of its rural safe roads.” environment.”
7 Kelty Community Action Plan 2016-2021
Kelty Likes (Information taken from the community survey) ‘Most of the people will go out of their way to help and assist you’
‘Great schools and nursery’
‘Good gala for the children’
‘I feel safe’
‘I can cycle to Blairadam Forest in minutes and
be in a new world that is peaceful and beautiful’
‘It’s a very friendly village’
‘Central location’
‘Community feeling to the village’
‘Children’s Gala’
‘Coal Race’
‘Christmas lights’
‘Access to Lochore Meadows’
‘The people’
‘Everything within walking distance’
‘Lovely walks nearby’
‘Parks’
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Kelty Dislikes (Information taken from the community survey) ‘Shopping facilities are limited’ ‘The speed of the traffic through the centre’ ‘The difficulty in crossing the street at the cross’ ‘There aren’t enough outdoor parks for the children’ ‘Not enough council housing’ ‘Most sport seems to be football, not much for the disabled, like yoga’ ‘No cafe that doesn't shut at 5 or 6pm’ ‘Mess on the streets’ ‘Not enough for young folk to do’ ‘Roads and pavements need improving and repairing, some are very bad’ ‘Lack of adequate parking facilities’ ‘Dog fouling’ ‘Pressure on services due to increase in population’ ‘The waiting time at the doctors’
9 Kelty Community Action Plan 2016-2021
Main Priorities identified by the Community and a Strategy for Community Action THEME 1: Community Facilities and Activities The people of Kelty are determined to make the most of their local facilities, promote their historical, industrial and natural heritage and make sure that there are activities that will suit people of all ages. A major step towards this is the creation of the Moray Institute Development Trust. This will not only secure the Moray Institute as a place where the community can meet and enjoy activities, it will work with others to make sure that there is good communication and a partnership approach to delivering the services that the community needs
Priorities Actions required to take priorities forward
Ensure best use is ɀ Promote activities that are taking place in the new centre via social media and made of the new newsletter. community centre ɀ Work closely with Moray Institute for the benefit of the whole community.
Support activities that ɀ Work together with Fife Mining Heritage Society to investigate possibility of an promote our cultural industrial heritage display. and industrial heritage ɀ Investigate potential for heritage trails around the village. ɀ Work with Fife Coast and Countryside Trust to develop new initiatives in and around Kelty. ɀ Continue to support the work of the Kelty Heritage Society.
More support for our ɀ Encourage greater involvement by local people to take part in community active community activities. groups and our annual ɀ Promote existing community groups, activities and events using the Kelty community events eg newsletter. Encourage links to websites of the other local groups including Gala Day, Christmas Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms. etc More opportunities for ɀ Work with Fife Council community learning staff to help identify what young young people, older people would like to do who aren’t utilizing current youth provision. people and young ɀ Work with Fife Council community learning staff to help identify older people families would like to do who aren’t accessing current adult provision. ɀ Work with Fife Council community learning staff to help identify what young families would like to do who aren’t accessing current provision. ɀ Make best use of new community centre and Moray Institute for activities identified through these engagement exercises. ɀ Support PTA in developing extra curricular activities and increase resources available for this to happen. ɀ Develop opportunities for activities that promote health and wellbeing eg walking group, girls football, sports for disability groups
Potential Partners Fife Council, Moray Institute Development Trust, Fife Coast & Countryside Trust, Fife Mining Heritage, Community Council, Local Community Groups
10 Kelty Community Action Plan
Main Priorities identified by the Community and a Strategy for Community Action THEME 2: Enterprise and Economy Kelty wants the best for it’s residents, whatever their age or ability. Whether it’s going to the shops, training to get a new job, participating in local activities, we will work to create the most positive environment for living and working in Kelty.
