Minutes of July Meeting

MINUTES OF JULY MONTHLY MEETING OF ATHY TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7.30 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, 18th JULY, 2007 IN THE MUNICIPAL OFFICES, RATHSTEWART, ATHY.

CATHAOIRLEACH : COUNCILLOR CUNNANE

COUNCILLORS IN ATTENDANCE: COUNCILLORS, SCULLY
DALTON, ENGLISH, BRESLIN
O’SULLIVAN, WRIGHT.



OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE : T SKEHAN, TOWN MANAGER,
M. AHEARNE A/ TOWN CLERK,
OLIVE KAVANAGH A/SO.

APOLOGIES : COUNCILLOR LAWLER & DALY.



6.30 P.M – Deputation from Rheban Manor Residents Association

The Cathaoirleach welcomed all to the meeting and requested the representatives from Rheban Manor residents association to make their presentation to the council.

Ger Davis spoke on behalf of the Rheban Manor Residents Association and asked the following,

The residents wanted to know why planning inspectors have not inspected whether works had been carried out by the developer i.e. works to finish the estate in accordance with the planning conditions. The developer has left many jobs unfinished. Reps from the residents association met with the developer in Antrim in December and the developer informed them that he had requested a snag list from the council and he had not received this. The developer had carried out some works as a result of this meeting. The residents wanted to know if bonds held by the council could be used to carry out unfinished works, and would the council take the estate in charge.

Mr. Davis also stated that there are 322 houses in the estate and 700 cars using the roads in the estate, and some of them are speeding and the residents association requested that the council install ramps within the estate to slow down the traffic.

He also requested that the litter warden enforce the litter laws in the estate, fine people who dump or burn household rubbish and whose bins are overflowing with rubbish in their front gardens for weeks on end, also fine tenants who leave full rubbish bins outside of properties they have vacated. They also requested that the litter warden co-operate with the committee in clean up projects.
Mr. Davis asked why Athy Town Council had not answered any of their letters or e-mails regarding these issues.

He also asked what was happening with the 22 vacant houses in Holland’s Park. These houses are being vandalised and that section of the estate was being turned into a slum. These houses were not being monitored. The association also requested that the council monitor anti-social behaviour in the council houses within the estate.

The residents association requested that the money given to the council by the developer for work which would benefit the estate, be used only for the benefit of the residents and the money received (bonds) be used to finish any outstanding unfinished work within the estate. They requested that the money needed for the repair of the 22 houses in Holland’s Park be found from other sources.

When the deputation had concluded the Cathaoirleach informed the councillors that they could seek clarification of the issues raised from the residents association.

The Town Clerk read a report on the housing development at Rheban Manor to the meeting.

Councillor Dalton requested that a copy of this report be circulated to the members.

Councillor Breslin stated that Colm Flynn had informed her that several enforcement notices had been served and a detailed snag list had been completed. She also asked where the enforcement officer Sean Byrne’s report was as he had been in the estate for days carrying out an inspection.

Councillor Dalton acknowledged that all of the points raised by the residents association were relevant, and that the issues had been ongoing for a number of years. He asked for clarification on any repairs required on the 22 houses and said they were becoming an island slum in the middle of the estate. He asked for assurance that public money would not be used to repair them.

The manager thanked the delegation and said there had been many difficulties with this development. It is before the courts at present. The land was zoned for housing; the developer had got his profits from the sale of the houses. The developer has a responsibility to complete the estate to the standard as laid down in the planning permission. He also stated that the residents association would have to apply formally to the council to have the estate taken in charge and requested that they submit a formal application to the council. Upon receipt of this the council would get the engineer to assess what works needed to be carried out.

Councillor English enquired if the bond money held by council would be sufficient to cover all of the works needed to finish the estate.

The manager replied that he doubted it would be enough to cover the works.

Councillor Dalton said that if this were the case then works would have to be prioritised.

Councillor English stated that the developer had made the money from the sale of houses in the estate and we cannot let him off the hook. He enquired if there was anyway the council could get any more money off him.

The Cathaoirleach replied that it is normal to use the bond and that the council covers the shortfall.

