Minute of January 2014Slane Area Monthly Meeting, Chamber, Duleek Civic Offices, Thursday 16th January 2014
Cllr Dillon Gallagher presided as Cathaoirleach
Other Councillors Present:
Cllr.Wayne Harding ,Cllr Sirena Campbell, Cllr Arian Keogan,Cllr Jimmy Cudden
Apologies:, Cllr Eoin Holmes
Officials Present:
Fiona Lawless, Director of Services and Area Manager, Eugene Farrelly Area Administrator, Jim Colwell Area Engineer , Frances Hughes Assistant Staff Officer,
The Members were advised of the provisions of Part 15 of the LG Act 2001 and the code of conduct for Members, Officials and non-elected Council committee members regarding declarable interests of themselves and of any connected person as set out in the Ethical Framework Document included with the Agenda Documentation.
Item 1.0 Confirmation of Minutes of December 2013 Meeting
Cathaoirleach Dillon -Gallagher welcomed all to the January Meeting
- 1.1 December 2013Monthly meeting held on Wednesday 18th December, 2013
On the proposal of Cllr Harding seconded by Cllr Dillon-Gallagher the Members confirmed the Minutes of the Meeting held on the above date
Item 2.0 Matters Arising from the Minutes
No Matters arising
Item 3.0 To receive a Presentation from St Colmcilles GAA Club Bettystown/Laytown
Cathaoirleach Dillon Gallagher welcomed Oliver Carey,Chairman: Keith Loughman, Secretary:Denis Meagher Development Officer and James McKevitt Architect from St Colmcilles GAA Club to the January Meeting and thanked same for taking the time to present their development plan to the Slane Area Members
Keith Loughman gave a power-point presentation entitled St Colmcillles GAA Club Development Plan 2014 with the main points outlined as follows:
Background to the Club
•Meath’s Community Organisation of the Year 2013.
•We field 59 teams across our club and are at the centre of all Community initiatives in East Meath.
•Meath’s third biggest GAA club. Only Ashbourne and Ratoath have bigger membership numbers however our facilities are a poor relation compared with these and smaller clubs (eg. Trim, Kells, Stamullen, Walterstown).
•Modern “Celtic Tiger” reflecting population explosion from 2001. We serve Laytown, Bettystown, Donacarney and Mornington including South Drogheda. This is a catchment area comprising a population of approximately 20,000 to 25,000persons.
•Crucially this area has of yet no single “urban centre” and is severely lacking in social and sporting amenities. Rapid population expansion from 2001 has put significant drain on local infrastructure and resources and has presented very significant challenges to the East Meath Community
St Colmcilles Activities
- Introducing groundbreaking Community Outreach programmes such as:
“How are You feeling today?” , The Men’s Shed, Gaelic for Mums and Dads .
These programmes aim to promote positive mental health and wellbeing , provide for social inclusion and embrace and welcome our new residents
- Providing free and unencumbered access to the 6 primary schools and 1 post-primary school in our community for all activities. As well as access for sporting use, we were also the temporary home for Gaelscoil an Bhradain Feasa in 2007
- Providing Gaelic games coaching to all the schools in our area from 1st Class in primary school to 4th Year in Secondary school. We also provide a structured games programme for all children in Julianstown, Stamullen, Ardcath, Donore and Duleek from 3rd class up to 6th Class. This programme ensures that 3,000 local school children are exposed to Gaelic games on a weekly basis – all from the drive and hard work of our club
•All our Community programmes are provided free of charge. Assuming an average cost of €12 per hour, the “value” of the time invested on a purely voluntary basis by our members is estimated at approximately €1,000,000 per annum. We also fund sports equipment and transport for our local schools costing us approximately €10,000 per annum
•St Colmcilles is much more than providing Gaelic Games. We are committed to serving our Community and making a difference to the lives of residents in East Meath. We have a very driven and talented membership base full of ideas and with skills in all areas allowing them make a positive impact to East Meath
•St Colmciilles has shown itself to be the leader, and to be at heart of community development. However the primary challenges facing us as a club are
(1)Ensuring our club governance structures are appropriate to our new environment
(2)Maximising participation and ensuring lifetime participation in Gaelic Games (“Play and Stay with the GAA”)
(3)Ensuring we have appropriate infrastructure to meet our Community's needs
Future demands on our facilities
•Our facilities are currently at “breaking point”. It is critical that we improve our existing facilities and ensure that these are capable of serving our community
•At the moment our current facilities do not afford us the opportunity to grow further and meet our community’s needs. Again St. Colmcilles has proven itself to be expert in this area, to grow its community .
