THE Cowdenbeath Area Committee is to maintain its interest in the St Ninian's Trust.

The Trust was set up in 2000 to distribute funds which came from mineral royalties paid under the terms of a planning agreement to offset the environmental disbenefits of the St Ninan's Opencast Mining operation, near Kelty.

The committee heard on Wednesday that the opencast mine closed some years ago and there was not a lot of money currently left in the fund, however, there was still a need to have occasional meetings to disburse what is left as and when money becomes available.

However, since the loss of the Lochs ward under a decision by the Boundary Commission, which always supplied the representative, the committee's views were being sought.

Ballingry councillor, Mary Lockhart, now representing the Benarty, Lochgelly and Cardenden ward, said that while there was not a lot of money currently in the fund there was still coal underground at St Ninian's and there could be more money to come in the future if there was more opencasting, so it was important that the committee was represented on the Trust.

Councillor Alistair Bain agreed and he felt that as Councillor Alex Campbell had served as their representative on the Trust, in the circumstances it would be wise to continue with that arrangement. This was agreed.