Monday 28th July 2008, Kells Civic Offices, Kells
Presiding:
Cllr. L. McCormack.
Present:
Cllr. E. Cassidy, Cllr. B. Reilly, Cllr M. Lynch, Cllr J. V. Farrelly
Apologies: Cllr. B. Collins and M. Gallagher.
In Attendance:
Mr. B McGrath, Area Manager, Ms. C. Benson, Area Administrator, Ms E. Tunney, Assistant Staff Officer, Mr. S. Carroll, A/Area Engineer, Mr Michael Finnegan, Road Safety Officer,
Item No 3 -To make nomination for Kells Area Chairperson.
Cllr. L. McCormack opened the meeting outlining the agenda items including voting for the new Chairperson and Vice Chairperson respectively.
Cllr. Michael Lynch proposes Cllr. Bryan Reilly as new Chairperson and seconded by Cllr John V Farrelly.
Cll. L. McCormack thanked members, staff and manager for all help during the year. Thanked press and in particular John Feeney of the Meath Chronicle. Thanked members and staff for their walk around Athboy town.
Mgr. Wishes Cllr. L. McCormack well in her role as Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council. Welcomes Cllr Bryan Reilly as incoming Chairperson. Congratulates the members on all the work done in the last year.
Cllr. B. Reilly, thanks proposer and seconder. Thanked Cllr. Liz McCormack for all work done over the year.
Vice Chairperson – Cllr. J. V. Farrelly proposes Cllr. E. Cassidy and seconded by Cllr. M.Lynch.
Cllr. B. Reilly congratulates Cllr. E. Cassidy.
Item No 2.
Housing Report
C. Benson, Area Administrator presented the housing report to the members.
Cllr. L. McCormack
Will Cllrs be getting a list of who were the people allocated houses.
Cllr J. V. Farrelly
Any progress on Cortown.
Roadwork’s Report
Mr. S. Carroll, A/Area Engineer submitted the Roads Report to the meeting, copy previously circulated.
The following issues were raised by the members and noted by Mr. S. Carroll.
Cllr. J. V. Farrelly
Work to be done at Oristown School are we in a position to do work before winter.
S. Carroll – Estimated work 3-4k funding a problem. Already heading towards an overspend.
Cllr. J. V. Farrelly – proposes
Cllr. B. Reilly - seconds.
Cllr. L. McCormack
Mile stretch at Gilllstown near bend this has not appeared on our list as part of 3 year plan.
Shane Carroll
Section of the road that Cavan County Council has spoken to him about 300-400m long Drumgimmin Island in Meath and is bounded by Cavan.Cavan County Council has restored each side. Makes more sense for us to do centre. The Area Engineer from Cavan has asked that our recommendation for us to do it. To do it we have to swap on 3year plan.
Members all agree to go with Shane’s suggestion.
Cllr. E. Cassidy
Can we put clause on the road at Cormeen out of the village. Not on the 3 year programme. Shane to look at coming up with a recommendation.
Mgr – No additional allocation for Class 3 this year.
Sanitary Report
Mr. S. Carroll, A/Area Engineer, submitted the Sanitary Report to the meeting, copy previously circulated.
The following issues were raised by the members and noted by Mr. S. Carroll.
Mgr – Will be meeting with the Director of Services Infrastructure re the Athboy Sewerage works the level of damage to roads and paths existing and also concerns will be raised to general public display.
Cllr. J. V. Farrelly – Back of church creating problems for the future.
S. Carroll, Area Engineer – infrastructure is looking after the day to day supervision of the scheme and the peripheral damage that is done. They need to get a resolution to what sort of damage will be rectified. Will speak to relevant engineer when he returns from leave.
Cllr. L. McCormack
Commends people in her community and thanks David Keyes Meath County Council for all his help. We were aware sewerage had to be upgraded and everybody’s safety has to be first concern. Feels that Kells Area Office must get a handle on the scheme at area level.
Mgr – Will speak to Director of Services, Infrastructure.
Item No 4 - To receive a briefing from Mr Mick Finnegan, Road Safety Officer, Meath County Council.
