Fears over Loyd land if Kells council is abolished

Fears for the future of the lands at Loyd in the event of the abolition of Kells Town Council were expressed at a meeting of Kells Town Council last week. In advance of Minister for the Environment & Local Government Phil Hogan's scheduled publication of a report within weeks on the future of local government, there has been some speculation that smaller town councils, such as Kells, might end up being abolished. At last week's meeting, Cllr Frankie Lynch asked the area manager his opinion on the impact the abolition of Kells Town Council would have on assets of the town council and, in particular, the lands at Loyd and the town pitch, which is leased to the GAA. Area manager Kevin Stewart said this scenario was totally hypothetical and impossible to answer in the absence of legislation. Cllr Lynch asked if Meath County Council was to take over the assets of the town, would the councillors have a say in what happens and could the county council sell the land at Loyd. He also asked if the income from the rented lands would still go back to the town. Cllr Tommy Grimes said it was a fact of life that the land at Loyd was donated to the people of Kells, "The elected members of Kells Town Council are the custodians. No matter what happens to the town council, the lands at Loyd have to go back to the people of this town," he declared. Cllr Grimes suggested seeking legal advice on this and questioned whether Meath County Council would be the right custodians of the rates on the business park at Loyd. Cllr Ollie Sweeney said Loyd was something that belonged to the people of the town. "This property is unique to Kells. We are the only town council that owns a working farm," he said. Cllr Sean Drew said it was a pertinent question, Cllr Lynch had been right to raise it now and they should get onto the department before the minister makes a decision. "This may be something the minister hasn't fully thought out," he added. "We would be lax if we just let it go through and transfer to Meath County Council. The county council represents the whole county and we are a very, very small part of that. The danger is they could sell it to pump up the coffers of Meath County Council," he said. The cathaoirleach, Cllr Brian Collins, described Cllr Lynch's question as timely. He said that if Minister Hogan had plans to abolish town councils, it would be barmy. "The OECD says we have too many national politicians, but not enough local representation," he claimed. Cllr Collins added that the minister hadn't been too adept with some of his proposals so far. He said the land had been granted for the benefit of the people of Kells and, if they had to form a new trust to protect this, they would.