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Celbridge Area Meeting

 Minutes of Meeting

held at 9.30 a.m. on Friday 16 April 2010

in the Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth

Members Present: Councillors P Kelly, (Acting Cathaoirleach), S. Griffin, J McGinley, K Byrne and C Purcell.

Apologies: Councillor C. Murphy and Councillor T. Byrne

Also Present:     Mr P Minnock (Director of Services), Ms S Kavanagh (S.E.O.), Mr G Conlan (Senior Executive Engineer), Ms P. Penny (A.S.O.) Mr C Talbot (Meetings Administrator), Ms S Rice (Area Secretary)

CE 01/03/2010

Minutes and Progress Report

The committee considered the minutes of the monthly meeting held on 29 March 2010.

Resolved on the proposal of Councillor Kelly and seconded by Councillor Purcell, that the minutes be confirmed and taken as read.

Meeting with Iarnroid Eireann

Iarnrod Eireann had been invited as per the members request but were unable to attend the meeting, they have been given the date of the May meeting and invited to attend.

Signage around Bond Bridge

It was reported that “Townlands” were not usually indicated on fingerpost signs and the area engineer saw no reason to erect such a sign at this location. Councillor Griffin asked that it be noted that other “townlands” in the area were not signed posted and he agreed with the area engineers report.

Promotional signs in Celbridge

At the request of the members the roads department had contacted the NRA, County Kildare Failte and Special Olympics Ireland in relation to their signage, Councillors Griffin and McGinley asked that the signs in questions remain in place but asked that they be cleaned and repaired as some towns have been twinned with or have connections with foreign towns/villages that took part in the Special Olympics.

Pedestrian crossing at the Church of Our Lady’s Nativity, Leixlip

The members asked when these works would commence.

CE02/04/2010

Footpath repairs, St. Patricks Park, Celbridge

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

That the footpath from house 913 to 916 St. Patrick’s Park, Celbridge be repaired and that the manhole cover there be replaced as it is broken and damaged.

The roads department reported that this footpath would cost approximately €7,000 to repair.  In comparison to other housing estates the footpaths in St. Patrick’s Park were in a relatively good state of repair as a lot of funding had been spent in this estate in recent years.  If these repairs were to be undertaken then some Councillor’s Discretionary Funding would need to be allocated as there was no funding in our maintenance budget for this.

The water services department reported that the sewerage overseer carried out an inspection of the area in question and had advised that there was no evidence of any damage to either the surface water manhole cover or the Eircom manhole cover. The foul sewer was on the opposite side of the road. Following a conversation with Cllr Byrne, he advised that the repairs appeared to have been carried out. Councillor Byrne asked if the required works could be completed under the roadworks programme; Ms Kavanagh stated that this would not be possible as it would involve hiring contractors which would be costly. Councillor Griffin supported Ms Kavanaghs reply and asked that as much works as possible be carried out by direct labour and that the council maintain their workforce numbers

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE03/04/2010

Traffic calming measures, Celbridge

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

That the council place on the list for traffic claming projects, the provision of ramps to cover the exits of which the following are adjacent; St. Patricks National School, Celbridge, Celbridge Tennis Club and Celbridge GAA Club, all on the very heavily trafficked Hazelhatch Road, Celbridge.

The roads department reported that given their severe financial restraints it was essential that the council should deploy its resources to ensure that essential repairs can be carried out by the council’s own operatives thus ensuring employment. Installation of more ramps would outsource work to contractors and require high maintenance costs. Maintaining our existing roads, footpaths and drainage systems should be a priority. Councillor Byrne stated that this was a very busy road and that it urgently needed traffic calming measures. Ms Kavanagh stated that this location could be added to the countywide list for traffic calming measures and that all requests would be assessed on their overall priority. Councillor Kelly also requested that Willowbrook be added to this list

Resolved: That Willowbrook be added to the traffic calming measures list.

CE04/04/2010

Celbridge Traffic Management Plan

The committee noted the following motion in the name of Councillor Murphy:

We amend the Celbridge Traffic Management Plan following the adoption of the Celbridge Local Area Plan in the following area of the Maynooth Road:

·      the area at the roundabout on the Maynooth Road

·      the inclusion of safe access to and from both Crodaun entrances

·      pedestrian facilities at the top entrance to Castletown Close to the Walled Gardens, this is a school bus pick up point

As Councillor Murphy was not present it was agreed that she would receive reports on the items in her name on the agenda and she would be at liberty to re-enter if she so wished. It was resolved that the report be noted and not considered by the committee.

The roads department reported that there was no objection to the inclusion of points (a) and (b) in a supplementary list of works/recommendations for the Celbridge Traffic Management Plan.  However, if Councillor Murphy could clarify what suggestions were being made with regard to point (a)

Resolved: That report be noted

CE05/04/2010

Dublin bus, network review

The committee noted the following motion in the name of Councillor Murphy:

Following the completion of the network review, which is due shortly, we consult with Dublin Bus in order to plan any bus stop, turning circle or other necessary changes to the proposed network.  We also consider what finance is available to implement such changes.

It was reported that funding for improvements to the bus network had traditionally been sourced from the National Transport Authority (formerly the DTO).  In 2010, there was no allocation for such works.  Any consultation with Dublin Bus would include officials from the NTA.

As Councillor Murphy was not present it was agreed that she would receive reports on the items in her name on the agenda and she would be at liberty to re-enter if she so wished. It was resolved that the report be noted and not considered by the committee.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE06/04/2010

Flooding at St Patrick’s Park, Celbridge

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

To ask Kildare County Council if remedial action would be taken to eliminate the flooding of house 812 St. Patricks Park, Celbridge in this regard to ask that the storm drain be cleared and also that they be checked to see if they are adequate.

