LONGFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
COMHAIRLE CHONTAE LONGFOIRT
Minutes of February Monthly Meeting of Longford County Council
held in the Council Chamber, Aras an Chontae, Great Water Street, Longford on Wednesday, 17th February 2010 at 4.00 p.m.
PRESIDING: Councillor Peggy Nolan, Mayor.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councillors – Larry Bannon, Paddy Belton,
Gearoid O Bradaigh, Mick Cahill, Micheál Carrigy,
Mark Casey, Paul Connell, Sean O Fearghaile,
Donncha Mac Gleannáin, Victor Kiernan, Frank Kilbride, Padraig Loughrey, Luie McEntire, Alan Mitchell,
Martin Mulleady, P.J Reilly, Mae Sexton and
Thomas Victory.
APOLOGIES: Councillors John Duffy and Barney Steele.
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr. Tim Caffrey, County Manager.
Mr. Frank Sheridan, Director of Services.
Mr. Barry Lynch, Head of Finance.
Mr. Ciaran Murphy, Acting Director of Services.
Mr. Terry Rooney, Acting Director of Services.
MEETINGS
ADMINISTRATOR: Ms. Anne Lee.
VOTES OF SYMPATHY.
On the proposal of Councillor P. Belton seconded by Councillor S. Farrell, it was unanimously agreed that a vote of sympathy be extended to the Mulvihill family, Shrule, Ballymahon on the death of the late Sean Salmon.
On the proposal of Councillor P. Belton seconded by Councillor S. Farrell, it was unanimously agreed that a vote of sympathy be extended to the McGann family, Telicken, Ballymahon on the death of the late Mick McGann.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES.
On the proposal of Councillor V. Kiernan seconded by Councillor M. Mulleady,
the Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on the 20th January 2010 were confirmed and adopted.
CORPORATE POLICY GROUP MINUTES.
The Minutes of adopted Corporate Policy Group Meeting held on 19th December 2009, which had been circulated, were noted.
MANAGER’S ORDERS
The County Manager’s Orders, which had been circulated, were noted.
FINANCE DIRECTORATE.
Public Liability Claims received during January 2010.
It was noted that three public liability claims were received during January 2010.
Local Government Act 2001 - Annual Ethics Declaration.
It was noted that the Annual Ethics Declaration forms need to be returned before the
28th February 2010.
Representational Payment for Councillors.
Mr. B. Lynch, Head of Finance, outlined the details of Circular Letter LG 26 09, dated 22nd December 2009, received from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in relation to Representational Payment for Councillors, which had been circulated to the members.
He stated that in accordance with the provision of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009, the annual rates of Representational Payment for Councillors have been revised from the 1st January 2010.
Mr. Lynch also referred to Circular Letter LG2/2010 dated 11th February 2010 in relation to the Local Government Act 2001 (Section 142) Regulations 2010 – attendance by elected members at conferences/seminars/training etc. He stated that further details will be sent to the members regarding these Regulations.
Notices of Motions
Payment of Rent and Rates.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor P.J. Reilly and seconded by Councillor M. Carrigy-
“That the Finance section make arrangements with An Post that customers can pay their house rent and rates through their local post office on the same basis as water charges.”
Mr. B. Lynch, Head of Finance, stated that the cost effectiveness of the proposal will need to be examined and Councillor Reilly’s request will be considered as part of the review of revenue collection procedures in the local authority.
Rate Charge.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor M. Casey and seconded by Councillor M. Sexton-
“I ask that Longford County Council put a rate charge on business premises (within town limits) that have been closed for over six months. This will encourage the owners of the properties to reduce the rents on these vacant premises to encourage new businesses. This practice has been rolled out successfully in other EU countries.”
Councillor Casey did not receive the support of the Council to his Motion.
Councillor P. Connell proposed and Mayor P. Nolan seconded that Councillor Casey be requested to amend his Notice of Motion as follows –
That Longford County Council writes to the Chamber of Commerce requesting that body to contact landlords asking them to lower the rent on vacant units and also to ask them to clean up any premises that are in a state of disrepair.
Councillor M. Carrigy proposed and Councillor P. Belton seconded that the Council write to the Minister for Finance requesting him to amend legislation to allow each Local Authority to bring in a graded system of rates as an incentive to fill vacant units.
