Community Action Plan 2016-2021 - Methil/Methilhill - The ...
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Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Our Community Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Our shared vision for community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
What the kids have to say . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Our Likes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Our Dislikes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Theme 1: Public Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Theme 2: Our Local Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Theme 3: Community Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Theme 4: Local Amenities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Making the links to Community Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Early Actions funded through the Participatory Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Making it happen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Introduction
113 community surveys were returned representing the views of
approximately 250 people
6 Stakeholder interviews took place with local groups,
residents and support organisations
95 people attended the Community Futures Open Events in Methil & Methilhill
Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan
This Action Plan summarises community views and information about:
A profile on our community
Our shared Vision for Methil & Methilhill
Priority themes and identified actions
Methil & Methilhill Community Futures Steering Group
The Steering Group brought together representatives from Methilhill and Denbeath Parish Church,
Methil Community Children’s Initiative, Kingdom Credit Union, Methilhill Parent Council, local
Councillor, Fife Council Community Learning and Development.
2
Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
Our Community Now
Background
This Profile has been produced to give an insight into the Methil and Methilhill area. It is part of a wider
Coalfields Community Futures process being delivered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust across
Scotland’s coalfield communities to assist them reflect on what is good, what could be improved and
how it could be done.
Methil was once the greatest coal exporting port in Scotland, shipping over 3 million tons annually from
three docks. It would be fair to say that coal and its associated traffic has played a significant part in
the life and prosperity of the town. That significance ended on Thursday 18th May 1977 with the final
shipment of coal from the port.
Methil has seen many changes, especially over the last hundred or so years. First of all the town
experienced a massive boom based upon two foundations – the large expansion of Fife's coalfields and
the rapid development of Methil's docks and coal exporting facilities. Methil continued as a thriving
centre of industry and commerce during the middle years of the 20th century. However, since the
Second World War the area has increasingly had to cope with the effect of a terminal decline in the coal
industry and find ways of adapting to its changed circumstances.
Population
The population resident in the area based on Mid –Year Estimates (ONS) 2013 is 11,380 with a breakdown
48% male and 52% female The area profile generally follows the Scotland profile in relation to gender
breakdown as well as age with 19% aged 0-5, 62% of working age and 18.6% over 65 years old.
Housing
The spread of household size broadly reflects the picture for Scotland as a whole with married
households being greatest at just over 25% and pensioner households at 22%. However when it comes
to lone parent households there is a marked increase with Methil/Methilhill at almost 12% where Scotland
as an average is just over 7%.
From stakeholder interviews it is understood that it is difficult for older people to find housing in areas
where they can be properly looked after. In relation to social housing, the waiting list is increasing, and
although there are 100 new houses being built at the Steelworks Brae, more social and affordable
housing is needed.
3
Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021 Health From a self assessment of health 44% people said that they had very good health which is lower than that of Scotland as a whole at 52.5%. When it comes to very bad health, the figures are roughly the same as Scotland as a whole at 1.8% (Scotland 1.3%). Source: 2011Census From the stakeholder interviews it was highlighted that that there is a high demand for social service provision in the area and a need to provide care packages for the elderly to enable them to continue to continue living in their own homes. Employment and the Economy There are just over 62% of residents economically active which is lower than Scotland as a whole at 69%. When it comes to those who are economically inactive we see that Methil/Methilhill is higher at almost 38% as against 31% in Scotland as a whole. In the breakdown of the main industry sectors in the Methil/Methilhill area, it shows that the largest employment sector is split evenly between Health + Social Work at 18% and Retail at 18%.Next after this is Manufacturing at 15%. Source Census 2011 Education and Skills: Qualifications The percentage of households where residents aged 16-74 have no qualifications nor in full-time education is significantly higher than Scotland with just over 42% as against just under 27% in the country as a whole. Source: 2011Census From the stakeholder interviews it was highlighted that there is good nursery provision in the area including the Methil Children’s Community Initiative. There is also a new Levenmouth Academy being built to replace Buckhaven and Kirkland High Schools. The proposed integrated approach should offer more opportunities for those who find learning in the traditional classroom environment somewhat challenging. Social and Community From the community survey we can see that community spirit registers as one of the most significant likes responses at 45%.The stakeholder interviews suggest that there are lots of opportunities for socialising but there are concerns regarding the negative impact of council cutbacks on services such as local libraries and community learning provision. A top priority for action from the survey was a desire for more police presence. 4
Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
Environment
Methil and Methilhill have a diverse environment, from the River Leven, urban areas and the Methil Dock
area. From stakeholder interviews the issues of dog fouling and litter were raised as problems high on
people’s agenda. A campaign against dog fouling was within the top ten priorities for action in the
community survey.
