MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER MONTHLY MEETING OF NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER, 2008 AT 7.30PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWN HALL, WATERGATE STREET, NAVAN, CO. MEATH

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons presided

Members Present

Cllrs. P. Brennan, C. Reilly, T. Reilly, S. Cassells, P. Toibin, J. Holloway, J. Duffy

Officials in Attendance

Mr. Eugene Cummins, Town Manager

Mr. Jimmy Young, Acting Town Clerk

Ms. Fiona Fallon, Town Engineer

Ms. Audrey Norris, Staff Officer

Apologies

Cllr. J. Reilly

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

On the proposal of Cllr. C. Reilly seconded by Cllr. J. Duffy the minutes of the July monthly meeting of Navan Town Council held on Tuesday 8th July, 2008 at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Watergate St, Navan Co Meath were adopted by the members.

CORRESPONDENCE

The members received and noted correspondence from Susan Gleeson in relation to obtaining financial assistance to help in maintaining the green areas in Herbert Place Housing Development, Navan. The members agreed to approve a contribution of the same amount as paid to the group in 2007 which was €800.

The members received and noted correspondence from the Residents Committee of Parnell Park and McDermott Villas, Navan seeking funding for the upkeep of the green area in the park. On the proposal of Cllr T Reilly seconded by Cllr C Reilly the members agreed to approve a contribution of €600, the same amount as last year.

The members received and noted correspondence regarding the AMAI Annual Conference to be held between September 11th – 13th . The Mayor advised the members that this conference was worth attending as it was a very informative conference.

The members received and noted correspondence from the Parish Administrator regarding the Silver Jubilee of Bishop Michael Smith. On the proposal of Cllr P Fitzsimons seconded by Cllr P Toibin the members agreed to honour Bishop Michael Smith with a Civic Reception in the Town Hall.

The members received and noted correspondence from the Meath Association of London thanking Navan Town Council for their support at the association’s Golden Jubilee Dinner Dance held in June.

The members received and noted correspondence from Larry Whelan, Senior Executive Officer, Housing Department Meath County Council regarding the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2009 – 2013.

The members asked what funding was available for Traveller Accommodation and repairs and how was it being spent. Also has there been any reduction in funding over the past few years.

The A/Town Clerk advised the members that these questions would be addressed at the next Town Council meeting.

Cllr. J. Holloway referred to a letter date 17th July 2008 from the Department of Environment Heritage & Local Government that had been circulated to the members of Meath County Council at their meeting on Monday 1st September regarding the Remedial Works Scheme.

It was requested that this letter be circulated to all the members of Navan Town Council.

The members requested that they receive a presentation from the senior staff of the Housing Section of Meath County Council regarding maintenance of houses and the functions of that Section. The Manager advised the members that he would arrange for the Senior Executive Officer and Director of Services of Housing to attend the next meeting.

The Manager proposed one meeting regarding Housing and the extension of town boundary to be held before October.

The members asked if the 3% reduction in costs applies to all Local Authorities and the Manager advised that it applied to all Local Authorities.

NOTICE OF QUESTIONS

Notice of Question – Cllr. John Duffy

“A resolution requesting measures to be put in place to deal with anti-social behaviour at St. Brigid’s Villas was adopted at our February meeting. This issue has raised its head again following a spate of incidents recently. Has the Council investigated putting in place some such measures as suggested i.e. controlling movements on the rear service lanes. As this is a rapid area has the Council identified if such measures qualify for rapid funding?”

The members received and noted the following response from the Town Manager.

“The issues raised by the Members at the February Monthly Meeting of Navan Town Council were forwarded to the Housing Department of Meath Co Council for consideration.

In relation to the issue of providing a number of gates at this location, this matter is currently being investigated”.

Notice of Question – Cllr. Peadar Toibin

“Can the Council give a comprehensive update on the state of the sewerage system in Navan town including reasons for recent overflows at Kilcarn Court and Bridge Street, age, functionality, expenditure necessary for upgrade, funding in place, available mapping of infrastructure maps etc.”

The members received and noted the following response from the Town Manager:-

The recent floods were 1 in 150 year floods and we might not experience the same level of rain again. The sewer network was designed to cater for a much lower return period.

In relation to expenditure, the sewer networks are in very good condition and have good capacity. There are some maintenance issues regarding leaves that have to be addressed. There are plans for improvements in this area at Kilcarn which the Manager will bring to the members.

The Manager advised the members that the Council would not be upgrading or carrying out remedial works in the locations that were flooded and that upgrading will be on a planned basis only.