The Head of Finance stated that commercial properties are rated whether occupied or vacant. The onus is on each property owner to seek a refund of rates if a property is unoccupied.
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, CORPORATE AND CULTURAL SERVICES AND HUMAN RESOURCES:
Demonstration on new website for Council Members “Extranet”.
Mr. F. Sheridan, Director of Services, informed the members that the Council Members Extranet is a personalised website setup for the benefit of the Elected Members of Longford County Council.
Mayor Nolan welcomed Ms. Julia Ann Finan, Corporate Services Section, to the meeting.
Ms. Finan outlined the details of the application under the following headings –
· Extranet access: http://members.longfordcoco.ie/extranet_login.aspx
· Username and Password
· Email menu
· Planning Menu
· Meetings Menu
· Register of Electors Menu
· Strategic Policy Committees Menu
· Application Forms and Information Leaflets.
· Conferences
· Publications
· Logout.
Mr. Sheridan and Ms. Finan replied to queries raised by the members on the Extranet.
In order to progress the use of the Extranet, it was agreed that the I.T. subcommittee be re-established.
On the proposal of Councillor A. Mitchell seconded by Mayor P. Nolan, it was agreed that the following members form the I.T. subcommittee -
Councillors D. Glennon, A. Mitchell, P. Loughrey, M. Sexton, M. Casey and G. Brady.
Longford County Development Board 2009 - 2012 Strategy.
The Longford County Development Board 2009 - 2012 Strategy, which had been circulated to the members, was noted.
The members were also circulated with a copy of the Longford County Development Board Anti-Poverty Strategy.
Councillor A. Mitchell proposed and Councillor D. Glennon seconded that a presentation on the key findings of the Anti-Poverty Strategy be made to the members.
Councillor A. Mitchell proposed and Councillor M. Sexton seconded that an annual report be presented to the Council on the operation of the County Development Board Strategy.
Date for March meeting of the Council.
On the proposal of Councillor P. Connell seconded by Councillor F. Kilbride, it was unanimously agreed that the March meeting of the Council be held at 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 10th March 2010.
Special Meeting on Monday, 22nd March 2010.
On the proposal of Councillor M. Sexton seconded by Councillor P. Connell, it was unanimously agreed that a Joint Meeting of Longford County Council and Longford Town Council be held at 3.00 p.m. on Monday, 22nd March 2010 to deal with the following –
· Presentation by the Midland Regional Authority on the Draft Regional Planning Guidelines for the Midland Region 2010 – 2022.
· Report on Planning Activities in Longford County Council and Longford Town Council - Deferred from Special Meeting on the 10th February 2010.
Notices of Motions.
Fuel Allowance for Old Age Pensioners.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor F. Kilbride and seconded by Councillor P. Connell and unanimously agreed -
“That this Council call on the Minister For Social Welfare to increase the fuel Allowance for Old Age Pensioners for the remainder of the year due to the recent cold spell”
The Council will write to the Minister for Social Welfare outlining the details of Councillor Kilbride’s Motion.
Councillor M. Carrigy informed the meeting that he has been in touch with the E.S.B. and Bord Gais regarding excessively high heating bills received by people who use storage heating. Both companies have confirmed that they will be prepared to accept a minimum monthly payment to clear outstanding bills. Each case will be considered individually.
Connolly Barracks.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Mayor P. Nolan and seconded by Councillor P. Connell -
“That this Council makes urgent contact with the Department of Defence with a view to acquiring Connolly Barracks.”
Mayor Nolan informed the meeting the Town Council received a letter from
Minister O’Dea’s office stating that the Minister is not in a position to meet a deputation, due to an extremely heavy schedule, but suggested that a meeting be arranged with Senior Officials in the Property Management Branch of his Department.
INFRASTRUCTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.
Roads.
The minutes of the following Area Committee meetings were noted –
· Longford County Electoral Area Committee held on
31st March 2009.
· Longford County Electoral Area Committee held on
8th July 2009.
· Longford County Electoral Area Committee held on
7th October 2009.
· Ballymahon County Electoral Area Committee held on
12th October 2009.
· Joint Area Committee of Longford County Council and
Longford Town Council held on 2nd December 2009.
Notice of Motion.