Councillor Dalton informed the meeting that the Part V problem was critical. He stated he knew it was being pursued through legal channels and he said the council should do whatever it had to sort out the problem.

The Town Clerk addressed the residents association on their litter warden request, stating that the litter warden’s position had been vacant since January. A new litter warden had only been appointed a week or two ago and she would enforce the litter laws within the estate. Athy Town Council has also employed two new community wardens who will work with the residents association on these issues.

Councillor Scully concurred with what the issues raised by the residents association, and stated that ramps were needed within the estate.

The Cathaoirleach thanked the deputation for their submissions. He requested that they submit a letter to the council requesting the council to take the estate in charge. He said the council would do its best to solve the problems and that the council would keep the residents informed.

Mr. Ger Davis thanked the councillors on behalf of the residents association.

7.10 pm Presentation by RPS on the Athy Northern Distributor Route feasibility study.

RPS representatives, Susan Joyce and Andrew Archer, Niamh Bannon. Daniel Brennan.
Mr. Joe Boland Director of Services Kildare County Council.
David Reel Roads Design Section Kildare County Council.

Joe Boland informed the meeting this was an information seminar, no decision was required this evening. He stated that the council should try to finalise a decision on this in September. He outlined the main constraints on the Northern Distributor route, these being existing roads, the Athy Golf course, the Barrow, the Grand Canal, Archaeological restraints etc. He outlined the three options A, B, C.

Suspend Standing Order at 7.30
On proposal of Councillor English.
Seconded by Mark Dalton.

RPS presented their report to the council. It outlined the above constraints, and reported on the findings of the public consultation held in the Carlton Abbey Hotel. The results of this public consultation were as follows, 110 people attended over the two days, 26 responded to the questionnaire. 11 of these respondents favoured route C, 10 respondents favoured route B, and 5 respondents favoured route A.

Following the consultation route A & B were moved slightly to reduce severance at Prussellstown. Routes were moved north to reduce impact on properties at Cardington Rd.

The main points on route B were that it was closer to the town and better for planning. It impacts on lands zoned for education. It was accessible to lands zoned for schools. It was a shorter route and it does not sever access to Barrowford house.

The main point of route B link to C were, it was further from the town and from a planning point of view was slightly less desirable. It does not impact on lands zoned for education. It was a longer route and this would affect journey times and cost. It severed access to Barrowford house.

They also outlined the options at Boheranouca crossroads.

The presentation looked at the three different routes, and the projected traffic flows in the town today and with the three options in 2017 and 2025. Route B was preferred for the following reasons; it was closer to town and thus was better form a planning point of view.

The WSP report presentation concluded that Route B is the preferred alignment of the Northern Relief Road in terms of traffic volumes carried and average network journey time. It stated that the Northern Relief Road should be built between 2017 and 2025 to maintain traffic volumes in town centre at or below current levels. It also concluded that despite provision of the Northern Relief route and Southern distributor road, traffic volumes in Athy would remain similar to present day traffic flows.

RPS Concluded that the next stage was to take into considerations the councillors comments. Carry out further investigations –Archit, Heritage & Ecology. Get approval on a route from Athy Town Council and revise the development plan.

The Cathaoirleach thanked the RPS and WSP for there presentation.

Councillor Dalton said he would take there advice on board. With regard to the educational lands, there were discussions pending with the Department of Education, and he said the council should talk to the VEC regarding this.

The Cathaoirleach replied that the VEC were in the process of purchasing lands next to their own 10 acres, on which it was proposed to build a Gael Scoil, He said this needed to be taken into account.

Councillor Wright said he was glad to see the inner relief street form part of the report as the provision of the street was critical for the town. He enquired if lands surrounding the purposed routes would be frozen until the route was decided on.

David Reel replied that when a route was defined it would be reserved from planning into the future.

Joe Boland stated that some work still had to be finalised and that they would take on board the councillors comments and give them any planning advice they needed.

Councillor English raised the query, “we have zoned a lot of land for building in the development plan, if we have to now refuse development on these lands due to the road route, could an action be taken against the council.”