Improved path networks with a desire to connect to the Fife Coastal path was also one of the top ten
priorities as was a desire for community growing spaces.
Transport
There is a lot of support locally for the re-instatement of the Leven to Thornton Rail link on the basis of
its potential to bring increased employment and opportunities for locals to find work further afield. It
could also attract tourism.
From stakeholder interviews it was highlighted that currently there is no local bus that goes directly to
the Victoria Hospital. Buses are expensive and with the Poplar Road bus service having been withdrawn
it means that residents have to manage quite a hill climb to access alternative bus stops.
There is a good bus service to Kirkcaldy.
Parking is a big issue with a lack of space for street parking in many areas and especially at the Primary
School during drop off and pick up times.
Community Action Plan: Considerations
Housing statistics in the area show that there is an above average number of single parents and there
is also concern regarding older people finding adequate, supported housing for their needs. In addition
there is a high demand for social care to enable people to continue to live independently.
The need to improve the levels of qualification through education and training in the area is quite
apparent based on the high level of adults living in Methil and Methilhill with no qualifications. This
significantly limits the type of work available to many adults in the job market. The Docks and the Energy
park are highlighted in the stakeholder interviews as areas that could offer opportunities for
development.
The survey reveals that there is a strong community spirit but concerns are high regarding the resourcing
of and keeping community buildings open in the future to support community activities.
Other high ranking concerns include issues around community safety, availability of public transport
and car parking.
5
Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
A shared vision for our community
A safe community Our community has high quality community green
that has affordable access space with attractive parks used by people of all
to facilities and activities to ages, as well as responsible dog owners.
help people live healthy, happy lives. A place
where learning new skills and coming together
regularly creates a strong community spirit.
We can offer a positive, local, shopping experience
with a variety of retailers, good roads and parking
with safe pavements.
We are proud of our
community gardens
where children can play
and families can grow
their own
fruit and vegetables.
A caring and supportive community
A friendly place where annual events are well where older people respect and encourage
supported and enjoyed by all age groups. younger people who in turn respect and care
for their elders
6
Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
What the Kids have to say!
As part of the community action research, steering committee members involved pupils from
Methilhill Primary School offering them the opportunity to take part in an art competition to draw a
vision of community or create a logo to be used to promote the community action plan.
23 pupils took part in the competition ranging from P3 to P7. Each pupil also completed a short
survey to say what they liked and what they didn’t like about living in Methilhill, what they did in their
spare time and what they would like to see in the future.
From the responses we can see that outdoor play was twice as popular as playing on a computer.
Almost 83% of pupils were members of at least one club and when it came to what they liked most
about living in Methilhill, playing outdoors reached 50% whilst community spirit reached just over
27%.
The question of what pupils didn’t like, almost a fifth (19%) couldn’t think of anything they didn’t like,
with almost a quarter (23.8%) citing the weather!
Next, lack of outdoor facilities and cars driving too fast were of equal ranking at just over 14% .
Looking to the future just over half (52.4%) stated that improved outdoor facilities was what they
most like to see happen and if you include those who want to see a cleaner environment, that figure
rises to 67%. This gives a clear message from the young people of Methilhill of the importance to
them of well kept, clean parks with high quality play facilities.
Prizewinners
from
the art
competition
Owen P5a Ruby P5a
Kaitlin P7b Charlie P7b Ellie P7b
7
Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
Methil/Methilhill LIKES Quiet & Peaceful 3%
Ac vi es for Young People 12%
Community Facili es 8%
15% Community Spirit 45%
Greenspace 13%
Local Ameni es 15%
13%
Loca on 1%
Public Transport 3%
Methil/Methilhill LIKES
(Information taken from the community survey)
‘playing outdoors in the park’ ‘friendly people, shops located
nearby, Coop open until 10pm and
‘the church’
club nearby’
‘kids community garden’ ‘I like that all the streets are named
after trees’
‘My friends, family and neighbours.
