June 2011 Monthly Meeting, Chamber, Duleek Civic Offices, 9.35 Wednesday 15 June 2011

Toghcheantar na Sláine - Slane Area Miontuairiscí / Meeting Minutes

Cllr. Sirena Campbell presided

Other Councillors Present:

Jimmy Cudden, Anne Dillon-Gallagher, Wayne Harding, Eoin Holmes, & Seamus O’Neill

Officials Present:

Fiona Lawless, Director of Services, Slane Area; Paul Barrell, Executive Engineer; Frances Hughes, A.S.O.; Pat Kinsella, S.E.E. Water Services; Jonathon Ryan, R.E. Water Services; Paul Monahan, Area Administrator

Paul Monahan advised the Members / Officials of the provisions of Part 15 of the L.G. Act 2001 and the code of conduct for Members, Officials and non-elected Council committee Members regarding declarable interests of themselves and of any connected person. Each individual has a responsibility to comply and the Ethics Officer has a duty to ensure compliance with these statutory requirements.

1.0 Confirmation of Minutes of the following Meeting:

1.1 May 2011 monthly meeting held Wednesday 18 May 2011

On the proposal of Cllr. Dillon-Gallagher seconded by Cllr. Cudden the Members confirmed the minutes of the May meeting held Wednesday 18 May 2011.

2.0 Matters arising from the Minutes

Nothing raised

3.0 Matters raised with the permission of the Cathaoirleach

The Members raised the following issues:

Provision of signage to warn of on-going vandalism to cars parked at Hill of Slane and Littlewood, Slane, which was having a detrimental affect on tourism. Funding for Ross na Ri road works. Start date for work on Meade’s road. Paul Barrell advised that tender documents were sent out this week. They were due back within a fortnight and work should commence within 6 weeks. Update on Cavan Row Cottages, Slane Delay in getting grass cut at the Mound, Duleek and poor standard of work. Fiona Lawless advised that up until recently there was only one member of staff in the Health & Safety section and she had to prioritise work. However there were a number of contractors approved for a 3-year period and if they tender again next year the process

Minutes June 2011 meeting 130711 Page 1 of 5

Meath County Council, Duleek One Stop Shop, Main Street, Duleek, County Meath Telephone: 041 9880700, Fax: 041 9880139, Email: [email protected], web: www.meath.ie

should be speeded up. The Council was getting significant value for money even though its workforce has been notably reduced. Congratulated Duleek Pitch & Putt club on their recent success Cllr. O’ Neill on behalf of Co-Operation Ireland Mara Cycle Event thanked Council for work done on route of the Mara Cycle event and said everyone was invited to the event pit stop in Duleek on 28 June 2011 Whether the Council or another Housing Agency had taken over The Maudlins, Duleek housing development for Social Housing. Fiona Lawless advised that the Council had not taken over this housing development. Footpath repairs at Millrace, Duleek. Paul Monahan said these works would be done later in the year. Grass cutting at Moorechurch Cemetery. Paul Barrell said it would be cut. Cllr. Cudden congratulated the Council on the improvement works carried out to the Good Shepherd Cemetery, Duleek The Members expressed their opposition to the provision of a footpath at Gracemeadow, Stamullen, which would pass close to any residents’ houses. In addition, the on-going anti-social behaviour needs to be tackled. Fiona Lawless said the Council wanted to do what was best for the community but the Council had not yet prepared plans for the footpath. She felt a footpath in the right location with appropriate public lighting and sympathetic planting would provide the best solution to the issue of anti social behaviour while at the same time providing a safer and quicker route into Stamullen for the residents of Kilbreck and Glasheen. Paul Monahan advised that a pedestrian link through the estate is enshrined in the East Meath LAP. The Members requested that an on-site meeting take place with the Area Engineer, Gracemeadow residents, Gardai, and Members to determine how this issue could best be resolved. Reinstatement of barriers that were removed from Moorechurch Cemetery. Possibility of obtaining grant aid from the Carranstown Grants Scheme and funds from MCC to provide public lighting at the new footpath at Carranstown. The Area will get an estimate of the cost of works from the Public Lighting Section in County Hall. Whether the proposed resurfacing works at Heronstown School will raise the road level and cause surface water to drain into a private residence. Whether Hopkinstown Road was included in the proposed works at Brownstown Road. Cutting of overhanging branches at The Leck cemetery. Paul Monahan said this work was done recently but the Council would not be cutting the grass there. Current status of Denhamstown quarry and whether the proper abandonment procedure was carried out to decommission the quarry. Spine road on Red Hill, Donore very badly potholed. Wall in the Northlands, Bettystown in a dangerous condition Update on the preparation of LAPs for Individual Town and Villages particularly Ardcath and Clonalvy Cllrs Dillon-Gallagher and Harding advised that at a recent meeting of the Bru na Boinne Consultative Committee a request was made for a Council Planner to attend the next Committee meeting at 7.30pm Thursday 23 June in the Interpretative Centre. Fiona Lawless said she would contact the Senior Planner and ask him to respond to the request. Beach event on 21 June 2011 and request for the erection of “No Dog Fouling” signs Guidelines on erecting an information stone at the entrance to the Southshore estate.

