MINUTES OF MEETING OF CASTLECOMER MUNICIPAL DISTRICT HELD IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBER, COUNTY HALL ON MONDAY 20TH JULY 2015 AT 11.30AM
Chair:
Cllr P Millea
Present:
Cllrs J Brennan, MH Cavanagh, P Fitzpatrick, M McCarthy, and M
Shortall.
In attendance:
P Beubry, Castlecomer Area Engineer
M Delahunty, Meetings Administrator
M Arthurs, A/Director of Services
N Byrne, Area Staff Officer
SMcKeown, A/Director of Services
L Butler, Community & Culture
S O’Connor, Community & Culture
Vote of Sympathy; Members expressed vote of sympathy to Anne Maria Walsh, Senior
Executive Officer, Planning on the recent death of her father.
1.
Confirmation of Minutes of :-
Castlecomer Municipal District Annual Meeting held on 5th June 2015
The minutes were proposed by Cllr P Fitzpatrick, seconded by Cllr M H Cavanagh and
passed.
2.
Business prescribed by Statute, Standing Orders or Resolutions of the Council for
transaction at such meeting.
a)
Community & Culture
Local Economic & Community Plan – Approval of draft Social and Economic
Statements (including draft Goals)
S McKeown, L Butler & S O’Connor provided a detailed presentation on progress in the
preparation of the Local Economic & Community Plan (LECP). SMcKeown advised that the
presentation to Municipal Districts is a critical element in the Public Consultation Phase and
that the LECP must be adopted by the MD members before it goes forward to the Regional
Assembly for comment. He outlined in detail the five stages to the preparation of the LECP
and the two main elements which will comprise the LECP. Details of funding streams that
the LECP is likely to influence were also discussed. SO’Connor provided an overview of
submissions & consultations relating to the economic elements of the LECP and L Butler
provided an overview of submissions and consultations relating to the local and community
elements.
Members raised a number of issues including support for local businesses, in particular
internal support on rates issues, high levels of unemployment, rural transport with
particular reference to drop off points in towns, need for connectivity between LECP and
Government proposal for rural development.
Members were advised that their comments will be included as addendum and taken into
consideration during the next stage of the LECP.
Sympathy and good wishes were expressed to the Hoynes Family who recently closed their
shop in Castlecomer after 99 years trading.
Approval of draft Socio-Economic Statements (including draft High Level Goals) and Report
of Public Consultations was proposed by Cllr M Shortall, seconded by Cllr M McCarthy and
agreed.
b)
Roads
Road Works Progress Report / Update
PBeubry circulated update in respect of 2015 Roadworks Scheme and dealt with members
queries . Discussion took place in relation to the number of applicants who have refused
offers under the CIR Scheme this year to date. PBeubry advised details of announcement
by the Department of additional funding under the Restoration Improvement Programme in
the amount €779,500. He advised that SWalton will confirm the precise allocation for
Castlecomer Municipal District when he returns from annual leave however, based on
previous ratio for distribution of funds, he expects the figure to be €270,000 approx.
PBeubry advised that he proposes to prepare an additional roads programme for 2015 in
view of extra funding received. It was agreed Philippe’s second Roads Programme would
be circulated to members for agreement via email/post and a special meeting would not
take place in August to deal with this issue.
3.
Other business set forth in the Notice convening the meeting
Items submitted by members:Cllr M Shortall
–
Playground promotion
Discussion took place in relation to the benefit of GAA signage throughout the County and
the deficit of any signage highlighting & promoting playgrounds. It was agreed by the
members that there is a need to provide attractive and eye catching signage throughout the
county to promote playgrounds and that this issue would be referred to the relevant SPC for
discussion and attention.
-
Provision of ramp at Love Lane, Castlecomer
The need for a ramp to slow down traffic and allow elderly residents take a walk safely at
Love Lane, Castlecomer was highlighted by members. PBeubry advised that he would need
to gather data in respect of speed and traffic at this location before he could decide on this
issue.
4.
Matters Arising from Minutes
No items were raised.
5.
Any Other Business
Cllr M McCarthy advised that he has a Notice of Motion on the agenda of Council meeting
in relation to estates, in particular Haven Court, Ballyragget which are not as yet taken in
charge by the Council and left without adequate public lighting.
MDelahunty circulated a number of items of correspondence to members as follows:
a Correspondence from the Department of the Environment, Community and
Local Government in respect of request received on behalf of members of
Castlecomer Municipal District in connection with public naming of offenders of
illegal dumping and fly tipping
b Correspondence from Eircom in respect of concerns of Elected members from
Kilkenny County Council regarding condition of Eircom poles in the North Kilkenny
area
c Correspondence from Irish Water outlining proposals for Clogh/ Moneenroe
Waste Water Supply Scheme
In relation to item b) and correspondence received from Eircom, it was agreed members
would send a list a problem poles identified to the Area Office & a representative from
Eircom would also be invited to attend meeting of Castlecomer Municipal District.
Members expressed utter dissatisfaction with correspondence received from Irish Water.
MArthurs advised that he will consult with Irish Water on this issue at meeting scheduled
for August between representatives from Kilkenny County Council and Irish Water.
It was agreed future meetings of Castleocmer Municipal District will commence at 11am.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Chairperson: _________________________
Date:
_________________________