January 2012 Monthly Meeting, Chamber, Duleek Civic Offices, 9.40 Tuesday 17th January 2012
Cllr. Anne Dillon- Gallagher presided
Other Councillors Present:
Jimmy Cudden, Wayne Harding, & Serena Campbell
Apologies: Cllr Homes and Cllr O’Neill
Officials Present:
Fiona Lawless, Director of Services, Slane Area; Jim Colwell, Area Engineer; Frances Hughes A.S.O.; Paul Monahan, Area Administrator, Eugene Farrelly Area Administrator
Cllr Dillon-Gallagher proposed a vote of thanks to Paul Monaghan for his sterling service to the Slane Area over the past 7 years and wished him well in his new position of Area Administrator in Dunshaughlin Area. Eugene Farrelly was welcomed to his first meeting of the Area Council and all looked forward to working with him .The other Councillors and Officials wished to be associated with the above .
1.0Confirmation of minutes of the following meeting
1.1December 2011 monthly meeting held on Wednesday 20th December 2011.
On the proposal of Cllr Harding seconded by Cllr. Cudden the Members confirmed the Minutes of the December meeting held Wednesday 20th December 2011 subject to the amendment proposed at 2.00 below.
2.0Matters arising from the Minutes
Item 8.:Disposal of Land at Ninch
Cllr Campbell informed that other parties had approached her with an interest in using the former Library site for community use and as she was not present at the December meeting wished to raise it now. In view of same the Chair proposed and Cllr Cudden seconded that an advertisement should be published seeking Expressions of Interest from appropriate bodies for use of the building for Community Purposes only
3.0Matters raised with the permission of the Cathaoirleach
The Members raised the following issues:
- Seaview Mornington & Seabury Lawns –Update on taking in charge ;Jim advised that these estates may be included the next round of taking in charge.Update on the current list of TIC estates to be circulated to members
- The Grange Estate , Stamullen –Vermin reports
- Greenacres Site Eastham Road, Bettystown- Repeated littering/dumping :.Eugene informed that this site is listed on the Derelict Sites Register and matter of cleaning up the site has been raised with the Auctioneer selling the site so that remedial worked may be undertaken by the new owner.Update to be sought for next meeting.
- Main Street, Duleek -Broken Pedestrian Traffic Lights –update required.
- The Mauldins, Duleek :Vandalism including broken windows and doors at– Eugene advised that he had been in contact with the Management Company on another matter recently and will contact them regarding this issue and the need for ongoing security of the site who advised that there was a security company looking after this property. EF will look into this for the members.
- Hilltown Road, Bellewstown -water flowing down and potholes forming.
- Deens, Duleek -Signage for N2 diversion blocking site-lines at house – J.C said he would talk to the Engineer in charge of this diversion.
- Duleek By-Pass -Update on for next meeting from Transportation
- DuleekVillage -Update on water pipe laying and traffic management plan for same.
- Kellystown Lane, Knockmooney Lane and Crewbawn Lane -.Cllr Dillon-Gallagher informed that the farmers on Kellystown Lane grouped together to carry out improvement works to the lane some years ago. Potholes
- Road off the N2 towards Meath Dog Pound, Rathmaiden, Slane – potholes
- Household Charge -do the Council have any input regarding exemptions for the new household charge – Fiona advised the members that the exemptions are set out in the legal framework and that there is no discretion at local level and that the list of exempted unfinished estates are published on the web-site .
- VMS North of Slane
- Crann Daire Brae Housing Estate Slane -Update on ownership of hedge
- Cow Plots -Update – Paul advised the members that he received a report on the cowplots for the whole county which contained therecommendation that they be sold subject to referral to Housing and Planning to ascertain if needed for future use by MCC. The members stated that the sale of these should be done openly and publicly. Cllr Harding asked if there will be provision for tendering for individuals who had used the lands previously – Fiona said that they will have to go on the open market especially in the current economic climate. MeathCounty Council need to be as open and transparent as possible in these matters. The disposal of the 4 cow-plots conserned in the Slane Area will be grouped together and the most advantageous way of advertising and sale will be employed .It is not intended to lease the lands again as they are now cleared of livestock and any proposal will come before the Area members when in place.EF to liaise with Planning /Housing on the 4 sites at Lobinstown, Creewood ,Syddan and Footstown and discuss options for sale with an Auctioneer
- StamullenCemetery –update :Letter from Bishop Smith was noted and that both Stamullen and Moorechurch Cemetries are at full capacity with the latter taking the burials from Stamullen at present. It was also noted that title to both cemetries is not in place and maintenance is vested in the Council. It was agreed that the issue be referred to the Environment Section to advise on the situation and to request update on the Survey on Cemetries underway at present.:.Provision of a tap at the existing Cemetry in Stamullen
- MonknewtownChurch –update on public lighting and verge maintenance: Issue of road verge being parked up on and difficult for church goers to leave their cars to enter church as there is no car-park at same.JC Duleek to re-examine and report..
