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ANTRIM BOROUGH COUNCIL
Minutes of the proceedings of a Meeting of the Environment and Borough Services
Committee of Antrim Borough Council held in The Round Tower Chamber, Antrim Civic
Centre, 50 Stiles Way, Antrim on Thursday 16 August 2007 at 10.00 am.
In The Chair : Alderman M Rea
Other Members Present : Aldermen -
S Dunlop
R J Loughran
Councillors -
A K Brady
O C J Keenan
D Kinahan
A Logue
M Lucas
J Smyth
Non-Committee Members Present : Councillor T Clarke
In Attendance : Director of Environmental Services
Assistant Director - Environmental Health
Committee Secretary
Apologies : Councillors -
A D Cochrane-Watson
B Graham
A Lawther
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On behalf of the Environment and Borough Services Committee CONDOLENCES:
the Chairman expressed his sympathy to Ian Suiter and his family KEITH SUITER
circle on the recent tragic death of his brother Keith in a
motorcycle accident. The Meeting stood in respectful silence for
one minute.
RECOMMENDED: on the proposal of Councillor Keenan, MINUTES OF
seconded by Councillor Kinahan that the Minutes of the Bonfire BONFIRE
Sub Committee Meeting held on 6 June 2007, copies as SUB COMMITTEE
circulated, be taken as read and approved as a correct record. MEETING HELD
6 JUNE 2007
RECOMMENDED: on the proposal of Councillor Keenan, MINUTES OF
seconded by Councillor Kinahan that the Minutes of the Bonfire BONFIRE
Sub Committee Meeting held on 27 June 2007, copies as SUB COMMITTEE
circulated, be taken as read and approved as a correct record. MEETING HELD
27 JUNE 2007
Councillor Clarke entered the Meeting at 10.10 am.
PRESENTATION
Mr Ian Suiter, Assistant Director - Environmental Services gave a UPDATE ON
short presentation outlining details of bonfire celebrations and BONFIRES
community events held throughout the borough on 11 July 2007.
The Assistant Director advised that no physical damage had
been caused by any of the bonfires throughout the borough
although the presence of excessive tyres at some bonfire sites
resulted in reduced funding for the related community groups.
The Assistant Director confirmed that Antrim Borough Council
had not given funding to the organisers of Ballycraigy bonfire
celebrations or community event, either last year or in this current
year via the Bonfire Sub-Committee.
Councillor Brady entered the Meeting at 10.20 am.
Members commended Council staff and the Bonfire Sub- UPDATE ON
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Committee for their hard work throughout the year to reduce the BONFIRES
environmental damage and control the safety of bonfires. (continued)
RECOMMENDED: that a Bonfire Sub-Committee Meeting be
convened as soon as possible to discuss funding issues.
Those community groups which do not clearly meet the criteria
will be discussed at the next Bonfire Sub Committee Meeting with
a recommendation from Officers.
Only community groups which met the full criteria to be given
funding payments prior to Committee approval.
Councillor Logue entered the Meeting at 10.45 am.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
REPORT: No 5 had been circulated. FLOODING GRANT
APPLICATIONS
RECOMMENDED: that application be made to the Department of
the Environment for reimbursement of Flood Grants awarded to
four property owners within the Borough (£1,000 per property)
following inspection by Environmental Health Officers.
REPORT: No 6 had been circulated. EMERGENCY
PLANNING -
RECOMMENDED: that in order to advance Council’s state of FLOOD
preparedness for future flooding incidents: PREPARATION
1. an additional stock of sandbags, sufficient to protect all
vulnerable council premises be acquired;
2. Council vehicles are made available for distribution of
sandbags, supplied by the roads and water service, to the
general public. This should be communicated to relevant
agencies as soon as possible.
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REPORT: No 7 had been circulated. EMERGENCY
PLANNING
The Assistant Director advised that the District Emergency Plan TRAINING
has been drawn up and would be circulated to Members once
approval from the Northern Group Systems Emergency Officer
had been confirmed.
RECOMMENDED: that
1. One elected member from each political party attends the
“Emergency Management for Elected Members” training
course to be held on the 11-12 February 2008 at a cost of
£330 per person.
Political representatives to attend as follows:
Alderman Loughran - SDLP
Alderman Rea - UUP
Councillor Brady - SF
Councillor Smyth - DUP
Alliance - to be confirmed.
