Minutes of the Navan Town Council Meeting which took place on the 5th September, 2006 at 7.30pm in the Town Council Chamber, Town Hall, Navan, Co Meath.
Cllr. Tommy Reilly presided.
Members Present
Cllrs. A. Brennan, C. Reilly, P. Fitzsimons, A. Gibney, J. Reilly, J. Holloway, J. Duffy and S. Cassells.
Officials in Attendance
Mr. Eugene Cummins, Town Manager
Mr. Shane Donnelly, Town Clerk
Mr. Pat Kinsella, Town Engineer
Ms. Aine Bird, Senior Staff Officer
Mr. Michael English, Senior Executive Engineer
Mr. John Parker, ABK Architects
Ms. Loreto Guinan, Heritage Officer
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
On the proposal of Cllr. A. Gibney and seconded by Cllr. C. Reilly the minutes of the July monthly meeting were adopted by the Members
CORRESPONDENCE
The members received and noted the following Correspondence which was presented to them by the Town Clerk:
Meath Youth Federation:
The Members received and noted a request from Meath Youth Federation for a financial contribution towards the holding of a Youth Arts Festival which was held in August.
On the proposal of Cllr. A. Gibney seconded by Cllr A Brennan it was agreed by the Members to make a financial contribution of €500 towards the event.
Family Fun Day:
The Members received and noted correspondence from Community Worker Aoife Maguire on behalf of the Tailteann/Windtown Community requesting a financial contribution towards the holding of a Family Fun Day.
On the proposal of Cllr A. Brennan, seconded by Cllr C. Reilly it was agreed by the Members to make a contribution of €500 towards the holding of the event.
Meath Womens Refuge & OutReach Support Service:
The Members received and noted correspondence received from the Meath Womens Refuge & OutReach Support Service requesting a contribution from the Town Council towards the enhancement ( provision of trees etc) of the four transitional houses that they are operating in Windtown Green for security reasons.
On the proposal of Cllr A Gibney, seconded by Cllr C Reilly it was agreed by the Members to make a contribution of €800 towards the request.
SMURFS (Parent & Toddler Group):
The Members received and noted correspondence from Ms Sara Swaine Chairperson of the Parent & Toddler Group requesting a financial contribution from Navan Town Council towards the running of the Parent & Toddler Group
On the proposal of Cllr A. Gibney, seconded by Cllr J Holloway it was agreed by the Members to make a contribution of €500 towards the Group.
Modified Car Meet:
The Members received and noted correspondence from a Ms Rose Lynch on behalf of “Japanese heaven” requesting permission from the Members to hold a modified car meet on the Fair Green.
Each of the Members expressed their reservations in relation to the proposal
On the proposal of Cllr A Brennan, seconded by Cllr. J. Reilly it was agreed by the Members that the Executive would consult further with An Garda Siochana before making a decision on the matter.
IDENTIFY NEW LOCATIONS FOR BOTTLE BANKS
The Town Clerk informed the Members that he had received another request from the Environment Section in relation to proposals for the location of Bottle Banks.
It was agreed by the Members on the proposal of Cllr C Reilly and seconded by Cllr J Reilly that the Members would forward their proposals to the Town Clerk.
AGREE FINAL PAYMENT UNDER SECTION 14.2 OF THE MID TERM REVIEW OF PART 2 OF SUSTAINING PROGRESS
On the proposal of Cllr J Reilly, seconded by Cllr J Holloway it was agreed by the Members to approve the Final payment under Section 14.2 of the Mid Term Review of Part 2 of Sustaining Progress.
QUESTIONS TO THE MANAGER
Cllr. Andy Brennan – “ I would like you to explain my remit as Deputy Mayor and Councillor”
The members received and noted the following reply from the Town Manager in response to question from Cllr. A. Brennan.
Þ The Primary role of a Deputy Mayor is to act in place of the Mayor when he/she is unavailable.
Þ The role of a Councillor is covered in the publication “Local Government and the Elected Member” published by the Department. A copy of this publication can be obtained for any member of the Council on request.