It was agreed by the members to deal with the following Notice of Question from Cllr P Fitzsimons and the Notice of Motion from Cllr J Holloway regarding Moatville Estate together.

Notice of Question – Cllr. Padraig Fitzsimons

“Following complaints from residents of Moatville Estate , can the Manager give the members an update in relation to the status of the carrying out of drainage solutions to combat flooding of the estate.”

Notice of Motion – Cllr. Jim Holloway

“That, considering the ongoing problem of flooding at Moatville Estate, and the evidence that this problem has been made worse by the developments at Mullaghboy Industrial Estate and considering more very extensive development at the new Retail Park at Athboy Road to include slip road from new M3 and associated attenuation pond, that this Council calls upon Meath County Council to take the following immediate action:

Put in place new and expanded drainage system on the perimeter of Moatville estate and ensure that the discharge from attenuation pond be directed away from Moatville Estate.”

This motion was proposed by Cllr. J. Holloway and seconded by Cllr. S. Cassells.

The members raised the following issues:-

The same Notice of Motion was brought to the Council in May 2007.

The site was visited by the Engineer last year and nothing has happened. This estate is having drainage problems for years.

The members asked that this matter is dealt with immediately and the discharge must be away from Moatville.

The Town Engineer and her team reacted well to flooding problem on the day.

We cannot leave ourselves in a position where works finish on the roundabout and retail park and the residents are left with the problem.

Where does responsibility lie in terms of attenuation pond and diverting away from it.

All the works at this location i.e. roundabout and M3 contractor are contributing to this problem.

The Manager advised that several options to improve the position were presently being examined and that he would revert before Christmas with definite proposals.

The Council is also in discussions with landowners in relation to improvements to the drain and are looking at the culvert and the restrictions in the houses themselves.

The Manager informed the members that it is the Council’s intention to use the existing drain but to control the discharge of the surface waters from the attenuation pond. This will take a few weeks to finalise and ensure funding is in place. Works will be carried out over next couple of months. He ensured the members that the Council have not been negligent in carrying out their duties and will rectify these problems.

Notice of Motion – Cllr. Christy Reilly

“With the increase in fuel prices throughout the country and effect that is having on the quality of life of the most vulnerable in our society, particularly Council tenants, that this Council calls on the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government to investigate means of assisting these people.”

This motion was proposed by Cllr C Reilly and seconded by Cllr S Cassells.

The members supported the motion and requested that the Council send a letter to all Government Departments to address the issue of fuel poverty.

Notice of Motion – Cllr. Philip Brennan

“To call on this Council to designate a set down and pick up area at Leighsbrook Lane and to extend double yellow lines up to St. Joseph’s Secondary School gates and also to extend double yellow lines up to the apartment block at Leighsbrook Lane.”

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

The members raised concerns that this area was not been policed by the Traffic Wardens.

The members suggested that the Foresters car park could be used as a pick up area for schools between 2 – 4 pm.

In relation to Tommy Barrett’s wall the members advised that Mr. Barrett said that the Council would take responsibility for the wall.

The Town Engineer replied that there are double yellow lines at this area and will look at extending them.

Notice of Motion – Cllr. Peadar Toibin & Cllr. Joe Reilly

“Navan Town Council congratulates and commends Darren Sutherland for his extraordinary achievement of winning a Bronze Medal in the Beijing Olympics. Darren’s wonderful achievement is a source of pride for the whole country and for the town of Navan. He has served a terrific role model for thousands of Irish children and is a timely reminder of the important role sporting organisations play in our community. In order to congratulate Darren and show our appreciation, Navan Town Council should organise a official reception be held in Darren’s honour.”

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

The members supported the motion and suggested that we have a public reception, perhaps at Kennedy Place. They also suggested that Navan Boxing Club are invited to the reception.

The members asked that a letter is sent to Navan Silver Band congratulating them as All Ireland Champions.

The members wished all local athletes well in the Para Olympics.

The members congratulated Laura Flynn, Lorna Donegan and Lizzie Oakes in their success in the Senior Camogie final.

Managers Orders

The members received and noted the Managers Orders made since last meeting.

Any other business

- The Mayor advised the members that he had been in contact with the Mayor of Broccostella and their festival is being held on 28th & 29th September and anyone interested in travelling should contact the Town Clerk as soon as possible.

- It was noted that the Town Twinning signage was ordered and would be erected in October.

This concluded the business of the meeting.

Signed: ______

MAYOR

Signed: ______

TOWN CLERK

Date: ______

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

Telephone: 046 9029078, Fax: 046 9028497, web: www.meath.ie, Email: