FERMANAGH DISTRICT

							FERMANAGH DISTRICT               COMHAIRLE
COUNCIL                          CHEANTAIR FHEAR MANACH


ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES           COISTE SEIRBHÍSÍ
COMMITTEE                        TIMPEALLACHTA


Minutes of the meeting of the Environmental Services Committee
held in the Council Chamber, Townhall, Enniskillen on Tuesday
10 March 2009 at 7.30 pm.

PRESENT:            Councillors Bert Johnston (Chairman),
                    Harold Andrews, Alex Baird,
                    Gerry Gallagher, Stephen Huggett, Brian
                    McCaffrey, Domhnall Ó Cobhthaigh, Thomas
                    O’Reilly and Paul Robinson.

IN ATTENDANCE: Director of Leisure, Tourism and Arts, Director
               of Technical Services and the Committee Clerk.



ES21/09    MINUTES

           The Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10
           February 2009 were approved and signed.

ES22/09    COUNTRYSIDE

           a) Landfill Communities Fund – Trory Cycle Lane

              The Committee was informed that the Department
              for Regional Development had requested funding of
              £15,000 towards the development of a cycle track
              along the B82, Enniskillen-Kesh Road. The Director
              of Leisure, Tourism and Arts indicated that DRD was
              currently investing approximately £130,000 in
              upgrading this section of road.

              RECOMMENDED: That the Council provide funding
              for the project to a maximum of £15,000 from the
              Council’s Landfill Tax Credit scheme, subject to the
              project meeting the requirements of the Scheme
              and attaining UWT/ENTRUST approval.

              Due to the timescale involved, permission was
              sought to respond immediately after the meeting.
                                2


          b) Landfill Communities Fund – Conservation
             Volunteers NI

             The Committee considered a request from the
             Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland (CVNI) for
             financial assistance towards their work in
             Fermanagh.

             RECOMMENDED: That the Council approve funding
             of £12,000 per year for the 2009/10 and 2010/11
             financial years towards the costs of Conservation
             Volunteers Northern Ireland work in Fermanagh,
             subject to the project meeting the requirements of
             the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme and attaining
             UWT/ENTRUST approval.

          c) Listing of Buildings of Special Architectural or
             Historic Interest (Min Ref. ES102/08(c))

             The Committee was informed that correspondence
             had been received from the DoE confirming that the
             following properties had been listed:

                   Arch Brae Bridge and Embankment, Deer Park,
                    Florencecourt.
                   Eel House Bridge, Florencecourt
                   Gorteen Bridge, Florencecourt
                   Juggy’s Bridge, Cottage Wood, Florencecourt.

ES23/09   DIRECTOR’S REPORT

          a) Grounds Maintenance

             i Kesh Primary School – Environmental Fun Day –
               use of litter pickers, marshal jackets, portaloos,
               kiosk – approximate cost £210.

          b) COMMUNITY SERVICES

             i. The Escapists – Seeding Grant - £200.

          c) COMMUNITY RELATIONS

             i. Boho Heritage Organisation – Purchase of Books
                entitled “Boho Heritage: A Treasure Trove of
                History or Lore” - £700 and use of Enniskillen
                Castle Museum for a lunch time launch of the
                book.
                               3




             Due to the timescale involved, permission was
             sought to respond immediately after the meeting.

          d) TOURISM

             i. British Telecom Angling Club – 12th Annual Angling
                Festival, 4/9 April 2009 – financial assistance -
                £400.
            ii. Gold Cup Angling Festival – 11/15 May 2009 –
                financial assistance - £500.
           iii. Rosebowl Angling Festival – 25/29 May 2009 –
                financial assistance - £300.

ES24/09   GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

          a) Grass Letting

             The Committee was advised that the Letting of
             Grass had been advertised in the local press and
             tenders were received as follows:

             Aghitirourke, Florencecourt
             Gordon Burleigh, Derrylester           £12,200 p.a
             Mountdrum, Lisbellaw
             Rodney McCreery, Lisbellaw             £   500 p.a.
             Cross Cemetery
             Earl Ferguson, Enniskillen             £   700 p.a.
             Tully, Churchill
             Rodney McCreery, Lisbellaw             £    50 p.a.

