LONGFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
COMHAIRLE CHONTAE LONGFOIRT
Minutes of September Monthly Meeting of Longford County Council
held in the Council Chamber, Aras an Chontae, Great Water Street, Longford on Wednesday, 17th September 2008 at 3.30 p.m.
PRESIDING: Councillor Sean O Fearghaile, Mayor.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councillors – Larry Bannon, Paddy Belton,
Gearoid O Bradaigh, Seamus Butler, Mick Cahill,
James Coyle, Adrian Farrell, Martin Farrell,
Frank Kilbride, Donncha Mac Gleannáin,
Victor Kiernan, Maire Ni Giolla Bride Harcan,
Luie McEntire, Alan Mitchell, Martin Mulleady,
Peggy Nolan, Peadar O Murchu, P.J Reilly
and Barney Steele.
APOLOGIES: Councillor Michéal MacCnáimhí.
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr. Tim Caffrey, County Manager.
Mr. James Clarke, Director of Services.
Mr. Roger Timlin, Director of Services.
Mr. Frank Sheridan, Director of Services.
Mr. Tommy McDonald, Head of Finance.
Mr. Gerry Gillen, A/Director of Services.
MEETINGS
ADMINISTRATOR: Ms. Anne Lee.
ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING:
The meeting was adjourned for five minutes, as a member of the public began to address the meeting from the public gallery without the prior consent of the Mayor.
In accordance with Section 52 of Standing Orders, he was requested to leave the public gallery.
VOTE OF CONGRATULATIONS
Mayor S. Farrell congratulated Newtowncashel Tidy Towns Committee on achieving Longford’s Tidiest Village at the 2008 Tidy Towns Competition. He also complimented the many other towns and villages in the County who achieved impressive results in the competition.
The Mayor also congratulated the Newtowncashel Intermediate Football Team on winning the Intermediate Football Championship Final.
Councillor S. Mulleady congratulated Benny Ledwith from Drumlish who will be receiving the “Outstanding Achievement Award” at the County Longford Social Club Dinner in New York on the 4th October 2008.
VOTES OF SYMPATHY
Mayor S. Farrell proposed and Councillor A. Farrell seconded that a vote of sympathy be extended to Maeve Killian, on the death of her husband, Sean Murtagh.
Mayor S. Farrell proposed and Councillor A. Farrell seconded that a vote of sympathy be extended to the Scally family, Lanesboro on the death of Bridgie Scally.
Mayor S. Farrell proposed and Councillor D. Glennon seconded that a vote of sympathy be extended to the Mac An Bheatha family, Ardagh on the death of
Monica Mhic An Bheatha.
Councillor L. McEntire proposed and Councillor D. Glennon seconded that a vote of sympathy be extended to the McNally family, Clonback, Aughnacliffe on the death of Michael McNally.
Councillor L. McEntire proposed and Councillor D. Glennon seconded that a vote of sympathy to the Lenehan family, Cross Bothair, Drumlish on the death of
Hughie Lenehan.
The meeting adjourned for five minutes as a mark of respect.
A silent prayer was said for the deceased.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
On the proposal of Councillor F. Kilbride seconded by Councillor B. Steele,
the Minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on the 16th July 2008 were confirmed and adopted.
MANAGER’S ORDERS
The County Manager’s Orders, which had been circulated, were noted.
Councillor A. Mitchell requested that the members be informed of the officials who act for the Directors of Services while they are on leave.
CORPORATE, ENVIRONMENTAL, EMERGENCY, RECREATION AND AMENITY SERVICES.
Presentation by Nicholas O’Dwyer, Consultants, on the Camlin Flood Study Report.
Mayor Farrell welcomed Barry Dunphy and Gerry Cronin from Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd.
Mr. Dunphy outlined, in detail, the contents of the Preliminary Report on the Camlin Flood Study under the following headings:-
· Camlin Catchment Data.
· Zoning in South West Environs of Longford Town.
· Areas of zoned lands already developed.
· Hydraulic Model of River Camlin.
· 100year Water surface Profile for Full Development Scenario.
· Results from the Hydraulic Analysis.
· Flooding of the Railway Line.
· Mitigation Measures for Post Development Scenario.
· Re-alignment of drainage from southwest development areas.
· Mitigation Measures for Post Development Scenario.
· Other General Measures to Reduce Flood Levels.
· Channel Widening and Deepening.
· Flood Protection Design and Climate Change.
Mr. Dunphy outlined the summary of recommendations contained in the Report as follows:-
• No further development on the flood plain should be permitted without implementing proposed mitigation measures from the report:
– Re-alignment of drainage from southwest development areas
– Channel Cleaning works
– Provision of Flood eye in Railway embankment
– Deepening of Main channel downstream of Railway Bridge
• Discussions should be held with Iarnrod Eireann regarding Flood Protection of the Railway
• Central floodplain area upstream of Railway bridge should not be considered for development
• Run-off from all new development sites must be attenuated
Mr. Dunphy and Mr. Cronin replied to queries raised by the members on the following issues:-
· Re-alignment of drainage.
· Dredging of the River Camlin.
· Annual planned maintenance programme - Mr. G. Gillen, Acting Director of Services informed the meeting that this issue will be investigated further.
· Weir at Tarmonbarry.
· Lough Forbes
The Mayor and County Manager thanked the representatives from
Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd. for their very informative report.
Part VIII - Manager’s Report - Fire Station at Tinnyarr Townland, Edgeworthstown, County Longford.
On the proposal of Councillor F. Kilbride seconded by Councillor J. Coyle, it was unanimously agreed to adopt the Part VIII - Manager’s Report in accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2000 – Section 179; Planning and Development Regulations 2001–2007 – Part 8; in respect of proposed construction of a new Fire Station building at Tinnyarr Townland, Edgeworthstown, County Longford.
Disposal of Site of the old Fire Station in Granard.
On the proposal of Councillor M. Kilbride-Harkin seconded by Councillor F. Kilbride, it was unanimously agreed that approval be given to the disposal of site of the old Fire Station in Granard to Mr. Alex Kane, Cartron, Granard, Co. Longford in accordance with the terms of Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 issued on the 4th September 2008.
Disability Implementation Plan.
On the proposal of Councillor S. Butler seconded by Councillor D. Glennon, it was unanimously agreed to adopt the Disability Implementation Plan, as circulated to the members.
The members welcomed the publication of the Disability Implementation Plan and referred to some areas which need attention, particularly Disabled Parking Bays.
Notices of Motions:
Single Farm Payments Grants and Farm Waste Management Scheme.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor L. McEntire and seconded by Councillor L. Bannon:-
“That this Council demonstrates its support for the farming organisations by calling on the Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Brendan Smith, T.D., to bring forward the payment of the Single Farm Payments Grants to farmers and extend the date for the Farm Waste Management Scheme to mid-2009, taking into consideration the burden that has been placed on farmers by the bad summer weather this year. I also wish to propose that this Notice of Motion be forwarded for discussion at the Association of County and City Councillors.”
All members of the Council supported Councillor McEntire’s Motion, and it was agreed that the Council write to the Minister for Agriculture and to the Association of County and City Councillors.
Request to Belarusian Government.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Mayor S. Farrell and seconded by Councillor A. Farrell:-
“That this Council calls on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Michael Martin, T.D., to use all his powers and open discussions with the Belarusian Government to lift the ban they have imposed on children coming to Ireland for the summer.”
All members of the Council supported Mayor Farrell’s Motion, and it was agreed that the Council write to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and to the Association of County and City Councillors.
Proposed New Civic Offices.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor A. Mitchell and seconded by Councillor F. Kilbride:-
“I request an update on the proposed new Civic offices for Longford County Council, whether an application has been made for funding and/or loan approval to the Department of the Environment and confirmation as to whether these proposals are being deferred in view of the likely financial constraints which will be placed on this council.”
A report prepared by Mr. G. Gillen, Acting Director of Services, was circulated to the members.
The members discussed, in detail, the contents of the report and it was agreed that the project proceed and that the members be updated on a regular basis on the progress of same.
INFRASTRUCTURAL SERVICES
Notices of Motions.
Individual Metering of Water Usage.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor P. Nolan and seconded by Councillor S. Butler:-
“Where multiple usage of water occurs in any one premises, individual metering should be made available, in the interest of fair play.”
Mr. R. Timlin, Director of Services, stated that the Council will facilitate
Councillor Nolan’s proposal where feasible.
“Top up” Funding under the Clar Water and Sewerage Measures.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor M. Kilbride-Harkin and seconded by Councillor A. Farrell:-
“That we call on the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to reinstate the “top-up” funding for Group Water Schemes and Sewerage Schemes under the CLÁR Water and Sewerage Measures.”
