December Monthly meeting Chamber, Duleek Civic Offices, Wednesday 16th December 2009 10.10
An Cathaoirleach Councillor Jimmy Cudden presided
Other Councillors Present:
Anne Dillon-Gallagher, Wayne Harding, Seamus O’Neill Eoin Holmes.
Apologies: Sirena Campbell
Officials Present:
Jim Colwell, Area Engineer, Mary Murphy, Meath Local Sports Partnership, Paul Monahan, Area Administrator
Apologies: Tadhg McDonnell, Area Manager
Paul Monahan advised the Members / Officials of the provisions of Part 15 of the L.G. Act 2001 and the code of conduct for Members, Officials and non-elected Council committee Members regarding declarable interests of themselves and of any connected person. Each individual has a responsibility to comply and the Ethics Officer has a duty to ensure compliance with these statutory requirements.
1.0 Confirmation of Minutes of the following Meeting:
1.1 November Monthly meeting held Wednesday 18th November 2009
The Members confirmed the minutes on the proposal of Cllr. Dillon-Gallagher and seconded by Cllr. Holmes.
2.0 Matters raised with the permission of the Cathaoirleach
The Members raised the following issues:
· Provision of a pedestrian crossing at the Highlands, Drogheda
· Extent of OPW works at the Northlands, Bettystown
· Council policy on dirt on roads. The Area Engineer advised that all land owners and occupiers of land were obliged under the Roads Act, 1993 to ensure that mud and stones were not carried on to a public road and that all roadside drains were kept clear to prevent flooding and potholes forming on the road. The Council, where it identifies breaches of this legislation, issues Notices to the relevant landowners / occupiers to carry out works to remedy the situation.
· Pedestrian crossings at Bettystown Town Centre. The Area Engineer advised that work was ongoing on providing three pedestrian crossings at Bettystown Town Centre, which would all comply with statutory regulations and on upgrading the public toilets there.
· Upgrade to pedestrian crossing at (old) Laytown School. The Area Engineer will investigate.
· Potholes on Crooks Grove, Duleek; Station Road, Duleek, the L–1013-34 from The Brink to Yellow Furze, L-16014-0 at Tubberfinn, Harlinstown Road at the junction of the R163-0 and the L-1625-7.
· Provision of measures to prevent parking on the L-16014-0 at the Obelisk Bridge.
· Broken swing in Slane Playground. This will be repaired.
· Lights at Millrace and Copper Beech, Duleek need adjustment
· Replacement of damaged sign at breakers yard Ashbourne Road, Duleek
· Grass cutting and lack of signage in Ballygarth Manor, Julianstown. The Area Administrator advised that the Council did not have the resources to cut the grass in estates taken in charge or indeed in Council estates. Grass cutting was carried out by the relevant Residents Association, which could apply for amenity / lawnmower grants to help defray the cost of this work. The Area Engineer will follow up on the signage issue.
· Provision of a public light and tie in of footpath at the footbridge on the Navan Road, Duleek.
· Update on Duleek Courthouse. It was vital that the building have a community wide use and that measures be introduced, as part of the overall plan, to prevent vehicles crossing the green open space adjacent to the building. The Area Administrator advised that the Area Manager was in discussion with the County Manager and would update the Members on the Council’s plans for the building, which would form the basis of a Part 8.
· Vacant house at Donore. This will be referred to Housing Allocations in Navan.
· The Members highlighted the widespread opposition among the residents of Kilbreck/Glasheen and Gracemeadows to the provision of a playground in Stamullen in the open space between the two estates. Cllr. O’Neill suggested that the Area Engineer meet with representatives of the various Residents Associations in the village to try to identify a suitable site for a playground. Cllr. Holmes asked whether the residents of Mountain View, the original site in Stamullen proposed for a playground, were consulted on the matter. Cllr. Cudden expressed his opposition to the Mountain View site stating it was a long established estate with in the main very few children living there. The Area Engineer advised that the Council was committed to providing a playground in the area and he would explore all avenues to source a suitable site but that the only Council owned land in the area was in Mountain View.