             Due to the small yearly rent and the cost of
             monitoring usage, it was decided not to let the grass
             at Tully, Churchill.

             RECOMMENDED: That the Lettings of Grass at
             Aghatirourke, Mountdrum and Cross, as detailed
             above, be agreed.

          b) Cherrymount Link Road Scheme

             Following receipt of correspondence in January 2008
             in relation to rights of way controlled by the Council
             in the vicinity of Lawnakilla Way, near the entrance
             to the Carran Industrial Estate, the Committee was
             informed that further notification had now been
             received confirming that the “making of the Vesting
             Order” would be published in the local press week
                                4


             ending 21 February 2009. It was reported that the
             Council would be notified when the Vesting Order
             became operative.

             RECOMMENDED: That no objections be raised.

          c) Traffic and Travel Information 2007

             The Director of Technical Services informed the
             Committee that a copy of the “2007 Traffic and
             Travel Information” document had been received
             and he provided a summary on the document.

             Details of traffic flow from Enniskillen to Irvinestown
             were outlined to the Committee and compared with
             other areas which have had major road
             improvements.

            The Document and Summary Paper would be placed
            in the Members’ Library and may be used for lobby
            purposes for further investment in roads
            improvements in Fermanagh.

          d) Box Culvert, Clones Road, Newtownbutler

             The Director of Technical Services informed the
             Committee that notification had been received from
             Land and Property Services that the compensation
             amount due to the Council facilitating the
             replacement of the box culvert had been assessed at
             £950.00.

             RECOMMENDED: That the valuation of £950 be
             accepted.

ES25/09   PUBLIC CLEANSING

          a) Drummee Landfill Site – Site Investigation

             The Committee was informed that the Council had
             engaged the services of Soil Mechanics, part of the
             Environmental Services Group Ltd, to carry out site
             investigation works in July 2007 in the sum of
             £17,234.00 + VAT.

             It was indicated that the final account tendered by
             Soil Mechanics was in the sum of £19,978.00 due to
                     5


  additional testing procedures etc. However, as the
  Council had not been made aware of this additional
  cost, the account had not been agreed. Legal advice
  was taken and a settlement of £17,233.60 was
  offered and accepted.

  RECOMMENDED: That the final account with the
  Environmental Services Group Limited of
  £17,233.60, excluding VAT, be agreed and legal
  costs for the Council’s Solicitors of £150 be paid.

b) Recycling Centres Development

  The Director of Technical Services provided a
  detailed report in relation to Recycling Centres
  within the District and arrangements for dealing with
  those sites already closed or scheduled for closure.

  In relation to Bring-Site facilities, he indicated that a
  proto-type recyclables pod suitable for reception of
  glass, cans, textiles and paper had been received
  and this would be installed in the Tempo Recycling
  Centre. A survey of all towns and villages was
  underway to establish suitable sites for these units
  when further pods had been purchased.

  RECOMMENDED: That, where possible, a single
  location be selected in each village, two in
  Irvinestown and two in Lisnaskea, with the larger
  housing areas being considered in Enniskillen for the
  provision of these pods.

c) Drummee MBT Development

  The Director of Technical Services informed the
  Committee that the tendering process had been
  completed and a report had been brought to the
  Council for each of the six elements of the
  development, details of which were outlined to the
  Committee.

  It was reported that the total cost, inclusive of a
  contingency sum, was £3,296,491.50 + VAT and it
  had been anticipated that the plant would be
  operational in advance of 1 April 2010.
                               6


             The Director of Technical Services indicated that a
             legal opinion had been requested by SWaMP as to
             whether the European Procurement Directives 2006
             had been breached. He reported that the public
             supply contracts threshold was £90,319.00 and the
             works contract threshold was £3,497,313.00.

             The Committee was informed that as it was unlikely
             that approval would be granted by SWaMP and the
             offer of grant would be withheld, procurement must
             again be addressed in keeping with the European
             Public Contracts Regulations 2006.