It was reported that the area office would investigate this matter as soon as possible

Resolved: That report be noted

CE07/04/2010

Footpath repair on Church Road, Celbridge

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

To ask the council to repair the footpath on Church Road, Celbridge opposite the vehicular entrance to St. Raphaels School, which was badly damaged by the severe frost.  That this path be repaired as there are many senior citizens using this route.

The roads department reported that the cost of these repairs was €2,800.  There was no funding in the roads maintenance budget for this work.  Perhaps Councillors Discretionary Funding could be allocated for these repairs.

Resolved: That report be noted

CE08/04/2010

Cost of all essential footpath and road repairs

The committee noted the following motion in the name of Councillor Murphy:

What physical and financial capacity has the area engineer available to her in relation to both footpath and road repairs essential after the bad winter?

The roads department reported that the only financial resources available were the maintenance budget and the improvement grants. The improvement grants could be seen in the Road Works Programme, two of which (Boston Road, Ardclough and R148 at Moyvalley) had to be undertaken in January as a result of the severe frost/snow damage. The three remaining (R148 at Carton, Ladychapel to Taghadoe Road and the Johninstown Road) would be undertaken later in the summer. With regard to the labour available the             area office had to work within the numbers they have at present.

As Councillor Murphy was not present it was agreed that she would receive reports on the items in her name on the agenda and she would be at liberty to re-enter if she so wished. It was resolved that the report be noted and not considered by the committee.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE09/04/2010

Reinstatement the Castledillon Road?

The committee noted the following motion in the name of Councillor Murphy:

What is the cost of reinstating the Castledillon Road?

The roads department reported that some drainage work was required on the large drains on each side of this cul-de-sac before any road restoration could take place. The cost of drainage and repairs would be in excess of €50,000.

As Councillor Murphy was not present it was agreed that she would receive reports on the items in her name on the agenda and she would be at liberty to re-enter if she so wished. It was resolved that the report be noted and not considered by the committee.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE10/04/2010

Tree planting for Old Town Road, Celbridge

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

That six trees be planted on the grass margin directly opposite Scoil na Mainistreach, Old Town Road, Celbridge for the dual purpose of improving the environment and to prevent cars parking on the grass margin.

It was reported that additional trees would be planted where possible at this location and Shackleton Road in the coming week. If the additional planting was not successful in preventing the cars parking then alternate measures will have to be looked at.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE11/04/2010

Prevention of Anti-social behaviour

The committee noted the following motion in the name of Councillor Murphy:

We consult with neighbouring authorities in order to ascertain what successful approaches have been applied to overcome issues of anti social/criminal behaviour particularly as it relates to public facilities, green spaces and public rights of way.

It was reported that the types of actions used by other neighbouring local authorities to deal with issues of antisocial behaviour were use of CCTV, Implementation of Bye Laws, ensuring that areas of open space were not backed onto by development, removing of heavily vegetated areas that provide cover, Park Ranger service and co operation with the Gardai. Antisocial behaviour remains a problem and no one measure had ever been successful in combating this.

As Councillor Murphy was not present it was agreed that she would receive reports on the items in her name on the agenda and she would be at liberty to re-enter if she so wished. It was resolved that the report be noted and not considered by the committee.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE12/04/2010

Sli na Slainte

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

To ask the council to investigate if funding can be sourced from outside the council to provide the last section of the walking route (Sli na Slainte) mainly from the Lishandra Estate to Tancards Lane at Wheatfield Road, Ardclough.

This matter had been referred to the leisure services manager for assessment in conjunction with Cllr Byrne and the community organising the walking route.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE13/04/2010

Littering on Silleachain Lane, Leixlip

The committee considered the following motion in the name of Councillor Purcell

That Kildare County Council as a matter of urgency and in the interest of public health, remove the large volume of dumped material which is infested with rats from the area near Silleachain Lane, Leixlip and that every effort be made to identify and prosecute those responsible for this large scale dumping and that the council act to prevent a re-occurrence once the area is cleaned up.

It was reported that this matter had been referred to the litter warden and environmental crew for attention and every effort would be made to identify those responsible and action would be taken to protect against further dumping at this location.

Resolved: That report be noted.

CE14/04/2010

Shop signage

The committee considered the following motion in the name of Councillor Purcell

That the council seeks to have removed all plastic signs and other illegal signage from shop fronts in Leixlip.

It was reported that the environment section would liaise with the planning section to determine if planning permission was required for the signage concerned. Councillor Purcell  stated that standards were slipping and that the council should be monitoring the all signage erected by shop keepers he also requested that a pilot project be carried out in Leixlip in relation to shop/businesses using plastic signage on their shop fronts and that the council ensure that these are removed and replaced with appropriate signage. Councillor McGinley reported the same problems in the Maynooth area. Councillor Byrne proposed that a pilot scheme be pit in place and this was seconded by Councillor Purcell.

Resolved: That a pilot scheme be put in place in Leixlip town in relation to shop fronts and the signage in place, also that the planning and environment sections investigate the necessary requirements regarding current signage.

CE15/04/2010

Open spaces and taking in charge

The committee noted the following motion in the name of Councillor Murphy:

When older housing estates are taken in charge without the open space being vested in the Council, what sanction is available to the Council should the original developer refuse to let the voluntary residents committee work on the open space?

The building control section had asked that Councillor Murphy identify the estate in question.  The department would examine the plans to identify the status of the open spaces, reverting to the committee with a report at the next meeting.

As Councillor Murphy was not present it was agreed that she would receive reports on the items in her name on the agenda and she would be at liberty to re-enter if she so wished. It was resolved that the report be noted and not considered by the committee.

Resolved: That the planning department contact Councillor Murphy in relation to this item and that a report be available for the May meeting.