MINUTES OF DECEMBER MONTHLY MEETING OF NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY 2ND DECEMBER, 2008 IN THE TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWN HALL, WATERGATE STREET, NAVAN, CO. MEATH.
Cllr. P Brennan presided.
Members Present
Cllr’s C. Reilly, S. Cassells, T. Reilly, P. Toibin, J. Reilly , J Holloway and J. Duffy
Apologies: Cllr P Fitzsimons
Officials in Attendance
Mr. Martin Rogers, A/ Navan Town Manager.
Mr. Bill Sweeney, Senior Executive Officer.
Mr. Shane Donnelly, Town Clerk.
John Gilsenan, Executive Engineer.
Ms. Audrey Norris, Staff Officer.
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
On the proposal of Cllr. C. Reilly seconded by Cllr. T Reilly the Minutes of the November monthly meeting of Navan Town Council held on Tuesday 4th November, 2008 at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Watergate St, Navan Co Meath were adopted by the Members.
CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS
Educate Together:
The Members received and noted correspondence from Educate Together requesting a contribution towards a project which they were initiating.
On the proposal of Cllr C Reilly, seconded by Cllr Joe Reilly it was agreed by the Members to make a contribution of €500 towards the project.
Electoral Boundaries – Dept Environment, Heritage & Local Government
The Members received and noted correspondence in the above connection to Trim Town Council in relation to Electoral Boundaries. It was agreed by the Members to await the report from the Senior Executive Officer of Corporate Services and to discuss the matter further following same.
TO RECEIVE A BRIEFING ON ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES FOR NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL
The Members received and noted a report from Mr Bill Sweeney, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Services in relation to the current Electoral Boundary for Navan Town Council.
The Members were advised that a similar map had been placed on the Council’s website and would be circulated to the Members as soon as possible.
The Members were advised that a full Register of Electors would be prepared and would be completed by the 15th February 2009 and could not be amended.
The Senior Executive Officer advised the Members that having examined the correspondence received on behalf of the Minster, he could not see him altering Local Authority Boundaries in advance of the Local Elections in 2009.
The Senior Executive Officer asked the Members to look carefully at the map and if they had any queries to raise with him directly.
Each of the Members thanked, the Senior Executive Officer for the report as presented and raised the following issues:
At the outset Cllr J Holloway outlined his understanding of the legislation in respect of seeking the extension of the electoral boundary, in the context of the proposed boundary alteration.
The Senior Executive Officer advised the Members that the Minister has the power to make an order but he has indicated it is not something he is going to undertake.
On the proposal of Cllr J Holloway, seconded by Cllr T Reilly, it was agreed by the Members that a delegation would request a meeting with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government in respect of seeking the Electoral Area extension in advance of the Local Elections 2009. This request was being made in the context of the proposed boundary alteration for Navan.
The Members requested that the Town Manager would make renewed efforts to seek a meeting with the Minister in this respect.
The Members expressed their disappointment that they were not able to represent their total constituents.
TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER STATEMENT OF RESPONSE FROM MEATH COUNTY COUNCIL TO PROPOSAL FOR ALTERATION OF BOUNDARY TO NAVAN TOWN
The Members received and considered the Statement of Response from Meath Co Council in relation to the proposal for a Town Boundary Alteration for Navan Town which was presented to them by the Town Clerk.
Having considered the Statement of Response including Appendices A,B & C from Meath Co Council in relation to the Proposal for a Town Boundary Alteration for Navan Town, on the proposal of Cllr J Holloway, seconded by Cllr T Reilly, it was resolved by the members to adopt the Statement of Response as presented and furthermore to apply to the Minister to make an order altering the town boundary in accordance with Section 29(3) of the Local Government Act , 1991 and Article 8 of the Local Government ( Boundary Alteration ) Regulations , 1996
TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROVISION OF A CHRISTMAS MARKET IN NAVAN
The Members received and noted a presentation in relation to the provision of a Christmas Market on Kennedy Place, Navan over a three day period from the 19th to the 21st December 2008.
Each of the Members welcomed the presentation and congratulated the Mayor and Town Clerk on their hard work and effort in putting the market together. The Members expressed their wishes that St. Patrick’s Day would get similar support from the business community.
TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL ROAD WORKS PROGRAMME
The Members received an noted an update on the delivery of the Navan Town Council Road Works Programme 2008 which was presented to them by the Town Clerk.
Each of the Members welcomed the report as presented and paid tribute to the Town Engineer and her staff for all their hard work and dedication through-out the year.
The Members also raised the following issues:
· New Footpath on Academy Street is broken up and needs to be investigated.
· Traffic speeding through Connolly Avenue – needs to be addressed.
· Vehicles are parking on section at Kennedy Place which is preventing access to businesses ( Trimgate St end )
· Provision of a yellow box at entrance to back lane at Mellows Terrace is required.
TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ON NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL – CHRISTMAS OPERATION FREE FLOW
The Members received and noted information on the proposed Operation Free Flow For Navan Town which was presented to them by the Town Clerk.
The Members thanked the Town Clerk for his presentation and raised the following issues:-
Need to contact Bus Eireann in relation to the possible use of the Town Bus Service at the GAA car park.
Navan Town Council to ask the VEC and Fire Station to open to shoppers at the
weekend.
Bus Eireann having problems negotiating Cannon Row.
Need to ask Bus Eireann to provide a Saturday service.
Possibility of offering free parking to anyone shopping in Navan for the
first 20 minutes of their stay.
In conjunction with An Garda Siochana, there needs to be a further examination of a holding area for Taxi’s
TO APPROVE – CIRCULAR LETTER EL05/08 LOCAL AUTHORITY STAFF – Application of increases under Section 27.17 OF Towards 2016
On the proposal of Cllr. J. Holloway and seconded by Cllr. T. Reilly the Members approved Circular Letter EL05/08 Local Authority Staff – Application of increases under Section 27.17 OF Towards 2016.
TO FIX A DATE FOR THE HOLDING OF THE STATUTORY BUDGET MEETING FOR 2009
The Town Clerk advised the Members that whilst they had agreed at the November Monthly Meeting of Navan Town Council to hold the Statutory Budget Meeting on the 6th January 2009 at 7pm, he expected that some valuations were due to come back from the valuation office over the coming weeks. However he advised that he could not guarantee same but would have a better understanding in the coming days. If he received positive feedback from the Valuation Office he would contact the Members to re-arrange the Statutory Budget Meeting to Tuesday 13th January otherwise the 6th January 2009 would remain the date for the said Meeting.
On the proposal of Cllr J Holloway, seconded by Cllr P Brennan the Members agreed to the request from the Town Clerk, subject to agreeing a date that would be suitable to all of the Members otherwise they were happy to proceed with the Statutory Budget Meeting on Tuesday the 6th January 2009 at 7pm.
NOTICE OF QUESTION
Notice of Question – Cllr. John Duffy
“That the Manager informs the meeting of the current proposed time frame for the closure of Swan Lane, the duration of the proposed closure which will be required to enable the construction of the Spur road and foot bridge”.
The A/Town Manager informed the Members that there was presently no fixed date.
However, he added that from tentative discussions with the Contractor it was likely that works would commence in the 3rd/4th quarter of 2009.
Notice of Question – Cllr. T. Reilly
“Can the Manager advise the Members if the Kells to Athboy Link Road could be opened up for Christmas even on a temporary basis”
The Members received and noted the following response from the A/Town Manager:
· It is included in the Contractors Programme of Works and under his responsibility.
It is hoped that the Road may be open to Traffic before Christmas, and it is not possible to make any firm commitment in this regard at this stage.
The Members will be updated as works are progressed
NOTICE OF MOTION
Notice of Motion – Cllr. J. Reilly
“In order to meet the economic challenges and post M3 opportunities facing Navan, I propose that a focus group, consisting of NTC and Navan Area elected representatives, interested business and financial players, Chamber of Commerce, Town Manager and Town Clerk be brought together as a “think tank” to develop and promote economic and social development in Navan (within the new Town boundary)”
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr J Reilly and seconded by Cllr P Toibin.
Each of the Members present supported the Motion and looked forward to developing the concept in the coming months.
Notice of Motion – Cllr. J. Duffy
“Navan Town Council/Meath County Council introduce Bye-Laws which eliminate the over night parking of HGV’s and Articulated Trucks weighing in excess of 3.5 tonnes in residential areas in the interest of the safety to residents living in those areas”.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr J Duffy and seconded by Cllr T Reilly.
The Members requested the Council to investigate the possible use of the GAA car park for the parking of HGV’s
Notice of Motion – Cllr T Reilly
“Navan Town Council introduces Bye-Laws to stop discriminate parking of trucks and cars in estates in the town of Navan”.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr T Reilly and seconded by Cllr J Duffy
The Members requested that the Council examine the Bye-laws in relation prohibiting the parking of such vehicles. The A/Town Manager advised that whilst Bye-laws may help the situation, other alternatives would also have be examined.
Notice of Motion – Cllr. J. Duffy
“In the interest of fairness and in order to bring to a conclusion the controversy surrounding the parking by a resident in Cornmarket Street that Navan Town Council resolves to provide a parking permit for use in Cornmarket Street to the resident concerned”.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. J. Duffy and seconded by Cllr. P. Brennan.
The Town Clerk advised the Members that he would examine the situation in relation to same.
Notice of Motion – Cllr. P. Brennan
“That Navan Town Council calls on Meath County Council to provide the public lighting and upgrade the footpath from Balreask Manor to the Balreask Arms, Navan”.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. Phil Brennan and seconded by Cllr. Joe Reilly.
It was agreed by the Members to refer the matter to the Navan Electoral Area Committee for inclusion in the 2009 Roadworks Programme.
Notice of Motion – Cllr. J. Holloway
“In the context of the Planning and Development of lands designated LAP 5 in Navan Development Plan, notably for primary school, neighbourhood centre, housing, open space, Navan Town Council calls on Meath County Council to have included as a condition of planning, traffic calming measures to include pedestrian crossings and roundabouts where estate road and road serving schools intersect with Distributor Road L=34094-1 (Clonmagadden Road)”.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr. Jim Holloway and seconded by Cllr. John Duffy.
It was agreed by the Members to refer the Notice of Motion to the Planning Dept of the Council for their attention.
Notice of Motion – Cllr Tommy Reilly
“That this Council calls on the Minister for Transport to stop driving testers from using the estates of this town for people sitting their tests”.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr T Reilly and seconded by Cllr J Duffy.
It was agreed by the Members that a letter would issue to the Minister for Transport outlining the Notice of Motion as agreed.
Notice of Motion – Cllr. P. Toibin
“That Comhairle Baile na hUaimhe calls on the Fianna Fail/Green Government to reverse the draconian education cuts contained in this years budget. It is the considered view of many parents and teachers in Navan that the Fianna Fail/Green
Cuts are leading to severe cuts in library services, the free book scheme and most importantly frontline teaching services which help the most disadvantaged of our children”.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr P Toibin and seconded by Cllr J Reilly.
It was agreed by the Members present to forward the Notice Of Motion as agreed to the Minister for Education for his attention.
Notice of Motion – Cllr. P. Toibin
“That Comhairle Baile na hUaimhe calls on the administrations in both parts of Ireland to equalise VAT rates and excise duties in both jurisdictions in order to eliminate market distortions and prohibit unfair competitive disadvantages. These VAT distortions are creating severe trading difficulties to shop keepers in Navan and other towns south of the border and are contrary to the developing All Ireland economy”.
This motion was proposed by Cllr. Toibin and seconded by Cllr. J. Reilly.
It was agreed by the Members to forward the Notice of Motion as agreed to the Minister for Finance for his attention.
MANAGERS ORDERS
The Members noted Managers Orders made since last meeting of the Council.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Ø Bus shelter at St. Olivers, 3 sides of it are damaged – needs to addressed.
Ø Cllr. J. Reilly and Cllr. P. Toibin requested that all correspondence is issued to them through email.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Signed: ______
MAYOR
Signed: ______
TOWN CLERK
Date: ______
Minutes of December Monthly Meeting Page 1 of 9
Navan Town Council, Town Hall, Watergate Street, Navan, County Meath
Telephone: 046 9029078, Fax: 046 9028497, web: www.meath.ie, Email: