Monthly Meeting, 9.30 Monday 11 February 2013, Chamber, Dunshaughlin Civic Offices
Cathaoirleach Cllr. Noel Leonard presided
Other Members Present:
Cllrs. Joe Bonner, Brian Fitzgerald, Nick Killian,Maria Murphy, Gerry O’Connor
Apologies:
Cllr Niamh McGowan
Officials Present:
Joe Fahy, Area Manager; Emmanuel Mwadiwa, A/Area Engineer;Margaret Carroll, Staff Officer; Fergal O’Bric, Executive Planner; Phillip Traynor, Executive Engineer; Paul McNulty, Senior Executive Engineer; Paul Monahan, Area Administrator
Paul Monahan advised the Members / Officials of their obligations under Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001 as set out in the Ethical Framework circulated with the Agenda.
1.0Confirmation of Minutes of the following meeting
1.1January 2013 monthly meeting held Monday 21 January 2013.
On the proposal of Cllr. Murphyseconded by Cllr Killian, the members confirmed the minutes ofthe January monthly meeting held Monday 21 January 2013.
2.0Matters arising from the minutes
The members raised the following matters arising from the January minutes:
- Dunboyne & Rathbeggan Graveyards
- Unauthorised development on N2 & R135
3.0Expressions of Sympathy and Congratulations
The members extended sympathy to
- The family of the late Kevin Lynchfather of Peter Lynch Water Caretaker
4.0To consider matters in respect of Protocol Committee in relation to:
4.1Planning
On the proposal of Cllr.Killian seconded by Cllr.Fitzgeraldthe members agreed to go into committee to discuss this item.
Cllr.Fitzgerald
DA/120818 For
DA/121088 For
DA/121089 For
DA/121103 For
Cllr.Killian:
DA/121067 For
DA/120465 For
Cllr. Murphy:
DA/121067 For
DA/121088 For
DA/121089 For
DA/121105 For
Cllr. O’Connor:
DA/120818 For
DA/121088 For
DA/121089 For
DA/120465 For
Cllr. Leonard
DA/121088 For
DA/121089 For
DA/121105 For
5.0To consider the 2013 Roadworks Programme for the Dunshaughlin Area and if thought fit to recommend it for approval to the Full Council
Joe Fahyoutlined the background to the 2013 Roadworks allocation. There are four funding sources i.e. NRA €2.263m for works on motorways and national roads, DoT €10.634m for works on regional & local roads, MCC €3.76m for works on local roads and €1m for public lighting, and an expected NTA allocation of €2.5m for footpaths, traffic management etc. Meath has 3,555km of road and. Dunshaughlin Area has 17% of the County’s regional and local roads. The allocationsrepresent a significant reduction in the funding for regional and local road restoration and the challenge is to get the best possible return from all available resources. The Council is carrying out a review of the outdoor staffmodus operandi, which, when completed,should result in more efficient and effective work practices.Each road is being surveyed and its condition will be assessed and the road subsequently graded
Potholes often are a symptom of underlying issues with the road such as poor drainage. Landowners alongpublic roads have responsibilities particularly in relation to drainage and the Council is in consultation with the IFA in this regard. The Council will continue to fix potholes but there is a need to have a planned approach towards the management of the road network and the current review will inform that process.
The membersraised the following queries:
- Possibility of redeploying excess staff from adjoining counties to Meath under the CrokePark agreement. The Area Manager advised that the Council had to operate within its budget and any additional staff would have funding issues.
- Many motorists are avoiding the tolled M3 thereby creating additional stress on regional and local roads and necessitating a subvention from Govt. funds to make up the shortfall in toll income. They requested that traffic counts be undertaken on these roads to demonstrate the increase in traffic. An agreement is in place regarding the motorway tolls and traffic counts have been undertaken.
- Ensuring quality of work done and materials used by contractors. MeathCounty Council has a procedure in place for any work done by contractors.
- Public expectations of better services following the introduction of the Household Charge and the imminent Property Tax.