Provision of VMS at Laytown in the vicinity of the Pedestrian Crossing Status report on the Taking in Charge of The Grange and Elvana, Stamullen Update on presentation from Stamullen Action group Update on the Derelict house on the Cockhill Road, Stamullen Beach Charges and the introduction of a permit system for locals. Fiona Lawless said that if the beach wasn’t being constantly littered there would be no need for a parking fee. A permit system would be virtually impossible to manage and control. Beach receipts cover less than half of the on-going beach maintenance costs. The only other viable solution was to have a complete ban on vehicles on the beach.

4.0 To receive an update on the Water Conservation Project – Water Mains Rehabilitation

Pat Kinsella gave a presentation on this issue. He outlined the background to the project and the significant progress made to date in water savings. He advised on the new watermain pipelaying works underway at Mullaghfin and scheduled for Duleek. He also circulated a map showing the proposed works in Duleek, which would be done in 6 phases and would not be as disruptive as the sewer upgrade works carried out in the village in 2009. The works in Duleek were due to start the following week.

The Members welcomed the notable progress achieved under the Council’s Water Conservation Project and raised the following queries:

that a comprehensive information flier to delivered to all those affected by the proposed works in Duleek whether the works would entail any road closures that proper trench reinstatement be carried out following the works.

Pat Kinsella said there would be no road closure on Main Street but there would be road closures where works were being carried out on narrow roads/streets. He would take on board their suggestion on an information flier. Trench reinstatement would be carried out.

5.0 Report on the 2011 Roadworks Programme

The Members received, noted a report on the above, and raised the following queries:

Timeframe for installing flashing lights at Ardcath and Donore Schools. Paul Monahan said this would be done during the school holidays.

6.0 Report on Matters raised at the May 2011 meeting

The Members received, noted a report on the above, and raised the following queries:

Clonalvy Cemetery. Paul Barrell said the consultant would, following an inspection of the site, advise the Council on what works can be carried out.

R150 not on gritting route. Cllr. Cudden also stated that the R150 was treacherous in wet weather. Paul Monahan advised there was an alternative route for motorists to use. Cllr. Holmes complimented the Area Engineer on the work done during the bad weather. Fiona lawless advised that the gritting route was agreed at Full Council level but that gritting was subject to staff and plant resources and availability of salt. The Council just didn’t have the resources to grit all the roads that the members requested and had to concentrate its resources on the most heavily trafficked routes.

7.0 To receive and agree a schedule of times and dates for the Slane Area Monthly Committee meetings for the period July 2011 to June 2012

The Area Administrator circulated a schedule showing proposed times / dates for the Slane Area Committee monthly meetings for the period July 2011 to June 2012.

On the proposal of Cllr. Holmes seconded by Cllr. Dillon-Gallagher, the Members agreed the schedule.

8.0 To consider and if thought fit to recommend for approval to the Full Council the Slane Area Amenity and Lawnmower / Strimmer Grants 2011

The Area Administrator circulated a report on the Slane Area Amenity and Lawnmower / Strimmer Grants 2011.

On the proposal of Cllr. Harding seconded by Cllr. O’Neill, the Members recommended the adoption of the Amenity and Lawnmower / Strimmer Grants 2011 to the Full Council.

9.0 Correspondence / Items raised

9.1 Bru na Boinne World Heritage Site Management Plan Steering Committee

Paul Monahan circulated a letter from the Dept. of Arts, Heritage, and Culture on this matter, which outlined a mechanism whereby the Slane Area Members could be represented on the Steering Committee. The Members discussed the matter. They asked the Area administrator to write to the Dept. of Arts requesting that the two Councillors who sit on the Consultative Committee i.e. Cllrs. Dillon-Gallagher and Harding be the nominated representatives from the Slane Electoral Area Committee to sit on the Steering Committee.

9.2 Alverno Remedial works Scheme

Paul Monahan circulated a newsletter on this matter, which was previously emailed to the Members. The Members noted this.

9.3 Twinning

Paul Monahan circulated a letter on this issue, which had been referred to the Area by the Protocol Committee.

The Members enquired what was involved in the twinning process. Fiona Lawless advised that any twinning proposal involves a good deal of groundwork. Meath Local Authorities were already twinned with various locations throughout the world and it is very difficult to justify any more twinning arrangements unless there were tangible benefits to be gained from the exercise. In any event, there was no budget this year for additional twinning proposals.

9.4 Boyne Valley Drive Road Signage Scheme

Paul Barrell advised the Members that Failte Ireland had provided funding for the supply and installation of directional road signs for this scheme in Counties Meath and Louth. He circulated a map showing the proposed locations for the signs. Meath is the lead authority in this project and the Council was going to tender on Friday 15 June. The signs should be erected within the next 2 / 3 months.

10.0 To discuss Matters in accordance with the recommendations of the Protocol Committee

10.1 Wheatfield Lands, Slane.

The Area Administrator advised that the Draft was not yet ready for circulation.

There being no further business the meeting ended at 12.15