             It was reported that Expressions of Interest from
             potential developers could be sought enabling
             arrangements to be reached to develop the MBT
             waste processing facility now that planning
             permission had been granted.

             Following lengthy discussion the Director of
             Technical Services indicated that a report would be
             brought back to the Committee on further progress
             and also addressing the measures to be taken to
             minimise waste disposal over the NILAS quota.

ES26/09   SPORT & RECREATION

          a) Irvinestown Lawn Tennis Club – Open
             Tournaments 2009

            The Committee considered a request from
            Irvinestown Lawn Tennis Club for the use, free of
            charge, of the tennis courts, pavilion and changing
            facilities at the Bawnacre Centre for their three Open
            Tournaments in 2009.

            RECOMMENDED: That Irvinestown Lawn Tennis
            Club be permitted use of the tennis courts, pavilion
            and changing facilities at the Bawnacre Centre for
            the 2009 Tournaments at a cost to the Council of
            £1,650, subject to Bawnacre Regulations regarding
            10.30pm closure, advertising, use of lighting charges
            and subject to the Council being acknowledged in
            any publicity material.
                     7


b) Enniskillen Lawn Tennis Club – West of Ulster
   Championships

  The Committee was informed that correspondence
  had been received from the Enniskillen Lawn Tennis
  Club requesting financial assistance towards the
  costs of the West of Ulster Championships held from
  18-24 May 2009.

  RECOMMENDED: That the Council provide deficit
  funding of £1,000 towards the costs of the West of
  Ulster Championships held from 18-24 May 2009.

c) Erne Waterway Golf Challenge 2009

  The Committee considered a request from Cavan
  Tourism for financial assistance towards the Erne
  Waterway Golf Challenge 2009 held from 5-7 June
  2009.

  RECOMMENDED: That the Council provide a deficit
  grant of €1,000 towards the Erne Waterway Golf
  Challenge 2009.

d) Active Families Role Modelling Programme

  The Committee considered a request from the
  Western Group Environmental Health for the use of
  Council facilities for meetings and training to
  organise, in partnership with Fermanagh District
  Council, an “Active Families Role Modelling
  Programme” in the Fermanagh District Council area.
  The Programme proposed to target vulnerable
  families/groups/committees to help promote and
  encourage greater physical activity and education
  and information on a healthy lifestyle.

  RECOMMENDED: That the Council work in
  partnership with the Western Investing for Health
  Partnership by providing in-kind use of facilities for
  training and in-kind use of facilities for meetings up
  to a maximum of £2,340. The Council would help
  assist with the promotion of the project and
  identification of potential groups etc who wished to
  get involved.
                     8


e) Irish Football Association – Centre of
   Excellence (Min Ref. ES05/06(a))

  The Director of Leisure, Tourism and Arts reported
  that the Council worked with the IFA in providing a
  Centre of Excellence for soccer at the Bawnacre
  Centre, Irvinestown. He indicated that due to the
  popularity of the Centre of Excellence it was now
  necessary to provide 6½ hours per week rather than
  4 hours per week, as previously agreed, until further
  notice.

  RECOMMENDED: That the Council permit the use
  of the main hall and/or playing fields at the
  Bawnacre Centre for 6½ hours per week for 24
  weeks/annum at 50% reduction of normal costs for
  the Fermanagh Centre of Excellence for this year and
  until further notice.

f) Rally Ireland 2009

  The Committee’s permission was sought to approve
  the expenditure incurred in the opening of Rally
  Ireland 2009. The Committee was informed that
  total expenditure amounted to £9,351.78 less a
  contribution of €6,000 from Failte Ireland.

  RECOMMENDED: That the Council approve
  expenditure of £4,098.78, £750 of which was
  available through Community Relations Unit support.

g) Lakeland Stages Rally and TV Promotional
   Features

  The Committee considered a request from Enniskillen
  Motor Club for financial assistance of £3,000 towards
  the costs of providing TV coverage for the Lakeland
  Stages Rally.