There’s good community spirit’ ‘brilliant school – lot’s going on at
the primary’
‘beginning to work together to
create places and opportunities for ‘Gala’
young people eg community garden
‘Current clubs’
etc’
‘The community spirit is really good,
‘youth club MCCI’ everyone rallies round and helps
each other’
8
Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
Methil/Methilhill DISLIKES Community Centre Closed 4%
Dog Fouling 26%
4%
Greenspace 17%
17%
Housing 2%
Lack of Amen es 24%
26%
10%
Lack of Community Groups 10%
Lack of Facili es 17%
24%
17%
2%
Methil/Methilhill DISLIKES
(Information taken from the community survey)
‘lots of difficult roads to cross for ‘the dog dirt on pavements and
bairns on their bikes’ paths with no where safe to cycle’
‘lack of public transport’ ‘I think it’s very sad that quite a
number of individuals and families
‘without social media there is very
are affected by addiction e.g. to
little communication’
alcohol or drugs – the wider
‘there seems to be a divide between community is also adversely
younger and older generations’ affected.
‘nowhere to go for lunch’ ‘it’s generally tired and needing a
revamp’
‘not many green spaces used well’
‘don’t feel there is enough for the
‘there are not even swings!’ older kids, everything seems quite
‘no safe paths around Methilhill, expensive for them. They need
litter, lack of amenities’ somewhere safe for them all to meet’
9
Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
THEME 1: Public Services
These are the main strategies and priorities the community will work towards achieving in partnership with
public agencies and other supporters
Public services rank high on the priority list for the people of Methil and Methilhill. Issues including community
safety, street lighting, education and training, a cleaner environment and better roads and paths are all in need
of addressing. Partnership working and pulling together people and resources are an essential part of moving
forward with each of these priorities.
Priorities Actions
More police presence Continue to work with Police Scotland to look at increasing community policing.
in the local Encourage the community to report any incidents to the police or relevant
authority.
communities
More opportunities for Investigate local skills based training opportunities and promote what is available
employment and eg Job Clubs
Improve employability opportunities through local initiatives.
training for all ages
Approach local colleges to find out if they can provide local teaching provision to
offer local trade and skills-based training opportunities.
More bins to reduce Ensure bins are emptied of rubbish and dog fouling on a regular basis.
litter and dog fouling Carry out a mapping exercise to identify areas where bins are required as a priority.
Work with Fife Council on a joint approach to dealing with dog fouling.
Work with Fife Council on creating an anti dog fouling campaign.
Improve roads and Carry out a mapping exercise to identify priority areas where roads and pavements
pavements need improved, including pot holes and sites for dropped kerbs.
Liaise with Fife Council regarding repairs, maintenance and improvements.
Better car parking Carry out a mapping exercise to identify potential parking areas.
Work with Fife Council on this.
Better street lighting Work with Fife Council on improving the quality of street lighting.
Potential partners Fife Community Planning Partnership, Fife Council, Police Scotland, local
community, Community Futures Action Group, local Colleges and Further Education
providers, local community groups.
10Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
THEME 2: Our Local Environment
These are the main strategies and priorities the community will work towards achieving in partnership with
public agencies and other supporters
The environment in which we live can be a reflection of the people who live in an area. For many local people
there is a desire to get involved and make action in order to improve the environment for the benefit of
themselves and others. In this way we will be encouraging others to take responsibility for their own
environment where they live.
Priorities Actions
We want an allotment Work with Fife Council to identify suitable land for setting up an allotment.
to grow our own food Carry out community engagement to identify size of land required to meet the
needs of the community.
Raise suitable funding to establish allotments
Improved and better Work with appropriate organisations to carry out a community mapping exercise
connected cycle paths looking at existing multi user path networks and identify paths for repairs as well
as new routes required.
Work with others to source funding required to take forward the path plan.
Floral enhancements Work with Fife Council to look at how to improve the look of the community using
to brighten up the floral enhancements.
community Identify funding for this.
Organise a community Organise regular litter picks on an area by area basis involving local volunteers and
clean up! other agencies, including Fire Scotland.
Potential partners Fife Council, local community groups, Community Futures Action Group, local
residents, Paths For All, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Zero Waste Scotland,
Fire Scotland.
11Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
THEME 3: Community Activities
These are the main strategies and priorities the community will work towards achieving in partnership with
public agencies and other supporters
Building social capital is a key aspect of creating strong, resilient communities. There is a need for good quality
community facilities that are fit for purpose. Having regular opportunities for communities to meet and share in
activities and conversation is the glue that binds communities together. This theme has emerged from the
community survey and it is essential that the community can work with other stakeholders, support
organisations and agencies to realise these outcomes.
Priorities Actions
Encourage better / Develop a co ordinated approach to identifying the need for and the use of
more use of our community facilities.
community facilities Promotional campaign using newsletter, social media, noticeboards to encourage
more use of our local facilities.
Lobby Fife Council to make community facilities available at weekends to host
community activities.
Affordable access to Work with Fife Council and other local groups and organisations to secure funding
sports and keep fit or other opportunities to facilitate this.
facilities Extend green gym facilities.
More community Work with Fife Council Community Learning and Development Team and other
activities for all ages groups and organisations to identify opportunities for creating more activities for
and abilities people of all ages and abilities.
Support community Continue to work to support local groups to secure the success of annual events
events eg Gala, such as the summer galas, Christmas events and others.
Christmas events
Promote local Make best use of community websites, social media platforms, local newspaper
activities wider and community noticeboards to make sure we make the most of promoting our
community activities to everyone.
Potential Partners Fife Council, local community groups, local community, Community Futures Action
Group, local churches.
12Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
THEME 4: Local Amenities
These are the main strategies and priorities the community will work towards achieving in partnership with
public agencies and other supporters
Good quality green space is important in any community as are other amenities such as a library service and
good quality local shop provision that allows people to access fresh, affordable food and other supplies.
Partnership working is a key element in achieving this with effective communication between organisations and
local people being of prime importance.
Priorities Actions
Improve and upgrade Work with appropriate organisations to carry out a community mapping exercise
our parks looking at green space, how it can be well designed to suit the needs of everyone.
Source funding for this.
Keep our library open Continue to support our local library and make use of all its facilities and activities.
Improve our shopping Work with local traders to see how they can work together to improve the
experience shopping experience for local people.
Community Identify funding and the best place to locate new community notice boards.
noticeboard
Potential Partners Local Community, Paths for All, greenspace scotland, local retailers and businesses,
Fife Council, Community Futures Action Group
MAKING THE 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 Levenmouth Area Local Methil/Methilhill Community
Plan High Level Outcomes Community Plan Priorities Action Plan Themes
Reducing Inequalities Area Investment and Community Activities
Tackling Climate Change Regeneration Our Local Environment
Increasing Employment Health, Wellbeing & Environment Public Services
Access to Employment, Local Amenities
Education and Training
13Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
Early actions funded through Coalfields Participatory Budget
together with Fife Council
The projects funded are aimed at being soon, seen and successful
Methil Sea Cadet Corps Upgrading of
disabled toilets
Levenmouth Foodbank Community Support Levenmouth
Project Community Money
Advice
Arden House Project Outreach Support
Methilhill Community Children’s Initiative Methilhill Community
Learning Garden
Methilhill Community Children’s Initiative Volunteer Skills
Development Project
Methilhill Community Children’s Initiative Charlie’s Shed
Expressions School of Dance New Equipment
Sailors Rest Gym New Equipment
14Methil/Methilhill Community Action Plan 2016-2021
Making it Happen
This Community Action Plan has set out the priorities for the development of Methil
and Methilhill 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
A summary of the Methil and Methilhill Community Profile
Our Vision Statement for Methil and Methilhill
What The Kids Have To Say
Our main Likes and Dislikes expressed in the community survey
The main themes and priorities for taking action
Public Services
Our Local Environment
Community Activities
Local Amenities
Making the links to other strategic plans
The Partcipatory Budget projects that are helping kick start the Action Plan
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!
Many thanks go to all those who took their time to share their views, to the
volunteers and participants who made the Community Open Day events a great
success. Thanks also go to members of the community who contributed the images
used in this Action Plan.
A very special thanks go to Fife Council for match funding the Coalfields
Regeneration Trust Participatory Budget, taking it from £20,000 to £40,000.
To find out more information about the Action Plan or to volunteer with any
projects please contact:
methilmethilhillcap@gmail.com
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust
Registered Charity No.1074930 in England and Wales
A Charity Registered in Scotland No SCO39277
15Local artist Bill Docherty often
used his vivid memories to create
images of how local places
looked in the coal mining days.
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 Community Open
Events.
Thank you to everyone who took part in helping Methil & Methilhill plan for a bright future.You can also read
