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Celbridge Area Meeting

Minutes of Meeting

Held at 10.00 a.m. on Friday 11 September 2009

At Áras Chill Dara, Naas

Members Present: Councillors C. Murphy, P. Kelly, J. McGinley, S. Griffin, C. Purcell and K. Byrne.

Apologies : Councillor T. Byrne.

Also Present : Mr. P. Minnock (Director of Services), Ms S. Kavanagh (S.E.O.), Mr L. Dunne (S.E.O.), Ms. E. Murray (Area Engineer), Mr. S. Wallace (Parks Superintendent) Mr. G. Conlan, (S.E.), Mr. D. Reel (S.E.E.) Mr. G. Duff (A.O) Mr. W. Hannigan, (S.E.E), Mr. J. Doyle (S.S.O.) Ms. P. Penny (A.S.O) Ms A. Aspell (A/Meetings Administrator), Ms. S. Rice (Secretary).

CE 01/09/09

Minutes and Progress Report

The committee considered the minutes of the monthly meetings held on 10 July 200. Resolved on the proposal of Councillor Byrne and seconded by Councillor McGinley, that the minutes be confirmed and taken as read subject to the following amendments to:

CE03/07/09 – that County Manager appoint a staff member to the Leixlip Amenities Centre Committee.

CE13/07/09 – that a costing be prepared for the removal of the hedge and that safe parking space / lay-by be identified to allow school bus to drop children off.

CE20/07/09 - that Traffic Management Plan be amended to include works required at Crodaun Forest Park

School Crossing English Row/Ardclough Road

Councillor Byrne asked that signage associated with school warden at crossing be installed at this location.

Noise abatement measures on the M4 at Maynooth

Sonya Kavanagh confirmed that a letter had been sent to the Department of Transport in relation to members concerns and observations at this location, the members requested a copy of this letter and that the members be informed of when a response is received.

Right of way, Beatty Park/Shackleton road, Celbridge

The members asked that this item remain on the agenda.

U.D on Footpath on Main Street, Celbridge

Councillor Byrne requested an update on this matter as the footpath in question is in a very dangerous condition. An Cathaoirleach also reported that the reinstatement works carried out by the ESB were in a bad condition and asked that the roads department investigate.

Road Maintenance and Sweeping for Celbridge, Maynooth and Leixlip

The members asked to be kept informed of any progress on this matter.

Removal of Bandstand, Pound Park

Councillors McGinley and Kelly thanked Mr Joe Boland and Peter Minnock for the removal of the Bandstand.

Reinstatement of open spaces in Maynooth

Councillor Griffin reported to the meeting that a stretch of footpath at the point where school children are crossing the road at the girls national school needed to be repaired urgently, he reported that the path was damaged by the contractors. The members also requested the list of works to be done under the Lower Liffey Valley Regional Sewerage Scheme.

Littering at vacant houses, Old Greenfield, Maynooth

Councillor McGinley reported that the incidents of littering are being caused by residents in private housing and asked that the litter wardens investigate this, he also asked that the Tidy Towns committee be supplied with 3 bins.

Wonderful Barn

A specific meeting is to be arranged to discuss this matter further.

Allotments, 10 acres on Maynooth Road

The members requested a further progress report for the October meeting; they also wished to thank Simon Wallace and Peter Minnock for their commitment to this project.

CE 02/09/09

Maynooth and Leixlip Pay parking

The roads department presented the members with some proposals for pay parking in Maynooth. Councillor McGinley suggested that Waterways Ireland be contacted in relation to vacant lands at the harbour in Maynooth that would possibly provide 60 car parking spaces for the town. Councillor Kelly also suggested that the car park at the Glen Royal would be an ideal location for pay parking, and asked that the roads department look into to the previous refused planning application for a temporary carpark at same location.

The roads department suggested that the church carpark in Leixlip be regulated and used for pay parking, An Cathaoirleach was very unhappy that this proposal had been progressed without the agreement of the committee members. Councillor Kelly was also in agreement that the church was not a good location due to the close proximity of the Gaelscoil and lack of signage. A long discussion ensued in relation to pay parking in Maynooth and Leixlip and it was agreed that both items would be discussed in greater detail at the next area meeting.

Resolved: That this item remain on the agenda for the October meeting.