Joe Boland replied that the roads design section had taken into account the existing zoning of lands when deciding on the route options. The sooner a route is picked the better.

The manager agreed with Joe Boland and said by finalising a route it would bring more certainty to the issue and thanked Joe Boland and his team as they had put a lot of work into furthering the road.

Councillor English requested Mr. Boland to update the council on the other roads projects.

Joe Boland replied that work would commence shortly on the new traffic flows at St. John’s Lane, and Meeting Lane and work should be finished on these by September. With regard to the Southern Distributor Route, a large amount of the work on this project has been completed. All the topographical work has been more of less completed. The Procurement process on this has been 80% completed. The ground investigation has been finalised. Negotiations with Iarnróid Eireann are very close to conclusion. Kildare County Council have committed to the design and CPO stages only. The funding aspects for building the road will have to be addressed.

The Cathaoirleach thanked the Joe Boland and his team for the work they had carried out on behalf of the Town Council and for his update on the projects.

Proposal to Resume Standing Orders
Proposed Mark Dalton.
Seconded Frank English.

The Cathaoirleach welcomed the new Co. Manager Mr. Michael Malone to the meeting, and said he hoped the manager would have a good working relationship with the town and he asked Tommy Skehan to introduce the new manager.

Tommy Skehan introduced the manager and he listed the local authorities the county manager had work in. He said the manager thinks strategically and welcomes his input into Athy Town Council

Mark Dalton added that he would like to be associated with the above remarks, he said it was fitting that the county manager was present for the council’s discussion on our most important piece of infrastructure. The council will need the county manager’s help to get funding for the infrastructure. The council would also need his expertise on how to develop Tegral’s tract of land when they exit the town centre.

Councillor Mary O’Sullivan welcomed the manager and looked forward to working with the manager.

Councillor Noel Scully also welcomed the new county manager.

Councillor Wright stated that he hoped the new county manager would use his skills to help this end of the county.

Councillor English also welcomed the new county manager.

The County Manager congratulated Councillor English on his 40 years as a councillor. He stated that he sees the manager, staff and the members working as a team, and said he would be looking to develop the strengths of each part of the county. He proceeded to outline some of the issues he sees facing Athy Town Council.

Employment.
Tegral’s relocation was good for the town. Tegral had confidence in Athy, and its decision not to relocate away from Athy was very good from an employment point of view. Athy Town Council and Kildare County Council would work with Tegral to help them with their relocation plans and advise them on the best options for their site in the town.

The enterprise centre units were full, and many additional units are being provided by the private sector. He stated that Kildare County Council was working with the IDA to attract Foreign Direct Investment. Attract industry to Kildare first, and then the council and IDA would look at dispersal within the county.

Retail
He stated that the retail strategy Athy Town Council was undertaking was important, for the quality of life in the town.

Rapid.
Rapid has been very successful in Athy.

New Communities.
One of the new issues facing Kildare is the large inward movement of people, and the challenge of helping these communities to bed in, and contribute to the community.

Tourism.
The challenge of how best to promote the resources of the Athy area, like the canal, the Barrow etc

Infrastructure.
The challenge of providing the infrastructure for the area, like roads, water service, housing etc.

The county manager concluded by hoping that the Town Council and Kildare County Council would work together in a strategic fashion, and he wished the members well.

The Cathaoirleach thanked the County Manager, and he stated in the past the southern part of the county was often neglected, but in the past two years he has sensed a change and he hoped that he new county manager would accelerate that change.


1.ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The minutes of the June monthly meeting held on the 20h of June were adopted.

On the proposal of Cllr Dalton
Seconded by Cllr English
And agreed

The minutes of the retail strategy meeting of Athy Town Council held on the 3rd of July were adopted.

On the proposal of Cllr English.
Seconded by Cllr Dalton.


2. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Cllr Wright enquired if any reply had been received to the letter written to the Inland Fisheries in regard to the mound near the Moneen River.

The Town Clerk replied that the correspondence had been issued but no response had been received.
Cllr Wright also enquired if it had been ascertained who was looking after the nun’s cemetery in Stanhope Place.

The Town Clerk replied that correspondence had been issued but no response had been received.

