Minutes of Dunshaughlin Area Meeting 12th September 2011
Dunshaughlin Area Office 9.30am
Cllr Niamh McGowan presided
Members Present
Cllr Joe Bonner
Cllr Brian Fitzgerald
Cllr Nick Killian
Cllr Noel Leonard
Cllr Maria Murphy
Cllr Gerry O’Connor
Officials in Attendance
Brendan McGrathDirector of Services & Area Manager
Emmanuel Mwadiwa Acting Area Engineer
Margaret Carroll Staff Officer
Mary Fagan Clerical Officer
Padraig O’Shea Assistant Planner
David Caffrey Executive Planner
1.0Confirmation of Minutes
1.1On the proposal of Cllr Maria Murphy and seconded by Cllr Gerry O’Connor the minutes of the meeting held on 11th July 2011 were agreed.
2.0Matters Arising from the Minutes
The members raised the following:
- It is not acceptable that the NRA have yet to put up signage on the M3 indicating an alternative route to Dunshaughlin
- 3 Roundabouts in Dunboyne vicinity not attended to.
3.0 Expressions of Sympathy and Congratulations
Congratulations were expressed to:
- Dunshaughlin GAA Club on the opening of Astro Turf pitch
- Parish of Kilbride on 80th Anniversary of consecration of St Brigids Church
- DunshaughlinVillage on reaching 2nd place in their category in the National Tidy Towns Competition
- BatterstownVillage on their result in the recent Tidy Towns Competition
- To All Tidy Town Groups in the Area for their efforts
4.0 To consider matters in respect of the Protocol Committee in relation to:
4.1 Planning
Cllr Brian Fitzgerald
DA110738For
Cllr Noel Leonard:
DA/110699 For
DA/110716 For
Cllr Maria Murphy
DA110699For
DA/110716 For
DA/110737 Against
5.0 Other Statutory Business
5.1 To consider and if thought fit to recommend to the full Council the proposed disposal of land as described in the Statutory Notice circulated pursuant to the provisions of Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001.
The Area Manager advised that the land was valued by independent valuers at current rates.
On the proposal of Cllr Joe Bonner and seconded by Cllr Nick Killian the members agreed to recommend this disposal to the full Council.
6.0 To consider the Planning Report in accordance with Part VIII of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001-2010, to upgrade bus stops along the 109/109A Bus Eireann Routes at 9 locations along the R147.
David Caffrey, Executive Planner presented the report to the members. Adoption of the report was proposed by Cllr Murphy and seconded by Cllr McGowan.
The members raised the following regarding bus stops and shelters in the Area:
- Members observations at July meeting ignored particularly in relation to bus stops at Fairyhouse Cross and Bracetown
- Residents unhappy with proposed location of Bus Stops at Ratoath for both inward and outward journeys
- Disability access must be considered at proposed bus stops
- If a bus stop is located at Seachnall Place then a bus shelter cannot be provided as the estate is not taken in charge.
The Area Manager responded that Adrian O’Loughlin, Bus Eireann, who attended the July Area Meeting, advised the Area Administrator that relocation of the Fairyhouse Cross Outbound Bus Stop was examined in conjunction with An Garda Siochana and that on safety grounds it was decided not to relocate. Planning Permission is not sought for bus stop locations but is for bus shelters. Bus stop locations are designated by Bus Eireann in agreement with An Garda Siochana and in liaison with the Local Authority.
7.0 Matters raised with the permission of the Cathaoirleach
Cllr Brian Fitzgerald:
- Appearance of Dunshaughlin Area Office has improved following recent works
- Improvement works at Kilmessan appreciated by residents
- Relationships between Tidy Town Groups and Local Authority should be encouraged
Cllr Nick Killian:
- Availability of tickets for Solheim Cup for elected members
- Tayto Park Development is a positive venture in the Area andprovided much needed local employment during the summer season. The management proposes to meet with the Councillors of the Area regarding future development. Consideration by the Council, developer and local community must be given from the points of view of tourism, employment and road safety for any future development.
- Thanks to Area Engineer for provision of lights at Curragha and works carried out at Ratoath
- Problems will arise for the maintenance of the local villages due to staff retirements.
- Traffic light signs at Curragha cannot be seen due to overgrowth of foliage.
- Main St. Ratoath, some potholes appearing.
- Yellow Box in Ratoath at Main junction needs to be re-done.
- Dereliction Order to be served on Mr Rogers who owns site beside Community Centre in Ratoath.
- Ensure gritting of Inner Relief road this winter
- Traffic Lights on poles being turned around by young lads.7
Cllr Noel Leonard:
- Outdoor staff numbers in Dunboyne are very low. Serious consideration should be given to raising the embargo on staff replacements
- Strategy needed for signage - businesses need to advertise
- Road resurfacing needed on Clonee Road from Kilbride Junction
- Potholes from Clonee Junction to The Mayne
- Rathbeggan Lane very narrow – lay byes necessary
- Any progress on Graveyards in Area?
- Footpath repair needed outside 214 Beechdale, Dunboyne
- Parking problems at Woodview, Dunboyne at school drop off and collection times
Cllr Joe Bonner:
- Complements to the Area for works carried out for Solheim Cup
- Gullies in Deerpark, Ashbourne need repair – damaged pipes not repaired by Ward & Burke
- Lights issue at Main Street, Ashbourne
- Danger at Johnswood Junction, Ashbourne
- Signs needed at Castle Street, Ashbourne to identify playground location
- Complements on works done and clean up at vicinity of Darlington Estate
- Pyrite issues at Ashbourne
Cllr Maria Murphy:
- Thanks to Charlie Tully for works at Station Road, Dunboyne
- Road marking at Curragha Junction appreciated. Any possibility of rumble strips at the Junction for safety reasons. Speed limit sign is overgrown with vegetation
- Countdown timer needed on pedestrian crossing at Dunboyne
- Road resurfacing needed from DunshaughlinCommunity College to Arch Bar
- Amendments needed to Dunshaughlin LAP.
- Kilbride – path required from Cherry Tree Drive to the church.
- Dunboyne Rooske Rd- the GAA car park works last year included a small path onto the Rooske rd, - the GAA have asked if the path can be extended slightly as far as the access point via the woods into their new pitches.
- Island in Dunboyne village – kessel kerbing at the traffic lights however no dropped kerbing at the other end of the island near Brady’s pub, - could we pursue please.
- Request for a dropped kerb on the Rooske Rd across from libraryentrance to assist wheelchairbound pupil’s from the primary school going to/from the library.
- No entry sign at junction beside Macari’s – sign has disappeared from pole.
- The black metal seat outside the old school in Dunboyne . The Tidy Towns haveasked if we can move this seat to another location (suggested the island). They have plans to improve this location.
- Bushes & Briars overgrown onto the path at the watertower in Dunboyne .
- Curragha Crossroads as discussed at meeting – danger at junction, 50 km sign coming from Primatestown direction overgrown. Residents also have concerns about the amount of traffic exiting onto the N2 at Hammondtown.
Cllr. Gerry O’Connor
- Thanks for public lighting at The Downs
- When will Dunshaughlin Water Tower be activated? Wells have dried up at Leshamstown Lane.
- Has licence been granted to Fontanas Restaurant, Dunshaughlin for outdoor seating? Would give rise to dangerous situation for children walking to school in conjunction with the flowerpot on footpath.
- Is there a Temporary Road Closure granted in connection with Dunshaughlin Harvest Festival?
- Is Winter Gritting Schedule available?
Cllr. Niamh McGowan
- Centre island in DunboyneVillage has only 1 point suitable for disability access
- School Warden necessary at St Pauls School, Ratoath
Area Manager replied:
There are no Solheim Cup tickets available from organizers or promoters. All tickets will have to be purchased.
Update will issue regarding current status of graveyards for Dunshaughlin and Dunboyne.
Staffing levels throughout the Council are of concern and challenge to all sections. A staffing embargo exists at present. Reduced staffing numbers will impact on service delivery.
Overall directional signage for Dunboyne will be checked.
The winter gritting schedule for the County is organized through Transportation Section, Co. Hall. There are 10 trucks and 10 drivers at present. The capital cost of a new gritter is €250,000 plus the cost of driver. When a new route is added to the schedule an existing route is then removed. Drumree Road has local road status and is not now on the winter gritting schedule. This winter there will be a separate severe weather website if the need arises to provide information to the public. Transportation Section is actively engaging with IFA. Salt, when needed, must be laid on the roads within a specific temperature window. Consideration of working conditions of emergency crews includes driver fatigue which is a major feature.
The Dunshaughlin Water Tower is expected to be in operation by late October.
8.0Items/Correspondence raised by the Area Manager
The Area Manager updated the members on the ongoing water issue inRatoath between Sherwood, Hollioake and Campions. Council staff is meeting with the parties involved Tuesday 13th September.
9.0Notice of Question:
9.1 Submitted by Cllr Nick Killian
Can the Area Manager give a full and up-to-date report on the taking in Charge of The Old Mill Estate [Phase1] in Ratoath. And following the response that the Area Members support the Motion to have the Old Mill Estate, taken in Charge forthwith and that the “bond funding” be used to carry out whatever are the necessary works that will complete this Estate to the value of the Bond. This estate has been in the taking in Charge process for the past 12 years.
Response
On Tuesday September 6th, a Contractor for the creditor of the developer, Tsarus Ltd., moved on site to commence works on the list of remedial works which was previously provided by Meath Co Council. Works included footpath repairs, watermain utility and drainage repairs together with major repairs to sections of the road surfacing in the development.
Mr. Padraig Carroll, whom is the Engineer retained by the creditor company carrying out the works contacted Clerk of Works, Dunshaughlin Area Office, on Tuesday 6th September and informed him that works had commenced adding that the programme allowed for completion of the works in a period of no more than 4 weeks. Mr. Carroll also made contact with Emmet Wilson of the Old Mill Residents Association and has pledged to update Mr. Wilson of progress on a weekly basis.
On completion of the list of remedial works and submission of the required ‘as-constructed drawings’ of the estate, the development shall be further inspected and if found to be in compliance with the standards and requirements of MCC the Statutory TIC process for the entire development may then proceed.
Mr. Paul O’Brien, Clerk of Works will meet Mr. Padraig Carroll on site on Tuesday 13th September 2011 to review progress.
The meeting closed at 12.30 p.m.
September 12th 2011minutesPage 1 of 5
Meath County Council, Dunshaughlin Area Office, Drumree Road, Dunshaughlin, CountyMeath