CE03/09/09

Deputation from FÁS

A deputation from Mr Kevin Macken, Assistant Manager of Midlands Region of FÁS was received, he reported to the members that there are currently 17 projects being undertaken by FÁS in the north Kildare area, with 374 participants. He explained that there are approximately 600 people in the entire county participating in some form of FÁS training. He also reported that they provide free daytime/night courses for those in receipt of a Social Wefare payment. Councillor Purcell said that the Community Employment Schemes benefit the whole locality and not just those who take part. An Cathaoirleach thanked Mr Macken for attending the meeting.

CE04/09/09

Road Safety at Church on Kilcock Road, Maynooth

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Griffin:

In order to be of assistance to those daily mass goers at Maynooth parish Church, Kildare County Council roads design section be requested to provide advice on the best option to accommodate a safe exit out onto the Kilcock road.

It was reported that roads design staff would provide assistance as requested.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE05/09/09

Draft roadwork's programme for 2010

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor McGinley:

That the area engineer outlines her programme of work for the remainder of 2009

and that the draft roadwork's programme for 2010 be given to the area committee

for approval before the end of 2009.

The area engineer attended the meeting and outlined her intended programme of works for the remainder of the year. She reported that it would not be possible to produce a roadworks programme for 2010 until (a) the Council’s own budget had been agreed and approved and (b) the Department of Transport, the NRA and the DTO had informed Kildare County Council of the level of grant aid being made available to it in 2010. Councillor McGinley asked if he could be supplied with a pre-draft plan for 2010, Ms Murray said that the roads department do have a 5-year plan in place but it is funding dependant.

Resolved: That pre-draft plan be circulated to the members.

CE06/09/09

Pot holes in Clonagh, Straffan

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor McGinley:

That the reconstruction of the road serving the homes in Clonagh cul de sac, Straffan, be included in the roadworks programme for 2010.

The roads department reported that cul-de-sacs could not be included in the Road Works Programme and that the residents should apply for a Community Initiative Scheme grant for this cul-de-sac. Councillor McGinley was outraged at this suggestion and stated that it was unreasonable of the council to ask residents of private housing estates to pay for repairs to the roads, he also asked that an alternative solution to the problem be found. An Cathaoirleach asked that the roads department prepare a costing of the works for the October meeting.

Resolved: An Cathaoirleach asked that the roads department prepare a costing of the works for the October meeting.

CE07/09/09

Roadworks programme

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Murphy:

We ask the area engineer to outline her possible work programme for the remainder of the year. How that will vary from previous years in terms of the type of work undertaken.

The area engineer will attend the meeting and outline her intended programme of works fothe remainder of the year. See CE05/09/09

CE08/09/09

Pot holes in Castletown estate, Celbridge

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Byrne:

That the potholes in Castletown estate Celbridge be repaired, particularly on the drive The Avenue and the Walled Gardens.

The roads department reported that they had repaired the potholes in question

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE09/09/09

Surface water beside the Abbey Hall at Ardclough Road,Celbridge

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Byrne:

That remedial action be taken to deal with the severe ponding of surface water beside the Abbey Hall at Ardclough road Celbridge.

It was reported that there was no funding for this work, however, this request would be kept on a list for attention should some additional funding become available.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE10/09/09

Footpath repairs, Castlevillage Avenue, Celbridge

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Byrne:

That the council take remedial action to repair the footpath between houses 20-21 Castlevillage Avenue Celbridge where a section of the path has been lifted by tree roots.

The roads department reported that his section of path would be removed and replaced in the near future.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE11/09/09

Provision of a pedestrian controlled crossing at Station Road,Leixlip

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Purcell:

Given the urgent need for the provision of a pedestrian controlled crossing at Station Road, Leixlip, and given the withdrawal of planning file 08/177, that the council now commit to funding the provision of required pedestrian crossing in 2009 from its own internal resources and seek a refund from the Dublin Transport Office.

It was reported that there was no funding available to fund new signalised installations in the County. In addition, the Dublin Transportation Office had recently funded the undertaking of a Traffic Management Plan for the town and therefore no funding applications for implementation works would be considered by the DTO in advance of the completion of this study. An Cathaoirleach asked for a copy of the previous designs and costings for he provision of the pedestrian crossing on Station Road.

Resolved: That the members be provided with the previous designs and costings.

CE12/09/09

Repair of roads in St Mary’s Park, Leixlip

That Kildare County Council repair road surface at entrance to St. Mary’s Park, Leixlip and address water ponding issue close to first horse on left hand side.

The roads department reported that here was no funding in the current budget for this work.

Councillor Purcell was disappointed with the report but accepted that no funding was available.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE13/09/09

Pay parking company in Celbridge and Leixlip

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Murphy:

For what period was the contract with the company who are charged with parking enforcement in Celbridge and Leixlip entered into?

