MAGHERAFELT DISTRICT COUNCIL MINUTES OF Proceedings of a Meeting of Magherafelt District Council held in the Bridewell, 6 Church Street, Magherafelt on Tuesday, 11 May 2004. The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm. Presiding: Miss K A Lagan Other Members Present: R A Montgomery T J Catherwood P E Groogan O T Hughes J Junkin J F Kerr J A McBride Rev Dr R T Wm McCrea P H McErlean P McLean (joined the meeting at 7.35 pm) J J McPeake H E Mullan S O’Brien J P O’Neill G C Shiels Officers Present: J A McLaughlin (Chief Executive) J J Tohill (Director of Finance and Administration) C W Burrows (Director of Environmental Health) W J Glendinning (Director of Building Control) T J Johnston (Director of Operations) Mrs A Junkin (Chief Executive’s Secretary) C McCarney (Manager, Magherafelt Area Partnership) – Item 3 Representatives from Other : Representatives from a Leadership Bodies in Attendance: Programme funded by Magherafelt Area Partnership 1. MINUTES It was PROPOSED by Councillor J F Kerr Seconded by Councillor Rev Dr R T Wm McCrea, and RESOLVED: that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Thursday, 8 April 2004 (copy circulated to each Member) be taken as read and signed as correct. 2 2. MATTERS ARISING The Chief Executive advised that there were no OUT OF THE MINUTES items as such arising out of the Minutes. 56/5/2003 2.1 Submitted letters of thanks for donations made by the Council to the Northern Ireland Ploughing Association and Dogs Trust. Noted. 2.2 Submitted a letter from the Traffic Management, Roads Service, Western Division dated 27 April acknowledging receipt of the Council’s letter in connection with Road Traffic and Vehicles off Street Parking in Magherafelt. The letter intimated that the matter had been referred to Roads Service Headquarters for consideration and that Council would be advised of the outcome in due course. 2.3 Submitted a letter from the Divisional Planning Manager, dated 15 April 2004 acknowledging receipt of the Council’s letter in connection with Planning Application H/2003/1544/O – William Clark & Sons Ltd, C/o Ward Design. In her letter, Mrs O’Toole stated that with regard to the Environmental Impact Study, the Department had made its assessment for the need for an EIA based on the information available in respect of the proposal and the fact that it was proposed to retain the existing industrial operation which required the associated dams. The Department consequently judged that no significant adverse impact had been identified which would require an EIS. Should any new information come to light which would imply a significant environmental impact the situation would be reviewed. Noted. 2.4 Submitted a letter of reply from the Assistant Private Secretary to the Taoiseach dated 30 April in connection with voting rights in Presidential elections. The letter explained that after the conclusion of the Good Friday Agreement, the Taoiseach requested the All Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution to consider the question of participation of people from Northern Ireland in national political life. 3 2.4.1 In its Seventh Report, the Committee considered this question including the issue of whether citizens resident in Northern Ireland should be entitled to vote in Presidential elections. In undertaking this aspect of its work the Committee had the benefit of submissions received from a number of organisations and individuals including the SDLP and Sinn Féin. 2.4.2 The Committee’s view was that while a case could be made for the extension of voting rights in Presidential elections to citizens living in Northern Ireland, it believed that any decision should be deferred until the Good Friday Agreement had become more solidly entrenched, and until the experience of Northern participation in the Seanad could be assessed. 2.4.3 The contents of the letter were noted. 2.5 Submitted copy of letter from the Northern Ireland Office advising that the Secretary of State was holding a Garden Party in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle in June 2004. The theme of the Garden Party was “Business Excellence and Innovation”. The Council was invited to nominate individuals to attend and a total of 14 places (7 x 2) had been allocated to the Council. The Chief Executive stated that both he and the current Chairman, Councillor Miss K A Lagan would be automatically invited to attend along with their partner/guest and should therefore, not be included in the Council’s list. The Chief Executive had proportioned the nominations as follows:- Sinn Féin 3 x 2 places DUP 2 x 2 places UUP 1 x 2 places SDLP 1 x 2 places The Chief Executive stated that as there was some urgency in having invitations sent out, he asked that Members give the names and details to his Secretary by Friday, 14 May 2004. Noted. 