MINUTE OF MEETING OF DECEMBER MONTHLY MEETING WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY 4TH DECEMBER, 2007 AT 7.30 PM IN THE TOWN HALL, WATERGATE STREET, NAVAN, CO. MEATH
Cllr. C. Reilly presided
Members Present
Cllrs. A. Brennan, P. Fitzsimons, S. Cassells, T. Reilly, J. Holloway, J. Duffy & P. Toibin.
Apologies were received from Cllr. J. Reilly.
Officials in Attendance
Mr. Eugene Cummins, Town Manager
Mr. Shane Donnelly, Town Clerk
Ms. Wendy Moffett, Senior Planner
Mr. J. Young, Senior Staff Officer
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
On the proposal of Cllr. S. Cassells seconded by Cllr. A. Brennan the minutes of the November monthly meeting were adopted by the members.
CORRESPONDENCE
The members noted correspondence from Navan Springboard Company Ltd who sought a contribution towards the replacement of a minibus.
On the proposal of Cllr. C. Reilly seconded by Cllr. J. Duffy the members agreed to make a contribution of €1,000 to Navan Springboard Company Ltd.
The members noted correspondence from Clogherboy Community Council who sought a contribution towards their annual childrens Christmas party.
On the proposal of Cllr. A. Brennan seconded by Cllr. C. Reilly the member agreed to make a contribution of €500 to the Clogherboy Community Council.
The members noted correspondence from Mr. Martin Rogers, Infrastructure Section, Meath County Council to the Town Clerk regarding the making of Special Speed Limit Bye-laws in respect of the area comprising the administrative county of Meath which includes roads within the functional area of Navan Town Council.
On the proposal of Cllr. C. Reilly seconded by Cllr. J. Duffy the members agreed to the proposal to make the following alteration to the default speed limit on roads in which a special speed limit of sixty (60) kilometers is prescribed within the “built up area” as defined in the Road Traffic Act 2004.
“Navan Road N3 from a point 91 metres west of its junction with the Navan Inner Relief Road 2A ( N51) to a point on the Navan Town Boundary”.
TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE REVIEW OF THE NAVAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2003 TO 2009
The members received a presentation from Ms. Wendy Moffett A/Senior Planner on the review of the Navan Development Plan 2003 – 2009.
Following the presentation the members raised the following issues:-
Enquired as to progress on LAP1 and LAP2.
Will review give details of progress on what has and has not been carried out.
Lack of movement of plan for development in Johnstown Area.
Good idea allowing stakeholders make submissions.
Wendy Moffett responded:-
Consideration of the 2 LAPs in mid 2008 in tandem with the review of the Navan Development Plan.
Review will give details on progress on existing plan and achievements.
Current plan is available to the public.
Will come back to March 2008 meeting .
The Plan will be reviewed in conjunction with the Members of Navan Electoral Area Committee as was the case with the current Plan.
TO CONSIDER REQUEST TO HAVE TOWN COUNCIL MONTHLY MEETINGS BROADCAST BY LOCAL TELEVISION (PROVINCE FIVE)
The Town Manager outlined to the Members that he had been contacted by Province Five in relation to broadcasting the Town Council meetings. Province Five have indicated that the programme would be edited and parliamentary privilege would apply. Province Five are very much aware of legal obligations.
Following a discussion it was proposed by Cllr. C. Reilly and seconded by Cllr. T. Reilly that a decision be deferred to allow the Town Clerk and Town Manager to explore this matter further.
TO CONSIDER NAMING OF KENNEDY ROAD CIVIC SPACE
The members discussed the naming of Kennedy Road Civic Space and on the proposal of Cllr. T. Reilly seconded by Cllr. S. Cassells the Members agreed to name the Civic Space “Kennedy Place” after Tom Kennedy who had donated the land and who was a former Chairman of the Council.
TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL ROAD WORKS PROGRAMME
The members received and noted report on the Road Works Programme for 2007 which was presented to them by the Town Clerk.
The members complemented the Town Engineer and her team for the work carried out on the road works programme.
The members raised the following issues:-
Work on Railway Street is excellent.