2. The Chief Executive and Director of Environmental
Services attend the “Chief Executives - Your Role in Civil
Protection” Training to be held in January 2008 at a cost of
£330 per person.
3. The Assistant Director - Environmental Health attends
appropriate Emergency Planning training when sourced.
All courses to be provided by the Emergency Planning College
under directorship of the Cabinet Office and all costs are
recoverable via the Emergency Planning grant.
REPORT: No 8 had been circulated. LOCAL
COMMISSIONING
RECOMMENDED: that an invitation be extended to Mr Robert GROUP FOR
Ferguson OBE, Chair of the Inner East Local Commissioning INNER EAST
Group to brief the Committee on the operation of the Local
Commissioning Group and commence building a working
relationship that benefits Antrim Borough.
Members expressed concern that there was no elected Member
representation on the Inner East Local Commissioning Group.
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REPORT: No 9 had been circulated. BIG LOTTERY
APPLICATION FOR
RECOMMENDED: that a letter of thanks be forwarded from the OLDER AND
Mayor to those individuals and organisations that worked on this VULNERABLE
application to acknowledge their input and valuable contribution. PERSONS
REPORT: No 10 had been circulated. INTERREG IV
FUNDING
RECOMMENDED: that permission be given to put forward PROPOSALS
proposal documents for Interreg IV funding within the following
cross-border projects:
1. Absenteeism in the Workplace
2. Emergency Planning – Best Practice
3. Sustainable Homes Pilot Initiative (One World)
4. Water Management for Local Authorities & SMEs (Water
Saver)
Antrim Borough Council would be bidding to be the lead partner
in 3 of the 4 projects - the Emergency Planning project would be
led through Northern Group Systems supported by Antrim
Borough Council.
There was a tea break at 11.00 am.
The Meeting resumed at 11.15 am with all Members previously
present resuming their seats.
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OPERATIONAL SERVICES
REPORT: No 11 had been circulated. ANTRIM
BOROUGH
RECOMMENDED: that Antrim Biodiversity Action Grant Funding BIODIVERSITY
be awarded to the following organisations: ACTION GRANT
PROGRAMME
1. Creavery Primary School – Interpretation panel for the
development of a wildlife area in the school grounds.
Funding of £500.
2. Randalstown Central & Mount St Michael’s Primary
Schools – Development of the Shane’s Castle Woodland
School. Funding of £500.
3. Crumlin Primary School – Wildlife habitat creation in the
school grounds. Funding of £500.
Financial provision in the sum of £5,000 has been made for the
Grant Programme within the 2007/08 revenue budget.
REPORT: No 12 had been circulated. LOCAL
BIODIVERSITY
RECOMMENDED: that the Biodiversity Officer attends the Local ACTION PLAN
Biodiversity Action Plan Conference in Exeter on 18-20 CONFERENCE
September 2007 at an approximate cost of £175 to cover travel
and accommodation.
REPORT: No 13 had been circulated. NEWPARK
HOUSEHOLD
RECOMMENDED: that a further Household Recycling Attendant RECYCLING
be recruited following advice from the Health, Safety and Well- CENTRE
being Advisor’s risk assessment that two attendants are
permanently on site at Newpark Household Recycling Centre at
all times at a cost of £19,500.
The Director advised there was no current budget allocated to
this post and it is currently covered by overtime working until the
appointment is made. Financial provision will be made for this
post for the financial year April 2008.
Contractors’ waste (including grass cuttings) to be placed on the
Agenda for next month’s Committee Meeting.
REPORT: No 14 had been circulated. WHITEHILL
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LANDFILL SITE
RECOMMENDED: that
i) a comprehensive report on Whitehill Landfill Site to include
any historic agreements, original planning conditions, cost
and grants available for tree planting, previous approvals for
capping and estimated current value of site.
The Director stated that Council staff was not experienced
in land survey, valuation or completion of
economic/sustainable option appraisals and therefore any
information provided in this respect could only be
considered with this in mind.
ii) all legal matters in respect to Whitehill are resolved
according to legal advice.
iii) legal advice to be obtained regarding temporary continued
use by farmer for agricultural purposes.
iv) a report be produced on all land owned by Council and any
tenancy agreements currently in place (to be reported
through Resources Committee).
PROPERTY SERVICES
REPORT: No 15 had been circulated. GRASS AREA TO
REAR OF
RECOMMENDED: that availability of grants and liability issues DRUMMAUL PARK,
be investigated in respect of request from Councillor Trevor RANDALSTOWN
Clarke MLA for maintenance of grass play area and pitch at
Drummaul Park, Randalstown which is currently in private
ownership.
