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Minutes
Minutes of the Corporate and Regulatory Services Committee
18th July 2011
Minutes of the Corporate and Regulatory Services Committee held on Monday, 18 July 2011 at 7.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, 47 Derry Road, Strabane.
Present: In the Chair: Councillor M McMackin
Other Members: Councillors A Bresland, K Carlin, R Hamilton, D Hussey, D Kelly, P Kelly, T Kerrigan, K McGuire, M McHugh,R McHugh, B McMahon, E McMenamin, J O’Kane.
Total = 14
In Attendance:
Chief Executive (CE)
Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO)
Chief Building Control Officer (CBCO)
Administrative Assistant
Apologies: Councillors J Donnell, J McCauley.
Suspension of Standing Orders
On the request of Councillor O’Kane a suspension of Standing Orders was agreed.
Letter of Congratulations
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor O’Kane, seconded by Councillor McMenamin it was agreed that a letter of congratulations be forwarded to Mr Darren Clarke, following his win at the Open Golf Championship 2011.
Chief Environmental Health Officer’s Report
The CEHO presented his monthly report, a copy of which had been previously circulated for Members’ attention. The following issues were discussed:
Fuel Poverty Coalition
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor McMahon, seconded by Councillor Carlin it was agreed that the above would be invited to make a presentation to Council, to discuss their aims and objectives to eradicate Fuel Poverty in Northern Ireland.
Councillor McMenamin stated that the issues around Fuel Poverty had been debated for a long time by Council and stated that he hoped that the coalition’s plans would come to fruition.
The Chairperson stated that the presentation would be particularly useful for the new Members of Council.
Organisational Plan for the Environmental Health Department 2011/2012
In response to a query from the Chairperson, the CEHO confirmed that the above report was solely in relation to Strabane District Council’s Environmental Health Department. He advised that it had already been submitted and was produced annually, as part of Council’s Corporate Policy for the delivery of Environmental Health Services.
Councillor McGuire attended the meeting – 7.35pm.
Pollution Prevention & Control Legislation
The CEHO advised Members that he was withdrawing his recommendation to initiate debt recovery procedures regarding (PPC Permit Ref PPC/09/C/0001), as the operator had paid the required charges since writing his report.
Ballymagorry Waste Water Treatment Works (WwTW)
The CEHO advised Members that following discussion with NI Water, it emerged that the above project was not completed in 2011, as previously envisaged by the Minister of Environment and indeed it did not move beyond A0 status.
The CEHO further advised Members that upon further investigation by NI Water, it appeared that it was no longer existing as a scheme on the Capital Works Programme.
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor Bresland, seconded by Councillor Hamilton it was agreed that NI Water be invited to meet with Council to discuss the issue further.
Approval to Host Civil Marriages and Partnerships in the
Fir Trees Hotel
AGREED
Approval was sought for the renewal of the Fir Trees Hotel as a venue for the Registration of Civil Marriages and Partnerships. This was agreed.
Health and Safety Policy
AGREED
Approval was sought for the approval of the revised Health and Safety Policy for the Council. This was agreed.
In response to a query from Members, the CEHO advised that the policy was revised approximately every 6 years.
On the proposal of Councillor O’Kane, seconded by Councillor McMenamin the CEHO’s report was adopted.
Any other business
Food Hygiene Rating Scheme
Councillor Hussey requested that Members be provided with an update on how many premises achieved a ‘5’ rating. He also requested that a press release be issued to highlight same.
Councillor McMenamin commented that the rating scheme only related to the hygiene of the premises where food was prepared, not the quality of the food.
Dilapidated Buildings
AGREED
On the request of Councillor P Kelly, it was agreed that the CEHO forward a letter to the Minister, expressing Council’s concern regarding the number of dilapidated buildings within the Strabane town area.
Chief Building Control Officer’s Report
The CBCO presented his monthly report, a copy of which had been previously circulated for Members’ attention.
The CBCO reported that there were 40 applications approved, which complied with the requirements of the Building Regulations (NI) 2000.
Loft Insulation
Following a query from Councillor Hussey, the CBCO advised that householders should obtain approval from the Building Control Department when undertaking loft insulation.
On the proposal of Councillor McGuire, seconded by Councillor McMenamin the CBCO’s report was adopted.
Revised Equality Scheme
The CE referred to the above, a copy of which was previously circulated for Members’ attention. He advised that at present the document was out to consultation and if agreeable with Members, the Human Resources Manager (HRM) would meet with Council at a future date to discuss same.
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor McGuire, seconded by Councillor McMahon this was agreed.
Members requested that ‘hard copies’ of the scheme be forwarded to them prior to such a meeting.
In response to a query from Councillor McGuire, the CE confirmed that the Equality Scheme fell under the remit of the HRM, however it incorporated all departments within Council.
Conference
Recycling & Waste Management Exhibition held on 13 – 15 September 2011 at the NEC Birmingham at an estimated cost of £454.45 to Council.
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor O’Kane, seconded by Councillor Hamilton it was agreed that Councillor Kerrigan and an Officer at the CE’s discretion, could attend the above conference.
Planning Service - Council Approval for Issuing of Non-Contentious Approvals in July and December
In line with custom and practice, the CE sought a Council ‘blanket approval’ to permit the Planning Service to issue all non-contentious approvals arising out of all future July and December Planning Schedules.
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor O’Kane, seconded by Councillor McMenamin this was agreed.
Collaborative Working
The CE referred to correspondence received from Omagh District Council (ODC) requesting nominations from Members to meet with a delegation of Councillors from ODC, to explore the options for collaboration between the two Councils regarding the proposed reform of local government.
The following Councillors were nominated: Councillors Hussey, P Kelly, McGuire, M McHugh, McMahon, O’Kane, Bresland, Kerrigan.
On the proposal of Councillor McMahon, seconded by Councillor Hussey it was agreed that the meeting go ‘in committee’.
It was agreed that the meeting go ‘out of committee’.
Any Other Business
Roads Service - Temporary Road Closure at Killeter Road, Castlederg
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor Kerrigan, seconded by Councillor M McHugh it was agreed that a letter be forwarded to the Roads Service to ensure that adequate signage was in place regarding the above, as Members had concerns regarding heavy lorries being directed through the town centre, which made it difficult for them to turn their vehicles.
Response Letter from Translink re. Lack of Facilities at Bradley Way Bus Depot
The Chairperson referred to the response letter from Translink, which had been previously circulated for Members’ information. She stated that in her view, the response was inadequate as it did not address the issues raised by Members regarding the lack of public conveniences and public telephones at the facility. She further stated that Members had not raised an issue regarding the operational hours of the service, as indicated in the letter.
In response to a query from Councillor M McHugh, the Chairperson clarified that the toilets at the facility were for staff use only.
AGREED
It was agreed that a representative from Translink be invited to meet with Council to discuss the issue further.
District Policing Partnership (DPP)
Councillor Hussey raised concerns regarding the imbalance in constitutions between the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and the DPP given the proposals to amalgamate the two bodies.
In response, the CE stated that both the CSP and DPP were aware of the issues and further stated that he would be in a better position to update Members following a planned meeting with SOLACE and NILGA next week.
Chairman’s Reception
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor R McHugh, seconded by Councillor Hussey it was agreed that a Chairman’s Reception be arranged subject to policy to acknowledge the achievements of St Eugene’s Under 14’s success in winning the League Championships.
Letter of Congratulations
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor Kerrigan, seconded by Councillor Hamilton, it was agreed that a letter of congratulations be forwarded to the Bridgetown Loyal Orange Lodge 379 on their success at the Football Championships.
The meeting closed at 8.30pm.
