LONGFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Comhairle Chontae Longfoirt
Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Longford County Council
held in the Council Chamber, Aras an Chontae, Great Water Street, Longford on Wednesday, 19th April 2006 at 12 noon.
PRESIDING: Councillor Frank Kilbride, Mayor.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councillors – Larry Bannon, Paddy Belton,
Gearoid O Bradaigh, Seamus Butler, Mick Cahill, James Coyle, Adrian Farrell, Martin Farrell,
Sean O Fearghaile, Donncha Mac Gleannain,
Maire Ni Giolla Bride Harcan, Luie McEntire,
Alan Mitchell, Peadar O Murchu,
Michéal MacCnáimhí, Peggy Nolan, and
Barney Steele.
APOLOGIES: Apologies were received from
Councillor Martin Mulleady and Councillor P.J. Reilly.
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr. T. Caffrey, County Manager.
Mr. T. McDonald, Head of Finance.
Mr. F. Sheridan, Director of Services.
Mr. R. Timlin, Director of Services.
Mr. J. Clarke, Director of Services.
Mr. T. Murtagh, A/Director of Services.
MEETINGS
ADMINISTRATOR: Ms. Anne Lee.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
On the proposal of Councillor B. Steele seconded by Councillor M. Nevin,
the Minutes of Special Committee Meeting of Longford County Council held on
15th February 2006 were confirmed and adopted.
On the proposal of Councillor M. Nevin seconded by Councillor B. Steele,
the Minutes of Special Committee Meeting of Longford County Council held on
20th February 2006 were confirmed and adopted.
On the proposal of Councillor B. Steele seconded by Councillor L. Bannon,
the Minutes of Meeting of Ballymahon Area Councillors to consider the Draft Urban Conservation Plan and Draft Local Area Plan for Ardagh 2006 – 2012 and the Draft Kenagh Local Area Plan 2006 – 2012 held on 20th March 2006.
were confirmed and adopted.
On the proposal of Councillor M. Farrell seconded by Councillor M. Cahill,
the Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Longford County Council held on
22nd March 2006 were confirmed and adopted.
On the proposal of Councillor M. Kilbride-Harkin seconded by
Councillor B. Steele, the minutes of Special Meeting of Longford County Council held on 27th March 2006 were confirmed and adopted.
On the proposal of Councillor P. Belton seconded by Councillor L. Bannon,
the Minutes of Special Meeting of Longford County Council held on
6th April 2006 were confirmed and adopted.
On the proposal of Councillor M. Kilbride-Harkin seconded by
Mayor F. Kilbride, the Minutes of Meeting of Granard Area Councillors to consider the Draft Granard Local Area Plan and the Draft Ballinalee Local Area Plan held on 11th April 2006 were confirmed and adopted.
MANAGER’S ORDERS
The County Manager’s Orders, which had been circulated, were noted.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, URBAN AND RURAL RENEWAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL POLICIES AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS.
Minutes of Economic Development, Urban and Rural Renewal, Cultural and Recreational Policies and Corporate Affairs Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on the 23rd January 2006.
The Minutes of Economic Development, Urban and Rural Renewal, Cultural and Recreational Policies and Corporate Affairs Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on the 23rd January 2006, which had been circulated to the members, were noted.
Draft Annual Report 2005.
On the proposal of Councillor M. Kilbride-Harkin seconded by Councillor M. Nevin, it was unanimously agreed to adopt the Draft Annual Report 2005, as circulated to the members.
Launch of public consultation phase of Draft Village Policy Statement 2006 – 2012 for Ballinalee.
On the proposal of Councillor M. Farrell seconded by Councillor M. Kilbride-Harkin, it was unanimously agreed that the Draft Draft Village Policy Statement 2006 – 2012 for Ballinalee, as reviewed by the members of the Granard Electoral Area, be put forward for public consultation.
Launch of public consultation phase of Draft Granard Local Area Plan 2006 – 2012.
On the proposal of Councillor M. Kilbride-Harkin seconded by Councillor M. Farrell, it was unanimously agreed that the Draft Granard Local Area Plan 2006 – 2012, as reviewed by the members of the Granard Electoral Area, be put forward for public consultation.
Recommendation From Economic Development, Urban and Rural Renewal,
Cultural and Recreational Policies and Corporate Affairs Strategic Policy
Committee Regarding Grass Cutting Policy.