•In two short years we will be fielding 3 teams at every age group in Meath Competitions . We will be unable to facilitate these teams to train and play games. Already, due to the severe restrictions already placed on us :
-Our teams are forced to play many matches away from home as they cannot get pitch time
-Training times on the pitches are severely restricted to ensure every team gets a fair chance.
•We wish to develop innovative new programmes to help us address areas of concern in our community. This includes
-Provision of positive mental healthy programmes to children in the 14-18 age brackets,
-Expansion of our existing programmes due to huge demand (we currently have waiting lists for all activities)
-Growth of other GAA sports such as Rounders and camoige or cultural outlets (Irish dancing, music classes etc)
•Of critical importance to us is that our grounds serve the Bettystown and Laytown. Community . Accordingly the Seafield site is critical to our growth in Laytown area.
•This is to allow easy access of our facility and to ensure that we are at the heart of our Community . We have proven that our facilities are extremely well managed, are used to their maximum and the centre of our community
•We have identified a location close to the village centre and secondary school, where it will be more freely available to for use by the community who could walk to our grounds and use these regularly for a variety of purposes
•This potential purchase has been agreed by the GAA who are anxious to see our club have a presence in the heart of Bettystown and Laytown. This includes financial support from the Association to allow us to develop immediately:
•However the land is currently marked “white” and needs rezoning.
•The benefits of rezoning and locating St Colmcilles in this area are as follows:
-Facility is on the doorstep of Colaiste na hInse , Scoil Olibhear Naofa and Scoil an Spiorad Naomh allowing walking access to our grounds. We have already signed partnership agreements with these schools allowing them access to our facilities.
-St Colmcilles has proven itself to be at the centre of all community activities in East Meath and commonly enhance this community.
What work do we do?
The following programmes are now in place:
Primary School level
1st & 2nd Class coaching across 6 schools. Numbers involved: c.570 students
3rd and 4th Class Go Games Programme”. . This takes place every three weeks and also involves the schools within the catchment area of neighbouring clubs (St Marys Donore and St Patricks Stamullen.) Matches are played in a blitz format during School hours . Numbers involved: c. 650 students
5th and 6th Class league. This takes place in our club grounds on a weekly basis n the period from 1 May to end of June . Mini-matches played on Go-Games Principles .Numbers participating; c.100 students
Post-Primary level
•We provide a coaching for 1st – 4th years on a weekly basis. There are approximately 200 children involved in this initiative
•We are providing FUNdamentals and Young Whistlers coaching to Transition Year Students . These children will then support our Primary Schools Programme in the Layton area.
Other activities
All the above are complimented by an annual visit to the schools by the club, sponsorship by the club of GAA equipment and distribution of newsletters. We have undertaken the following assistance
•Unencumbered access to facilities at Piltown and Seafield – each school has signed cooperation agreements
•Sponsored jerseys for Colaiste na hInse, arranged funding and attractive packages for Gaelscoil an Bhradain Feasa and Le Cheile Kits for Gaelic Games equipment
•Sponsored senior goal posts for Colaiste na hInse
•Purchased GAA equipment (balls, cones etc) for each school
•Provide all our facilities (dressing rooms, pitch and astro turf) free of charge to the schools for all sporting activities for GAA , athletics and Sport for Fun programmes.
In addition to all of this we have also sponsored many activities which have been outlined previously. Since 2008 the outlay on our schools programme has been in the region of €25,000.
James Mc Kevitt of McKevitt Architects gave a presentation on the design plans for St Colmcilles extension to their main clubhouse at Pilltown and the proposed changing rooms at Seafield Laytown as follows:
Pilltown Clubhouse;
The design brief is for outwards and upward extension to the existing clubhouse to provide a new reception area with new terraced seating to the front of the building and additional meeting room and gym on first floor extension area.It is intended to construct the extension subject to planning permission in three phases.
Seafield Clubhouse;
The design brief is for a new single story building comprising Changing rooms,showers ,referees room and multi-purpose meeting room with 12 car-parking spaces to the front of the building.
Mr Loughman and Mr Mc Kevitt completed their presentation by thanking the Members for their attention and welcomed any questions from same.