The roads department reported that the company employed to enforce pay parking in Celbridge and Leixlip are under contract until April 2010. The contract covers a three-year period from April 2007 to April 2010.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE14/09/09

Repairs to traffic signals

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Murphy:

What is the criteria for deciding on repairs to traffic signals?

Report: The roads department reported the following priority list for traffic signal maintenance:

1. Any faults at “Shuttle Signals”, traffic accidents or “knockdowns” and all lamps out at pelican crossings and traffic junctions;

2. Faults at pedestrian crossings and faults of 2 lamps out on one approach to any junction;

3. One green arrow or red lamp fault, controller faults, isolation of remote monitoring units and SCOOT faults;

4. One green lamp and any other single lamp out at a junction, loop/detector faults, controller log faults and timing complaints; and

5. CCTV camera faults, reports of queue length increasing, single lamp out at any junction, communication faults, faults with the traffic management centre equipment and all other faults.

Faults which are considered to be a risk to public safety (generally priority list 1 and 2 above) are prioritised and repaired subject to available funding.

Other faults (generally priority list 3, 4 and 5) are logged for repair when funding becomes available.

It should be noted that bulb changes, lens changes, lamp realignments, signal cleaning, small timing changes and detection checks are now undertaken by an in-house traffic signal maintenance team. A private traffic signal maintenance contractor repairs all other specialist faults.

It should be noted that the allocated budget for Traffic Signal Maintenance in 2009 was €200,000 which was considered inadequate but no other funds were available to supplement this budget. The budget for 2009 has now been fully committed and any further repairs will result in an over expenditure. Ms Kavanagh also reported that roads maintenance staff had now been trained to do repairs on traffic signals, which would save money and time, An Cathaoileach, welcomed that council staff were carrying out repairs.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE15/09/09

Speed ramps, Temple Manor estate, Celbridge

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Byrne:

To ask if the provision of two anti-speed ramps on either side of the entrance to Temple Manor estate Celbridge be included in the work programme for 2010?

It was reported that this request would be referred to roads design and that it was likely that the level of funding which would be available in 2010 for traffic calming measures would be extremely limited and this request would be considered along with the other requests received. Councillor Byrne stated that it is a dangerous road and would like this location to be considered when funding would become available.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE16/09/09

Pedestrian exit from Straffan Gate, Straffan

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Byrne:

To ask when will the pedestrian barrier be erected at the pedestrian exit from Straffan Gate housing estate Straffan (said barrier was to be removed from the pedestrian access to Beatty Park Celbridge and erected in Straffan?)

The roads department reported that this right of way was to be closed by the residents association and when this was done the barrier would be removed and re-erected in Straffan.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE17/09/09

Bus service from Salesian college to Hazelhatch station

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Byrne:

To ask when the proposed bus stops will be put in place to enable the shuttle bus

service from Salesian College to Hazelhatch station to collect passengers along the

route ?

Report: The roads department had contacted Bus Eireann regarding this matter re awaiting a response. Councillor Byrne asked that the members be kept informed of any progress on this matter and that the roads department follow up query with Bus Eireann.

Resolved: That roads department contacts Bus Eireann in relation to bus service from Salesian college to Hazelhatch station.

CE18/09/09

Backlots in Catletown Estate

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Purcell:

That the area committee are provided with a report on the process to deal with the back lots in Castletown Estate and the current status of that process.

The housing department reported that a number of meetings had been held with representatives of the Residents Associations of the Hawthorn View Estate and Castletown Estate to outline and explain proposals for the boundary treatment work between the estates and Castletown Woods. The Celbridge Area Committee was also informed of the proposed works. The Residents Associations were to consider the proposals and advise the council of the outcome of this process. The Hawthorn View Residents Assoc. has confirmed its support for the proposal as set out. It was understand that the Castletown Residents Association had held an initial meeting to consider the proposal and that it was planned to hold a second meeting to further consider the proposal. It was anticipated that the association would then be able to advise the council of its position in relation to the proposed boundary treatment works. The Residents Association had been advised that any additional information in relation to the Castletown Woods lands that it may have access to should be submitted to the council for consideration.

It was the council’s view that the proposed fence line and associated works represents the best solution to providing a secure boundary. An Cathaoirleach stated that some residents wanted the backlots close and other wanted them to remain open, she asked that a meeting take place with those residents, staff and committee members who may be directly effected by the backlots and that members be furnished with Part VIII. Mr Minnock said that members could have a copy of original Part VIII.