Priorities Actions required to take priorities forward
Investigate the Moray ɀ Create Moray Institute Community Development Trust to be responsible for Institute being run by managing the building with a potential to taking ownership, as well as wider issues. the community for the ɀ Work to create a business plan for the long term sustainability of the Moray community Institute to include diverse income streams eg community café, themed evenings, indoor market, drop-in centre. ɀ Develop positive working relationship between Moray Institute and Fife Council. ɀ Ongoing community engagement to increase membership ɀ Work closely with new community centre facility for the benefit of the whole community.
Set up the Moray ɀ The Moray Institute Development Trust could further develop activities within the Institute Development Moray Institute and help to take the action plan forward with support from Trust Community Council. ɀ It would be the driving force behind working with key partners to deliver the 5 year Kelty Action Plan.
A better shopping ɀ Bring local traders together to see how they can work together to improve the experience shopping experience for local people. ɀ Investigate the possibility of an annual “Community Award” for local businesses.
More attractive main ɀ Work together with Fife Council and local businesses to look at opportunities for street improving the look of the Main Street. Ideas could include: More welcoming and attractive shop-fronts
Improve employment ɀ Investigate local skills based training opportunities and promote what is available opportunities for all eg job clubs. ages ɀ Improve employability opportunities through local initiatives. ɀ Approach local college to find out if they can provide local teaching provision to offer local trade and skills-based training opportunities.
Potential Partners Fife Council, Local Businesses, Moray Institute Development Trust, Employment support agencies including Job Centre
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Main Priorities identified by the Community and a Strategy for Community Action THEME 3: Natural Environment Kelty is located in an area of Fife that is rich in natural beauty, biodiversity as well as good paths and cycleways. There is much still to be done to make the local green spaces fit for purpose and designed in a way where they can be accessed and enjoyed by everyone.
Priorities Actions required to take priorities forward
Create / improve play ɀ Investigate the opportunities within the new housing developments for play and parks recreation facilities. Liaise with developers and Fife Council on this.
Create a designated ɀ Investigate the upgrading of existing facilities and access to local woodland trail bike facility in ɀ Investigate funding to carry out a feasibility study to establish the creation of a Blairadam Forest bike trail in Blairadam Forest as a viable objective.
Promote and develop ɀ Make the most of outdoor learning opportunities for nursery and primary schools. existing green space Raise awareness and gather community support for outdoor education and natural ɀ Work with appropriate organisations to carry out a community mapping exercise environment looking at green space, how it can be well designed to suit the needs of everyone. ɀ Create accessible growing spaces for people of all abilities
Improve the path ɀ Work with Fife Council and carry out a mapping exercise to identify any repairs network for walkers needed to existing paths and any additional paths required. and cyclists
Clean up Kelty! ɀ Set up a litter pick weekend to launch a campaign for regular clean up activity. ɀ Carry out regular litter pick sessions with volunteers to encourage increased civic pride
Floral Enhancements ɀ Continue the good work being carried out in Kelty and encourage more local support ɀ Create a Kelty Garden Prize Award and encourage local residents to participate.
Potential Partners Fife Council, Local Community Groups, Community Council, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, Greenspace Scotland, Cycle Scotland, Sustrans, Paths for All
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Main Priorities identified by the Community and a Strategy for Community Action THEME 4: Roads and Transport Safe roads, adequate parking and good transport services are key priorites for the people of Kelty and over the term of this action plan we will work hard to address these issues in partnership with public service providers.
Priorities Actions required to take priorities forward
Better maintenance of ɀ Carry out a mapping exercise to identify potholes and road repair sites. Liaise with roads and pavements Fife Council to have priority repairs made. ɀ Identify where drop kerbs need to be improved or created for wheelchair users as well as mothers with prams and buggies
More effective traffic ɀ Work with Fife Council to carry out a mapping exercise of where traffic calming is calming most needed. ɀ Work with partners to look at innovative ways of encouraging drivers to travel at safe speeds through Kelty
Improved bus service ɀ Continue to lobby for improved bus services locally.