Parking on both sides of road at entry to St. Benildus Villas. Asked that Traffic Wardens patrol this area.
No. 11 St. Ultans Terrace – works not carried out
Welcome work carried out on footpaths and drop kerbs.
Request that when Metges Lane works are being carried out that same brick and same type of lighting as used at Store Street in Dublin be used.
Any plans for path surface on Academy Street and Bridge Street.
The Town Clerk responded that a structural Engineers report and costing had been sought for works at 11 St. Ultans Terrace. The Town Clerk went on to say that the Members could consider inclusion of these works as part of next years road works programme.
In relation to Academy St, the Town Clerk advised the Members that this Road was included in the Multi Annual Road Restoration Programme for next year, however he added that Bridge St was not included.
NOTICES OF QUESTION
The following questions to the Town Manager were raised and the responses from the Town Manager were noted.
Notice of Question - Cllr. John Duffy
Various commitments have been given in recent years to the residents of Springfield Glen most particularly that adopted at an Area Council meeting on 15th April, 2005 and communicated to the residents on 11th May ‘05 detailing works to the value of €38,000 due to be carried out in Oct. 2005. What is the current position of those proposed works and the status of the €38,000?
Following a request from the Residents of Springfield Glen, top soil and grass seeding works were carried out at the location in 2005. There is a total of €27,147 remaining in the cash deposit. The works proposed in the letter of the 11th May 2005 from Meath Co Council will have to be prioritised based on the funding remaining ie (€27,147).
It is the Council’s intention to progress this matter in the New Year.
Notice of Question - Cllr. Jim Holloway
“In view of the completion of Local Area Plans for Navan and the ongoing work in relation to Area Action Plans and the need to facilitate development within the area of Navan Development Plan, what is the current situation in relation to the operation of Navan Sewerage Treatment Plant in respect of:
- capacity of the plant to cater for existing development in Navan,
- the amount and cost of removal of treated/untreated sewerage, sludge or other products from the plant to other locations for disposal or further treatment
- the transfer, if any, and the amount of products to the plant from other smaller treatment facilities within or from outside the county
- the nature of the expansion of the treatment plant and the financing of and timeframe for the completion of this expansion?”
The Members received and noted the following response in relation to the question from Cllr J Holloway: Due to the extremely busy time of the year which involves completion of various Grant Claims, preparation of Budgets and completion of works programmes etc, it is not possible to provide this information at this time. The information requested above will be collated in the New Year and the Town Clerk will forward same to each of the Members on receipt of same.
NOTICES OF MOTION
Notice of Motion - Cllr. Joe Reilly
“That Navan Town Council notes the following;
“That AthlumneyCastle is an important Navan historical landmark and of great interest to both the people of Navan and tourists to our town and county”
“That the Office of Public Works who are responsible for the maintenance of the castle have failed to complete their programme of work, that scaffolding remains in place after three years, over that period and hence the castle remains closed to the general and visiting public”
“That the members of Navan Town Castle call on the Office of Public Works to complete the necessary works and open the castle to locals and tourists alike”
As Cllr J Reilly was unable to attend the December Meeting of the Town Council, it was agreed by the Members to defer the Notice of Motion until the January Monthly Meeting.
Notice of Motion – Cllr. Joe Reilly
“That a survey of Navan footpaths be carried and that a three to five year programme of modernising and upgrading of footpaths be prepared for the February meeting of NavanTown Council for the agreement of the members”
As Cllr J Reilly was unable to attend the December Meeting of the Town Council, it was agreed by the Members to defer the Notice of Motion until the January Monthly Meeting.
Notice of Motion - Cllr. Jim Holloway
“The environs of Navan that front on to the confluence of the Rivers Boyne and Blackwater in Navan is a unique and valuable asset that must be protected and not further compromised by developments that are permitted under the current Navan Development Plan and may be compromised still further under future development plans, and in recognition of this, Navan Town Council will now draw up a design framework for developments in the environs of the Rivers Boyne and Blackwater, will engage architectural expertise that will be dedicated to this task and assist theplanning process in this area, on an ongoing basis, and towards this end Navan Town Council will set aside funding, beginning with Budget 2008.”
