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Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Strabane District Council
12th May 2009
Minutes of the Meeting of Strabane District Council held in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, 47 Derry Road, Strabane on Tuesday 12 May 2009 at 7.30p.m.
Present: - In the Chair: Councillors J McNulty/E McMenamin
Other Members: Councillors M Boyle, A Bresland, D Breslin, J Donnell, J Emery, D Hussey, T Kerrigan, T McBride, R McHugh, J O’Kane
Total = 12
In Attendance: Clerk & Chief Executive, Business Manager, Administrative Officer
Apologies: Councillors G Foley, C McGill, B McMahon
Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 7 April 2009 were adopted as a true record of the meeting on the proposal of Councillor O’Kane seconded by Councillor Bresland and signed by the Chairman.
Minutes
The Minutes of the Economic Development Committee Meeting held on Monday 20 April 2009 were adopted as a true record of the meeting on the proposal of Councillor O’Kane seconded by Councillor Kerrigan.
Minutes
The Minutes of the Corporate and Regulatory Services Committee held on Tuesday 21 April 2009 were adopted as a true record of the meeting on the proposal of Councillor O’Kane seconded by Councillor Bresland.
Minutes
The Minutes of the Culture, Arts & Leisure Committee Meeting held on Monday 27 April 2009 were adopted as a true record of the meeting on the proposal of Councillor O’Kane seconded by Councillor McBride.
Matters Arising from Minutes
Page 5 – Dergview Football Club
Councillor Hussey said that he would be declaring an interest and withdrawing from the meeting if there was a discussion under matters arising.
The Chief Executive (CE) said that future discussion would be raised through a forthcoming report from the Head of Culture, Arts & Leisure.
Minutes
The Minutes of the Environment Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 28 April 2009 were adopted as a true record of the meeting on the proposal of Councillor Kerrigan seconded by Councillor Bresland.
William Keown Trust – Parking Difficulties
A letter from the above regarding unsatisfactory parking provision to access the Strabane Library had been distributed for Members’ attention.
AGREED
It was agreed that the issue be raised through Strabane 2000.
Castlederg Ulster Project
A letter from the above regarding inadequate signage to the Newtownstewart Golf Club had been distributed for Members’ attention.
The CE declared an interest as a member of the Golf Club.
Members’ views included the following:
• Council was not responsible for erecting brown signs
• Onus would be on the club to erect signs
• Councillor Boyle had been in liaison with Roads Service on a similar issue in the district and understood that new legislation would be introduced regarding brown signs
• Request had not come from the club
• Appropriate signage should be supported for the benefit of tourism
• There were sufficient signs to the Golf Club
• Sperrins Tourism could perhaps be approached for funding
AGREED
It was agreed that the CE would liaise with the Club Captain on the issue and an appropriate response would be sent.
Cornerstone City Fellowship
A letter from the above regarding a charity football match to be held at Melvin Sports Complex had been distributed for Members’ attention. The event was in aid of Earthworks, the mission side of Cornerstone Church which supported building projects and orphan care in Africa and others places of need. In addition to an invitation for Members to participate, there was a request to waive the facility fee.
The CE noted that the request fell outside Council procedures and caution was needed regarding setting a precedent for similar requests.
Members’ views included:
• Support could not be given if the request was outside of Council policy
• Other venues in the district could be suggested
In response to queries, the Business Manager (BM) said that legislation would indicate that funding should have a direct relationship and associated outcomes within the district and, although the event was for a very worthwhile charity, it supported building projects and orphan care in Africa.
AGREED
It was agreed that the request to waive the facility fee could not be met by Council but that guidance would be given, where possible, regarding alternative arrangements.
Association of Northern Ireland Education & Library Boards (ANIELB)
A report and previously considered correspondence from the Association requesting support for a celebratory event on 6 November 2009 at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast had been distributed for Members’ attention. The aim of the concert was to mark the transfer from the Education and Library Boards to the Education and Skills Authority.
The Business Manager (BM) reported that she had spoken to the President of the ANIELB, Councillor Brannigan from Armagh District Council regarding the request who had outlined that a financial contribution of £1000 had been sought from all Councils. In addition, the personal support via attendance at the event was also sought. She noted that the Education Boards were providing financial support but there was a shortfall in the funding. She said that he had informed her that children from across the Province were participating in the event.
Councillor Hussey declared an interest as a member of the WELB. In response to the Chairman, he said that he could seek clarification from the Board on the request.
Members’ views included:
• Difficulties of Council contributing to another public body
• A significant combined total of £26,000 was being sought from Councils
• Current economic climate and time of upheaval and restructuring in the public sector
• No specific clarification on participation levels from the district
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor Breslin, seconded by Councillor O’Kane, it was agreed with 11 votes for; 0 votes against and 1 abstention, to mark the request ‘as read’ and respond accordingly.
Burial Rights Grants
On the proposal of Councillor Emery, seconded by Councillor McMenamin, forms of grant in respect of the following were signed and sealed on behalf of Council: -
ARDSTRAW CEMETERY
Mona Quigley
9 Thiepval Court
Limavady - 1 plot
Margaret Campbell
28 Albert Place
Sion Mills - 1 plot (Transfer of Ownership)
AUGHALANE CEMETERY
Robert Mervyn Porter
84 Glenelly Road
Plumbridge - 2 plots
CASTLEDERG CEMETERY
Ronald Coulter
24 Golan Road
Castlederg - 2 plots
Charlene Coulter Beggs
5 Castlegore Road
Castlederg - 2 plots
Thomas David McKane
35 Ednagee Road
Castlederg - 2 plots
MOUNTCASTLE CEMETERY
Jonathan Magee
2 Millbrook Park
Artigarvan - 2 plots
STRABANE CEMETERY
Peter Conway
25 Cavanalee Road
Edymore
Strabane - 2 plots
Peggy McManus
33 Church View
Strabane - 1 plot
Charlie McBride
30 Newtown Street
Strabane - 1 plot
URNEY CEMETERY
Betty Bradley
3 Finn View
Strabane - 1 plot
Any Other Business
Vacant Schools
Councillor Breslin raised health and safety issues regarding the vacant properties at the sites of the former Covent Grammar and Lady of Mercy Schools. He noted that Council officials had recently removed a significant amount of rubbish from the locations. He added however, that the premises remained in a very dangerous state and he felt that there was a need for the owners or trustees to take responsibility for the state of the schools and arising safety and security issues. He felt that the employment of a security watchman should be considered by the owners. He noted that there had been a recent fire at the location and that a fireman had been injured. In addition, he understood that a number of fire hydrants in the area were found to be inactive, which could have resulted in more serious consequences.
Councillor Hussey supported the remarks and noted that the issues had been raised at the last Community Safety Partnership meeting. He said that it was hoped that a multi agency approach, including the Fire Service and the PSNI, could address the issues. He said that the owners had a legal responsibility to secure the property.
Councillor McBride asked that the vacant building at the former St. Joseph’s High School, Plumbridge be included in any decision.
AGREED
Following a discussion and on the proposal of Councillor Breslin, seconded by Councillor O’Kane it was agreed to send:
• get well wishes to the fireman injured in the recent fire
• a letter to the trustees or owners of the former schools to determine demolition dates or proposed uses
• a letter to the Water Service regarding the cleaning or servicing of water hydrants
On the proposal of Councillor McMenamin seconded by Councillor McBride the meeting went “into Committee”.
On the proposal of Councillor McMenamin, seconded by Councillor Breslin, it was agreed that the meeting go ‘out of committee’.
North West Regional Cross Border Group
The CE noted that attempts were being made to arrange a meeting of the group for Tuesday 19 May at 2.30pm to discuss options to move forward.
Laptops
The CE asked that Members leave their laptops in the Chamber in order for the IT Department to install necessary updates.
Councillor Donnell noted that the laptops would be needed for a Special Meeting of Council on Thursday 14 May. It was therefore agreed that a selected number of Members leave their laptops which would be ready for the meeting on Thursday.
Declarations of Interests
Councillor Hussey noted that a report on the above had been distributed for Members’ information. He felt that it would be beneficial for this to be a future Council agenda item.
Chairman’s Remarks
The Chairman noted that this would be his final Full Council meeting as Chairman and he wished to thank all Members and staff for their participation and assistance during the year.
The meeting concluded at 8.10p.m.
DATED this 12th day of MAY 2009
SIGNED ____________________________
Clerk & Chief Executive
DATED this 9th day of JUNE 2009
SIGNED ____________________________
Chairman of the Council