On the proposal of Councillor B. Steele seconded by Councillor M. Nevin, the following recommendation from the Economic Development, Urban and Rural Renewal, Cultural and Recreational Policies and Corporate Affairs Strategic Policy Committee was adopted:-
“Longford County Council will assist and support the community in maintaining their
own areas.”
Revision of Clar Areas.
Details of the extended area in County Longford under the Clar Programme was
circulated to the members.
The members welcomed the extension of the Clar area but expressed concern
regarding the exclusion of Clondra and Caldra in the programme.
Councillor P. Murphy proposed and Councillor D. Glennon seconded that the
Director of Services ascertain the reason for the exclusion of these two areas.
Councillor M. Kilbride-Harkin proposed and Mayor F. Kilbride seconded that
the Council write to the Minister O Cuiv requesting that an allocation be made
available to Local Authorities to carry out works under the Local Improvement
Schemes.
Polling Scheme Review – Fix Date for Area Meetings.
It was agreed that the Area Committees would meet initially to consider the Review
of the Polling Scheme for County Longford.
Councillor S. Farrell proposed and Mayor F. Kilbride seconded that an advertisement
be placed in the local papers and on Shannonside Radio notifying the public of the
proposed review of the Polling Scheme and inviting submissions on same.
Disposal of Land at Lanesborough, Co. Longford.
On the proposal of Councillor A. Farrell seconded by Councillor L. Bannon, it was unanimously agreed that approval be given to the disposal of land containing 0.107 hectares at Lanesborough, Co. Longford to Lough Ree Rescue Ltd. in accordance with the terms of Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 issued on the
6th April 2006.
Disposal of Land at Townspark, Athlone Road, Longford.
On the proposal of Councillor M. Nevin seconded by Councillor A. Mitchell, it was unanimously agreed that approval be given to the disposal of land containing 0.208 hectares at Townspark, Athlone Road, Longford to Reilly Bros. Ltd., Richmond Street, Longford in accordance with the terms of Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 issued on the 6th April 2006.
Disposal of Land at Teemore, Granard, Co. Longford.
Mayor F. Kilbride stated that he wished to have it recorded in the Minute of the meeting that he has an interest in relation to the sale of land containing 0.710 hectares at Teemore, Granard, Co. Longford.
On the proposal of Councillor M. Kilbride-Harkin seconded by Councillor J. Coyle,
it was unanimously agreed that approval be given to the disposal of land containing 0.710 hectares at Teemore, Granard, Co. Longford to Kilbride and Sheridan Construction Ltd., Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford in accordance with the terms of Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 issued on the 6th April 2006.
FINANCE DIRECTORATE.
Public Liability Claims.
It was noted that no public liability claims had been received during March 2006.
Consideration of Overdraft Accommodation of €10.5m for half year
ending 31st December 2006.
On the proposal of Councillor M. Nevin seconded by Councillor B. Steele, it was unanimously agreed to approve of overdraft accommodation of €10.5m for half year ending 31st December 2006.
Notice of Motion.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor S. Farrell and seconded by Mayor F. Kilbride:-
“Does this County Council invest Credit Balances on short term deposit with the N.T.M.A. If so, is the interest earned retained by the Council or has it to be returned to the relevant Government Department.”
Mr. McDonald, Head of Finance, stated that larger amounts of credit balances are invested weekly at competitive rates of interest normally with the National Treasury Management Agency. Smaller amounts may be invested on a daily basis with the Bank of Ireland at agreed interest rates.
All interest earned is retained by the Council and none of it is credited to Department schemes.
HOUSING AND SOCIAL POLICY, PLANNING AND BUILDING CONTROL POLICY.
Planning Applications
The list of Planning Applications which had been received since the previous meeting of the Council was submitted and noted.
Minutes of Housing and Social Policy, Planning and Building Control Policy Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on the 23rd January 2006.
The Minutes of Housing and Social Policy, Planning and Building Control Policy Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on the 23rd January 2006, which had been circulated to the members, were noted.
Minutes of Housing and Social Policy, Planning and Building Control Policy Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on the 27th February 2006.
The Minutes of Housing and Social Policy, Planning and Building Control Policy Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on the 27th February 2006, which had been circulated to the members, were noted.
NOTICES OF MOTIONS.
Place Names for New Estates and Buildings.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor A. Mitchell and seconded by Councillor D. Glennon:-
“That this Council, in consultation with the Planning Department, shall adopt a procedure to agree place names for new estates and buildings with particular reference to promoting and preserving the heritage and history of County Longford and promoting the use of the Irish language.”