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. J. Holloway and seconded by Cllr. A. Brennan.
Notice of Motion – Cllr. John Duffy
Given that from the 25th August ’08 all traffic entering and exiting Swan Lane will do so only at the (Ardboyne) junction with N3, and there are no post construction traffic management plans proposed for this area that Meath County Council acquires lands to put in place a roundabout or other such measurers to deal with the inevitable increase in traffic.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. J. Duffy and seconded by Cllr. T. Reilly.
The Town Manager suggested that the motion be referred to the National Road Design Office (NRDO) for a report and he would come back to the Members as soon as possible.
On the proposal of Cllr J Duffy, seconded by Cllr T Reilly the Members agreed to proceed as suggested by the Town Manager.
Notice of Motion – Cllr. P. Tóibin
“In an effort to support the growth of the Irish language within the town and to show support to our Gaeltacht neighbours Rathcairn and Bailegibb (Rathcairn being one of the fastest growing Gaeltachtaí in the country) this council will ensure that all new Housing Estates and Apartment Complexes built in the Navan Town Council area will be given only Irish Language names. This initiative will cost nothing yet will help position the Irish language in the everyday day experience of the people of the Navan”.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. P. Tóibin and seconded by Cllr. T. Reilly.
The Town Clerk noted that the current Navan Development Plan had a section in it dealing with the naming of residential developments and the members agreed to seek the opinion of the Senior Planner as to how this motion could be implemented
Notice of Motion – Cllr. P. Tóibin
“That NavanTown Council will call on Bus Éireann to provide its NavanTown Bus Service to its full extent on Saturdays. Currently Bus users in many parts of the town are left without a mode of transport on one of the busiest shopping days in the town. Public Transport is accessible to all socio-economic groups, it reduces congestion, relieves parking space pressure and reduces Carbon Emissions. It must be a priority in the development of future Council traffic management policy”
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. P. Tóibin and seconded by Cllr. T. Reilly.
It was agreed by the Members that the Town Clerk would write to Bus Eireann requesting the Town Bus Service to be extended to include Saturdays.
Notice of Motion -Cllr. T Reilly
“This council calls on MeathCounty Council & the NRA to ensure that a slip road is constructed on to the N3 before the closure of Swan Lane. There is up to 500 houses exiting on to the N3 at both ends of this road.
It is currently almost impossible to exit on to the N3 at the Ardboyne junction hence closure of this road will cause complete gridlock.
In the interest of the safety of both pedestrians & motorists from this area, I urge both bodies to give this their immediate attention”.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. T. Reilly and seconded by Cllr. S. Cassells.
It was agreed by the Members to refer the Notice of Motion to the NRDO for consideration and full report.
Notice of Motion – Cllr P Fitzsimons
“To call on Navan Town Council to seek funding to synchronize the Traffic Light system in and around Navan”
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. P. Fitzsimons and seconded by Cllr. S. Cassells.
Following a discussion the members agreed that a letter should issue to the DTO (Dubin Transportation Office) requesting funding for the synchronization of the Traffic Lights in Navan.
Notice of Motion – Cllr P Fitzsimons
“That NavanTown Council demand that Eirgrid Power lines be placed underground in the interest of the people of Navan and the surrounding area’s
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. P. Fitzsimons and seconded by Cllr. S. Cassells.
Following a discussion on this motion the Town Manager informed the Members that a Special Meeting of Meath Co Council was being arranged in January in relation to this issue and he requested that the Town Clerk would contact Meath Co Council’s Meetings Administrator and request that the Navan Town Council Members be attend the said Meeting also.
MANAGERS ORDERS
The members received and noted the Managers Orders tabled.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The provision of Taxi Ranks needs to be reviewed on a County wide basis.
The Members welcomed the Advertisement in the Meath Chronicle outlining the Christmas Traffic Freeflow.
The Mayor wished the members and staff of Navan Town Council a happy Christmas.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Signed: ______
Mayor
Signed: ______
Town Clerk
Date: ______
MinutesPage 1 of 7
Navan Town Council, Town Hall, Watergate Street, Navan, County Meath
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