Also Present: Cllrs. P. Brennan, C. Reilly, S. Cassells, T. Reilly

MINUTES OF MAY MONTHLY MEETING OF NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY 5TH MAY 2009 AT 7.30PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWN HALL, WATERGATE STREET, NAVAN, CO. MEATH.

Presiding:Cllr. P. Fitzsimons

Also present: Cllrs. P. Brennan, C. Reilly, S. Cassells, T. Reilly,

P. Toibin, J. Reilly,J. Holloway & J. Duffy

Officials present: Mr. Eugene Cummins, Town Manager

Mr. Shane Donnelly, Town Clerk

Ms. Fiona Fallon, Town Engineer

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the April Monthly Meeting of Navan Town Council which took place on Tuesday 7th April 2009 in the Town Council Chamber Townhall, Watergate St, Navan Co Meath were adopted on the proposal of Cllr. C. Reilly and seconded by Cllr. J. Reilly.

CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS

Unveiling of plaque – Thomas Hodgett

The Members received and noted information in relation to the time and date of the plaque unveiling in respect of the late Thomas Hodgett which was delivered to them by the Town Clerk ( 2pm on Tuesday the 12th May 2009 at Poolboy View)

TO DISCUSS THE NAVANTOWN BOUNDARY ALTERATION ORDER 2009

The Members received and noted a presentation made by Bill Sweeney, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Services in relation to the adaptations necessary to the Electoral Register following the Navan Town Boundary Alteration Order 2009.

Each of the Members welcomed the Navan Town Boundary Alteration Order 2009 and thanked the Senior Executive Officer for a his very clear presentation.

In relation to the other aspects of the Navan Town Boundary Alteration Order, the Town Manager advised the Members that this would involve a separate Meeting which would be arranged following the Local Elections 2009.

TO RECEIVE INFORMATION IN RESPECT OF THE UPCOMING LOCAL ELECTIONS ON THE 5TH UNE 2009

The Members received and noted a presentation from the Returning Officer, Shane Donnellyfor Navan Town Council in respect of the Local Elections 2009.

As part of his presentation, the Returning Officer stressed the importance of complying with the prescribed time periods for receiving nominations.

He also stressed the importance of complying with the Local Elections ( Disclosure of Donations & Expenditure ) Act 1999 as amended

• Statutory Declaration in respect of Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure, Spending Limits & Political Donations Accounts at the Local Elections on the 5th June 2009 for your completion within the statutory time period.

• Guidelines for Candidates in respect of same.

Each of the Members thanked the Returning Officer for his presentation.

TO RESOLVE TO ISSUE POLLING INFOMRAITON CARDS TO LOCAL ELECTORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ELECTORAL ACT 1992 AS AMENDED

On the proposal of Cllr P Toibin, seconded by Cllr J Duffy, it was resolved by the Members to issue polling information cards to local electors in accordance with the Electoral Act 1992 as amended.

To set a date for meeting between the Members of Navan Town Council and the Principals of the various Schools, Bus Inspector , Transport Liaison Officer in relation to Traffic Management at Schools.

On the proposal of Cllr PFitzsimons, seconded by Cllr P Toibin, it was agreed by the Members that a member from each political party and the non-party Member (Cllr Philip Brennan) would meet with the respective Principals, Bus Inspector and Transport Liaison Officer at a time and date after the Local Elections.

To receive report & recommendation onAmenity/Arts/Band Performance and other Groups Grants 2009

The Members received details of the proposed grants from the Town Clerk (attached). On the proposal of Cllr. J. Holloway and seconded by Cllr. C. Reilly the schedule of grants as proposed were adopted.

On the proposal of Cllr. J. Reilly, seconded by Cllr. T. Reilly it was agreed by the Members to allocate €500 to the Family Resource Centre in Clogherboy who provide much valued help and support to the members of the community.

On the proposal of Cllr. J. Reilly and seconded by Cllr. J. Holloway it was agreed by the Members to provide €500 to the Africa-Carribean Forum in aid of Africa Day.

QUESTIONS TO THE MANAGER

Question to the Manager – Cllr. Christy Reilly

“In relation to the proposed Salmon Festival to be held later in the year will Navan Town Council support this initiative in the same manner it supported the St. Patrick’s Festival.”

The Members received and noted the following reply from the Town Manager in respect of the above question from Cllr Christy Reilly:

In order to respond fully to the question posed, The Town Manager has to satisfy himself with the benefits to be accrued, outcomes to be achieved, marketing and organisational ability of the organisers to promote such a new initiative.

Question to the Manager – Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons

“Can the Town Manager advise as to when the plaque naming the Senator Pat Fitzsimons bridge will be erected”.

The Members received and noted the following reply from the Town Manager in respect of the above question from Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons:

The Name Plaque in respect of the “Senator Pat Fitzsimons” bridge has been ordered and will be erected upon delivery.

Question to the Manager – Cllr Peadar Toibin

D’iarr Sinn Féin are Comhairle Baile na hUaime litir a chuir chuig An Gardaí Suiochana ag iarradh fó staistuin Garda a bhunú I gceantar Baile Eoin/ Ath Luimnigh cúpla mí o shin. Conas a fhreagra siad?

Given that Sinn Fein requested that Navan Town Council send a letter to An Gardaí Suiochána in relation to the setting up of a sub Garda Station in the Johnstown/Athlumney area a number of months ago, what has been the response?

The Members received and noted the following reply from the Town Manager in respect of the above question from Cllr Peadar Toibin.

The Council are awaiting a substantive response in respect of this matter and will forward to the Members on receipt of same.

On the proposal of Cllr P Toibin, seconded by Cllr J Duffy, it was agreed by the Members to write to An Garda Siochana for an update on the matter.

