Below are just a few of our activities.
With the limited resources available we work tirelessly to improve our town. Over the years Royal Burgh of Burntisland Community Council (BCC) have have had some notable successes and have also given birth to organisations such as the Burgh Buzz, Burntisland Heritage Trust, and Burntisland Community Development Trust.
BCC presses for improvements for Burntisland and undertakes projects:
In 2021 we improved the north side of the Toll Park by arranging: cleaning of the Cot Burn, vegetation management, replacing the old fence, planting new trees, putting in a new path with solar LED lights to create a new route, new signposts and information boards, new children’s agility play features and new seating benches for adults and children. We liaised with Fife Council over an upgrade to the Core Path over the Links to connect the Fife Coastal Path to the Burntisland-Kinghorn shared walking/cycling/wheeling route for 'active travel'.
in 2022 we arranged the planting of eight new trees for the Links Edge. We organised community tree sapling planting in ten areas around the town under the Queens Green Canopy initiative to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. Fife Council upgraded the Links Core Path.
In 2022-23 we worked with Burntisland Community Development Trust (BCDT) to update Burntisland Community Action Plan (CAP).
In 2023 we offered to support Fife Council in a possible complete refurbishment of the water park at the east Links. Unfortunately, in summer 2024 Fife Council decided not to go ahead with a refurbishment, opting instead for a water free play park on the site.
In 2023 we pressed for the upgrading of the existing path and the construction of a new 'active travel' shared path at Meadowfield, making a safe off-road route to school with street lighting.
From 2023-24 we worked with BCDT representatives to produce a Burntisland Local Place Plan (LPP). This was submitted to Fife Council where it was assessed and approved.
We pressed for Access for All funding to upgrade our railway station to step free but were once again unsucessful in this. We will continue to press for this!
We have had discussions with Scottish Water for years about recurrent flooding at the Kirkton, Haugh Road and Broomhill Ave/Dick Cres park. Scottish Water has taken forward these issues and we hope by 2025 they will have come up with a solution.
We supported an application for an additional community pharmacy and have complained to NHS Fife about the level of service provided at the Lloyds High Street pharmacy. This pharmacy has now been taken over by Dears Pharmacy. An application for an additional pharmacy continues with our support.
We continue to press for proper active travel path between the rail station and Lammerlaws Rd outside the new Forth Ports Fence at the east harbour. In October 2024 Fife Council has scheduled work to start on the extension towards the east harbour road from the Links.
In 2024 we raised concerns with Network Rail over the state of the railway embankment by the coast at east Burntisland. We are currently liasing with them about the painting of the walls they own by the promenade.
Though we spoke to Police Scotland about their proposed closure of Burntisland Police Station, our views were disregarded. However, the old Police Station will be renovated by Burntisland First Aid Servicers Trust (BFAST) - a local charity offering First Aid support and training. Once the renovation is complete, a room will be made available to our Community Police service.
Christmas Lights:
Each year Fife Council provides Burntisland with a Christmas tree and some fairy lights for it.
All of the other Christmas Lights in the town centre have been bought over the years by your Community Council. Each year funding is required to replace breakages, erect, insure, take down and store the lights, and to purchase any new lights. Fife Council has supported this by a grant and the balance is paid for by our fundraising. Volunteers assist as part of our 'Lights Group'.
Civic Events and Receptions:
Burntisland Community Council hosts the annual 'Burntisland Exiles' Reception and the Parade to the Games arena on Highland Games Day.
BCC also hosts receptions for the Burntisland Community Awards; the Scots Verse Competition winners (family & friends); and after the Remembrance Sunday Services and Parades. However, our meagre resources are stretched and we may have to reconsider some of these receptions. For 2024 we plan not to provide the reception at the Burgh Chambers on Remembrance Sunday as Burntisland and Kinghorn Church of Scotland already provide a reception in the old Parish Church halls.
BCC organises the Community Awards; organises a commemoration on Merchant Navy Day; as well as organising the Remembrance Sunday commemorations and Parades.
Working with others in our community
We work with others in the community to exchange ideas, action projects, provide civic receptions, and reward good efforts.
In 2022-23 we worked with Burntisland Community Development Trust in a CAP Steering/Partnership Group to produce a new updated Community Action Plan. In 2024 we again worked with BCDT reps to produce a Burntisland Local Place Plan that Fife Council have now validated.
We meet regularly with other community groups and Fife Council services at the 'Networking Breakfast'.
We meet with our locally elected Fife Councillors, Fife Council services, and other groups, on matters of interest. We are happy to liaise with our MP and MSP when they are available.
We have current on going liason with: Forth Ports, Scottish Water, Network Rail, and RioTintoAlcan, on various issues of concern to Burntidland residents.
Melanie Ward MP with BCC members October 2024
Fife Council Planning applications
The Community Council is a statutory consultee. This means that we check the weekly planning applications and consider whether to comment on any of them.
Community Action Plan Event 2023
CAP steering group 2023
Annual Scots Verse Competition
This competition which involves the Primary School, first started in 1986. It came about as a way of commemorating the death of King Alexander III on his way to Kinghorn. Today the 6 primary classes compete for a trophy and a medal in Scots verse recitation.
Remembrance Sunday Parade & War Memorial Service
Each year the Community Council organises the arrangements for the Remembrance Day Service, and also raising the Red Ensign at the Burgh Chambers on Merchant Navy Day.
Merchant Navy flag Burgh Chambers
The East Links Play Area
This fantastic new facility was first suggested by Claire Campbell and her daughter Megan. Claire along with assistance from the Community Council and the many sponsors raised thousands of pounds to make it possible.
The Spider Park at the west Links
The popular play area at the western end of the Links takes it's name from the central play frame which has the appearance of a spider's web. Community Councillor, Morag Douglas, took up the challenge of raising the funds to replace the equipment used by younger children.
Exiles Reception
This event is held on Games Day in early July. It allows the towns people of Burntisland to welcome back old friends .It is an opportunity to meet over refreshments before parading along the High Street behind the pipe band to the Highland Games arena for the opening ceremony.
Games Day Exiles Reception 2024
Christmas Lights
Each year we fundraise for recurring costs of our town’s Festive Lights. We are grateful for the support of local traders, residents, volunteers and Fife Council. In 2024 our fundraising concert and raffle will be at Halloween - Saturday 26th October!
Rosyth Concert Band at a fundraising concert
Community Awards
Each year in December the Communuty Council face the difficult task of deciding who of the many names put forward will receive these prestigious awards. The winner(s) receive a certificate, highly prized lapel badge, a medallion, or a plaque.
The Environment
One of the main concerns of Burntisland Community Council is protecting our environment. Living in such a wonderful and diverse setting we take this responsibility very seriously. In the past, we have organised regular beach cleans and tackled problems with waste, dog fowling and pollution. Beach cleans are now organised monthly by local residents. Please see our Enviornment page. Royal Burgh of Burntisland Community Council is a member of Fife Communities Climate Action Network (FCCAN).
a past community beach clean
Queen’s Green Canopy community tree planting
These are just a few of our many successes. Nothing can be achieved without local input. We are always looking for help. If you feel that you have something to offer your community get in touch with us or come along to our monthly meetings. You do not have to be a Community Councillor to contribute. Our subgroups are open to others to join (e.g. our Lights Group) and we rely on volunteers to help with receptions and events.
Contact us if you would like to volunteer.