Director to liaise with Development and Leisure Department to
determine past agreement with Arches Association and to
determine Development and Leisure need.
Director to implement maintenance of grass play area if all
Council’s legal obligations are in place and Development and
Leisure are satisfied.
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REPORT: No 16 had been circulated. BUS SHELTERS
RECOMMENDED: that
i) Requests for bus shelters should be submitted to Property
Services in writing;
ii) Property Services to provide a schedule of requested
shelters and related recommendations to Committee every
four months.
REPORT: No 17 had been circulated. NATURAL GAS:
ANTRIM CIVIC
RECOMMENDED: that CENTRE
i) conversion works be undertaken at the Civic Centre to
utilise natural gas at a cost to Council of £3,438; providing
Firmus Energy Grant of £8,367 is secured.
ii) a two year agreement with Firmus Energy be undertaken for
the provision of Natural Gas.
REPORT: No 18 had been circulated. BALL STOP FENCE
AT
RECOMMENDED: that increased surveillance be undertaken to BRACKENBURN,
apprehend offenders playing golf at Neillsbrook pitches in NEILLSBROOK
Randalstown to protect residential housing at Brackenburn from
continued damage as a result of misdirected golf balls.
Use of CCTV to be investigated.
This item is to be deferred to Development and Leisure
Committee.
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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
REPORT: No 25 had been circulated. CHARTERED
INSTITUTE OF
RECOMMENDED: that Mr Ian Suiter, Assistant Director ENVIRONMENTAL
Environmental Health and Councillor Drew Ritchie, Council’s HEALTH
Northern Group Committee representative attend the Chartered CONFERENCE:
Institute of Environmental Health Conference to be held in 15-16 OCTOBER
Nottingham on 15th and 16th October 2007. 2007
Conference costs are as follows:
CIEH Members – £250.00 + V.A.T.
Non CIEH Members – £400.00 + V.A.T.
REPORT: No 26 had been circulated. NOISE NUISANCE:
BARKING DOGS
RECOMMENDED: that legal proceedings be instigated against
the offender as outlined in the report for breaches of the Noise
Abatement and Prohibition Notice on specified dates in
accordance with Article 38(4) of The Pollution Control and Local
Government (NI) Order 1978.
REPORT: No 27 had been circulated. THE PRIVATE
TENANCIES (NI)
RECOMMENDED: that the Council exercises the powers ORDER:
contained in Article 36 of the Private Tenancies (Northern APPLICATIONS
Ireland) Order 2006 and serves a Certificate of Fitness on the FOR
owner of the following dwelling-house:- CERTIFICATES OF
FITNESS
2 Massereene Street, Antrim. Co. Antrim, BT41 2PB.
REPORT: No 28 had been circulated. FOOD SERVICE
PLAN 2007-2008
RECOMMENDED: approval of Antrim Borough Councils 2007-08
Service Plan which has been developed based on the template
provided in the “Framework Agreement on Local Authority
Enforcement” to ensure local transparency and accountability.
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REPORT: No 29 had been circulated outlining details of a dog THE DOGS (NI)
attack on a postal delivery officer by a Jack Russell type dog at a ORDER 1983
property in Rathkyle, Stiles on Saturday 26 May 2007. ARTICLE 29 - DOG
ATTACK ON THE
RECOMMENDED: that Committee exercise its discretion not to PERSON
initiate legal proceedings against the keeper of the dog on this
occasion and alternatively a Formal Caution be offered in respect
of the above offence.
REPORT: No 30 had been circulated. CONTRAVENTION
OF BYE-LAWS:
RECOMMENDED: that Council resolve to initiate legal CONSUMPTION OF
proceedings in the above cases for contravention of Antrim INTOXICATING
Borough Council Bye-laws pertaining to the consumption of LIQUOR
intoxicating liquor in a designated place.