Better parking ɀ Carry out a mapping exercise to identify potential parking areas. facilities
Make the cross safer ɀ Work with Fife Council to look at innovative ways to make the cross safer for for drivers and drivers and pedestrians. pedestrians
Potential Partners Fife Council Roads Department, Transport Scotland, Stagecoach, Bay Travel, Community Council, Police Scotland
13 Kelty Community Action Plan 2016-2021
Main Priorities identified by the Community and a Strategy for Community Action THEME 5: Public Services Partnership working is key to effective service delivery. We want the people of Kelty to take an active role in shaping the key services that are essential to living in a safe, clean and responsive community.
Priorities Actions required to take priorities forward
More police presence ɀ Continue to work with Police Scotland to look at increasing community policing. ɀ Encourage the community to report any incidents to the police or relevant authority.
Better access to ɀ Promote enhanced services that are provided by local pharmacies medical services ɀ Continue to support work done by local Medical Centre.
Cleaner streets in ɀ Work with Fife Council to make sure there is an effective response time to illegal Kelty dumping of rubbish and litter ɀ Ensure bins are emptied of rubbish and dog fouling on a timely basis. ɀ Work with Fife Council on a joint approach to dealing with dog fouling
Improve maintenance ɀ Work with Fife Council and Housing Associations and Private Landlords to identify of social housing stock housing in most need of attention.
Potential Partners Emergency Services, Fife Community Planning Partnership, Health Centre, Local Councilors’.
Links to the Fife Community Plan Fife’s Community Plan 2011-2020 sets out three high level outcomes, each with a number of long term outcomes towards which the partnership groups will work alongside other key groups. Fife’s Community Planning Partners have signed up to these shared outcomes. Lead partnership groups will work together with the people and communities of Fife to deliver these objectives, with each partner providing a unique and valued contribution.
Fife Community Plan High Kelty Action Plan Themes Level Outcomes
Reducing Inequalities Community Facilities and Activities Public Services Natural Environment
Increasing Employment Enterprise and Economy
Tackling Climate Change Roads and Transport
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Early actions identified in the community and supported by funding from Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Fife Council
Kelty Bowling Club Extension Project
Kelty Kids Kitty New Equipment and Publicity
Kelty and District Art Group New Equipment
Kelty Heritage Group Book Publishing
Dunfermline & District Credit Union New Office Equipment Kelty Branch
77th Fife (Kelty Church) Scout Group Disabled access and toilets
Kelty and Blairadam Concert Band New instruments and music
Kelty and Blairadam Novice Juvenile Musical Participation for the Youth of Kelty Pipe Band Scottish Coal Carrying Heritage Information Boards and Talking Posts Championships
The Company of Friends Activities and equipment
Kuk Sool Won of Kelty Kuk Sool Won Kelty Development Programme
Kelty Primary School PTA Playground equipment
Moray Institute Development Trust Legal Fees
15 Making it Happen This Community Action Plan has set out the priorities for the development of Kelty over the next 5 years as identified by the community through an extensive process of community engagement carried out over a period of 6 months, June to November 2015. The Plan contains
ɀ A summary of the Kelty Community Profile ɀ Our main Likes and Dislikes expressed in the community survey ɀ Our Community’s Vision for Kelty ɀ The main themes and priorities for taking action ɀ Information on how to get involved or just be kept informed! The Community Action Plan is not just for the few but for everyone, we hope you will read it, consider its content and help toward making it work by taking action where you are, in whatever way you can. If everyone did something positive for their community every day, then what a difference that would make! FUTURE FUNDERS Some of the funders we would like to discuss our Kelty Action Plan with to see if they will invest in our community through their various funding streams include: The BIG LOTTERY, Voluntary Action Fund, Robertson Trust, Fife Council Area Budget, Climate Challenge Fund, Creative Scotland, Paths for All, Forestry Commission, Leader in Fife. Many thanks go to all those who took their time to share their views and to the volunteers and participants who made the Open Day a great success. Thanks go to members of the community who contributed the images used in this Community Action Plan. Special thanks go to Fife Council for match funding the Participatory Budget Fund, taking it from £20,000 to £30,000 To find out more information about the Action Plan or to volunteer with any projects please contact: [email protected]
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