On a point of information, the Members requested that the Housing Committee be set up as previously agreed which would assist the Members to streamline any issues relating to housing.
Cllr. John Duffy - “That the Manager informs members of the numbers currently occupying shared-ownership and affordable houses in the Navan Area, the planned number of affordable houses coming available in Navan and the numbers currently on waiting lists for both shared ownership and affordable housing.”
The members received and noted the following reply from the Town Manager in response to question from Cllr. J. Duffy..
Þ Shared Ownership Scheme
There is no Waiting List for Shared Ownership. Applicants complete the application form and submit there income details etc, subject to meeting the criteria set out under the scheme applicants are approved a certain € amount
Applicants then identify a property up to their approval limit. This year 35 Applications have been received to-date.
Þ Affordable Housing Scheme
There are two types of Affordable Housing Schemes which are as follows:
Affordable Housing ( under Part V)
Affordable Housing ( under the Council’s own Affordable Housing Scheme)
Total Number on Affordable Housing List: 700
Total Number with Navan as first preference:123
11 Affordable houses currently occupied in Navan under Part V
29 Affordable houses currently occupied in Navan under the Council’s Affordable Housing Scheme
Proposed :
4 Affordable houses proposed in Blackcastle under Part V
14 Affordable houses proposed in Windtown under the Council’s Addordable Housing Scheme
Cllr. Jim Holloway - “What is the up-to-date position re the appointment of an Engineer to begin the process of taking in charge estates in Navan.”
The members received and noted the following reply from the Town Manager in response to question from Cllr. J. Holloway.
Þ An Executive Engineer was offered an Engineering position to be based in the Navan Town /Area Office whose remit included the taking in charge of estates. However this offer was refused by the applicant.
Þ Another Executive Engineer was offered this position but again this was refused by the applicant
Þ The position has since been re-advertised with the closing date falling on the 18th August 2006. It is expected that Interviews will be held shortly in a bid to fill this position.
Cllr. Shane Cassells - (a) What is the current situation in respect of the Market Square redevelopment for which we have allocated funds towards and will we be in a position to have the section related to the bus shelter area and Metges Lane renovation completed this year?
The members received and noted the following reply from the Town Manager in response to question from Cllr. S. Cassells.
Þ The Consultants are currently working on the detailed design of the redevelopment which will have to take into consideration the St Laurence Hotel development which was recently granted by An Bord Pleanala.
Þ The section relating to the Bus Shelter is an integral part of the public transport interchange which will be subject to DTO funding.
Þ In advance of the above the installation of new services and upgrading of existing services including Broadband, Watermain’s and sewers will be carried out over the coming months.
Þ In relation to Metges Lane €40,000 has been allocated to carry-out improvements including works to the surface, lighting and signage which is expected to be carried out this year.
The members raised the following queries:-
· When will detailed design be ready.
· When will the underground work be completed in order to commence the overground works.
· Request a report giving an update on the progress being made with regard to funding and the design.
· If a bus shelter is placed on Metges Lane how will this effect the people using the lane.
· If this area/interchange is going to be of high quality then it should be restricted to certain vehicles.
The Town Engineer replied as follows:-
Ø The design is ongoing but will now have to take into consideration the planning permission granted to the St Laurence Hotel site.
Ø The bus shelter is part of the interchange which will be the overall design.
Ø Broadband will be installed over the next few months.
It was agreed that a full report would be furnished to each of the members as soon as possible on the matter.
Cllr. Shane Cassells - (b) What update is there in respect of the policy decision to develop a dedicated website for Navan Town Council carrying full information on water services, housing, special projects, social and cultural news pertaining to our activities and the town in general?
The members received and noted the following reply from the Town Manager in response to question from Cllr. S. Cassells.