Councillor O’ Sullivan noted that Councillor Lawler and Councillor Dalton were not nominated to attend the AMAI conference. The councillors agreed that Councillor Dalton and O’Sullivan attend as delegates, and that Councillors Lawler, English, Scully and Cunnane attend the conference.

All Agreed

3. CORRESPONDENCE

· Letter from Scoil Phadraig Naofa Parent’s council thanking the councillors for their sponsorship of “A Gardening Evening with Helen Dillon.

Letter from Athy Community Development Project Ltd, requesting payment of €1,000.00 as agreed to support the establishment of the Athy Women’s Integrated Network. The Cathaoirleach asked if there were any objections to this payment. The councillors replied no.

All Agreed to payment of the €1000.00

· Notification of National Literacy Awareness week, 24th to 28th of September.

· Notification of the Taoiseach’s Public Service Excellence Awards.

· Notification of Pathfinding Conference in Flanders and the Somme.

· Notification of the 6th Annual Benedict Kiely literary, on the14th to the 16th of September in Omagh.

· Notification of Conference on Rural Tourism 2017-2013 in Kilkee, on the 6th and 7th of September.

· Notification of Conference on Developing Local Heritage for Tourism purposes in Listowel on the 6th and 7th of September.

· Notification of Conference on Local Government and the Arts in Tullamore on the 24th to the 26th of August.

Proposal that Mary O’Sullivan attend the conference on Local Government and the Arts.

On proposal of Mark Dalton.
Seconded by Frank English.

Proposal that Cllr Cunnane attend the conference on Local Government and the Arts.

On proposal of Councillor English.
Seconded by Councillor Dalton

· Notification of annual AMAI Conference on 13th to 15th of September, in New Ross.

· A letter from Dorothy Mullen thanking the councillors and staff of Athy Town Council for their kindness during her illness and bereavement.

· Correspondence from Waterways Ireland regarding a proposed development of a public footpath along the canal at Athy.

Councillor Dalton stated that he was not sure what the letter was about and proposed that it be put on the agenda for the next council meeting.

All Agreed


4. NOTICES OF MOTION Cllr Wright

“That we as a council look at the possibility of having Kildare County Council and the Department of Health to investigate water pollution in the river Barrow from raw sewage coming from Portarlington and Monasterevin and that in all my years I have never seen the Barrow so filthy.”


The Motion was deferred to the September meeting.



5. NOTICES OF MOTION Cllr Dalton and Cllr English.

“That this council provide a new name stone for the Coneyboro Housing Estate”

Councillor Dalton stated there is a lot of confusion regarding post etc between the New Coneyboro estates and the old Coneyboro estate. Can the council provide a new ornamental name stone for the Coneyboro estate? And can the issue of calling new estates names that are similar to older estates be brought to the attention of the planners

.
On proposal of Councillor Dalton.
Seconded by Councillor English.
All Agreed

6. NOTICES OF MOTION; Cllr Breslin

“That Athy Town Council ask the Minister for the Environment to lower the age from eighteen to sixteen for persons eligible to vote in all elections”

Motion Deferred.



7. NOTICES OF MOTION; Cllr Breslin

“That Athy Town Council investigates the feasibility of a yearly servicing of gas central heating system for tenants who are old age pensioners”

Motion Deferred.


8. NOTICES OF MOTION; Cllr O’Sullivan.

“That the town council updates its members re the forthcoming decentralisation to Athy”

Councillor O’Sullivan stated that it was announced that they were coming in June and requested an update on the situation.

The Town Clerk informed the councillors that initially 50 people would be coming towards the end of September, and the Department was in the process of looking for suitable accommodation for the remaining 250.

Councillor Dalton informed the meeting that it was announced in the papers in June that 75 people would be on site in Sept or Oct.

The Cathaoirleach welcomed the 50 or 75 people but he stated that he was disappointed that no permanent site had been found yet.

On Proposal of Cllr O’ Sullivan.
Seconded by Cllr Dalton.
Resolved.