- Colaiste na hInse, Laytown –update on traffic issues in attending at the school with children .Various possible solutions have been discussed such as a filter lane ,roundabout and footpath from national school out to the Colaiste .Update on the matter required for next meeting
19. Kilbreck and Gracemeadow Estates in Stamullen.-Update on costing on the provision of a walkway, landscaping, and public lighting between these Estates :A proposal for this area is being prepared at present which would secure the area by way of removal of the hedge and installation of public lighting -update sought for next meeting-
4.0Report on the 2012 Roadworks Programme
The Members received and noted a report on the above. The matter of continuation of the footpath to Gormanstown college and an update on the Stamullin Traffic Management plan was sought – Transportation
5.0Report on Matters raised at the December 2011 meeting
The Members received, noted a report as updated below:
1. YellowFurzeChurchCar Park Provision of a pedestrian crossing at to facilitate children crossing the road on their way to school was referred to Transportation Dept
2. Minor Flood Migration Works: Whether an application was made in 2011 for minor flood mitigation works
There are two types of flood protection works – coastal and non coastal. The Area received an allocation in 2011 for non coastal works but could not proceed due to on-going difficulties accessing third party lands.
3. Lougher Hill-dangerous condition of Hill at Lougher, which was being heavily used by traffic as the Rossnaree Road was closed due to road works. Also requested a time frame for completion of the works at Rosnaree .Referred to Transportation. Department who sought extension of the road closure to 17th February next to complete the works which is published in this weeks Meath Chronicle.
4. Indaver Plant Carronstown- HGVs travelling to Indaver were using the L-1610 School Road to access the plant instead of the R152.
Indaver Ireland have stated that their Traffic Management plan has been agreed with all their suppliers of both waste products and other supplies who predominantly use the motorway and take the Duleek off-ramp ,or otherwise take the R152 from Kilmoon Cross. They will be taking the matter up with their suppliers as they have penalties in their Contracts if there have been breaches of said protocols .They would welcome the submission of lorry regs and details, if such trucks are observed taking any alternative routes to the Carronstown Plant.
5. Smiths Car DismantlersDangerous junction at Brian Smiths vehicle dismantlers in DuleekAn application for a Low Cost Safety Scheme was made to the Dept. in 2009 but was not successful.
6. Stamullen Cycle Lane:Advisory Cycle Lanes are marked by a broken white line which allows motorised traffic to enter or cross the lane. They are used where a Mandatory Cycle Lane leaves insufficient residual road space for traffic, and at junctions where traffic needs to turn across the cycle lane. Parking is not permitted on advisory cycle lanes other than for set down and loading. Advisory cycle lanes are 24 hour unless time plated.
7. DeensBridge is it suitable to take fully laden 40-foot HGVs
The modified MEXE Assessment doesn’t apply as the bridge has been previously strengthened. The exact details of the strengthening works aren’t available or are lost. If the area is looking for an exact loading capacity, I’d advise that they employ Specialist Consultants to carry out a report. It might be expensive to carry out though as they will require trial holes to assess the fill material, sections on the structure.
Again, as said previously, there are no signs of any significant structural damage other than what one would expect from normal wear and tear.
8. Bru na Boinne Interpretative Centre Whether the OPW would be meeting with Meath Tourism regarding the future operation of the Tourist Information facility at the center.
Report from Michelle Whelan MCC Tourism Office:
Kevin Stewart, Director of Services discussed the issue with relevant senior officials of Failte Ireland and it was confirmed to him that the Board of Failte Ireland had made a decision that they would end their involvement with retail operations at tourism venues effective from the end of 2011 primarily as the level of financial return did not justify continuing to operate. This affected 4 sites nationally including Bru na Boinne. Failte Ireland, in common with other state and semi state agencies, have to make best use of diminishing resources and in that context they say they cannot justify retaining their commitment to Bru na Boinne in terms of staff allocation. Allied to that is the decision of the Board of FI to open a manned tourist information centre in T2 (DublinAirport) which will require redeployment of existing staff. F.I. has made the decision and it will not be changed. We are in contact with the OPW and will shortly be meeting them to explore what options are available.
6.0To receive a Report on Planning Enforcement in the Slane Area
A report was circulated and noted by the members present.
7.0Correspondence and issues raised
No correspondence for circulation or new matters raised.
8.0To discuss Matters in accordance with the recommendations of the Protocol Committee
Meath Community and Voluntary Forum -The members received a request from same to address the full council to create awareness about the audit fee community groups have to pay for audit purposes. This was proposed by Cllr Jimmy Cudden and seconded by Cllr Anne Dillon Gallagher.-Proposal to be submitted to the Protocol Committee for consideration-G.M Corporate Services
There being no further business the meeting ended at 11am
Minutes Jan 2012 meeting 17012012 Page 1of5
Meath County Council, Duleek One Stop Shop, Main Street, Duleek, CountyMeath