Þ The I.T. Department have examined the templates created for the Website, Extranet, and the Intranet. The Website, Extranet information will include:
Þ Overview, contact us, committees, councillors, council meetings, history of Navan, office location, opening hours, parking in Navan, emergencies, environment, finance, housing, planning, roads, weekly schedule of works, hackney and taxi licences, town projects, water and sewerage, links etc
Þ This information is currently being collated by the Navan Town and Area Office
The Town Clerk advised that the information required should be collated before the end of October.
UPDATE ON FAIRGREEN
The Members noted a report which was presented to them by the Town Manager in relation to the Fairgreen. The Town Manager highlighted the following issues:
¨ The Council were extremely anxious to work in partnership with the Elected Members, the public, stakeholders and Clergy in relation to any proposals for the Fair green.
¨ The Town Manager acknowledged that upset had been caused as a result of misinformation being relayed.
¨ The Town Manager expressed the need to clarify exactly what is happening.
¨ The Town Manager stated that the Fairgreen was the vibrant heart of Navan which had a long history and this must be taken into consideration.
¨ The People of Navan and Stakeholders need to be informed of the vision for the Town in a clear and simplistic manner so there is no ambiguity.
¨ The Town Manager advised the Members that he had requested the preparation of a model so as to prevent any ambiguity in relation to the matter. He hoped that this model would be available for the October Meeting of the Council.
The Members then received an update from John Parker ABK Architects on recent surveys and meetings that had taken place to date.
v Investigative work has been completed to inlcude site survey, traffic survey and site boundaries survey.
v Mr Parker advised that any design would have to take into account comments received both from the elected members, officials, stakeholders , public etc. These included:
v The traffic and parking at the schools and churches.
v Addressing the concerns expressed by the Market Traders.
v Issues raised by the St Finians Tce residents regarding their amenity area at the front of the estate and also the view that exists across the Fairgreen to the Church.
v Stakeholders raised the issue of any high scale development.
v Schools require access directly to the theatre on a regular basis.
v Cycle access required.
v Stakeholders require access to their property adjacent to the Fairgreen.
The members raised the following issues:
· There is a need for clarity on whats being proposed/not proposed so as to enable the Members to make an informed decision.
· The Fairgreen should not be touched and should be left as it is.
· This is the largest and most significant project undertaken by Navan Town Council.
· Concerns need to be taken on board in the carrying out of any discussion model.
· The concept/vision for Navan has been misconstrued and misinformed to the people of Navan.
· The Fairgreen is the soul of the Town.
· The Members welcomed the production of a model.
· The Town of Navan needs to move with the times.
· Public Consultation is paramount to this.
· Two issues must be addressed – clarity and sensitivity to location and the people.
· The Model needs to put on public display in our shopping centres, schools, businesses, both in the Town and in the environs to ensure thateveryone in Navan is aware of it.
In response, the Town Manager agreed with the Members and advised that this would be a discussion model and not a designed model.
PRESENTATION OF THE DRAFT CO. MEATH HERITAGE PLAN
The Members received and noted a presentation on the Draft County Meath Heritage Plan which was presented to them by Ms Loreto Guinan, Heritage Officer.
The following issues were raised by the Members:
¨ Each of Members welcomed the Draft Plan as presented to them by the Heritage Officer.
¨ The Members requested that the Council seek funding from the Heritage Council towards Heritage works.
¨ The Members requested that a feasibility study be carried out of the Old St Pats Academy.
¨ The Members welcomed the Boyne restoration work and urban tree planting.
¨ The Members acknowledge the need to begin in Primary Schools to educate and increase childrens awareness of our Heritage.
¨ The Members noted that the Plan was very ambitious.
¨ The Members raised the issue of Ardbraccan Church being an important part of our Heritage.
¨ The Members stated that Bog areas in Bohermeen should be included and be part of a school programme and walkways.
¨ Kilcarn graveyard not well know to public.
NOTICES OF MOTION
Cllr. Joe Reilly
“That Navan Town Council create from within the Art Budget a bursary. This bursary of €2,000 to be called “The Billie Goonan Annual Arts Bursary”. The finance to be used for the purpose of promoting Navan based artists by way of a visual art competition.”