May Monthly Meeting held on Monday, 21st May 2012, at Kells Civic Offices, Headfort Place, Kells
Presiding: Cllr. B. Collins
Present: Cllrs. S. Drew, C. Ferguson T. Grimes, F. Lynch, B. Reilly, O. Sweeney.
Also Present: Mr. K. Stewart, Town Manager, Ms. A. Bird, Town Clerk,
Mr. S. Carroll, A/Town Engineer, Ms. C. O’Reilly, A/Asst Staff Officer.
There were apologies from Cllr. B. Curran and S. Reilly for their inability to attend.
Minutes
The minutes of Special meeting, held on 10th April 2012, and the April monthly meeting, held on 16th April 2012, were confirmed on the proposal of Cllr. C. Ferguson, seconded by Cllr. S. Drew.
Correspondence
§ Letter from Jim Connell Festival Committee in relation to major festival planned for 2013.
§ Letter from J & M Mongey, O’Growney Terrace, regarding proposed fencing of open space at O’Growney Terrace.
On the proposal of the Cathaoirleach, Cllr. B. Collins, seconded by Cllr. O. Sweeney, it was agreed to go ahead with the erection of fencing.
§ Letter from Kells Heritage Park Ltd. regarding proposals to develop a Community Park on lands at Loyd.
It was unanimously agreed to receive a presentation on the proposed project from the Group at the June monthly meeting.
§ Members were given details of the new Rates Incentive Scheme, whereby a grant for three years, as opposed to two years currently, will be given.
Year 1 – 75%
Year 2 – 50%
Year 3 – 25%
Monthly Reports
Members complimented all those involved in the clean up of the town for the forthcoming visit of Maureen O’Hara.
Cllr. Drew:
- requested that the yellow lines at Tennis Club be replaced
- stated that trees in Headfort Grove had been vandalised.
Cllr. Ferguson requested that footpath between the Graveyard and Golf Club be cleaned.
Manager’s Orders
There were no Manager’s Orders for consideration.
Allocation of Funds under the Community Grant Scheme 2012
The following allocations were approved on the proposal of Cllr. B. Reilly, seconded by Cllr. O. Sweeney.
Organisation / Amount5th Meath Kells Scouts Group / €500.00
Dads Cycle for Charity / €100.00
Arts Kellective / €600.00
Jim Connell Society / €400.00
Kells Silver Band / €500.00
Kells Handball Club / €1500.00
No Name Club / €500.00
Special Hands Support Group / €200.00
Kells Wado-Kai Karate Group / €300.00
Kells Pride of Place / €400.00
Questions to the Manager
Cllr. F. Lynch
“Can the Manager please advise of his opinion on the impact of the proposals to abolish Kells Town Council would have on assets in the possession of the Town Council? In particular the lands at Lloyd and the town pitch leased to the GAA.”
The Town Manager stated that if such legislation is brought in it would have to deal with the issue of assets of Town Councils. He also informed Cllr. Lynch that it would be impossible to say until legislation is announced if the Town Council could have a say not to sell the lands and that income would come back to the town.
“What is the position with regard to installing lights on the back lane at St Colmcilles Villas?”
The Town Engineer stated that the Public Lighting Division of Meath County Council was currently looking at and he would come back to the Council with a report when received.
Cllr. S. Drew
“It isnoted that theNew Household Charge introduced by the Government is to support the provision of local services. Can the Manager clarify the following in regard toany €100 payments made by Kells households to date in 2012?
(a) How soon is it expected thatKells Town Council will receive its share of the2012 income paid by Kells households?
(b) When will the elected members have an opportunity to decide how this income will be expended on the provision of services in Kells in 2012?”
The Town Manager stated that the charge is not coming to the Council as additional funding in 2012. At budget time it was stated that it would replace or part replace the Local Government Fund.
Any Other Business
Cllr. Ferguson raised the matter of illegal dumping on right-of-way at Stonebridge.
The Town Engineer stated that he was not clear if the road was in the charge of the local authority. It was agreed to invite the Residents affected to a meeting with Officials.
Votes of Sympathy
A vote of sympathy was passed with:
· Family of James McDonnell former member of outdoor staff of Kells Town Council.
· Carmel Goggins, Revenue Collector, on the death of her brother John McCormack.
· Family Bridget Carpenter, Church Lane, who had been the key holder of St. Colmcille’s House for a number of years.
· Family Mary Farrelly, Beechlawn, mother of Declan Farrelly member outdoor staff Kells Area and Eamonn Farrelly former Kells Town Councillor.
· Family Marie Cooney, Rockfield Road.
Cllr. B. Reilly asked if it could be possible to erect a plaque at St. Colmcille’s House to recognise the service given by Ms. Carpenter.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Signed: ______
Cathaoirleach
Page 1 of 4
Kells Town Council, Kells Civic Offices, Headfort Place,, Kells, County Meath
Telephone: 046 9240076, Fax: 046 9249316, web: www.meath.ie, Email: