Minutes of Dunshaughlin Area Meeting 11th July 2011
Dunshaughlin Area Offices 9.30am
Cllr Niamh McGowan presided
Members Present
Cllr Brian Fitzgerald
Cllr Nick Killian
Cllr Noel Leonard
Cllr Maria Murphy
Cllr Gerry O’Connor
Apologies
Cllr Joe Bonner
Officials in Attendance
Brendan McGrath Director of Services & Area Manager
Áine Bird Area Administrator
Margaret Carroll Staff Officer
Emmanuel Mwadiwa Acting Area Engineer
Padraig O’Shea Assistant Planner
Paul McNulty Senior Executive Engineer
Jim Gibney, Senior Executive Engineer
Honor Griffin, Kildare County Council
Breda Gleeson, Kildare County Council
Clodagh Gorman, Kildare County Council
Adrian Loughlin, Bus Eireann
1.0 Confirmation of Minutes
On the proposal of Cllr Gerry O’Connor and seconded by Cllr Nick Killian the minutes of the monthly meeting held on 20th June 2011 were agreed.
2.0 Matters Arising from the Minutes
The members raised the following:
· Traffic Management Ratoath
· Complement Area Engineer and staff on works done at Hurley River
· Signage at roundabouts at Killeen Castle and Batterstown/Trim Road
· Grass cutting at Water Tower
· Non completion of footpaths by NRA on Leshamstown Road
· General appearance and condition of Meath County Council Building on Drumree Road
The Area Manager informed the members that requests for advertising sponsorship of 19 roundabouts in the Area were sought from local businesses under a Roundabout Sponsorship Scheme. At present discussion is in progress concerning 11 roundabouts. The Area Manager is confident that sponsorship will be established by September and will be for 3 year periods.
It is intended that works, to include external clean, maintenance work, landscaping and some internal works, will be done on the Dunshaughlin Office.
3.0 Expressions of Sympathy and Congratulations
There were no expressions of sympathy or congratulations.
4.0 To consider matters in respect of the Protocol Committee in relation to:
4.1 Planning
Cllr Brian Fitzgerald excused himself from the meeting for this item as he may have an interest as a connected person in relation to file DA110634 and left the chamber.
Cllr Nick Killian
DA/110456 For
DA/110479 For
DA/110350 For
DA/110032 For
DA/110541 For
DA/110573 For
DA/110604 For
DA/110626 For
DA/110618 For
DA/110634 For
Cllr Noel Leonard
DA/110462 For
DA/110086 For
DA/110032 Against
DA/110541 For
DA/110554 For
DA/110614 For
DA/110634 For
DA/110354 Against
Cllr Niamh McGowan
DA/110626 Against
Cllr Maria Murphy
DA/110626 For
DA/110354 Against
DA/110634 For
Cllr Gerry O’Connor
DA/110462 For
DA/110489 For
DA/110562 For
DA/110575 For
DA/110618 For
DA/110634 For
The members discussed the value of having this planning item on the agenda of the monthly Area Meeting. The Cathaoirleach outlined that observations made at Area Meetings have no statutory status and give a third party no right of appeal to An Bord Pleanala following decision of the Council on a planning application. It is very important that interested parties are encouraged to make submissions in addition to representations made at Area Meetings. The Director re-iterated that discussion at Area Meetings has no role in the planning process and that legally only formal submissions are considered in the decision process.
Cll Brian Fitzgerald returned to the meeting once item 4.1 concluded.
5.0 To consider the objection(s) / representation(s) and report and to recommend to the full Council to make an Order extinguishing the Public Rights of Way on the R158 Phase 2 Summerhill to Kilcock as detailed 1 to 30 on Schedule.
Paul McNulty Senior Executive Engineer advised the members that 2 submissions were received and there is no change to the report as presented at June Area Meeting.
On the proposal of Cllr Noel Leonard seconded by Cllr Brian Fitzgerald it was agreed to recommend the making of the Order to Full Council.
6.0 Briefing from Honor Griffin Liaison Officer, Kildare County Council on the Kilcock Integration Plan
The following attended the meeting on behalf of Kildare County Council: Honor Griffin, Breda Gleeson and Clodagh Gorman.
A briefing document regarding the Integrated Services Programme (ISP) – County Kildare along with Integrated Services Programme AIT – Kildare Town Action Plan Summary April 2010 – April 2012 was circulated to the members.