NOTICES OF MOTION

Notice of Motion – Cllr. Jim Holloway

“Considering the massive volumes of traffic on the Trim Road at Balreask, particularly HGV’s, Navan Town Council calls for further efforts to reduce speeding on the stretch of road inwards from Balreask PublicHouse/Restaurant.”

This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. J. Holloway and seconded by Cllr. J. Duffy.

On the proposal of Cllr J Holloway and seconded by Cllr J Reilly, it was agreed by the Members to refer the matter to the Infrastructure section of Meath Co Council for their attention and consideration.

Notice of Motion – Cllr Peadar Toibin

Tá an méadú dífhostaíochta níos measa I gcontae na mí ná aon contae eile sa tír. Tá níos mó daoine as an Mhí ag comaitéireacht freisin. Faigheann an Mhí níos lú airgead forbairt gnó ná aon chontae I gcúige Laighean. Iarann Comhairle Baile na hUaimhe ar Enterprise Ireland agus an IDA straitéis nua a fhorbairt chun an fadhb práinneach seo a réitigh.

Given that Meath is experiencing the highest unemployment increases in the state, has the highest rate of commuting and suffers from the lowest enterprise development funding in Leinster Navan Town Council calls on Enterprise Ireland and the IDA to develop a strategy to radically redress this emergency situation.

This motion was proposed by Cllr. P. Toibin and seconded by Cllr. J. Holloway.

On the proposal of Cllr P Toibin, seconded by Cllr J Holloway, it was agreed by the Members to forward a letter to Entreprise Ireland and the IDA with regard to redressing the situation of funding.

Notice of Motion – Cllr Peadar Toibin

Tá leath bliain imithe on am deireanach a bhronn an chomhairle an Deontas Deisiúcháin Riachtanach do daoine míchumasaithe agus daoine aosta san Uaimh. Iarann Comhairle Baile na hUaimhe ar an rialtas airgead a chuir ar fáil don comhairle chun deisiúcháin riachtanaigh práinneach a dhéanamh gan mhoill.

It has been over half a year since grants such as the Housing Adaptation Grant were last made available to applicants such as people with disabilities and the elderly in Navan. Navan Town Council calls on this government to make funds available to the council in order to that essential repairs and adaptations be made in emergency situations as soon as possible.

This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. P. Toibin and seconded by Cllr. T. Reilly. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would forward the Notice of Motion to the Housing Department of Meath Co Council who have the responsibility of administering the scheme.

Notice of Motion – Cllr Christy Reilly

That Navan Town Counciladdress the issue of Anti-Social Behaviour in housing estates in the Navan area.

This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. C. Reilly and seconded by Cllr. J. Holloway.

During the discussion, the members acknowledged the work being carried by the Council to improve Communities and in particular acknowledged the proposed bye-laws in respect of the prohibition of intoxicating substances which were being examined.

Notice of Motion – Cllr Christy Reilly

In light of the boundary extension and the fact that all housing estates in the Navan area are now in the Town Council area.NavanTown Council immediately requests an emergency allocation of funds from the Dept. of Environment and local Government to deal with Councilhousing stock in varying need of repair and renovation.

This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. C. Reilly and seconded by Cllr P. Toibin.

At the outset the Town Clerk advised the Members that as part of the Boundary Extension proposal, it was agreed by the Members of both Councils that all houses would remain in the ownership of the respective Council’s and any houses constructed in the future would fall within the ownership of Meath Co Council only.

During the discussion it was noted that the Motion referred to houses in the ownership of Meath Co Council and not Navan Town Council and it was agreed that the matter be referred to the Housing Department of Meath Co Council for consideration.

Notice of Motion – Cllr. Joe Reilly

As Navan Town Council has a number of homes in a state of such disrepair that they are unable to refurbish them due to lack of own funds and the failure of the DOELG to provide sufficient funds to carry necessary reepairs. I propose that NTC:

• Identify the number of such homes that could be rented out

• Enter into a contractural agreement with suitable possible tenants who would be prepared carry out works on the house on a reduced rent basis over a period of time.

• That such works carried out would have to comply with all health and safety reuirements

• That in the event the tenent wishing to purchase the home in the future such works would be considered in the purching priceof the house.

This motion was proposed by Cllr. J. Reilly and seconded by Cllr P. Toibin.

During the discussion it was noted that the Motion referred to houses in the ownership of Meath Co Council and not Navan Town Council and it was agreed that the matter be referred to the Housing Department of Meath Co Council for consideration.

Notice of Motion – Cllr. Joe Reilly

“That the traffic lights at Woodies on the N3 be made operational”

This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. J. Reilly and seconded by Cllr. P. Toibin.

The Town Engineer confirmed that she would discuss the matter with An Garda Siochana and revert to the Members on completion of same.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Members sough an update on the following items:

• The provision of CCTV for Navan

The Town Clerk advised that he was working on the establishment of the Joint Policing Committee in respect of Navan which was a requirement before funding could be drawn down.

• The provision of a pedestrian crossing on the N51 Slane Road

The Town Engineer advised the Members that an application for funding would be made under the Low Cost Safety Measure Scheme.

• The Town Clerk raised the issue of the holding of the June Monthly Meeting of NavanTown Council.

In relation to the holding the June Monthly Meeting of Navan Town Council, it was unanimously agreed by the Members not to hold the said Monthly Meeting due to its proximity to the June Local Elections.

THIS CONCLUDED THE BUSINESS OF THE MEETING.

SIGNED: ______

MAYOR

SIGNED: ______

TOWN CLERK

DATE: ______

02. MinutesPage 1 of 7

Navan Town Council, Town Hall, Watergate Street, Navan, County Meath

Telephone: 046 9029078, Fax: 046 9028497, web: Email: