MINUTES OF MARCH MONTHLY MEETING OF NAVAN TOWN COUNCIL WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY6th MARCH 2012 AT 7.00PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWN HALL, WATERGATE STREET, NAVAN, CO. MEATH.
Presiding:
Cllr. A. McCabe
Members present:
Cllrs. J Reilly,A. McCabe, F Deane, S. Cassells, P. Fitzsimons,
S. Jamal, C Ni Shluain, P Brennan & J.Holloway
Officials present:
Mr. Tadhg McDonnell, Town Manager
Mr. Shane Donnelly, Town Clerk
Mr. John Gilsenan, A/Town Engineer
1.Confirmation of Minutes
Confirmation of Minutes of the February Monthly Meeting of Navan Town Council held on 7th February 2012 at 7pm in the Town Council Chamber, Townhall, Watergate St, Navan, Co Meath.
The Minutes of February Monthly Meeting of Navan Town Council held on the 7th February 2012 at 7pm in the Town Council Chamber, Townhall, Watergate St, Navan, Co Meath were adopted on the proposal of Cllr J Reilly, seconded by Cllr F Deane.
2.Correspondence and Reports
The Town Clerk advised the Members that there were no items of correspondence to be tabled.
Reports:
To receive an update on the taking in charge of estates within the functional area of Navan Town Council.
The Members received and noted an update in relation to the taking in charge of estates within the functional area of the Council.
Each of the Members welcomed the report as presented.
Some Members queried why certain estates were not included on the report which were historic in nature.
The Town Clerk advised the Members that the report as presented was a working document and once the statutory process had been completed in respect of an individual estate, a new estate would be added. He added that the report as presented was compiled to provide the Members with a working list which would be realistic and achievable.
Following a discussion, on the proposal of Cllr J Holloway, seconded by Cllr S Cassells the Members requested that Herbert Place be added to the list as soon as possible.
3.To receive the Draft Roadworks Programme 2012 in respect of Navan Town Council.
The Members received and noted the Draft Works Programme 2012 in respect of Navan Town Council which was presented to them by the Town Engineer.
The Town Clerk advised the Meeting that the programme taken with the commencement of phase 1 of the NavanTownPark represented an investment of over €2.5m in Navan over the course of the year.
Each of the Members welcomed the programme as presented which they agreed reflected the issues that they had raised over the course of the year.
Following a discussion on the matter, the 2012 Works Programme, as presented, was adopted by the Members, on the proposal of Cllr S Cassells, seconded by Cllr P Brennan.
4.To receive the Draft Parking Place Bye-Laws 2012 in respect of the functional area of Navan Town Council and if thought fit to resolve to commence the Statutory Process in accordance with Part 19 Local Government Act 2001, as amended and Road Traffic Act 1994 as amended.
The Members noted the Draft Parking Place Bye-Laws 2012 which was presented to them by the Town Clerk.
The Town Clerk outlined some of the matters considered when drafting the Bye-Laws and which they were proposing to include.
On the proposal of Cllr F Deane seconded by Cllr P Brennan it was resolved by the Members to commence the statutory process in accordance with S36 Road Traffic Act 1994 as amended and place the Draft Bye-Laws on public display.
5.To receive an update on on-going projects.
The Members received and noted an update in respect of ongoing projects affecting the Navan Town Council area which was presented to them by the Town Clerk.
6.Notice of Question
6.1Notice of Question – Cllr Shane Cassells
What is the total amount of money left in the bond fund for Blackcastle Lodge and are these remaining funds available to be used by the Council to assist the residents who are suffering problems with subsidence in the estate ranging from the sunken footpaths, sunken parking areas and damage to the community facilities?
The Members received and noted the following response to the question from Cllr S Cassells:
- The information as requested is currently being collated and is being examined by the Planning Enforcement Section of the Council. A further update will be provided to the Members at the April Monthly Meeting.
Cllr Cassells accepted the response and looked forward to receiving a full reply as soon as it was available.
6.2Notice of Question – Cllr Francis Deane
When will tenders be invited for the Navan Town Marketing Plan?
The Members received and noted the following response to the above question tabled by Cllr F Deane.
- Tender Brief is being finalised and it is our intention to commence the tendering process this month ( March )
6.3Notice of Question – Cllr Joe Reilly
It has been brought to my attention that the Department of Social Protection (CWO's) have asked Navan and Meath Co CouncilHousing Departments to refuse some housing applicants letters seeking rent allowance and advising them that they should remain at their home address. Can the Manager inform NTCof the following:
What discussions have taken place between MCC and the Department of Social Protection re the above?
Has the Department of SocialProtection issued guidelines/criteria as to the grounds on which applicants can be refused?
What is the process of appealing a refusal?
The Members received and noted the following response from the Housing Department of Meath Co Council in relation to the above question from Cllr J Reilly.
- In accordance with Article 13 of Statutory Instrument S.I. No. 84 of 2011 Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 A housing Authority may carry out a social housing assessment where a household has been in receipt of a supplement under Section 198(3) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 towards the amount payable by the household in respect of the household’s residence for a continuous period of 18 months or more. Following this assessment households are in a number of cases transferred over to the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS).
Officials from the Housing Department of Meath County Council meet with officials from the Department of Social Protection on a regular basis to liaise with each other regarding the list of households who are in receipt of rent supplement in excess of 18 months.
Since the coming into force of the above Regulations it is a requirement that a household must be included on the Housing Authorities social housing waiting list prior to being considered by the Department of Social Protection for rent supplement. It is not under the remit of The Department of Social Protection to advise the Housing Authority as to whether or not the household is in need of social housing support as this is the function of the Housing Authority.
6.4Notice of Question – Cllr Jim Holloway
What is the current situation in relation to the taking in charge of estates in NavanTown, particularly those categorised Historic and Current and for which requests for the taking in charge have been made.
Cllr J Holloway acknowledged that this matter had been addressed as part of Item 2 of the Agenda.
7.Notices of Motion
7.1Notice of Motion – Cllr Shane Cassells
That Navan Town Council mark the unique occasion of the hosting of the Global Ireland Football Tournament between two AmericanFootballHigh School teams in Pairc Tailteann on August 31st with festivities in the town on the day in order to welcome the many thousands of American tourists who are expected to travel Navan for this game. Furthermore that we approach Navan Chamber of Commerce, Meath Tourism and the Meath County Board in working with us on this considering the huge potential economic gain to our town.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr S Cassells and seconded by Cllr P Fitzsimons.
Each of the Members outlined their full support for the Notice of Motion as proposed.
The Town Clerk advised the Members that the Navan Town Marketing Action, if in place at the time would be extremely useful in supporting the many aspects outlined in the Notice of Motion.
7.2Notice of Motion – Cllr Shane Cassells
That Navan Town Council install a proper crossing for students at Educate Together on the very busy Dan Shaw Road and that a ramp be constructed from the laneway accessing Claremont Estate to the Astro-turf pitch to facilitate students who are wheelchair bound and presently cannot access the pitch.
Cllr S Cassells acknowledged that the work proposed had been included in the Works Programme 2012 which was dealt with under Item 3 of the Agenda.
7.3Notice of Motion – Cllr Francis Deane
Following on the success of the Trimgate Street enhancement paint scheme, an application process be initiated to examine the level of interest from retailers/traders in participating should the scheme be extended to other streets.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr F Deane and seconded by Cllr P Fitzsimons.
Following a discussion on the matter, the Town Clerk advised the Meeting that subject to the approval of the Members it was proposed to operate the Scheme on a similar basis to the previous year, in that Navan Town Council would contribute 80% and each participating business would contribute 20% of the cost of the works.
The Town Clerk further advised that it was their intention to include the following streets ( subject to the funding ) as part of this years Scheme:
- Market Sq/Watergate St
- Ludlow St/Bridge St
- Church Hill
- Brews Hill.
On the proposal of Cllr P Fitzsimons, seconded by Cllr S Jamal it was resolved by the Members to accept the proposal as outlined by the Town Clerk and to proceed on this basis .
7.4Notice of Motion – Cllr Francis Deane
That Navan Town Council carry out a study of the Post Office corner of Kennedy Road with a view to placing a pedestrian crossing or traffic calming measures in the area close to the shopping centre car park exit.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr F Deane and seconded by Cllr C Ni Shluain.
Following a discussion on the matter it was agreed that the Town Engineer would examine the matter further.
7.5Notice of Motion – Cllr Joe Reilly
As many small industries (SME) can not access the experience and support of agencies such as the EI or IDA in time of economic difficulties, Navan Town Council asks the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to put in place a JobsEmergency Response Unit within the department that would have the responsibility of supporting the retention of jobs in companies that experience temporary financial difficulties but who are judged to have a viable economic future. Such a case in point was Spicers Bakery where no support for the retention of jobs from the state was available or forthcoming.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr J Reilly and seconded by Cllr C Ni Shluain.
The Town Clerk agreed to write on behalf of the Members to the Minister in relation to same.
7.6 Notice of Motion – Cllr Joe Reilly
That Navan Town Council in conjunction with Meath Co Council design a 3 year housing and maintenance programme to tackle the Meath Co Councildeteriorating housing stock in the Navan area.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr J Reilly and seconded by Cllr C Ni Shluain.
The Town Manager advised the Members that the Council were examining the manner in which it delivered its services on a county wide basis and he would take the matter up with the Director of Housing.
Cllr J Reilly stated that he felt Navan Town Council were the appropriate authority to address his notice of motion as they had a proven track record in respect of same and he requested that the minutes reflect this.
7.7Notice of Motion – Cllr Caoimhe Ni Shluain
Navan Town Council strongly condemns the revised staffing schedules proposed for rural two - four teacher schools in CountyMeath.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr C Ni Shluain and seconded by Cllr J Reilly.
Each of the Members supported the Notice of Motion as tabled.
7.8Notice of Motion – Cllr Jim Holloway
Navan Town Council will effect the removal or pruning of trees adjacent to St. Oliver’s Church, Blackcastle and continue with further pruning at Waterville Crescent and part of Hill View.
Cllr J Holloway acknowledged that these works had been included as part of the Works Programme agreed by the Members under Item 3.
7.9 Notice of Motion – Cllr Jim Holloway
Navan Town Council will provide a loading bay at Old Cornmarket, Navan.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr J Holloway and seconded by Cllr S Jamal.
The Town Clerk advised that this matter would be considered as part of the review of the Parking Place Bye-Laws.
7.10 Notice of Motion – Cllr Anton McCabe
I call on Navan Town Council to provide signage to identify the housing estates Leighsbridge & Waters Lane, off the Commons Road.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr A McCabe and seconded by Cllr P Brennan.
7.11 Notice of Motion – Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons
I propose the motion that car parking slots, disability markings and pedestrian crossings/pathways be mapped out, as a matter of urgency, on Kennedy Place.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr P Fitzsimons and seconded by Cllr S Cassells.
Responding the Town Engineer advised that due to the type of the markings provided on Kennedy Place, they could only be renewed once a certain temperature had been achieved and maintained and it was expected that the reinstatement works would be carried out during the month of April.
A further discussion took place in relation to the removal of the parking of vehicles on Kennedy Place on a permanent basis.
7.12 Notice of Motion – Cllr Caoimhe Ni Shluain
In the interest health and safety , I call on Navan Town Council to erect dog litter bins throughout the town, in an effort to encourage dog owners to remove their pets' waste from public places and dispose of it in a proper manner.
This Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr Ni Shluain and seconded by Cllr J Holloway.
It was agreed that dog litter bins would be erected at various locations throughout the Town
8.Managers Orders
The Members received and noted the Managers orders as previously circulated.
9. AOB
There no items of Any Other Business discussed
THIS CONCLUDED THE BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
Signed: ______
Mayor
Signed: ______
Town Clerk
Date: ______
000. Minutes of March Monthly Meeting 06 03 12.docPage 1of 9
Navan Town Council, Town Hall, Watergate Street, Navan, County Meath
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