Kirkcaldy North is a ward of extreme contrasts.
A massive housing expansion bordering the A92 has seen an increase in well-heeled families moving in to the area.
But new figures have shown that just yards away, on the opposite side of Chapel Level, a third of youngsters are living in poverty.
Balancing the needs of the two distinct communities is a major task for councillors, who cannot afford to ignore either section of society.
New housing in the north of the town was much needed to meet a growing population but the rise in accommodation has not been matched by expanding services.
Health services, education and amenities could all become issues if the rapid increase in house building continues.
Like some other parts of Fife, Templehall has suffered during the economic downturn and places such as The Cottage Family Centre, which helps local people in need, are busier than ever.
The distribution of food parcels is on the up, parents are worried about where the next meal is coming from and these problems are often accompanied by a breakdown in mental health.
Councillors elected in this ward will also be tasked with tackling anti-social behaviour, particularly in the summer months.
Areas such as Birnam Road were blighted by troublesome teens last year to the extent that a community meeting was called in an effort to draw up an action plan to deal with the issues.
The anti-social use of quad bikes and motorcycles has also been raised by local people as an ongoing problem.
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Candidate profiles
The Courier invited each candidate to submit a short introduction to themselves and, if they wished, a video explaining why they deserve your vote.
Neil Crooks (Labour)
Neil Crooks has represented the ward for the last 10 years and since 2012 has had the additional responsibility of chairing the Kirkcaldy Area Committee.
He said: “I am a regular attender at community group meetings in the ward and have dealt with, literally, hundreds of individual cases raised with me by constituents.
“Together we have secured many projects and investments in the ward ranging from improvements to roads and footpaths, additional parking areas for local residents, external wall insulation for non-traditional build houses, to improvement of play parks.”
Harald Gavin (Lib Dem)
Harald Gavin knows Kirkcaldy North is not an area of great Lib Dem strength but he said he is standing as he believes everyone should have the opportunity of voting Lib Dem.
“This is particularly important as this is the only chance voters have of supporting the one party that is united in its support of Scotland staying in the UK and the UK remaining in the European Union,” he said.
Jane Glen (SNP)
Jane Glen has pledged to ensure voters in Kirkcaldy North get the very best for their area.
A maths graduate and financial adviser, Jane has worked in the public sector and run her own business.
She said she has a lifelong commitment to helping others – she is a community councillor, has run youth and voluntary organisations, has been an active member of SACRO, the Samaritans and Soroptimist International.
She said: “With new powers coming to Scotland in April, which will be implemented mainly through councils, I can provide a strong voice for Kirkcaldy to ensure they are introduced effectively to benefit residents.”
Susan Natalie Jeynes (Green)
Susan has a background in community work focusing on environmental issues, including helping to found Greener Kirkcaldy.
She currently works for a charity, managing a national sustainable transport programme.
She lives in Kirkcaldy and said her work had given her a good understanding of the issues facing local residents, from struggles to afford to heat their homes to the difficulties of accessing employment without a car.
Susan said: “If elected, I will work hard to create a greener, fairer Kirkcaldy with stronger local services.”
James Leslie (Conservative)
James Leslie has had a connection with Fife all his life and says he is pleased to have been selected as his party’s candidate for Kirkcaldy North.
After leaving school he attained a professional qualification in banking and a university degree in economics.
He said: “Prior to my retirement I was a senior lecturer in economics, banking and finance at a Scottish university together with being course director for a MSc banking programme. I also lectured in France and Hungary”.
James is currently present an examiner with the Chartered Bankers Institute which maintains his interest in his subject areas.
“In my free time I enjoy playing golf at Aberdour and Kinghorn,” he said.
Carol Lindsay (SNP)
Carol Lindsay has represented Kirkcaldy North for the last 10 years, citing it as a privilege.
She previously owned her own hairdressing business which, she said, proved invaluable in understanding the community.
More recently, she qualified as a therapeutic counsellor and said she thought the new skills would be pivotal in helping people.
Carol has been an active volunteer in the Scout movement for nearly 20 years and enjoys the challenge.
“I have lived in Kirkcaldy all my life and enjoyed working hard with the public to improve local amenities,” she said.
“Hopefully, I can continue to work for the community that I reside in.”
David Ross (Labour)
David Ross has represented the ward for the last 10 years and since 2014 has had the additional responsibility of being leader of Fife Council.
He is a regular attender at community group meetings in the ward, holds regular advice surgeries with Neil Crooks and has dealt with hundreds of individual cases raised by constituents.
“Together we have secured many projects and investments in the ward ranging from improvements to roads and footpaths (including the footpath linking Meikle Loan and Duddingston Drive), additional parking areas for local residents, external wall insulation for non-traditional build houses, to improvement of play parks,” he said.
“We have been prominent in pushing for action to tackle anti-social behaviour and parking problems around schools and the landscaping problems left after the dualling of Chapel Level.”
