Community

Figure 1 shows that 36% (n=36) of respondents neither agreed nor disagreed that Levenmouth had a sense of community. 34% (n=34) strongly agreed/agreed and 29% (n=29) disagreed/strongly disagreed.

Ward 21: Leven, Kennoway and Windygates, Lundin Links and Largos

42% (n=42) of responses from Levenmouth were from Ward 21. 18 responses strongly agreed/agreed that their area has a sense of community (43%), 12 responses neither agreed nor disagreed (n=29%), 11 disagreed/strongly disagreed (26%) and one did not know.

Ward 22: Buckhaven, Methil, Methilhill, Wemyss Villages

58% (n=58) of responses from Levenmouth were from Ward 22. 24 responses neither agreed nor disagreed that their area has a sense of community (41%), and 18 disagreed/strongly disagreed (31%) and 16 strongly agreed/agreed (28%).

Q8: Thinking about your answers to the previous questions, what are your general thoughts and feelings of the area you selected?

In total there were 52 responses in relation to Question 8. The following sections outline the themes that emerged in each Levenmouth ward area.

Ward 21: Leven, Kennoway and Windygates, Lundin Links and Largos

Thirty-one responses were submitted for Ward 21. Four responses highlighted a poor sense of community in the local area, one of these noted that the majority of community activities are led by the same group of people. One respondent did note a strong sense of community, particularly during the period of national COVID-19 lockdowns.

Twelve responses suggested that their street/local area was a good place to live, although there were some issues highlighted. Five responses noted that their area was not a good place to live, being described as ‘deprived’ and ‘run down’.

Two responses highlighted the impact of a lack of employment opportunities within the local area. Three responses noted that whilst they liked their own street, they would be concerned about entering other areas, including at night. Three responses noted a distrust of the police, one respondent commented that the police ‘are not approachable, are unfair and on most occasions are economical with the truth when writing reports’.

Ward 22: Buckhaven, Methil, Methilhill, Wemyss Villages

Twenty-one responses from Ward 22 were negative. They noted the generally poor condition of the local area, and the impact of youth anti-social behaviour (e.g. vandalism, and general poor attitudes from local youths), drugs and alcohol, substance abuse, and motorbikes/quadbikes on the area (including speeding).

Numerous respondents found their local areas to be ‘neglected by community policing’ and noted a lack of visible police patrols and the generally poor policing of the area.

Respondents from one area highlighted that it has been gradually declining for years due to ‘a lack of jobs and inequality’, ‘many drug dealers, drug users, motor bike clowns’, and ‘lacking solutions tried in other areas’.

Fifteen responses were positive and highlighted a sense of community in some form, but that this could still be improved. One respondent highlighted that the area ‘has significant challenges in relation to poverty’ and that, whilst locals are proud of their community, the cost of living crisis has put a strain on community efforts.