Dunshaughlin Area Meeting 13th November 2006

Ashbourne Civic Offices 9.00 am

Minutes

Members Present:Cllr. Oliver Brooks (Chairman)

Cllr. Brian Fitzgerald

Cllr. Charles Bobbett

Cllr. Joseph Bonner

Cllr. Noel Leonard

Cllr. Nicholas Killian

Officials Present:Joe McGarvey, Area Engineer

James McElhinney, Executive Engineer

Alan Rogers, Area Administrator

Joanna Kelly, Executive Planner.

Ann Monaghan, Staff Officer (Ashbourne Office).

1.0Confirmation of Minutes:

1.1October Meeting 2006.

1.2Special Meeting October 2006.

The Minutes of the above meetings were adopted – proposed by Cllr. Charles Bobbett and Seconded by Cllr. Noel Leonard.

Cllr. Leonard indicated that he was out of the Country for the Special Meeting in October and therefore was unable to be in attendance. His apology was not recorded on the Minutes.

2.0Expression of Congratulations and Sympathy.

The Members sent a vote of good wishes to Mr. Michael Killeen for a speedy return to good health.

Members also expressed congratulations to the Donaghmore Ashbourne GFC on signing the multi million euro development contract at the Ashbourne House Hotel on Saturday 11th November 2006. Good luck to all involved with that project.

3.0Matters Arising from the minutes:

3.1Letter to the Courts Service Re: Vesting of Trim & Dunshaughlin Courthouses.

Alan Rogers outlined to the Members that to date there has been no written response to his letter.

3.2 Letter to the Superintendent Mr. Charles Devine

The members invited Superintendent Devine in order to highlight the need for a greater Garda presence in the fast growing Ashbourne, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath and Dunboyne areas. The major areas of concern for the members are Anti Social Behaviour, Drugs, and Vehicle Speed.

Superintendent Charles Devine outlined to the members the main problem areas for the Garda Siochana at present. He spoke at length on the Gardai’s approach to dealing with the apprehension of Drug Dealers/Users/Suppliers, Speeding ‘Boy Racers’, Attention to Speed Limit signs, Graffiti, Parental Control and Anti Social Behaviour in general. He spoke about the assistance which is required from all citizens and the County Council’s to help maintain law and order in general. According to the Superintendent the County Council can involve itself in the granting (or not) of planning permission for Off-licence premises, take-away food outlets and the hours which they are permitted to operate.

Superintendent Devine outlined to the members present the number of Gardai available to him in the District and his continuous endeavours to increase that number and as his District in on the City hinterland he is pushing the case for this area. The request for a Garda station in Ratoath was noted but Supt. Devine indicated that the provision of a Station in Ratoath is not on the Agenda at present however he informed the members that there are proposals to examine the extent of the district boundary.

All members present thanked Superintendent Devine for taking the time to address the meeting and the members undertook to issue a letter to the Minister for Justice on behalf of the Councillors of the Dunshaughlin Electoral Area seeking additional Gardai for the Ashbourne District.

Lands at Drumree:

Alan Rogers informed the members that he has requested a report on the above lands from the Housing Department and same will be presented at the December Meeting of the Area Council. The members proposed and seconded a request for a full report Re: Private Sites for the December meeting.

Dunshaughlin Sewerage Scheme

Members requested a report for the December Meeting with regard to capacity issues for the Dunshaughlin Sewerage Scheme.

Rail Line

Members requested that the Dunshaughlin Electoral Cllrs. be briefed in relation to proposal by the Consultants and the NRA with regard to the route selection of the Railway Line from Pace to Navan.

4.Correspondence:

None

5.0Planning Applications and Waste Permits

The above matter was discussed in accordance with the protocol committee.

6.0Infrastructure:

6.1Report on the proposed disposal of land (0.133 acres) to Patrick and Pauline Sweetman, The Ward, Co. Dublin.

Ms. Aine Keane, Senior Staff Officer, of the National Road Design Office outlined details of the proposed disposal of land to Patrick and Pauline Sweetman, The Ward, Co. Dublin. The ‘triangle’ of land is of no value to anyone else and is surplus to the Council’s needs upon completion of the Ashbourne By-Pass. The disposal was proposed by Cllr. Noel Leonard and seconded by Cllr. Nick Killian.

A discussion ensued regarding the movement and storage of earth (from the M50 developments) for future embankments for the M3. Members outlined their demands that no soil/earth laden HGV’s are permitted to use the roads in the vicinity of Clonee/Dunboyne during the process of the earth removal.

6.2Report on Infrastructure Issues for Kilcock/Moygaddy Area.

Alan Rogers presented and circulated at the meeting a report from Mr. Gerry Boyle, Senior Engineer of the Infrastructure Department detailing Kildare County Council’s wastewater capacity. A full report is awaited from Mr. Martin Murray regarding Road Issues and members requested that it be tabled at the December ’06 meeting.

Alan Rogers will revert to the members in January 2007 to arrange a date for a meeting with officials and members of Kildare and Meath County Councils to discuss the infrastructural requirements and plans for the two counties.

7.0Housing, Social Community & Cultural.

7.1Community Grant Scheme 2007.

Alan Rogers requested that members make submissions and suggestions before 8th December 2006 regarding the implementation and procedures pertaining to the Community Grants Scheme/ Amenity Levies which was adopted in 2003 and which now requires review. Michael Killeen will prepare a preliminary report upon receipt of the above submissions.

With regard to the Community Grant Scheme and the Ashbourne Community House members requested that Mr. Kevin Stewart update the members on the current position.

8.0Any Other Business:

The following issues were discussed .

Information to the general public via the airwaves regarding the traffic situation in the area.

RATOATH:

Public lighting at Meadowbank Hill requires attention.

Requested a full report on Traffic Management Programme for Ratoath.

DUNBOYNE:

A broken wall at Loughsallagh (the property of Mr. Tom O’Sullivan) requires attention.

Water lodging at the back entrances to Nos. 55 and 56 Castleview Dunboyne and also the issue of lighting at No. 55 Castleview all requires attention

ASHBOURNE

(a) The upgrading of Main St. Ashbourne. (b) the Traffic light sequences at Tescos, (c) the bottlebank situation at Ashbourne, (d) Christmas Lights and (e) the (Christmas Tree removal scheme were all mentioned.

The meeting concluded and the next meeting is scheduled for 12th December at 9.00a.m. in the Civic Offices, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath.

November 2006 Dunshaughlin Electoral Area Monthly MinutesPage 1 of 4

Meath County Council, Dunshaughlin Civic Offices, Drumree Road, Dunshaughlin, County Meath

Telephone: 01 8011100, Fax: 01 8258277, web: Email: