MAGHERAFELT DISTRICT COUNCIL Minutes of Proceedings of A
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MAGHERAFELT DISTRICT COUNCIL Minutes of Proceedings of a Meeting of Magherafelt District Council held in the Council Chamber, 50 Ballyronan Road, Magherafelt on Tuesday, 12 February 2008. The meeting commenced at 7.00 pm. Presiding P McLean Other Members Present P J Bateson J Campbell T J Catherwood J Crawford Mrs E A Forde P E Groogan O T Hughes Rev Dr R T Wm McCrea, MLA Mrs K A McEldowney J J McPeake I P Milne G C Shiels Apologies: Mrs A C Gribbon J F Kerr Miss K A Lagan Officers Present J A McLaughlin (Chief Executive) J J Tohill (Director of Finance and Administration) W J Glendinning (Director of Building Control) T J Johnston (Director of Operations) Mr M Young (Director of Environmental Health) Mrs A Junkin (Chief Executive’s Secretary) Representatives from Other Bodies in Attendance Northern Ireland Water: Marie White – Head of Customer Services Paul Davidson Robert O’Kane DoE Planning Service: Ms Sandra Adams, Planning Officer 1 MINUTES 1.1 Councillor P J Bateson stated that his comments in connection with a public art work in Magherafelt town had been omitted from the Minutes. He went on to say that he had been informed at the meeting that at a previous meeting the Council had rejected the proposal which in fact was not the case. Councillor Bateson read the minute of the 14 November 2006 meeting which stated that the situation would be kept under review, and he wished this to be recorded in the Minutes. 2 1.1.1 It was PROPOSED by Councillor P J Bateson Seconded by Councillor T J Catherwood, and RESOLVED: that the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 15 January 2008 (copy previously circulated to each Member), subject to the above amendment, be taken as read and signed as correct. 1.2 It was PROPOSED by Councillor J Crawford Seconded by Councillor P E Groogan, and RESOLVED: that the Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Council held on Tuesday, 5 February 2008 (copy previously circulated to each Member) be taken as read and signed as correct. 2 MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES 2.1 The Chief Executive advised the Members that there were no matters arising with the exception of letters of thanks for contributions from the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health, Market Street Beacon Centre, Magherafelt and the Multiple Sclerosis Trust. Noted. 2.2 It was reported that Councillor Mrs A C Gribbon was in hospital. Members agreed that a basket of fruit or flowers be sent wishing her a speedy recovery. 3 NORTHERN IRELAND WATER – 280/02/2008 PRESENTATION OF CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME The Chairman welcomed representatives from Northern Ireland Water to the meeting. 3.1 Ms Maria White thanked the Council for its invitation to present the District Council’s Capital Works Programme – April 2007 to March 2008 (copy previously circulated to each Member). 3.1.1 Ms White explained to the Members through a PowerPoint presentation, the background and work of Northern Ireland Water. She said that Northern Ireland Water had been formed by legislation through the Water and Sewerage Order (2006). It was 100% Government owned (the Department of Regional Development being the sole shareholder), and came into operation from 1 April 2007. Ms White outlined the objectives of the Strategic Business Plan which were to: • Deliver an improved water and sewerage service • Safeguard public health and the environment • Reduce leakage levels • Be a customer focused organisation • Improve customer service • Achieve cost efficiencies 3 • Develop a sustainable business. 3.1.2 Ms White further explained the 2009/10 investments of £667m on the Capital Works programme - £174m in water treatment, storage and improvements, £492m on improvements to water treatment and sewers and £30m on poorly performing small water treatment performance post 2009 subject to funding at the 2009 review. £232m would be spent on Public Private Partnerships - £110m in water treatment, storage and improvements and £122m in improvements to water treatment and collection schemes. 3.1.3 Ms White said that Northern Ireland Water aimed to complete their 18 year catch-up in less than half the time, have a £44m target operational expenditure efficiencies by 2009/10 and over £77m target on capital efficiencies by 2009/10. They also hoped to achieve £4.4m savings per year by 2010 by improving the way goods and services were bought and there would be a reduction of its workforce of 26% from 1,900 posts in 2007 to 1,400 posts by 2010. She went on to say that the Strategic Business Plan had been based on the outgoing Government policy regarding charging. The Northern Ireland Executive had deferred a decision on charging for domestic water and sewerage and this cost £75m which the Government subsidised in 2007-2008. Strands 1 and 2 of the comprehensive review to address the long-term approach had been completed. 