Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Longford Tidy Towns Committee held on Thursday, 25th September, 2003 in the Council Chamber, Longford Town Council, Market Square, Longford at 5 p.m. Present: 23 members .

1. Apologies
We received apologies from the following who could not attend:- Jonathan Quinn, Christy Warnock, Matt O'Brien, Brendan Kearney, Tony Carberry, Tony Kemple, Anna Mai McCreanor and Eileen Farrell.

2. Matters Arising
A query was raised as to whether the committee received any reply from the Library regarding the litter bin outside the building. No reply was received.

Also the council store on Dublin Road was also mentioned.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were proposed by Willie Quinn and seconded by Dympna Donlon.

3. Correspondence
The only item received was the results of the National Tidy Towns Competition which was circulated with the September Agenda.

4. Church Gate Collection
Andy informed the meeting that approximately €826.00 was collected. This could have been a lot more only for Cemetry Sunday in Ballymakeegan. He thanked all the volunteers who manned the various collections and gave special thanks to Paddy Devlin and Pat Hourican who counted and bagged the money.

A suggestion was put forward that in future years the collection should not clash with Cemetery Sunday in Ballymakeegan.

5. Competition Results
Andy informed the meeting of the following results:-

Area/Estate Litter League Competition.
Group Winners

- Group A Area 3 Butterfield, Deanscurragh, St. Marys Terrace, Ballinalee Road from entrance to St. Mels College to the entrance of Oakvale and St. Patricks Terrace.

- Group B Area 3 Ardnacassa Lawns, Ardnacassa, Midara Gardens, Viewmount, Dublin Road from entrance to Ardnacassa to Ardagh Road and Golf Links Road.

Overall winner:
- Group B Area 3 Ardnacassa Lawns, Ardnacassa, Midara Gardens, Viewmount, Dublin Road from entrance to Ardnacassa to Ardagh Road and Golf Links Road.

Garden Competition
Back Garden:
Michael Mollaghan, 9, Ardnacassa Lawns.

Front Garden:
Mrs. M. Cox, 30, Ardnacassa Lawns.

Containerised Garden:
Angela Deeley, Park Road.

Shop Front Competition
Best Public House Frontage:
Eamon Farrells Pub, Earl Street.

Best General Business Frontage:
Grey Wizard Design, Richmond Street.

Best Retail Business Frontage:
E. Kennys, Main Street.

Best Office Frontage:
AIB, Main Street.

Best Overall Frontage:
Eamon Farrells Pub, Earl Street.

Andy congratulated all winners for their achievements and complimented all participants for their efforts. He suggested that the residents of Group B Area 3 might help out other areas who did not achieve such a high standard and perhaps help them gain extra points in future years.

He also complimented the judges of all competitions for their difficult work.

Andy also informed the meeting that the executive committee i.e. Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, PRO., and Liasion Officer would be excluded from nomination for the Unsung Hero.

6. Sponsors for competitions
Andy thanked all sponsors of the various competitions i.e. Longford News sponsored the Area/Estate Litter League Competition Longford Leader sponsored the Shopfront Competition Glenman Corporation, Galway sponsored the Garden Competition Mayor Alan Mitchell sponsored the Unsung Hero Paul Connell sponsored the Most Improved Area/Estate.

7. IBAL Committee Report
Michael Keenan spoke on behalf of the IBAL Committee he informed the meeting that Longford had achieved 5th position in the latest IBAL inspection giving a Moderately Littered status. He mentioned that there was only one Grade D (very heavily littered) which was St. Michaels Road and 4 Grade B status (moderately littered) Townspark Industrial Estate, Ballymahon Street, O'Connor Park and the Train Station. No grade C and 5 Grade A (litterfree status) Dublin Approach Road, Public Library, Tesco Shopping Centre Car Park, St. Michaels School and the Canal Walk. Michael said that if the efforts of everyone continue Longford should definitely qualify for the most improved town. He again thanked all volunteers for their hard work and asked that they continue with their efforts as the final inspection is due very soon. He complimented the Town Council for the green machine and said that it was a major contribution to the town.

Michael also informed the meeting that behind the scenes the IBAL Committee help out the council as much as possible they complied a report for the new Litter Warden of areas where illegal dumping had occurred and areas where he could pay particular attention to. Also reports were submitted to the Town Council and County Council.

Michael also told the meeting that Paul Grealy had created a website for Longford Tidy Towns and this would soon be available to view.

The results of the National Tidy Towns Competition were discussed. Michael informed the meeting that in the National Tidy Towns Results that Longford had got a 43% litter rating and in the IBAL competition which was released a few days later Longford had received a rating of 76%. Members were very aggrieved by this as it was felt that An Taisce specialise in litter control. It was felt that the report was inconsistent with the marking. A suggestion was put forward that the Tidy Towns Committee should write to the Department for a detailed breakdown of how Longford have performed. This was agreed by all members.

Michael complimented Jacinta Maguire for compiling the application form for the competition.

8. Project Committee Report
Angela Crossan spoke on behalf of the Project Committee and she said she welcomed the letter going to the Department regarding the results of the National Tidy Towns Competition.

9. Priming Grants
Jacinta Maguire informed the meeting that all cheques had been sent out to the various residents associations. The members thanked the Council for this..

10. Presentation Date
Dan Rooney informed the meeting that the Civic Reception would take place on Thursday, 30th October, 2003 at 7.30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.

11. Litter Bins and Town Council Report
Dan Rooney informed the meeting that there are a number of litter bins to be erected around the town and that these will be in place over the next few weeks. He told the meeting that the council staff were extremely busy with the paid parking which had come in to operation and that a lot of signs had been erected. Also works are continuing at the Main Street Car Park tree planting and bollards etc. and also at the Post Office and River Bank. Dan also informed the meeting that he has designated the road sweeper an hour per day to the Tidy Towns.

12. Future and Projects
This item was deferred to next meeting.

13. Any Other Business
(i) Andy welcomed Thomas McGowan to the meeting.
(ii) Andy informed the meeting that the Bon Fire Night was not going ahead due to insurance cover and suggested that a letter be sent to members who had come for the meeting.
(iii) Andy suggested that in future any problems members of the committee have should be brought to the Chairman and dealt with, within the committee.
(iv) Andy also said that if anyone wishes to report illegal dumping or the collection of tyres to ring him instead of the Litter Warden also if anyone wishes to report areas for the road sweeper to attend to this also should be reported to Andy.

Please note that the Civic Reception will be held on Thursday, 30th October, 2003 at 7.30 p.m. and the Annual General Meeting will take place on 27th November, 2003 at 5 p.m.