The ISP for County Kildare is a project of the Kildare County Development Board (CDB) Strategic Plan 2020, for which the CDB has responsibility and ultimate decision making authority.
The Co-ordinator for the ISP in Kilcock will ensure that Local Area Research is undertaken and the development of a Community Participation Strategy. Linkages between Meath and Kildare County Development Boards and other agencies will be strengthened. A Project Implementation Team and Working Groups will be established with a view to launching a 2 year Action Plan.
The Co-ordinator advised that they intended to return to the members at a later stage to brief them on progress.
7.0 Briefing from Bus Eireann on bus-stops and improvement works planned for the Dunshaughlin Electoral Area
Adrian Loughlin, Acting Services Manager, Bus Eireann, Broadstone, Dublin discussed the proposed bus stop locations with the members. He advised that Route 109 serves Dublin/Cavan/Kells and Route 109A covers Navan/Dunshaughlin/Ratoath/Asbhourne/Dublin Airport/DCU.
All new coaches are fully accessible for wheelchair users. There are some issues regarding accessibility with some bus stops as wheel chair infrastructure is not at all existing bus stops. An Audit and risk assessment has been carried out on all bus stops in the Area at the request of An Garda Siochana and a submission then made to the Council. Meetings with stakeholders were held and the issues raised included funding, land ownership and works required.
Jim Gibney, Senior Executive Engineer, Transport Section, MCC, distributed maps and information sheets regarding routes 109/109A proposed Bus Stop Improvements.
The members raised the following:
· If there are any provisions for lighting at the bus stops
· Lack of bus stop in vicinity of Plantagen Garden Centre which is a populated area
· If there was consultation with residents regarding location of proposed bus stops
· Bus Stop 55: Glass broken and piece of metal exposed at existing bus stop outside Auld Stand, Ratoath. Can this bus shelter be replaced?
· Bus Stop 2 located at Fairyhouse Cross – request that the bus stop be relocated to other side of Roundabout and opposite bus stop for Dublin as the location is unsuitable and not wheelchair friendly.
· Bus Stops 51 & 52: Will these stops be suitable for wheelchair users? Was there consultation regarding the protected trees in the vicinity?
· Bus Stop 53: loss of 4 car parking spaces
· Bus Stop 54: Regular traffic delays when 2 buses arrive together
· Bus Stop 56: Ramp not extended enough and some buses do not take electronic chairs.
· Bus Stop 49: Concerns of some residents regarding noise with night or early morning users of Bus 109A to the airport when bringing suitcases on wheels - could this bus stop be relocated?
· Dunshaughlin has no bus service to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre
· Possibility of some buses using motorway
· Dunboyne has no bus service to Navan
· Frequent problem with no driver reporting for duty on 5.30pm bus from Beresford Place, Dublin.
· Sometimes it is possible for wheelchair user to take bus to Dublin but the bus on return journey is not wheelchair accessible
· Timeframe for this project
Bus Eireann and Officials responded:
· The members were advised that public lighting will be provided where there are bus shelters.
· There is no general consultation with members of the public regarding siting of bus stops.
· Bus Eireann does not provide bus shelters but will pass on comments regarding shelter at Auld Stand, Ratoath to C.I.E. and Clarshel (formerly Adshel).
· An Garda Siochana is consulted prior to selection of all bus stops and the location is signed off by the Gardai if suitable. Bus Stop 2 is a Garda specified location. The location will be reviewed by Bus Eireann and if merit is seen regarding relocation the matter will be brought to the attention of the Gardai.
· All new bus stops will have Kassel Kerbing.
· Route 105 would be directed to proposed stop outside Supervalu Ratoath and thus improve traffic flow.
· Bus Eireann keen to provide bus stop 49 on Ratoath Road, Dunshaughalin but the location will be rechecked. Feasibility of relocating this stop to old N3 will be considered.
· A new timetable for Route 109 was introduced in late May 2011. Off peak services go into Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. The timetable will be reviewed.
· Bus routes are licensed by the Transport Authority.
· There are proposals to resume the service from Dunboyne to Navan
· Contract 1 is due to commence in 2 weeks. Contract 2 will be awarded by July 21st. It is hoped that works begin in early August. Works must be complete by end November 2011.
8.0 Matters raised with the permission of the Cathaoirleach
.
Cllr Nick Killian
· Pothole outside Maura Flahertys House on Crusheen Road
· Eirgrid funding for Ratoath – update
· Road sign at Ballybin/Jamestown Junction broken
· Completion of piping of ditch at St. Olivers Estate
· Additional road signage from St Pauls N.S., Ratoath
· Concern over signage at newly refurbished bridge at Ballybin Road
· Housing query for Family in Ratoath
· Request that winter gritting map be circulated.
Cllr Maria Murphy
· Possible safety measure at entrance to Beechdale Estate, Dunboyne
· Reinstatement work needed following sewage works by MCC on Green at Beechdale, Dunboyne
· Cement crumbled around drain cover at Beechdale, Dunboyne
· Gullies need cleaning at Maynooth Road, Dunboyne (near Dunboyne Castle Hotel)
· Bus Eireann Bus Stop at Old Navan Road, Dunboyne needs removal as its no longer on Bus Eireann bus route
· Signage needs checking at Junction of Old Navan Road & Kennedy Road, Dunboyne
· Request for countdown timers on the 2 sets of traffic lights in Dunboyne
Cllr Niamh McGowan
· Additional bus stop outside Clinic at Dunshaughlin
· Resident at College Green, Dunshaughlin reported dirty tap water
· Public light out of order at Park Close, Dunshaughlin
· Sequence of traffic lights at Primatestown need checking as they seem to have reverted to old pattern
· Green space at end of Brindley Park, Ashbourne cause of safety and public order concerns to residents
· Housing maintenance queries for 2 residents in Ashbourne
Cllr Gerry O’Connor
· Commercial vehicles cannot tax vehicles online, enquire if they might change.
· Potholes on the Lagore Road.
· When is the water tower in Dunshaughlin due to open.
· Request that the Drumree Road be placed on the winter gritting route
· Sign required on the roundabout to take heavy traffic towards the water tower as opposed to taking the Drumree road.
9.0 Items / Correspondence raised by the Area Manager/Director
· The Director of Services informed the members of Statutory Instrument 201/2011 -Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 which was signed into effect on 3rd May 2011. The population threshold of 10,000 was required for the preparation of a Local Area Plan (LAP), this has changed to 5,000 people and above and must include an environmental report. The variation to the Dunshaughlin Area Plan has been removed from public display. Notice will be given to all who made submissions on the variation and this variation will be re-advertised.
· The Director updated the members on the status of Ashbourne Public Park. He advised that works are still outstanding within the park which need to be completed prior to the members considering the taking in charge process.
· The Dunshaughlin Water Tower construction work is completed however extensive testing is ongoing due to seven boreholes supplying a mix of waters. The tower can be brought online if required. It is hoped that the tower will be up and running by the end of October 2011.
· Re-location of the Turner Bridge in Dunboyne was discussed.
· A maquette of the proposed sculpture for Jamestown Roundabout, Ratoath under the per cent for art scheme commission was displayed to the members. The submission is for a 10feet high piece with a 4 feet seated figure entitled “Perch “ by Sculptor Orla de Brí.
· Members were advised that the art feature in the Dunshaughlin park will be relocated and suggested location is outside the car sales area across from the Arch Bar on the old N3.
10.0 Notice of Question:
10.1 Submitted by Cllr Noel Leonard
Can the Manager provide an update on the progress of the new cemetery at Dunshaughlin and the extension to the cemetery at Rooske road, Dunboyne
The Manager stated that Meath County Council is waiting on loan approval from the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government.
There will be 3 options for submission of tenders: 1. Dunshaughlin Cemetery; 2. Dunshaughlin & Dunboyne Cemeteries; 3. Dunshaughlin, Dunboyne & Kilcloon Cemeteries.
It is expected that the tendering process will have commenced by early September.
Members stated that a submission should be submitted from the area members to Iarnród Éireann regarding the draft timetable for Pace/Dunboyne which was circulated.
Members also requested to write to the HSE regarding concerns on the downgrading of Navan Hospital.
The Director advised that there is a protocol to follow for making submissions as an area and would need to check out with Corporate.
The meeting closed at 1pm.
Next meeting is scheduled for September 12th 2011.
End
July 11th 2011 minutes Page 7 of 8
Meath County Council, Dunshaughlin Area Office, Drumree Road, Dunshaughlin, County Meath