Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on 22nd January 2007 at 2.00 p.m.
In Trim Civic Offices, Summerhill Road, Trim
Cllr. J. Fegan, Cathaoirleach, presided.
Members Present:-
Cllrs. P. Cantwell, W. Carey, S. Murray, P. Higgins &
D. O’Brien (Cathaoirleach – TrimTown Council)
Officials in Attendance:-
B. Fulham, A/Area Manager
M. Farrell, Area Engineer
M. Dunne, A/Area Administrator
M. Killeen, Director of Services – Community & Enterprise (Item 5.2)
N. O’Kane, A/Senior Executive Planner
1.0Confirmation of Minutes
Cllr. S Murray stated that during a discussion on school safety & funding, and in particular the provision of flashing lights at schools, he had emphasied that the Trim Area allocation should not be reduced due to the fact that safety measures have already been initiated at some schools in south Meath as this issue still remains to be addressed at other schools in the area. Cllr Murray requested that the Minutes of the Meeting be amended to reflect this.
On the proposal of Cllr. Cantwell, seconded by Cllr.. Murray, the minutes of the November Monthly Meeting held on 28th November 2006 were adopted by the Members with the amendment.
2.0Expressions of Sympathy
The following expressions of sympathy were passed with:
2.1Cllr. J. Fegan on the death of his .father Mr. James Fagan R.I.P
2.2Cllr. P. Cantwell on the death of his brother-in-law, Mr Patrick Quinlan R.I.P.
Cllr. Fegan expressed his gratitude to all who conveyed their condolences in the days and weeks following his loss.
3.0Statutory Business
It was agreed to take Item 5.2 on the Agenda next.
5.2To receive a draft review of the Community Grants Scheme (Ml. Killeen)
Mr. Michael Killeen outlined the details of the scheme and changes to be made including renaming the scheme to the “Amenity Levies Scheme 2007-2009” (copy of this document had previously been circulated to the members). He informed the members at present the Council has several projects and initiatives that funding is committed to in the order of approx €4,300,000, these projects include Trim
Recreational Centre, PorchFieldLand Acquisition, Meath Arts Centre and Navan Swimming Pool & Leixure Complex. He further outlined that siginificant funding is also required for other planned major Council Projects such as Abbeylands Public Park, Navan, new Swimming Pool for Kells, redevelopment of Sonairte and this will have a significant impact on the amount of funding available to the electoral areas for community group projects and initiatives for 2007 and future years. He further continued that it is recommended that a cap in the region of €500,000 p.a. for the life of the reviewed scheme be introduced.
Questions and concerns were raised by the members in relation to:
- Dissatisfaction at the proposed introduction of a capping – expecially as Trim area was slow to get up and running with the Scheme
- Some project could consume the whole allocation
- Amount of funding available for 2007 €1,682,000 – Trim Area as per Table 5 and only in the region of €44,000 drawn down.
- Concerns that small projects might be penalised in favour of bigger projects.
- Closing date for receipt of applications?
- In cases such as Navan Swimming Pool, Sonairte where there is private involvement – concerns regarding the spending of public funds
In conclusion, Michael Killeen acknowledged the excellent commitment the Council got from community groups and and confirmed that if difficulties were encountered by groups in the drawn down of allocations within the specified time frame, this would be dealt with as it arose. The closing date has not yet been agreed and depends on when the Review is agreed by the full council.
4.0Correspondence
There were no items of correspondence
5.0 Statutory Business (continued)
5.1To receive Part 8 Report – Revisions to Trim Sports and Leisure Centre P8/0632
Mr. N. O’Kane A/ Senior Executive Planner informed the members that this Part 8 application was in respect of very minor alterations to that already approved under P8/50006. Cllr.Cantwell asked that cognizance be given to the use green energy systems in this development. Cllr. Fegan sought confirmation that this Part 8 would not effect applications to the public sewage scheme by residents in close proximity to the proposed development. In response to a query by Cllr. Higgins regarding the provision of a 2.4m high boundary wall insteady of fencing, Mr. O’Kane confirmed that this was to facilitate the nearby residents. Cllr. Murray stated that having regard to the amount of money being invested in this project by Meath County Council, it is imperative that this development proceed without delay.