· Poor repair of bridge on cul de sac off the N52 at Woodtown. The Area Engineer will investigate.
· Dangerous condition of Whites Hill, Sally Garden in frosty weather. The Area Engineer will investigate.
· The Members congratulated Duleek under 21s on their recent success and thanked all those members of the public who fund raised to help those affected by the recent flooding in the west and south of the country.
· Welcomed the provision of 26 tubs and Christmas lights in Duleek village
· Provision of public lighting at lane from Reilly shop to Beach Grove, Laytown. The Area Engineer will investigate.
· Poles on L-1611-0 Colpe to Donacarney Road with no signs on them. The Area Engineer will investigate.
· Dumping in Lobinstown and Ballygarth Road, Julianstown. Will be referred to Environment.
· Flooding at the back lane Millrace, Duleek. The Area Engineer will investigate.
3.0 To receive a report on Meath Local Sports Partnership
Mary Murphy, Sports Co-Ordinator, Meath Local Sports Partnership, Community & Enterprise circulated a report on this issue and advised the Members as follows:
· The role of the MLSP in promoting participation in sport and physical activity in partnership with local communities
· Funding of the programme
· New initiatives particularly the FAI sponsored Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs)
· Success of the programme in various urban centres in the County
· Involvement of different age groups, community groups, clubs, and other agencies in the programme
· Relative poor participation in the scheme in East Meath
· Commitment to continue to enhance and improve the programme and to increase the participation levels
· Request for the continued commitment of the Members for the positions of Sports Inclusion Disability Officer and the Community Sports Development Officer.
The Members welcomed the report / ongoing work, and raised the following queries:
· Wanted more detail on the availability and cost of the MUGAs
· Expressed support for the positions of Sports Inclusion Disability Officer and Community Sports Development Officer
· The large commuter population in East Meath would help account for the low rate of participation
Mary Murphy undertook to report back with costings and availability of the MUGAs.
4.0 Report on the Roadworks Programme
The Members received, noted a report on the above and raised the following issues:
· Clarification on which “Newtown” is referred to in the report
· HGVs using the L- 56105-0 from the Station Road to Longford Road, Duleek as a shortcut resulting in damage to the road. The Area Engineer will follow up and ascertain whether vehicles exiting the Lagan Asphalt quarry are using this route, which would be a violation of its planning permission.
5.0 Report on Matters Raised at the last Meeting
The Members received, noted a report on the above, and raised the following queries:
· Welcomed the commitment to have the container in the Grange, Stamullen removed and the estate tidied up
· Update on faulty lights at St. Patricks Terrace, Slane and Wellsley Manor, Bettystown
· Provision of a public light on an existing ESB pole on the side of the Silverstream Road, Stamullen opposite the footpath. The Area Engineer will investigate.
· Flooding at Council houses in Lobinstown and provision of public lights to the rear of the houses
6.0 Correspondence / Issues raised by the Area Manager
6.1 Disposal of land at Seafield, Laytown
The Area Administrator advised the Members that the disposals of land at the Seafield, Laytown to Colmcille Gaels GFC and the local Scouts Group, recommended by the Area Members at the October 2009 monthly meeting, would appear on the agenda of the January 2010 Full Council meeting and that the Section 183 Notices, site maps and letter / report on the matter would issue to the 29 Councillors on 16th December.
The Members requested that the Area Administrator follow up on whether Laytown Athletic had signed their lease in relation to their use of lands at the Seafields.
6.2 Compliments of the season
The Chairman on behalf of the other Members and himself wished the staff and the press all the compliments of the season. Paul Monahan on behalf of the Area Manager and staff responded in kind.
7.0 To discuss Matters in accordance with the recommendations of the Protocol
Committee
Nothing raised.
There being no further business the meeting concluded at 11.45
Minutes December monthly meeting 161209 Page 3 of 4
Meath County Council, Duleek One Stop Shop, Main Street, Duleek, County Meath