  RECOMMENDED: That the Council provide a
  contribution of £1,500 to Enniskillen Motor Club to
  provide TV coverage for the Lakeland Stages Rally
  which would include features promoting Fermanagh
  as a tourist destination.
                               9


ES27/09   COMMUNITY RELATIONS

          a) Minority Ethnic Groups

             The Committee considered providing funding
             towards the provision of office space in the Intec
             Centre, Enniskillen for Minority Ethnic Groups in
             Fermanagh.

             RECOMMENDED: That the Council make £8,000
             available towards costs associated with the office
             rent and associated costs, 75% of which was eligible
             for Community Relations Unit support.

ES28/09   COMMUNITY SERVICES

          a) Neighbourhood Renewal

             The Director of Leisure, Tourism and Arts provided a
             detailed report in relation to Enniskillen
             Neighbourhood Renewal. He indicated that the
             Partnership was established in 2006 to create and
             implement an action plan to identify areas of need
             within the Neighbourhood Renewal area. Details of
             those involved from the Community/Voluntary and
             Statutory Sectors were outlined to the Committee.

             In relation to funding, the Committee was informed
             that total funding to date of £366,472 had been
             provided by the DSD to Neighbourhood Renewal
             Projects in Enniskillen with a total value of
             £537,232.

          b) Bands Programme 2009/2010

             The Committee was informed that the budget for
             the 2009/2010 Bands Programme was £5,500,
             based on payment of £70 per hour to the bands and
             stage hire for the Diamond performances of
             £110.00.

             RECOMMENDED: That the Council proceed with
             the organisation of a public entertainment bands
             programme with a maximum expenditure of
             £5,500.
                               10


          c) Advice Services

             The Committee was informed that in 2008/09 the
             budget allocation for Generalist Advice Services ie
             CAB was £96,081 and to sustain the service at its
             current level it was recommended that this level of
             grant be maintained to avoid any uncertainty with
             regard to future finance, employment etc. It was
             also recommended that the total level of grant aid
             for 2009/10 be reviewed upon receipt of Letter of
             Offer for the Community Support Programme from
             DSD.

             RECOMMENDED: That the Council provide
             financial assistance of £96,081 to Fermanagh
             Citizens’ Advice Bureau to be reviewed upon receipt
             of, and subject to, a Letter of Offer from DSD for
             the 2009/10 financial year.

ES29/09   TOURIST PROJECTS

          a) European Geoparks Network

             The Director of Leisure, Tourism and Arts reported
             that it was compulsory for a representative of the
             Geopark to attend two meetings of the European
             Geoparks Network per year. He indicated that in
             2009 these would be held in Sardinia in April and
             Portugal in September.

             RECOMMENDED: That a representative of the
             Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark attend the
             European Geoparks Network meetings in Sardinia
             and Portugal at a cost of approximately £1,000.

          b) Field Studies Council

             The Committee’s approval was sought for an Officer
             to attend two meetings of the Field Studies Council
             to be held in England during 2009.

             RECOMMENDED: That an Officer attend two
             meetings of the Field Studies Council to be held in
             England in 2009 at a cost of approximately £300 per
             meeting.
                               11


ES30/09   TOURISM

          a) Erne Anglers’ 2009 Coarse Angling Festivals

             The Committee considered a request for financial
             assistance towards a series of coarse angling
             competitions during 2009.

             RECOMMENDED: That the Council support the
             2009 Erne Anglers’ events by offering a deficit grant
             of £1,000 and providing practical assistance through
             Council staff.

          b) Seaplane Event

             The Committee considered a request for financial
             assistance towards a Seaplane Fly-In to be held at
             the Share Centre from 22-24 May 2009.

             RECOMMENDED: That the Council provide deficit
             funding of £700 towards the Seaplane event at the
             Share Centre along with the use of Council facilities.


RISING:      The Committee rose at 9.35pm.

             All Members named were present for the
             commencement of the meeting except Councillors
             Domhnall Ó Cobhthaigh who arrived at 7.40pm and
             Councillor Thomas O’Reilly who arrived at 7.50pm.

             All Members remained present for the duration of
             the meeting except Councillors Brian McCaffrey who
             left at 9.00pm and Domhnall Ó Cobhthaigh who left
             at 9.30pm.