It was then agreed on the proposal of Cllr. Cantwell, seconded by Cllr. Murray, it was agreed to place the planner’s report and recommendation before the full Council for approval.
5.2 To nominate two members to form part of the Council
Sub-Committee to liase with the National Roads Authority.
Concerns were raised by Cllr. Cantwell regarding a balanced representation on this committee having regard to the proposed N3. On the proposal of Cllr. Higgins, seconded by Cllr Carey, it was agreed that Cllr. Murray was nominated to sit on this Committee along with Cllr. Carey, who was proposed by Cllr. Higgins, seconded by Cllr. Murray.
5.4To receive a presentation on MeathCounty Council’s Pride of Place Urban Tree Planting Progamme
Ms. Jane Corkell, Landscape Architect outlined to the members the details of the programme. She confirmed that while 12 centre applications were received, only 1 was in the Trim Area and that was for TrimTown where it is proposed to plant 20 trees. She informed the members that the launch shall take place in early March and there shall be workshops for Tidy Town Committees/Groups. The members welcomed the programme and expressed concerns regarding the cost of the trees, location to structures and species to be used. Depending on the success of this Programme, Ms. Corkell informed the members that this may become an annual Programme.
6.0Update on works ongoing from Area Engineer
Copies of the Engineer’s Report were circulated at the meeting. Mr. Farrell informed the members that it has been a very busy month to date, due to emergency works as a result of the inclement weather.
He also informed the members that pumping problems had been encountered at Ballivor Pumping Station. Cllr. Murray emphasied that a long-term solution to the water supply in Ballivor is required as a matter of urgency as some developments are being held-up due to water difficulties. Cllr. Carey stated that he was of the understading that following the presentation by Mr. D. Keyes at the September meeting, he was to update the members in due course. Mr. Fulham informed the members of the details of a email he had to hand from Mr. Keyes in relation to the matter. Concerns were also expressed regarding the specifications used by the Consultants, the suitability of the StoneyfordRiver as a source. Also the need for a mobile maintenance person for the pumping stations in the south of the County was also raised. In conclusion, it was unamiously agreed on the proposition of Cllr. Carey, seconded by Cllr. Murray to invite personnel from the Infrastructure Department of Meath County Council to attend the next meeting.
6.0Any Other Business
6.1Cllr. O’Brien
Cllr. O’Brien informed the members that a small group had been set up to deal with Anti-Social Behaviour which is a difficult and sensitive area. It is anticipated that 2 Youth Drop-In Centres shall be available shortly. The members extended their good wishes to the success of the project.
6.2Cllr. Fegan
- Flooding outside McManus’ rear entrance at Kilcooley, Robinstown Road
- Completion of accommodation works outside Sean Dempsey’s entrance at Kiltale
- Issues in Summerhill raised by Mary Nally
- Parking issues at Loman Street outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Provision of more public lighting on Newtown Road
- Update on Dublin Road Roundabout
- Roadworks at Bull Ring, Summerhill as agreed
- Provision of proper livestock fence around Tom Holland’s property along Porch Field Boundary.
- Commitment to provide water supply to bungalows at Manorlands; Louis Gunning, Michael Reilly, Lavins, Conlons and McManus.
6.3Cllr. Murray
Consideration of the following roads in the upcoming roads programme.
- Aughnaguila Lane, Kilwarden, Kinnegad.
- Bog Road, Ardenew/Dalystown, Longwood.
- Wood Lane, Kildalkey. (Damaged at the village end as a result of use by developer)
- Mountpoplar Lane, Kildalkey.
Other issues:
Hedge cutting at Ardenew / Toher road. Byrnes and Giles farms.
Blocked shore at end of Moyrath Lane, water flowing out on to the road and down to Clown Cross, very dangerous after the heavy frost.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Signed:______Cathaoirleach
Date:19th February 2007
Minutes Trim Area Meeting 22 Jan07Page 1 of 4
Trim Town Council and Area Office, Mornington House, Summerhill Road, Trim, County Meath