Minutes of February Monthly Meeting of Navan Town Council Which Took Place on 6Th February

MINUTES OF FEBRUARY MONTHLY MEETING OF NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL WHICH TOOK PLACE ON 6TH FEBRUARY, 2007 IN THE TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWN HALL, WATERGATE STREET, NAVAN, CO. MEATH.

Cllr. Tommy Reilly presided

Members Present

Cllrs. A. Brennan, C. Reilly, J. Holloway, A. Gibney, S. Cassells, P. Fitzsimons, J. Duffy and J. Reilly

Officials in Attendance

Mr. Eugene Cummins, Town Manager

Mr. Shane Donnelly, Town Clerk

Mr. Fiona Fallon, A/Town Engineer

Ms. Liz Byrne, A/Senior Staff Officer

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Preliminary Budget Meeting which took place on 19th December 2006 at 7.00pm in the Navan Town Council Chamber, Town Hall, Watergate St, Navan, Co Meath.

On the proposal of Cllr P Fitzsimons, seconded by Cllr A Brennan, the minutes of the Preliminary Budget Meeting which took place on 19th December 2006 at 7.00pm in the Navan Town Council Chamber, Town Hall, Watergate St, Navan, Co Meath were adopted by the Members.

Statutory Budget Meeting which took place on the 9th January 2007 at 7.00pm in the Navan Town Council Chamber, Townhall, Watergate St, Navan, Co Meath.

On the proposal of Cllr A Brennan, seconded by Cllr T Reilly, the minutes of the Statutory Budget Meeting which took place on the 9th January 2007 at 7.00pm in the Navan Town Council Chamber, Town Hall, Watergate St, Navan, Co Meath were adopted by the Members.

Confirmation of Minutes of January Monthly Meeting of Navan Town Council held on Tuesday 9th January 2007 at 7.30pm in the Navan Town Council Chamber, Townhall, Navan, Co Meath

On the proposal of Cllr C Reilly, seconded by Cllr A Brennan, the minutes of the January Monthly Meeting of Navan Town Council held on Tuesday 9th January 2007 at 7.30pm in the Navan Town Council Chamber, Town Hall, Navan, Co Meath were adopted by the Members.

CORRESPONDENCE

Letter from McFaddens Fun Fair in relation to the use of the Fairgreen from the 15th March to 19th March 2007 to provide a Fun Fair over the St Patricks Day Festival.

The Members received and noted correspondence from McFaddens FunFair in relation to the use of the Fairgreen to hold a funfair over the St Patricks Day Festival period (15th March to 19th March ) which was presented to them by the Town Clerk.

On the proposal of Cllr A Brennan, seconded by Cllr J Reilly the Members agreed to the request from McFaddens FunFair to use the Fairgreen over the St Patricks Day Festival period (15th March to 19th March) for the provision of a funfair. The Members also stated that it was normally the case that the owners of the funfair would make a donation to the Navan Shamrock Festival Committee towards the running of the event, if the Navan Shamrock Festival Committee was no longer in operation, The Members requested that the owners of the Funfair make a donation towards the Youth Services provided in the Town.

Letter from the Office of the Minister for Education & Science in relation to Navan Town Council’s request for a meeting to discuss Post primary & 3rd Level education in Navan.

The Members received and noted a response on behalf of the Minister for Education & Science in relation to the Members request for a meeting to discuss post primary & 3rd level education in Navan which was delivered to them by the Town Clerk.

Each of the Members expressed their disappointment at the reply given on behalf of the Minister and requested the Town Clerk to write again to the Minister to reiterate their request for a meeting to discuss primary, post primary and 3rd level education in Navan.

Letter from the Department of the Environment Heritage & Local Government in relation to Navan Town Council’s application for funding for the provision of a Housing Investigations/Inspections Officer.

The Members received and noted correspondence received from the Department of the Environment & Local Government outlining approval of funding towards the provision of a Housing Investigations/Inspections Officer for Navan. This was presented to them by the Town Clerk.

The Town Clerk added that whilst funding had been approved in relation to this position, this would create a new post and the Council were awaiting approval from the Department for the creation of this post.

The Members raised the following issues:

Each of the Members welcomed the funding approval received in relation to the provision of this position and thanked the Town Clerk for all his hard work and dedication in relation to the issue

Some Members expressed the view that the position should be 100% funded by the Department.

To receive a presentation from the Chamber of Commerce in relation to the Draft Application and funding requirements to the Department of Justice & Law Reform for the provision of CCTV camera’s in Navan.

At the outset, the Mayor of Navan welcomed Grda Brian Haveron, Navan Garda Station, Eamonn Gavigan, President of the Navan Chamber of Commerce & Michael Cassidy Navan Chamber of Commerce to the February Monthly Meeting of Navan Town Council.

The Members then received a noted a presentation from the Navan Chamber of Commerce and Grda Haveron in relation to the Application for the provision of CCTV camera’s in Navan.

Following the presentation the Members outlined there broad support for the Scheme as presented and raised the following issues:

·  The Members requested that the Minutes show that whilst the introduction of CCTV camera’s in the Town would assist the Gardai in relation to various public order issues, it was important to note that Navan is a safe and vibrant Town in which to visit and enjoy a night out in. The Members agreed that it was important that this does not give the wrong message to people.

·  The Members requested a copy of all details regarding the application be circulated to them by the Chamber of Commerce.