Traffic Flow in Edgeworthstown.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor F. Kilbride and seconded by Councillor P. Connell -
“What is the up to date on my Notice of Motion at December meeting regarding the traffic lights on Main Street, Edgeworthstown and my proposals for same.”
Mr. C. Murphy, Acting Director of Services, advised that as indicated at the December 2009 meeting of the Council, the traffic signals on the N55 junction in Edgeworthstown were erected to address issues of pedestrian safety and traffic flow. There is still a need for the pedestrian facility at its current location.
A survey of the proposed location will be conducted to assess if there is also a need for a pedestrian crossing at that location. The normal time to do traffic counts is March / April or September / October so as to capture the average situation.
The Council will carry out the survey in March/April 2010 and will give an update to the North Area meeting when the survey is completed.
Water and Sewerage.
Artistic Feature at Knockahaw, Longford
On the proposal of Mayor P. Nolan seconded by Councillor P. Connell, it was unanimously agreed that Councillors Denis Glennon and Alan Mitchell be nominated to the committee on proposed artistic feature at Knockahaw, Longford as part of the Longford Central Regional Water Supply Scheme.
HOUSING, PLANNING AND BUILDING CONTROL POLICY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.
Planning Applications
The list of Planning Applications which had been received since the January meeting of the Council was submitted and noted.
Update on Cluid Housing Scheme at St. Michael’s Road.
Mr. T. Rooney, Acting Director of Services stated that in May 2009, Longford County Council wrote to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DOEHLG) requesting that Cluid Housing Association’s application for funding for Phase II of the St. Michael’s Road project be granted approval to progress to the Planning and Procurement stage. Longford County Council received a letter from the DOEHLG on the 8th September 2009 which detailed in-depth additional information which must be submitted by Cluid before the application could be processed further.
The Association is currently working closely with its Architects and with the Department in formulating the reply
Representatives from the Executive of both the County Council and Town Council met with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in Ballina on 6th October 2009 and discussed the possibility of availability of grants for the project. The Director of Services also met with representatives of Cluid on 16th November 2009 to review progress and the option of phasing the project to match likely availability of finance. Meanwhile, confirmation was received from the Department on the
8th February 2010 that funding has been approved for the advancement of the project.
A further meeting is planned between the Executive of both Councils and the Department in Ballina at the end of this month (February 2010), when it is anticipated that details of the funding approved will be discussed.
Longford County Council is very supportive of this application and recognises the huge improvement it would make to the area of St.Michael’s Road and Longford Town in general. The Council has confirmed to the Department that the project should be given priority status.
Disposal of property at Mullinroe, Dring, Co. Longford.
On the proposal of Councillor F. Kilbride seconded by Councillor P. Connell, it was unanimously agreed to dispose of property at Mullinroe, Dring, Co. Longford to
Dan & Bernie McElligott in accordance with the terms of Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 issued on the 19th January 2010.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Letter dated 2nd February 2010 received from Mr. Kevin Gallen, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Irish Bank, was noted.
Councillor S. Farrell requested that it be recorded in the Minute of the meeting his appreciation for the support of the Council in the endeavours to retain the National Irish Bank in Lanesboro. Councillor Farrell referred to the meeting between National Irish Bank and Councillors Casey, Farrell, Cahill and Mitchell on the 22nd January 2010.
The members welcomed the commitment by National Irish Bank to retain an ATM Machine in Lanesboro.
CONFERENCES AND REPORTS FROM CONFERENCES.
On the proposal of Councillor P. Connell seconded by Councillor F. Kilbride, the following Conferences were considered suitable for attendance by members of the Council:
(i) Esperanza Enterprises,
“Managing Stress and Promoting Positive Mental Health”.
16th to 18th February 2010.
The Kingsvalley Hotel, Merlin Park, Dublin Road,
Galway City.
(ii) Esperanza Enterprises.,
“Change Management in Local Government”
19th to 21st February 2010.
Westport Plaza Hotel, Castlebar Street, Westport.
(iii) Association of County and City Councils.
“Annual Conference – Rebuilding confidence in urban and rural
communities.”
4th and 5th March 2010.
Ballykilsteen Hotel, Limerick Junction, Co. Tipperary.
(iv) Bray & District Chamber.
“Our Towns – The Role of Local Authorities in Strengthening