LOCHGELLY ticked all the boxes in picking up the SURF award in November.

That was the feeling as Lochgelly Community Council held their annual general meeting when community councillors welcomed the range of activities that the Council had been involved in over the previous 12 months.

Reports included the Public Park Improvements Group, the campaign for a new Health Centre, initiating the call for the old Fabtek buildings off High Street to be addressed, opposing oppressive parking regimes, pressing for greater recreational facilities for the town, increasing accessibility of the community council's work through their website and Facebook pages, to name but a few.

The Community Council discussed much of the work that remains to be done in the new year ahead, as they have had no assurances from NHS Fife about the creation of a new Health Centre and no assurances of funding from the Scottish Government to provide the services they feel the town deserves. The Community Council campaign has already been assured that land will be available and will continue to fight for the Health Centre in the town that is fit for purpose and provides the level of health provisions needed.

Last year, the problems associated with the old industrial units in the centre of the town came up regularly and they are aware that discussions are ongoing. The the Community Council will persevere until plans are completed for the refurbishment of this area around the Fabtek site.

The Public Park has come on leaps and bounds this year, council members felt and they welcomed the input from Parks, Streets and Open spaces staff in supporting the park improvement group in developing this facility.

The MUGA court has helped breathe new life into the park, throughout the summer months it was very seldom empty, the meeting heard.

The meeting also congratulated every community group, as well as Fife Council Officers and Ore Valley Housing Association for Lochgelly winning the most Improved Town in Scotland award.

Reflecting on the SURF award of most improved town, Community Council secretary, Stevie Murray said: “It is always a pleasure to reflect on the positive areas of work that community bodies are involved in.

"It is only when you see what has been done can you assess what can be achieved when the community comes together.”

“The SURF award is recognition of the efforts made not only in the last 12 months and over a number of years. The regeneration of the Co-operative buildings, new houses and shops in Main Street, demolition of the town centre flats and the town centre square, have been years in the making.

"More recently the contribution made by Christine McGrath, Eileen McKenna and Helen Ross, from their activities in arranging the Gala days and the Christmas Lights, through to the completion of the Town House redevelopment and Social Housing built on unused land, through to the installation of the MUGA court and improvements in the Public Park, our town ticked every box in achieving physical, social and recreational improvements.”

Council work is ongoing and they welcome new ideas to help, equally if members of the town want to get involved any activities of the Community Council then contact them on lochgellycommunitycouncil@yahoo.com