- Drainage problems arising from runoff of raised road surface.
- Cost burden of Health and Safety implications on works.All works must be in compliance with H. & S. legislation and the Council must be vigilant in ensuring this. All staff and contractors must be conscious of their H. & S. responsibilities.
- Hedge cutting notices should stipulate that all cuttings are disposed of properly.
- This Areas % of total allocation. The Area lost €0.5m, which was earmarked for the Dunboyne/Maynooth Road 2 years ago.
- Provision of a pedestrian crossing at Batterstown.
- Provision of a footpath at Baltrasna to facilitate access to petrol station / shop.
- Footpath needed on Fairyhouse Road, Ratoath in vicinity of BMX facility
- Update on NTA grant applications
Emmanuel Mwadiwa and Phillip Traynor circulated and presented the Roadworks Programme 2013 (report & maps) to the members. The programmeshows the roads, under the various categories, which the Area intends to carry out works on this year. They advised that there were no changes to the Road Restoration Schemes for 2013 from the list approved by the Area members at the November 2012 Special Meeting held to consider the Multi-Annual Road Restoration Programme 2013-2016.
On the proposal of Cllr. O’Connor seconded by Cllr. Killian, the Members recommended the adoption of the Dunshaughlin Area Roadworks Programme 2013 to the Full Council.
6.0Report on Matters raised at the January 2013 Area Meeting
The members received, noted a report on this issue, and raised the following queries:
- The Kilbride Cemetery Committee will revert once ground conditions improve.
- Pressure needs to be put on the developer of lands in vicinity of St Pauls School, Ratoath for completion of roads so that pedestrian crossings can be progressed.
- Report on unauthorised development on R135 and N2.
- Report on historical significance of Rathbeggan Graveyard. Several members agreed that it would be a very costly drain on Council resources to pursue the existence of a public right of way through the court system.
- Derelict state of Cusack Homes site, Dunshaughlin.
7.0 Matters raised with the permission of the Cathaoirleach
Cllr. Killian
- Appreciation to Housing Section for speedy resolution of recent issue
- Anti social behaviour is an issue in area of derelict site at centre of RatoathVillage
Cllr. Bonner
- Lighting at Shops at Garden City is poor.
- Arkle statue is now ready for placement.
- Parapet at MilltownBridge, Ashbourne damaged.
Cllr. Murphy
- Alternative funding source for provision of CCTV system at Dunboyne playground and Garda report on the matter
- No pedestrian footpath on M3 roundabout at Pace or on slipway to Dunboyne
- Free flow of traffic badly affected after 4pm at Pace
Cllr. O’Connor
- Unacceptable that Area may be without Area Engineer from March to July 2013
- Maelduin, Dunshaughlin residents concern onaccess through a strip of land in the estate
- Update on Rathbeggan Lane
- Water pressure problems in Summerseat, Clonee
- Repairs to speed ramp inMouldenBridge, Ratoath
- Potholes at Village Grill, Dunshaughlin and Coole, Kilcock
Cllr.Leonard
- Congratulated Lyndsey Dreaper and the Arkle Committee on their work in progressing the Arkle art feature. The other members echoed this sentiment.
8.0Correspondence / Items raised
The Area Engineer presented a report on the taking in charge of Plunkett Hall,Luttrell Hall and The Paddocks all in Dunboyne and MoynalvyPark, Moynalvy. There are some legal issues regarding MoynalveyPark and accordingly it was agreed to omit this estate from the Taking in Charge process.
On the proposal of Cllr Murphy, seconded by Cllr Leonard the members recommended to the Full Council the taking in charge of Plunkett Hall, Luttrell Hall and The Paddocks Dunboyne and the making of a declaration that the roads within the estates shall be public roads.
There being no further business the meeting ended at 11.45
MinutesFeb2013 Meeting110213 Page 1 of 4
Meath County Council, Dunshaughlin Civic Offices, Drumree Road, Dunshaughlin, CountyMeath