Case Ref RS/07/13: Date of Birth: 1 May 1988
At 00:40 hours on Saturday 23 June 2007
At Fountain Street, Antrim
Case Ref RS/07/14: Date of Birth: 4 June 1989
At 20:30 hours on Friday 22 June 2007
At Crumlin Glen, Crumlin
Case Ref RS/07/15: Date of Birth: 1 Sept 1987
At 22:20 hours on Friday 29 June 2007
At Main Street, Randalstown
Case Ref RS/07/17: Date of Birth: 29 Sept 1988
At 02:05 hours on Saturday 1 July 2007
At Station Road, Randalstown
Case Ref RS/07/18: Date of Birth: 19 August 1967
At 02:05 hours on Saturday 1 July 2007
At Station Road, Randalstown
Case Ref RS/07/19: Date of Birth: 24 April 1988
At 20:30 hours on Friday 29 June 2007
At Main Street, Randalstown
Case Ref RS/07/20: Date of Birth: 17 June 1984
At 17:00 hours on Saturday 30 June 2007
At Main Street, Randalstown
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Case Ref RS/07/21: Date of Birth: 1 November 1988 CONTRAVENTION
At 22:45 hours on Saturday 30 June 2007 OF BYE-LAWS:
At Main Street, Randalstown CONSUMPTION OF
INTOXICATING
Case Ref RS/07/22: Date of Birth: 13 February 1990 LIQUOR
At 17:00 hours on Saturday 30 June 2007 (continued)
At Main Street, Randalstown
Case Ref RS/07/23: Date of Birth: 13 December 1987
At 01:40 hours on Sunday 15 July 2007
At Moores Lane, Randalstown
Case Ref RS/07/24: Date of Birth 31 August 1998
At 01:17 hours on Saturday 7 July 2007
At High Street, Antrim.
In each of the above cases, the offender was informed that an
offence had been committed and was subsequently cautioned
with a view to prosecution.
A report providing offender details and penalties imposed will be
presented to Committee upon the completion of legal
proceedings.
REPORT: No 31 had been circulated. THE LITTER (NI)
ORDER 1994:
RECOMMENDED: on the proposal of Councillor Kinahan, OFFENCE OF
seconded by Alderman Dunlop that Council resolve to initiate LEAVING LITTER
legal proceedings in the following cases for contravention of The
Litter (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 – Offence of leaving litter.
i) Keeper of vehicle observed discarding a cigarette out of
vehicle window on 18 April 2007 on the Dublin Road near
junction with Castle Way, Antrim - the alleged offender
declined from paying a Fixed Penalty Notice.
Councillor Smyth requested his objection to the above
recommendation be recorded.
ii) Case 1. Date of Birth: 24 September 1986
At 9:50pm on Saturday 9 June 2007
At Crumlin Glen, Crumlin
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A report providing offender details and penalties imposed will be THE LITTER (NI)
presented to Committee upon the completion of legal ORDER 1994:
proceedings. OFFENCE OF
LEAVING LITTER
Several Members objected to comments by the Chairman that (continued)
‘we are a filthy, dirty nation’ with regard to dropping litter.
The Director gave an update on the current position of the Project BELMONT
Plan to return Belmont Cemetery to Lawn Cemetery status CEMETERY
advising as follows: UPDATE
First letters had been issued to all Belmont Cemetery
grave owners on 29 June 2009 stating Council’s intention
to remove all items in contravention of the rules and
regulations of the Cemetery;
Second letters had now been issued to all grave owners
which still contravene rules and regulations, including a
Notice of Intention to remove all unauthorised memorials
from graves;
A public Notice of Intention had been placed in the local
newspapers regarding the intention to remove
unauthorised memorials from graves;
Support for Council’s actions had been four times greater
than objections;
A number of grave owners had requested Council’s help in
removing items from graves.
The Chairman declared a short adjournment of the Meeting
following Councillor Smyth’s refusal to refrain from reading a
statement regarding his objections to Council’s implementation of
Council decision with respect to Belmont Cemetery.
NOTED.
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BUILDING CONTROL
REPORT: No 20 had been circulated. ANNUAL
ASSOCIATION OF
RECOMMENDED: that two senior members of staff attend the BUILDING
Annual Association of Building Engineers Conference from the 7th ENGINEERS
to the 9th November 2007 in Maidstone, Kent. CONFERENCE
2007
REPORT: No 21 had been circulated. AUTHORISATION
AND DELEGATION
RECOMMENDED: that FOR NEW
PERSONNEL
i) the under noted officers are appointed to act on behalf of
the Council and authorised by the Council to act under
Article 11 of the Building Regulations (N.I.) Order 1979, to
enter premises at any reasonable time, for the purpose of,
among others ascertaining possible contravention’s of the
Order, or of the Building Regulations.