3.2 Capital Works Programme Overview: Mr Paul Davidson in his presentation said that Northern Ireland Water was investing £6,481,000 in projects already under construction or programmed to commence in the 2007/2008 financial year. £2,729,000 would be spent on construction, £2,563,000 would be spent on sub- complete projects, £940,000 would be spent on design complete projects and £249,000 would be spent on maintenance. NIW had allocated £19,715,000 for projects scheduled to commence in 2008-2010. £10,132,000 would be spent on feasibility and £9,585,000 on design. Mr Davidson mentioned key schemes in the District – Construction • Draperstown Wastewater Treatment Works Est. Cost Upgrading of wastewater treatment works to ensure compliance £2,729,000 with consent standards and cater for future development Sub Complete • Bellaghy Wastewater Treatment Works Est. Cost Upgrading of wastewater treatment works to ensure compliance £2,563,000 with consent standards and cater for future development • Design Complete Est. Cost Straw Village Sewer Upgrades Upgrade of sewage pumping station and the construction of new foul and storm sewers £476,000 Maghera Area Sewers Foul and storm sewer extensions to provide first time service and cater for new development at Brough Road £286,000 Maghera Area Sewers 845m of gravity sewer, pumping station and pumping main at Crew Road £178,000 4 • Maintenance Est. Cost Fallagloon Road Replacement Water Main Replacement of existing 3 inch water main with 1030m of 125mm diameter HPPE pipe £121,000 Brookmount Road Replacement Water Main Replacement of existing water main with 1018m of 125mm diameter HPPE pipe £79,000 Pound Road Water Main Extension Provision of water main to cater for new development £26,000 Mr Davidson said that Capital Investment of £11.8 million would be spent to upgrade Moyola Water Treatment Works through the Alpha Project in order to supply up to 19 million litres per day of drinking water to Northern Ireland Water. It was planned that this scheme would come into service in June 2008. 3.3 In conclusion, Ms White said that one of the criticisms of the Water Service was lack of communication. Northern Ireland Water welcomed any input. In an effort to communicate better with the public and elected representatives the Annual Water Report, the Strategic Business Plan, the Water Quality Report and the Water Quality Report for Council areas would be made available for circulation. There was also a special contact telephone line for Councillors and MLA’s – 0845 300 6461 which was available twenty four hours per day, seven days per week. 3.4 The Chairman invited Members to ask any questions they might have on Northern Ireland Water or the Capital Works Programme. 3.5.1 Members’ Questions: Councillor J Crawford enquired about a leakage of raw sewerage which had entered Lough Neagh and reported on the local news earlier in the day. He asked who would be prosecuted. In reply, Mr O’Kane said that he personally was not aware of the details of this leakage. Ms White said that the matter would be followed-up and investigated. Councillor P E Groogan said that six months ago there had been a build-up of pressure at Sixtowns Road and it blew-off a manhole. He asked about the scheme for Straw village and if it linked in with three developments and take account for all of the area. Mr Davison said that the scheme would include upgrading and enlarging the pipes in the village to the pumping station and the construction of new foul and storm sewers. Councillor Mrs E A Forde enquired what had been done with regards to raw sewerage on Mill Park, Tobermore. Mr Davison said that NIW would have to come back on this matter. Ms White said that some local negotiations had taken place. There was an issue with access to a manhole in order to carry out de-silting. It was now planned to carry out monthly de- silting and the matter would be considered as a long-term issue as well. 5 Councillor O T Hughes asked how much asbestos piping was still used in Magherafelt District’s network. Mr O’Kane replied stated that there was still several miles of asbestos piping in the District but this was being replaced Councillor Hughes enquired about Mullaghboy Road, Bogashen and Scribe Road areas. He said that recently water had been off for a half-day at Mullaghboy Road, Bellaghy. Mr O’Kane explained that replacement pipes had been requested. He would follow the matter up and come back to the Councillor. Councillor Hughes requested that a letter of reply be sent and Mr O’Kane agreed.