Cathaoirleach Dillon-Gallagher thanked the Group for their comprehensive and informative presentation and opened the discussion to the Members for observations. Cllrs Harding ,Cudden, Campbell and Keogan complemented Keith and James on their outstanding presentations and all were in agreement that this was a very worthwhile project and would have the full support of the Area Council and trusted that engagement with our Planning Department would take place so as to bring the two building projects to construction as soon as possible.The matter of disposal of the Council owned site as Seafield by way of leasehold agreement would be advanced by way of Section 183 in parallel with the application for Planning Permission being made. With regard to the Clubs interest in the lands identified adjacent to the LaytownSchool campus for development as playing pitches Fiona Lawless ,Area Manager suggested that the committee might wish to make a submission to the Planning Department on the draft East Meath Local Area Plan in advance of the closing date for submissions of 3rd February 2014.
Item 4.0 To receive a Report on the 2013 Roadworks Programme
A written Report was circulated to the Members on the road works programme for 2013 and update on NTA Funded Schemes as follows:
Roads Budgets 2013
National Primary Roads Maintenance €14,989
National Secondary Roads Maintenance €31,750
Regional/Local Road – Restoration and Surface Dressing€1,742,453
Roadworks programme 2013
Road Ref / Location / Road Ref / LocationR-163-4 / RushRushwee
(SD Completed) / L-1605-0 / Crossane
( completed)
R-150-142/136 / Duleek (Commenced) / L-16184-0 / Gibblockstown
(SD Completed)
R-108-10 / Clinstown
School Road Duleek (Completed) / L-5611-0 / Redmountain
(SD Completed)
L-1013-34 / Rathdrinagh
(Completed) / L-16071-0 / Bru na Boinne Road
(SD Completed)
L-5619-0 / Leggonhall
Beybeg Road(Completed) / L-1625-7 / Harlinstown
(SD Completed)
L-16181-0 / LaceystownSD(Completed) / L-5602-35 / Hopkinstown
(SD Completed)
L-1615-30
L-1624-0 / KilnewSD (Completed)
Tankardstown (SD ( Completed) / L-5602-35 / Hopkinstown
(SD Completed)
Community Involvement Schemes
Road Ref / LocationL-56041-0 / RushKellystown
(Completed with SD to happen in 2014)
L-34111-0 / Harmanstown
Completed with SD to happen in 2014)
L-16114-4 / Stagrennan
Completed with SD to happen in 2014)
Low Cost Safety Scheme (Non National Roads) €68,000
Road Ref / LocationR-163 / RushGormanlough
(Commenced)
L-1618 / Stadalth Cross
Low Cost Safety Scheme (National Roads) –
Works underway at top of Stamullen Hill incorporating road realignment-road markings and sewer line improvements.
Safety at Schools – Donecarney School €9,000
Beacons upgraded at approach roads to School and temp School Warden started
Slane Area NTA Projects at January 2014
NUMBER / PROJECT NAME / PROJECT PROJECT DESCRIPTION / 2013 ALLOCATION / PROJECT COMPLETION / Current StatusMCC/12//0006 / DROGHEDA/NAVAN CYCLEWAY / BOYNE CYCLEWAY / 150,000 / PHASE1 CONST/
PHASE 2 DESIGN / Phase I: Clare Civil Engineering Co Ltd. appointed and commenced works on the 7thOctober, 2013. Works are expected to last 3.5 months (mid Jan 2014)
Phase II: Preliminary design being carried out by Consultants.
MCC/13/0001 / LAYTOWN /BETTYSTOWN / CYCLE/WALKING STUDY / 30,000 / DESIGN / ARUP Consultants appointed.Draft Report received and is currently being reviewed
(no further update)
MCC/13/0003 / LAYTOWN PARK AND RIDE / DESIGN OF CARPARK FOR 100 SPACES / 20,000 / 2014 / Appropriate Assessment completed.
(no further update)
MCC/13/0008 / GDA MEATH CYCLE NETWORK DESIGN / DESIGN OF PRIORITY CYCLEWAYS IN MEATH / 250,000 / 2014 / Awaiting brief/scope of works from NTA in order to procure a consult from NTA framework.
(no further update)
MCC /13/0016 / DULEEK R150 FOOTPATH AND PEDESTRIAN CROSSING / 35M OF FOOTPATH DRAINAGE AND UPGRADE OF PUBLIC LIGTING AND PEDESTRIAN CROSSING / 50,000 / 2013 / Footpath & Pedestrian Crossing works are now complete.
Completion of Public Lighting element will be carried out when funding is available
MCC/13/0017 / STAMULLEN L-5622 / 50M OF FOOTPATH AND UPGRADE OF DRAINAGE AND PUBLIC LIGHTING / 12,000 / 2013 / Works constructed by Duleek area office
MCC/13/0023 / EAST COAST BUS ROUTES / UPGRADE OF BUS STOPS AT DONECARNEY SCHOOL,BETTYSTOWN ,MOSNEY CROSS,JULIANSTOWN, / 130,000 / 2013 / Donacarney Bus Stop: Works are now complete.
Bus Bays at Mosney Cross: Works are complete.
The Reports were discussed by the Members with Cathaoirleach Dillon-Gallagher congratulated the Area Engineer and his staff for successfully completing the works schedule on time.
Item 5.0 To Receive a Report on matters raised at the December 2013 Area Meeting
The Report on the issues raised at the December Area Meeting was circulated at the Meeting .The Members discussed the Report with matters raised as follows
Item 4:Car-parking in SlaneVillage;
The Members clarified the location of the long-stay parking being both sides of the road on the Drogheda and navan sides of the main crossing point on the old N2 and this information will be referred to Transportation for a further report to the February Meeting.
The Report was noted by the Members.
Item 6 Matters raised with the permission of the Cathaoirleach
- Does Meath County Council intend applying for funding for damage caused during the recent storms at the Coast – Jim Colwell advised that he is in the process of compiling a report on damage caused to the dunes and other property along the beach. Jim did stress that there was significantly less damage done to the East Coast in comparison to the West.
Refer to J Colwell Duleek for updated Report
- Will the new Boardwalk in Oldbridge be high enough, as there are concerns that when there is a high tide the water level will come over the boardwalk - Refer to N Whyatt Transportation Dept
- Provision of Footpaths in AlvernoHeights – will there be Housing funding available in 2014 to carry out improvement works-Refer to T Traynor Housing Dept
- Restricted Sitelines at Town Square in Bettystown.- Is there any progress on a traffic calming/low cost safety scheme at this location for 2014. Refer to N Whyatt Transportation
- Provision of hedge cutting between Mountain View and Elvana Stamullen –Refer to J Colwell Duleek
- Update on the demolition and removal of the toilets in Slane.-refer to J Colwell Duleek
- Provision of hedge cutting on old N2 Julianstown) blocking site lines. Refer to J Colwell Duleek
- Road collapsing at Deens Bridge Duleek.Refer to J Colwell Duleek
- Flooding at Carranstown, Duleek – works done at this location a few years ago, soak holes put in. May need to approach the landowner on this issue.Refer to J Colwell Duleek
- Flooding at Mrs Curley’s house, Commons, Duleek – Refer to J Colwell Duleek
- Flooding at Pilltown Road, Bettystown Cross at the RailwayBridge –Refer to J Colwell
- Provision of traffic lights at junction at Ballygarth Manor, Julianstown – refer to N WhyattTransportation.
Item 7.0 Correspondence /Issues raised
Eugene Farrelly informed the Members that the Lease Agreement had finally been signed by Slane Wanderers FC for the Council lands at Slane Co Meath on 31st December 2013
He also advised the members that the East Meath Local Area Plan was now on display from 13th December 2013 to 3rd February 2014 during which submissions are invited from the public in relation to same.
He also informed the Members that Slane Youth Café had been successful in receiving grant aid from Pobal as supported by the Members in mid-2013.
He also informed the members that the new Community Involvement Scheme had just been released for applications with a closing date of Friday 14th February at 4pm.
Item 8.0 To discuss matters in accordance with the recommendations of the protocol Committee
The Forthcoming Planning Decisions Report as circulated was noted by the Members present with no matters arising,
Item 9.0 Confirm January Meeting.
The February Meeting is due to take place on Wednesday 19th February at 9.30 am
Cathaoirleach Dillon –Gallagher thanked all for their contributions at the meeting formally closed the January Meeting.
Minutes January 2014 meeting 16/01/14
Meath County Council, Duleek One Stop Shop, Main Street, Duleek, CountyMeath