ASHBOURNE MD MEETINGS
12th February
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“In the interest of child safety, can I ask when the traffic warden in Ashbourne will be moved from the current position on Frederick Street to the Thomas Ashe roundabout on Castle Street?”
Response: Transportation will need to arrange to assess the road safety issues at both locations before any relocation of resources is agreed as no additional school warden has been budgeted for, for 2018. Other measures may be appropriate at the junctions in question. Once this assessment has been carried out, a report will be brought back to the Municipal District meeting. The response was noted. It was pointed out that lights and a pedestrian crossing are proposed for Castle Street and that the warden would be moved to that location until such time as these were installed.
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“To ask the Transportation and Planning Departments to engage with the new owners of the Ashbourne Retail Park to investigate the feasibility of providing a Park n’ Ride facility within the location. This should form part of an overall parking and public transport strategy for Ashbourne. I can confirm that the new owners are willing to engage.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: The Transportation and Planning Departments have agreed to meet to discuss this proposal and the overall parking and public transport plans for this area in advance of arranging contact with the owners of Ashbourne Retail Park. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Darren O’Rourke. A short discussion followed on the parking issues in the town and the potential opportunity to provide a Park & Ride facility at the retail park. The motion was adopted.
16th April
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“With regard to Alien species specific to Japanese Knotweed:
• What is the extent of the Japanese Knotweed problem in Meath?
• Is there a progress update on how measures taken have been effective?
• Has the noxious weed been eliminated in many areas in the county?
• Is there a countywide map available showing locations of the weed?
• Has this Council plans to ask, through newspaper advertisement, the public to report suspected locations of the weed?
• What funding is available in 2018 to fight against the spread of the weed?”
Response: The known locations of Japanese Knotweed are generally recorded on a national basis on the Biodiversity Ireland web site: This currently shows 5038 locations of Japanese Knotweed in Ireland (note Giant Knotweed and some other sub species are recorded separately). The Transportation Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who have published a Protocol Guidance Document on Knotweed are carrying out a programme of surveying and treating invasive species (knotweeds, Gunnera and Giant Hogweed) on the national road network and following on from a preliminary survey carried out ourselves in 2016. They also had a trial survey of 2 regional roads carried out with the possibility of beginning a treatment programme on the regional road network. A presentation given in 2016 by TII on Invasive Alien Plant species is attached. . The Council have treated some on the N51 between Navan and Slane over the last few years and last year treatment was applied on part of the N52 at Grange. Both of these locations were treated specifically in relation to potential road realignment projects in the area. Signage has been put in place by the Council at known locations of Japanese Knotweed on regional and local roads, and recorded on a TII GEO App – a limited amount of spraying was also undertaken in late September/early October in 2017. There is no separate funding provided in 2018 in respect of dealing with the invasive species. The response was noted.
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“As part of a commitment to help residents in the Gormanston area, I call on the Transportation Department to engage with residents on an existing plan for a car park adjacent to Gormanston beach along the Delvin River on Council owned land. If this plan is brought to Part 8 planning, the local authority can apply for funding for the project through the Town & Village Renewal Scheme. It will also form part of a broader future beach management plan.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: From a Community perspective, any expression of interest submitted by a group under the town & village renewal scheme could be considered for submission for funding at application stage. However the project would require all planning permissions etc to be in place to ensure any approved grant is spent within the allowed timeframe. The Community section will work with all groups in order to progress their project if approved for funding. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Darren O’Rourke. The motion was adopted.
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“To cost a footpath section from Glasheen to the footpath linking Kilbreck to Grace Meadows to allow access to school. Currently school pupils are walking across a large green area to access the pathway.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: While all costs would be dictated through a completive tender, to construct a footpath as requested in this Notice of Motion, would cost approximately €10,000. It is worth noting that this footpath was not included in the Schedule of Municipal District Works and there is no budget available to undertake this work. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Darren O’Rourke. The motion was adopted.