10. CATHAOIRLEACH’S BUSINESS

The Cathaoirleach stated that since the last meeting Aontas Orgra had celebrated 50 years, Councillor English has celebrated his 40 years as a councillor, and the contracts for the Ardrew housing development had been signed. The Cathaoirleach asked for an update on the Arts centre at Woodstock St.

The Town Clerk read correspondence on same, and stated that the Methodist church in Woodstock St. was being looked at.

Cllr Wright enquired if that was the only location being investigated, and he suggested looking at the old swimming pool site.

Cllr English stated that Cllr Wright had a valid point. He stated that the Methodist church is the preferred option of the various art groups.

The Cathaoirleach requested an update on the register of listed buildings, citing his query that the development plan had more protected structures listed than he thought was agreed in the development plan meetings.

The Town Clerk replied that she had requested a meeting with everyone involved in the development plan, and that she was going through the minutes of the development plan meetings with Mark McLoughlin. A meeting was being held next Wednesday with the other officials present at the Development Plan meetings.

The manager said we were entering the mid term review of the development plan in 2008 and perhaps it could be looked at then.

The Cathaoirleach welcomed Tegral’s news and said he was delighted that Tegral had shown their confidence and commitment to the town by staying in the area. Tegral’s wages contribution to the local economy was over 20 million per annum. He also paid tribute to the workers. Tegral’s move would open up a large tract of land in the town centre, which offered enormous possibilities, and the council would do everything in its power to facilitate development on the site.

Councillor Dalton agreed with the Cathaoirleach and said he had worked there for 18 years. He stated that it was the productivity and dedication of the workforce that had ensured Tegral’s stay in the area. He said the council, the manager, the planners would work with Tegral’s management to facilitate development on the site.

Councillor Wright agreed with the above and he stated it would give encouragement to other multi-nationals to invest in Athy.

The manager concurred with the above and thanked the management and workforce of Tegral and he added that Tegral would have the full support of the Athy Town Council and Kildare County Council.



11. MANAGER’S BUSINESS

The manager informed the meeting that Pride of Place judging would be taking place shortly.

The Town Clerk stated the judging would take place next Wednesday next 10.00am.


12 REPORTS FROM SUB-COMMITTEE

Cllr Scully informed the meeting that he had asked several times for a meeting of the cemetery sub-committee to be held.

Cllr O’ Sullivan stated that she had enquired a while ago about a meeting and had been informed that one was to take place soon, but to date none had taken place.

The Town Clerk noted this fact and said she would write to Eddie Lawler regarding setting up a meeting of the cemetery committee.

The Town Clerk also read out the heritage centre report of forthcoming events.

Cllr Dalton requested that a copy of the report be circulated to each member.


13. PLANNING REGISTER


14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Dalton raised the issue of notification of councillor of housing allocations.
He said the members were notified when schemes of houses were allocated, but not when single allocations occurred. He requested that the members be furnished with a list of allocations each month at the council meeting. He also enquired if the council was purchasing 9 social houses in one estate.

The Manager agreed with this and stated that all councillors should be notified of all allocations.

The Town Clerk stated that the council was purchasing 9 social houses in Dun Brin, and each case was looked at individually.

Cllr Dalton replied that he felt that a good social mix should be achieved and that the social houses should be peppered throughout the estate not in a block of 9 together.

Cllr Wright raised the issue of photographs taken by John Minahan of a local person, being on the cover of a book by another author.

Cllr Wright also raised the following issues, the tarmac in Garter Lane, the facia boards in Greenhills, the railings in Kirwan’s Lane, the clean up of the swimming pool, the temporary path to Pettit’s from Greenhills.

The Town Clerk replied that the Town Foreman was going to oversee the clean up op the swimming pool.

The Town Clerk informed the members that Helen Dowling would be departing on Friday and that their would be an informal gathering for tea and cakes on Friday the 17th at 4.30pm. She said she would be in contact with the councillors to organise an official presentation.

Cllr O’ Sullivan congratulated Cllr Dalton on his election as president of Athy Lyons Club.




THIS CONCLUDED THE BUSINESS OF THE MEETING


CATHAOIRLEACH: ________________________

DATE: ____________________________________