·  The Members requested details from the Chamber of Commerce as the lead authority in relation to how they were proposing to fund the scheme as it would appear that €148,000 would have to be raised by the applicants.

·  The Members stated that it would not be possible to fund the scheme unless there was a major % increase in the Rate, given that a 1% increase is equal to €21,000

·  Cllr P Fitzsimons stated that funding could be raised from a % increase in Rates during the 2008 Budgetary process and he would not be opposed to this.

·  The current plan does not include the laneways in the town which are the source of most of the anti-social behaviour.

·  The Members enquired as to why the presentation was not given to the Members in advance of the 2007 Budgetary process.

·  The Members agreed that it would be important to move the application forward.

·  It would be a useful tool to assist the Gardai and the Local Authority in the operation of there functions.

·  The Members requested that the Chamber of Commerce give a commitment towards funding the scheme also.

·  The Members requested to know if this proposal could be extended further around the Town by way of a wireless connection.

·  The Members requested details on the number of quotations received.

·  The Members requested to know if the camera’s positioned in Kennedy Rd could be factored into the Kennedy Rd Civic Space works.

The Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce responded as follows to the issues raised by the Members:

·  The Department made an announcement regarding the closing date for receipt of applications only two weeks ago, hence the urgency of the application.

·  The Members were advised that the Chamber were hopeful that the business Community would contribute towards the funding required as they were the ultimate beneficiaries. The Members were further advised that one business had already confirmed funding.

·  The Members were advised that the Chamber would not be opposed to an increase in Rates which would provide funding.

·  Only one quote had been received so far, two more were expected in the coming weeks. Should funding be approved a further number of quotes will be sourced.

·  The Members were advised that CCTV camera’s installed in other Towns had resulted in a drop in crime rates, and the cost of insurance to businesses.

·  The proposed 9 cameras can be expanded and this can be achieved via wireless links.

·  The Members were advised that a decision on funding did not have to be made until the application was approved and therefore could be examined as part of the 2008 Budgetary process or an alternative.

·  Each camera cost in the region of €10,000- €12,000.

The Officials replied as follows to the issues raised by the Members:

v  The Town Clerk advised the Members that he would have no objection that Navan Town Council acted as Data Controller in accordance with Data Protection Legislation in relation to this scheme.

v  In relation to compliance with any requirements under Planning legislation in relation to the erection of camera poles, the Town Clerk advised the Members that the Council would fully comply with the requirements/ provisions of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) and related Regulations in relation to same.

v  The Town Manager informed the Members that ducting had been installed to facilitate the provision of CCTV cables. These works were incorporated as part of the Broadband Scheme throughout the Town.

v  In relation to the provision of CCTV Camera’s at Kennedy Rd, The Town Manager advised the Members that this would increase the costs associated with the provision of the Kennedy Rd Civic Space and a funding provision would have to be made for same.

v  In relation to funding, the Town Manager advised the Members that the Council would require that a Business Plan be prepared by the Chamber of Commerce to determine how they propose to fund the Scheme, which would be assessed and agreed. The Town Manager further advised that it was important that the application was made to the relevant department as soon as possible and the issue of funding should not prevent this happening.

On the proposal of Cllr P Fitzsimons, seconded by Cllr J Duffy, it was agreed by the Members to proceed as outlined by the Town Manager & Town Clerk

To receive a presentation from Ms Aoife Maguire on her role as Community Worker for Meath Local Authorities.

The Members received and noted a powerpoint presentation from Ms Aoife Maguire in relation to her role as Community Worker for Meath Local Authorities.

Ms Maguire raised the following issues:

v  Welcomed funding allocated in Navan Town Council Budget 2007.

v  It is important that Communities have a say in their own area.

v  In order to build a vibrant Community, the proper infrastructure must be in place e.g Resource Centres

v  The Community should feel that they can work in partnership with the Local Council and other stakeholders

v  As Community Worker Aoife is focusing on the Tailteann, Windtown area of Navan.

v  Issues such as road ramps, signs in estate, maintenance of the area have all been raised

v  Presently trying to source a Community Facility

v  Training and Education is vitally important to the success of Community Work.

The Members raised the following issues:

§  Each of The Members thanked Aoife for her report and acknowledged the great work that she was already engaged in with the residents of Windtown.

§  Having the proper resources and funding is vitally important to the success of building a vibrant Community.

§  The Members stated that there were striking similarities in relation to the issues raised by the Johnstown Community Project and the issues raised by Aoife during her time working with the Windtown Community.

§  The Members requested details from the Housing Construction Section in relation to the provision of a Community Centre as part of the current building programme.

§  The Members paid tribute to the great work that Aoife had already done in relation to the homework club & mother and toddler group

§  The Members asked that the Town Clerk contact the Housing Section of Meath Co Council and request that the green area be levelled off so as to allow Children to Play.

§  This Area should be included within the RAPID designated Area.

§  The Members requested an update from the Housing Construction Section in relation to the provision of Community/Resource Centre in Windtown.

To receive an update on the Fair Green Project:

The Town Manager informed the Members that following the presentation of the Fairgreen Model, he requested the Design Team to prepare a report setting out the history of the project and it’s current position.

The Town Manager continued by stating that the report compiled by the Design Team had been circulated to each of the Members with the Agenda and the purpose of having this as an item on the Agenda was to obtain the Members consent to forwarding the report to the various stakeholders and interested parties.