Melissa Houston – Building Control Surveyor
Mark Galbraith – Technical Officer – Building Control
ii) the under noted officers are appointed to act on behalf of
the Council and authorised by the Council to take action, in
relation to dangerous buildings under the following
legislation: - The Towns Improvement Clauses Act 1847 –
Section 75 as adopted by the Towns Improvement (Ireland)
Act 1854 – Section 39 (Ruinous and Dangerous Buildings)
The Public Health Acts Amendments 1907 – Section 30
(Dangerous Places to be Repaired or Enclosed).
Melissa Houston – Building Control Surveyor
Mark Galbraith – Technical Officer – Building Control
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REPORT: No 22 had been circulated. DELEGATION OF
STATUTORY
RECOMMENDED: that the following powers and duties be POWERS
delegated to William Richmond, Senior Building Control
Surveyor
a) The Building Regulation (NI) Order 1979
Article 13 (approval of plans)
Article 18 (serving of a Contravention notice)
b) The Building Regulations (NI) 1994
Regulation A12 (issue of completion certificates)
c) The Building (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 1997
Regulation A11a (issue of regularisation certificates)
d) The Town Improvement Clauses Act 1847 Section 75 as
adopted by the Town Improvement Act 1854 Section 39
(ruinous and dangerous buildings) and the Public Health
Act 1907 - Section 30 (dangerous places to be repaired or
enclosed).
REPORT: No 23 had been circulated. FIRE SAFETY
ANNUAL
RECOMMENDED: attendance of two officers at the Fire Safety CONFERENCE
Panel Annual Conference in Coleraine on the 3rd and 4th 2007
October 2007 at a total cost of £170 per delegate.
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REPORT: No 24 had been circulated. THE NAMING OF
LOCAL HOUSING
RECOMMENDED: that the name ‘Clanaboy Lane’ be approved DEVELOPMENT:
for a housing development sited off Castle Road, Antrim - the OFF CASTLE
name reflects the local area due to the association of the name ROAD, ANTRIM
with the O’Neills of Clanaboy of Shane’s Castle.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Chairman advised that a letter of thanks had been received WOMEN’S
from the Women’s Institute to thank Council for the impressive INSTITUTE:
floral display provided to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the LETTER OF
Women’s Institute. THANKS
NOTED.
OTHER RELEVANT MATTERS
RECOMMENDED: that Council write to Roads Service stating ROADS SERVICE:
Council’s objection to the Stopping Up to Vehicular Traffic Notice STOPPING UP TO
at Part of Whitehill Drive, Randalstown as it may create VEHICULAR
operational difficulties for collection of household waste. TRAFFIC NOTICE -
PART OF
Copy of Council’s letter to Roads Service to be circulated to WHITEHILL DRIVE,
Members. RANDALSTOWN
RECOMMENDED: that waste collection and street sweeping be ST JAMES GAC,
provided free of charge to St James GAC for their Aldergrove Go ALDERGROVE,
Games Mega Carnival Blitz to be held on 22 September 2007. CRUMLIN
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ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
ITEM 51 WASTE DATA
FLOW
The Chairman congratulated Michael Laverty, Environment
Manager for his nomination as Northern Ireland representative on
the Waste Data Flow working party where he will relay comments
on behalf of Northern Ireland Councils at their quarterly meetings
in London.
ITEM 52 SITE
IMPROVEMENTS
The Chairman drew Members attention to forthcoming site AT HOUSEHOLD
improvements at several of Council’s Household Recycling RECYCLING
Centres and highlighted possible unavoidable disruption to the CENTRES
amenity services while works are carried out.
NOTED.
ITEM 50 RECYCLING
FACILITIES AT
Members were made aware of a proposed pilot project were LOUGHSHORE
Node Recycling Units would be provided to Council free of CARAVAN PARK
charge for a 3 month period and placed at Loughshore Caravan
Park to assess their suitability as recycling facilities for this area.
NOTED.
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ITEM 53 ARC21 UPDATE
Northern Ireland Landfill Allowances Scheme
The Director stated that due to the delay in implementation of the
Organic Waste Treatment Centre it is estimated that Antrim
Borough Council could exceed its landfill waste allowance by
approximately 400 tonnes, incurring potential fines of
approximately £60,000 (min). Proposals currently being
investigated regarding the introduction of recycling facilities for
commercial waste will help reduce potential penalties to Council
and work towards meeting the EU targets.
NOTED.
RESOLVED: on the proposal of Alderman Loughran, seconded
by Councillor Kinahan that the remainder of Committee business
be taken ‘In Confidence’.
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