Councillor Mitchell suggested that the names of proposed new housing estates and buildings be included in planning applications and that a sub-committee be set up to consider the suitability of names for estates and buildings.
Councillor S. Farrell proposed that the matter be placed as an item on the Agenda for the next meeting of the Heritage Forum.
Notice in Writing regarding Rent Increases.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor A. Mitchell and seconded by Mayor F. Kilbride:-
“That this Council agree that the housing section of Longford County Council shall, in future, give one months notice in writing to all Council tenants on rent increases which will apply to them following the rent review process.”
It was agreed that the housing section will give one months notice in writing to all Council tenants on rent increases which will apply to them.
Councillor P. Murphy proposed that the Motion should also be considered by the Housing and Social Policy, Planning and Building Control Policy Strategic Policy Committee
Review of Development Charges.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor S. Farrell and seconded by Councillor L. Bannon:-
“On the introduction of Development Charges in March 2004, it was agreed that there would be a review in March 2006. I am now calling on this Council to review these charges, in particular in relation to the exemption limits for farm buildings, especially in light of the Nitrates Directive.”
On the proposal of Councillor S. Farrell seconded by Councillor J. Coyle, it was unanimously agreed that the exemption limits for farm buildings be extended to March 2009.
TRANSPORTATION, ROAD DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE AND ROAD SAFETY POLICY.
Attendance by representatives from the E.S.B.
The Mayor welcomed the following officials from E.S.B. Networks:-
q Mr. John Byrne, Area Manager.
q Mr. Tom Guckian, Construction Supervisor.
q Mr. John Clarke, Customer Services Supervisor.
q Mr. Gerry Mooney, Customer Services Manager.
Mr. T. Murtagh, A/Director of Services outlined the difficulties being experienced by Longford County Council in relation to E.S.B. connections.
Mr. G. Mooney, Customer Services Manager, E.S.B. Networks, addressed the meeting on the following:-
q Electricity Industry Structure – Old and New.
q E.S.B. Networks - seven divisions in the country.
q Network Investment.
q Customer Connections – industrial, commercial and domestic.
q Staff – Longford/Roscommon Network.
q Increase in new connections – Longford/Roscommon.
q Communications.
q Developer/Customer Issues.
E.S.B. Networks Issues.
q Design/Quotation Process.
q Site Works.
q MPRN – Meter Point Registration Number.
The officials from E.S.B. Networks replied to queries raised by the members on the following issues:-
q Reasons for delays in connections.
q Connection charges.
q Network Service District.
q Delay in connecting floodlighting at Clonguish G.A.A. Club.
q Delay in connecting housing schemes in the County.
q Delay in connecting public lighting in the County.
q Delay in connecting manufacturing companies in the County.
q Light pollution.
q Wayleaves for new lines/ fee for moving poles.
q Operation of storage heaters in Local Authority houses.
q Customer communications.
Mr. Mooney outlined the difficulties being experienced by the company in respect of connecting housing developments as well as other projects. He gave an undertaking to the Council that the connection backlog in County Longford will be eliminated in six months. The members welcomed this undertaking. He offered the members an opportunity to speak individually with the representatives from E.S.B. Networks at the conclusion of the presentation. He also offered to leave the following telephone contact no.’s with the members:-
q John Byrne, ESB Office, Cavan - 049 4372511
q Gerry Mooney, ESB Office, Sligo - 071 9149917
Councillor A. Farrell proposed and Councillor B. Steele seconded that representatives from E.S.B. Contracts and a local representative from E.S.B. Networks be invited to address a meeting of the Council.
Mr. T. Caffrey, County Manager, said that today’s presentation has given an opportunity to establish direct links between the Council and E.S.B. Networks and recommended that, in future, E.S.B. Networks be circulated with the lists of planning permissions granted and the lists of commencement notices.
NOTICE OF MOTION.
Hedge Cutting.
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor A. Mitchell and seconded by Councillor A. Farrell:-
“I ask the Roads Director to detail the Council’s policy on hedge cutting and to indicate what measures are taken by the Council to preserve the rich natural heritage contained in our roadside hedges.”
The Council’s policy on hedgecutting is as detailed in Section 70(2) of the Roads Act 1993 and Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976 as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.
The Roads Act stipulates that it is the responsibility of the owner or occupier of lands to take all reasonable steps to ensure that hedges are not a hazard or potential hazard to road-users, and that they do not obstruct or interfere with the safe use of a public road or the maintenance of a public road. Where it comes to the attention of the Council that a landowner is in breach of this responsibility, notices are served and pursued.