Resolved: That members be given a copy of Part VIII and a special meeting take place with residents, staff and committee members to discuss backlots.

CE19/09/09

Amenity Lands at Lough na Mona Leixlip

To consider the report on, the development of Amenity Lands at Lough na Mona Leixlip.

Mr Wallace of the Community and Enterprise department reported that as a result of the review of the Capital Programme and the revenue collected this year it is proposed to allocate funding of €200,000 towards the development of the amenity lands at Lough na Mona. This will compliment the funding that both Leixlip United and Leixlip Town have received and propose to apply to draw down. It is proposed to meet with the winning tender for the work shortly to agree a programme of works for the site and a proposed commencement date. An Cathaoirleach asked whether football clubs had been contacted in relation to this.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE20/09/09

Wonderful Barn

To consider report on the Wonderful Barn, Leixlip.

Further to previous reports in relation to issues associated with The Wonderful Barn the following sets out the current position in relation to (i) security works, (ii) provision of allotments and (iii) funding:

Security Works

Kildare County Council had spent more than €300,000.00 on security since becoming owners of the Wonderful Barn, 2/3 years ago and yet this protected structure was in more danger now than when it was in private hands.. It had been agreed that this level of outgoing was not sustainable, and that security would be a matter for The Gardai once we had completed our permanent closing up of the structures.

The council had secured the buildings by blocking up, with blockwork, all window and door opes, weathering the roof and closing up any points of access. The Gardai advised on securing the boundaries, removing any materials that might encourage youths to congregate and the removal of all external lights etc.

Provision of Allotments

It was proposed to develop allotments of 100,150 & 200 sq.m in size. Regarding the management of the allotments it was proposed that the allotments would be rented on an 11 month licence annually and that all allotment holders would be required to form a management committee to administer the running of the allotments. A design for the layout of the site including the exact layout and number of the varying sizes of plots and the costs for constructing the site was being worked on and would be presented at a future meeting of the area committee.

Funding

Kildare County Council, in association with statutory and voluntary bodies, was reviewing options for the Wonderful Barn within a national context.

The critical issue for all concerned was the identification of potential funding streams to deliver on any plans agreed in relation to the future development /uses for the structure and associated lands and buildings.

Councillor Purcell stated that security was badly needed at this site.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE21/09/09

Leixlip Library

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Murphy:

We consider the options available, including potential costs, for improved pedestrian facilities at Leixlip Library.

It was reported that there was no budget allocation for such works. It was clarified at the meeting that An Cathaoirleach was requesting that traffic calming be put in place at this location.

Resolved: That the roads department investigate the councillors request.

CE22/09/09

Tesco Unit, Maynooth

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Murphy:

What is the up to date position in relation to the Tesco Unit in Maynooth?

Mr Minnock reported that a special meeting to discuss this matter would take place on 21^st October 2009 and that he would hope to have a progress report for the next meeting. An Cathaoirleach asked at what stage this process was currently at and that the committee be given copies of all documentation relating to the Tesco unit.

Resolved: That members receive all documentation in relation to the Tesco unit, Maynooth and be informed of any progression on this item.

CE23/09/09

Taking in charge of Castledillon and Ladychapel Group Water Schemes.

The water services department presented maps and reports in relation to the taking in charge of both group water schemes, it was proposed by Councillor Murphy and seconded by Councillor Paul Kelly that both schemes proceed to next full council and be taken in charge.

Resolved: That both items proceed to September meeting of Kildare County Council for taking in charge.

CE24/09/09

Rodent infestation near Cedar Park, Leixlip

The committee considered the following question in the name of Councillor Purcell:

Will the council seek a remedy for the rodent infestation near Cedar Park, Leixlip?

It was reported that the environment department have forwarded details to the Health Service Executive in relation to this matter.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE25/09/09

To note arrangements for Budget 2010.

Ms Barbara Sweeney of the finance department attended the meeting and asked that the members must email all requests for Budget 2010 by Friday 2 October 2009.

CE26/09/09

Other business

Deputation from Castletown Action Group – The meetings administrator reported that a request had been received from the Castletown Action Group to attend the next meeting of the area committee and asked if the members would be in agreement. The members all agreed that the group would be invited to attend the October area meeting.

Councillor Kelly also requested that the committee receive a deputation from the Salesian Fathers, Celbridge, it was reported that this request would require further investigations and that the members would be informed of the outcome prior to the next meeting

The meeting concluded.