Councillor Kilbride-Harkin referred to letter dated 8th August 2008 from the Rural Development Division, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs regarding the suspension of “top-up” funding for Group Water Schemes and Sewerage Schemes under the CLÁR Water and Sewerage Measures.
The Director of Services stated that Longford County Council received €152,800 from CLÁR to assist ten schemes since 2002 and advised them that the withdrawal of CLÁR funding will mean that the Council will not be able to draw down it’s full allocation for rural water in 2008.
All members expressed concern regarding this announcement and discussed the implications of cutbacks in CLÁR funding.
Councillor Kilbride-Harkin proposed and Councillor P. Belton seconded that the Council write to the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and to the twenty three counties affected by cutbacks in funding under the CLÁR Programme.
On the proposal of Councillor A. Farrell seconded by Councillor M. Kilbride-Harkin, it was unanimously agreed that that the Longford/Westmeath Oireachtas members be requested to attend a Special Meeting of the Council on Monday, 6th October 2008 to discuss this issue.
Councillor P. J. Reilly proposed and Councillor S. Butler seconded that the Council also write to the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs expressing concern regarding general cutbacks in CLÁR funding.
N4 Mullingar to Longford (Rooskey) - Route Corridor Options & Exhibitions.
The Mayor welcomed Mr. Ambrose Clarke, Westmeath National Roads Design Office and Mr. Will Murray and Mr. Michael Cleary from Hyder Tobin, Consultants to the meeting.
Mr. Clarke addressed the meeting as follows:-
Introduction.
• Scheme being prepared by Westmeath County Council in partnership with Longford County Council and in association with the National Roads Authority.
• Route Options for upgrade of approximately 50km of the N4 National Primary Route between Mullingar and Roosky.
• 2030 traffic flows forecast to exceed minimum level of service for a single carriageway road.
• Some accident clusters e.g. at Ballinalack.
• The proposed road will link the N4 Mullingar bypass to the recently completed N4 Dromod-Roosky Scheme.
Summary of Work Undertaken to Date
• In August 2007 Westmeath National Regional Design Office appointed
Hyder Tobin Consultants to assist with delivery.
• Study Area Exhibitions held September 2007.
• Constraints Identified.
• Adopted and Emerging Plans considered.
• Surveys Undertaken include ground investigations & traffic.
Summary of Route Corridor Options
• Many route options have been considered.
• All corridors bypass centres of Newtownforbes, Longford, Edgeworthstown, Rathowen and Ballinalack.
• Red, Orange and Green Route Corridor Options.
• Various Links could create alternative corridors.
• Questionnaire seeking feedback from public on all of these.
• Brochure contains Indicative Map on touring background with solid coloured routes and links shown.
• Large size Exhibition Posters will show wide route corridors and links (300 metre minimum width) on discovery map background.
• Route Option Posters will be available to view after the exhibitions at Longford County Council offices and Westmeath NRDO.
Public Exhibition Arrangements
3 Exhibitions:
• Thursday 18th September: Aras an Chontae, Great Water St, Longford from 2pm to 8pm
• Friday 19th September: Green Community Centre, Edgeworthstown from 2pm to 8pm
• Saturday 20th September: Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar from 10am to 4pm
Future Work
• Studies into the environmental, engineering and economic assessments are ongoing .
• The Route Selection phase of the work will conclude with the selection of an Emerging Preferred Route.
• An exhibition to present the Emerging Preferred Route will be held before the Route Selection Report is finalised.
• A preliminary design for the road will then be undertaken. This will enable the extent of the land required for the scheme to be determined allowing the Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) to be prepared.
• An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will also be prepared.
• Both the CPO and the EIS will be sent to An Bord Pleanála for confirmation.
An Bord Pleanála may hold an Oral Hearing into any objections received.
The likely sequence of events is dependant on various approvals being granted and funding being made available.
Messrs. Clarke, Murray and Cleary replied to queries raised by the members on the following issues:-
· Provision of dual carriageway.
· Link B, which is close to proposed N5 Bypass.
· Cost Benefit Analysis.
· Traffic entering from Drumlish direction.
Messrs. Clarke, Murray and Cleary and Mr. Timlin stated that it is vital that the public are fully engaged in this public consultation process and that all observations will be taken on board.
Mayor Farrell thanked Messrs. Clarke, Murray and Cleary for their presentation.
Update on the N5 Longford Bypass.
Mr. R. Timlin, Director of Services informed the meeting that the Compulsory Purchase Order for the scheme was confirmed and published and is now operative since the