Minutes of Joint Policing Committee Meeting Held in the Council Chamber

LONGFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

COMHAIRLE CHONTAE AN LONGFOIRT

Minutes of Joint Policing Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Aras an Chontae, Great Water Street, Longford on Friday, 6th March 2015 at 11.00 a.m.

PRESIDING: Councillor Gerry Warnock.

PRESENT: Councillors - Paraic Brady, John Browne, Seamus Butler, Mick Cahill, Gerard Farrell, Martin Mulleady, Peggy Nolan, Pat O’Toole, P.J. Reilly, Paul Ross. Deputies - James Bannon, Gabrielle McFadden and Robert Troy.

Ms. Madeline Bennett. Ms. Rosalind Greene. Ms. Yvonne Ni Mhurchu.

Mr. Frank Sheridan, Director of Services. Mr. Ciaran Murphy, Senior Executive Officer.

Superintendent Thomas Murphy. Acting Superintendent Padraig Jones Sergeant Pat Conway, Garda National JPC Monitoring Office.

Mr. Bernard Kearney, Muintir na Tire.

APOLOGIES:- Councillors - Mark Casey, Padraig Loughrey.

MEETINGS ADMINISTRATOR: Ms. Anne Lee.

1 SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS.

On the proposal of Councillor P.J. Reilly seconded by Councillor M. Mulleady, it was agreed that Standing Orders be suspended.

Post of Garda Superintendent in Granard.

The members of the Joint Policing Committee wished Superintendent Murphy every success in his new post in Dublin.

Councillor G. Warnock proposed and Councillor P.J. Reilly seconded that a letter be forwarded to the Garda Commissioner and to the Minister for Justice requesting that the vacant post in Granard be filled expeditiously.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES.

On the proposal of Councillor P. Nolan seconded by Councillor P. O’Toole, the Minutes of Joint Policing Committee Meeting held on the 21st November 2014, as circulated, were confirmed and adopted.

MATTERS ARISING.

GARDA PRESENTATION.

Superintendent Tom Murphy and Inspector Padraic Jones addressed the meeting on the following and replied to queries raised –  Garda Management Team.  Incidents recorded by Gardai in County Longford – 2014.  Crime Figures.  Crime Prevention Strategies.  Community Engagement.  Anti Social Behaviour Prevention Youth Strategy.  Anti Social Behaviour Prevention Adult Strategy.  Current Legislation.

It was agreed that the issue of Anti Social Behaviour be listed on the Agenda for each Joint Policing Committee meeting.

It was also agreed that the public should be made aware of all the Garda initiatives/strategies which are in place and that the initiatives/strategies be incorporated into the Six Year Strategy.

The members emphasised the need for Garda visibility in all areas on the county.

2 LOCAL AUTHORITY PRESENTATION.

Mr. F. Sheridan, Director of Services, addressed the meeting on the following and replied to queries raised –

 Violence and aggression in the workplace.  Vacant commercial premises – local authority initiatives.  Local Authority housing voids.  Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP).  Child Protection.  Longford County Council website.

SIX YEAR STRATEGY AND ANNUAL OPERATIONAL PLANS.

Sub-Committee.

It was agreed that a sub-committee of the Joint Policing Committee be established to prepare a Draft Six Six Year Strategy.

Councillor P. Brady proposed and Councillor P. Ross seconded that Councillor Peggy Nolan be appointed a member of the Sub-Committee.

Councillor M. Mulleady proposed and Councillor P. O’Toole seconded that Councillor Seamus Butler be appointed a member of the Sub-Committee.

Councillor P. Nolan proposed and Councillor S. Butler seconded that Ms. Yvonne Ni Mhurchu be appointed a member of the Sub-Committee.

It was also agreed that Councillor Gerry Warnock, Chairperson of the Joint Policing Committee and a representative from An Gardai be also members of the Sub- Committee.

CCTV CAMERAS.

Inspector Jones stated that the CCTV system has proven to be an invaluable tool for Gardai in the fight against crime. The cameras are monitored on an ongoing basis in the Garda station.

In response to queries regarding the provision of CCTV cameras in other towns in the County, the Garda representatives emphasised that the provision of CCTV cameras need to be in line with Garda regulations.

It was agreed that the upgrading of CCTV Cameras be included in the Six Year Strategy of the Joint Policing Committee.

3 COMMUNITY TEXT ALERT SCHEME.

Mr. Bernard Kearney, Community Alert Development Officer, Muintir na Tire, outlined the details of the Community Text Alert Scheme.

The Committee complimented Mr. Kearney and Muntir na Tire for the development of the Community Text Alert Scheme.

The members emphasised the need for the harmonisation of the various text alert schemes in the County.

PARKING AT ST. JOSEPH’S NATIONAL SCHOOL IN LONGFORD.

Inspector Jones to liaise with Longford Municipal District regarding the traffic congestion at St. Josephs’s National School, Dublin Road, Longford.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

Community Representative.

It was agreed that the following Groups be requested to nominate a representative to the Joint Policing Committee, to fill the outstanding positions on the Committee -

 Granard Tidy Towns Committee.  Ballymahon Traders Association.

Date of Next Meeting.

It was agreed that the next Joint Policing Committee meeting be held on Friday, 12th June 2015.

This concluded the business of the meeting.

Signed: ______Anne Lee, Meetings Administrator.

Confirmed and adopted at Joint Policing Committee Meeting held on the 12th June 2015.

Signed: ______Chairperson.