Mick Finnegan, Road Safety Officer, Meath County Council presented the Road Safety Plan 2007/2009.
Mick Finnegan, Road Safety Officer, targets set out in road safety plan are 25% reduction in fatalities and serious injury over the lifetime of the plan. Currently ahead of target.
Cllr. M. Lynch – Thanks Mick for presentation and informs all that society has a role to play in this
Cllr. J.V. Farrelly – congratulates Mr Finnegan on the progress he has made on the short term in the job.
Cllr. L. McCormack – Well done to Mr Finnegan. Inquires what age group the Cycle Training programme is aimed at?
Are multi lingual forms available for foreign nationals on road safety.
Cllr. E. Cassidy – Through traffic going through the county will it have a slow down with the economy.
Cllr. B. Reilly – Thanks Mr Finnegan for the works done and informs him that the members are here to help him.
Item No 5 - To receive a presentation from Oldcastle and District Chamber of Commerce.
Donna McQuaid sends apologies. There was a number of items on their agenda.
· Roads
· Signage
· Bollards
M3 Motorway signage road from M3 into Oldcastle make sure money is made available for signage.
Want to highlight Loughcrew current signage into town has deteriorated.
Public Lighting in the town is very poor.
Shane Carroll, A/Area Engineer met with Tidy Towns and issues that came up were signage. Technician was sent down who did a detailed study of current signage.
Secondly, bollards made a condition that we would look into.
Mgr – There will be a comprehensive signage programme for the M3. All tourist spots will be signed. Ultimately a presentation will be made to councillors re signage. Oldcastle has world class business around town. There will be a follow on funding to ensure the link road to Oldcastle from M3 is kept in good repair. There is an allocation of 600k ringfenced that is EU financed. The commitment is there.
Public Lighting – County Council would take out a loan to modernise and upgrade lights 1.5m to be borrowed this project is to be done over three years. ESB would bring in dedicated crews to carry out the works.
Committee members Gerry and Steven thank members for their time. Chamber informs members that the Chamber of Commerce was set up to enhance the local community.
Cllr. L. McCormack informs committee anything they have raised has being raised by Cllr. M. Lynch.
Cllr M. Lynch informs committee that any issue raised with Patrickstown has got 100% support and thanks to the members.
Mgr – Original proposal for Oldcastle traffic management insufficient spaces. Scheme put on display. Consultation progress scheme to go back on display and does not envisage paid parking. Proposal to go back on display in eight weeks for eight weeks. Comes back to full council to make a reserved function. It will go before 29 councillors in Full Council. When Council announce scheme they have to formally implement bye-laws. We will be relying on Gardai. Bye laws will make provisions for long and short term parking. Problem with people parking all day in the town. Its being found that it takes one badly parked car to bring traffic to a hault. Would have concerns that will alleviate traffic concerns in the town.
Mgr – Part 8 of the Sewerage Plant is Capital funding no threat to it. The scheme will be delivered on schedule.
Shane Carroll, A/Area Engineer – Optimization works were brought about to bring plant to a certain standard. The plant is being implemented through Infrastructure office. Works to commence prior to Christmas.
Cllr. M. Lynch – Thanks to the manager and Shane and the staff. They saw the necessity of Oldcastle and have fast tracked on a number of issues.
Item 6 - Notice of Motions.
None
Item 7 – Any other business raised with the permission of the Cathaoirleach.
· Coillte – letter gone.
· New superintendent in Kells invite to the Septemeber meeting. No response from NRA. Hope to have one for the next meeting.
· Bus Eireann to meet Shane, Brendan and Catherina to discuss bus stop at Carlanstown.
· Confirmation from An Bord Pleanala fixed date 26th August 2008 for College of Proteins.Councillors want to be heard at the hearing. Suggest number of Councillors representing the area. Expression of every Councillor should be listed.
Cllr. E. Cassidy – want quality submission rather than quality.
Cllr.B. Reilly – decision will be made at the protocol meeting.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
SIGNED: ______
An Cathaoirleach
July Monthly Meeting 2008.doc Page 5 of 6
Kells Town Council and Area Office, Unit S(C), Lloyd Business Park, Cavan Road, Kells, County Meath