4 3. PROPOSED YOUTH Mr Chris McCarney, Magherafelt Area Partnership AWARD SCHEME introduced representatives of young people on a Leadership Programme funded by the Area Partnership who made a presentation on a proposed Youth Award Scheme. 3.1 He explained that this was a youth programme which was also supported by the North Eastern Education and Library Board for young people within the District with funding of £100,000 over three years. The scheme aimed to train young people for leadership and included a citizenship programme. ICT Career Tudors attended the club after school. This group of young people had been undertaken the programme since October 2003. 3.2 Each member of the group introduced themselves and with the aid of overheads explained a little more of the proposed scheme called “The U Awards”. Why do we need an Award Scheme: The scheme was needed to recognise remarkable young people, to reinforce good behaviour, encourage the acquisition of knowledge and skills in young people, encourage the personal and social development of young people and to make young people feel appreciated. Participatory Award: This was for young people who were 12-15 years of age. It recognised general qualities in young people such as helpfulness, good behaviour and small achievements. This award could be operated through the voluntary and controlled youth clubs/ unit or centres. The Key Awards: For young people of 15-25 years of age. The Giving Tree Award – given to those who had given up their time to service in the community, voluntary work, youth work or charity work. Young people would be required to complete a booklet recording the number of hours worked – 40 hours over a 12 months period would qualify a person for this award. The International Award – for young people who met three of the following criteria with proof of doing so – 5 ° Being an international host ° Recognised in the international community for culture, for sport, for the arts ° Fundraising for other countries ° For international charitable work abroad ° For participating in a cultural exchange. The Personal Development Award – for young people who have taken on extra-cultural training to help them develop better skills, have achieved in the arts or in sports. A personal portfolio has to be presented on the development of these areas. Young people could be recommended by teachers in schools, youth organisations, youth workers and the general public, but not a relation for an award. 3.3 Mr McCarney explained that the scheme would work along the following lines. There would be a yearly presentation, good publication and PR work should be carried out. The award should be seen as a one-off award adopted by the Council with a holistic commitment in mind. There would be 48 young people on the scheme each year. 3.4 In conclusion Mr McCarney stated that the presentation was by way of introduction to the scheme to the Council and that more details would be brought to Council at the June meeting. 3.5 The Chairman, Councillor Miss K A Lagan, thanked all those involved for their commitment to the scheme and the young people for their dedication to the scheme. She said that she hoped to be hosting a reception in the future to help launch the scheme. 4. PLANNING SERVICE Application H/2003/0510/O – Mr Ivan Eakin: MANAGEMENT BOARD It was 184/5/2004 PROPOSED by Councillor Rev Dr R T Wm McCrea, Seconded by Councillor T J Catherwood, and RESOLVED: that the following submission be forwarded to the Planning Service Management Board: 6 1. This site is located on a quiet country road running East to West approximately two miles from the town of Magherafelt. The applicant feels somewhat aggrieved by the refusal of a single storey dwelling on this site. In the recent past (i.e. within the last five years) a neighbouring dwelling was approved to replace an old dwelling used to shelter cattle for many years. The bungalow that has replaced the neighbouring derelict property has much improved the area and the applicant had no reason to object to such development as he and the local neighbours thought the area was improved because of the new bungalow. 2 There is a difference with this location compared to others as a unique build up of small single storey buildings have always existed at this location. There were always close neighbouring Ulster style homesteads here, which were locally known as ‘The Cluster’. This is a tradition in the area, and was at one time a step less than a hamlet, or a small hamlet. If one of the more senior members of the community was asked this could be verified. This ‘Cluster’ had five small Ulster homesteads, a local shop and a Blacksmith’s shop.