21st May
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“Regarding winter gritting routes and in light of this year’s adverse weather, can the relevant authorities, Meath County Council, Fingal County Council and the National Transport Authority, ensure that County Meath's gritting routes match up and align with Fingal's Priority 1 and Priority 2 gritting routes.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: Meath County Council salts over 610km. of roads across 10 routes in the county each time icy roads are predicted. All National Primary (120km/h – Priority 1), all National Secondary (80km/h – Priority 1) and approx. 82% of all Regional Routes (80km/h – Priority 1/2) are salted. Approximately 18% (by length) of all roads in the county are treated. The M1 (Dublin - Belfast), M2 (Ashbourne By-Pass), M3 (Clonee - Kells) and M4 (Dublin - Sligo - Galway) are taken care of by private entities. The TII provides full funding to the Council for the salting of the National Road network. There is however no central funding for the Non-National (Regional & Local) Road Network. The Council makes limited resources available from its own maintenance funds towards the salting of the regional routes. The Council’s resources are fully utilised at present and the only way to add a new route to the Winter Maintenance Plan is to drop an existing route. There are no plans at present to increase resources or to drop an existing route. The Salting Network is agreed with the Members and represents the best prioritised extent of coverage based on road classification, historic weather data, average daily traffic counts, and available funding. The Winter Maintenance Plan 2017/ 2018 was presented to and noted by the members at a Full Council meeting. A map of the salting routes is available on the Council’s website www.meath.ie. Currently there are no issues between MCC’s and FCC’s Priority 1 routes. There are some Priority 2 routes that are not aligned due to FCC treating some Local primary and secondary roads as Priority 2. Priority 2 routes are those routes which are desirable to be kept serviceable in normal winter weather conditions, as far as reasonably practicable which should include those routes which are important regionally, such as principle public transport routes, or the main commuter routes. Priority 2 routes are to be treated as part of the normal winter service but may have interruptions to treatment in certain severe weather events. Once key elements of the network have been identified and prioritised, it may be useful to examine traffic levels and the geographical spread of routes, as with Priority 1 routes, it must be recognised that choices may have to be made; in these instances, traffic levels on routes, the centres of population and commerce should receive priority. It is left to each local authority to determine what the threshold value should be, for the traffic volumes particular to each administrative area. MCC and FCC liaise closely prior and during each winter season in the design of and selection of treatment (timing and salt rate) of routes to assist in minimising deadrunning between councils. Meath County Council shall continue to review the salting network at the end of each winter season. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Seán Smith. The motion was adopted.
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“To request that at least one outdoor member of Meath County Council staff in the Ashbourne district is rostered to work on a Sunday morning specifically to empty/service public bins, within the town of Ashbourne, on all bank holiday weekends.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: Ashbourne Municipal District will provide a bin emptying service in Ashbourne on Sundays and Bank Holidays on a trial basis for 6 months beginning in June 2018. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Seán Smith. The motion was adopted.
18th June
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“Can I ask who owns the road from the Thomas Ashe roundabout to the roundabout at Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA and schools campus and what must Meath County Council do to take it in charge if we have not already done so?”
Response: The road appears to be registered to the Department of Education and Skills. An application would have to be made by the Department to Meath County Council to have the road taken in charge. The Council would have to (i) satisfy itself that the road is of general public utility, (ii) consider the financial implications for the authority of the proposed declaration, (iii) publish in one or more newspapers circulating in the area where the road which it is proposed to declare to be a public road is located, a notice indicating the times at which, the period (which shall be not less than one month) during which and the place where a map showing such road may be inspected and stating that objections or representations may be made in writing to the road authority in relation to such declaration before a specified date (which shall be not less than two weeks after the end of the period for inspection), (iv) consider any objections or representations made to it under paragraph (iii) and not withdrawn. The response was noted. Councillor Alan Tobin requested that the process to take the road in charge be commenced.
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“I call on Meath County Council to put an immediate plan in place, survey and bring a Part 8 planning application for a children's playground on the 1 acre Ashewood site. I ask that this site is surveyed before the OPW uses the site temporarily for flood alleviation works. Monies raised through planning conditions in the recent past for 'social infrastructure 'and 'benefiting development in the area' should be sufficient (folio MH61505F).”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: Under the Capital works programme 2015-2020 and as part of the Ashbourne Linear Park scheme of works which is currently underway a playground is being provided and when completed this playground will benefit the local community of Ashbourne and surrounding areas. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Joe Bonner. The motion was adopted.
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“I call on Meath County Council put an immediate plan in place, survey and bring a Part 8 planning application for a children's playground on the greenspace adjacent to Tudor Heights and St. Mary's N.S. Monies raised through planning conditions in the recent past for 'social infrastructure 'and 'benefiting development in the area' should be sufficient (folios MH62968F & MH63804F).”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: Under the Capital works programme 2015-2020 and as part of the Ashbourne Linear Park scheme of works which is currently underway a playground is being provided and when completed this playground will benefit the local community of Ashbourne and surrounding areas. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Suzanne Jamal. The motion was noted.
9th July
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“As the Baltrasna area looks like it will be reunited with Ashbourne Municipal District from May 2019, can I ask what the latest plans are regarding a proposed footpath from Ashbourne to Harlockstown? What is the estimated cost, has it been brought to part 8 and will funding for this vitally important piece of infrastructure be sanctioned in the coming months?”
Response: There is currently a Preliminary Design and Scheme report being drafted with a view of bringing the proposal to the September meeting, where Meath County Council will seek permission from elected members to proceed with the Part 8 application and put it on public display. The consultant doing the design has given a cost estimate of €420k ex V.A.T. to construct the works. Other scheme costs such as Design, Site Investigation, Archaeology and Land are not included. Funding of same has yet to be secured. The response was noted.
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“I call on Meath County Council and request the support of Ashbourne Councillors to add a variation in Stamullen, specifically to correct a planning anomaly which exists in the area. This anomaly exists due to past plans to move the old GAA club to new grounds. Areas were zoned to suit this development, which never took place. The new GAA grounds are now in a much better location in the centre of the village. The anomaly now means that an area, now zoned industrial, is right beside the residential part of the village and, worse still, a residentially zoned area is well outside the village, surrounded again by industrially zoned lands. By varying this area in Stamullen, much needed housing development can and will take place. It will also mean that there will be more centrally located green space in the centre of Stamullen, including the 15% under development plan guideline, allowing for a playground which residents desperately need and possibly more.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: Following the decision to pause the Draft Meath County Development Plan 2019-2025 process pending the publication of the RSES, a number of strategic variations such as Slane Bypass, Navan and Trim Development Plans and East Meath LAP are required. The principle considerations for variations to the current County Development Plan will be whether they are strategic, necessary, urgent and of county wide importance such as to justify making it a special case. A variation with regards to this motion will be considered in the context of the principle considerations as mentioned, the work programme of the Forward Planning Team and will be dependent on the timeline for recommencing the County Development Plan process. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Darren O’Rourke. The motion was adopted.
10th September
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“To increase the street cleaning budget for Ashbourne 2019 to include the cleaning of granite, pavement and cobble lock twice per year on Declan, Killegland, Frederick, Broadmeadow, Bridge streets and Bachelors walk.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: The 2019 budget preparation has commenced and all budget codes will be reviewed as part of this process. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Seán Smith. The motion was adopted.
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“To allocate funding, over the next 3 years (2019,2020 & 2021) from the municipal district roads budget to resurface and upgrade drainage in the following estates: Garden City, Huntsgrove, Killegland Park, Milltown Estate, Tudor Grove, Tudor Close and Tudor Heights.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: The Department of Transport Tourism & Sport (DTTAS) has requested local authorities to submit their multi-annual programme to the Department by the 9th November, covering the years 2019, 2020 & 2021. Whilst there is a requirement to submit the programme by the 9th November 2018, there is scope to amend the programme in the future, as in any event, the proposed programme is dependent on the funding available and may be affected by other factors such as severe weather, etc. Meath County Council proposes to draft a 3 year works programme in consultation with Councillors for each municipal district, commencing in Q3/Q4 2018. This programme will be based on the prioritisation of schemes following an engineering screening/evaluation assessment. There is also an allocation for Housing Estate resurfacing and upgrading drainage works in the Schedule of Municipal District Works, which can also be utilised. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Suzanne Jamal. The motion was adopted.
12th November
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“Following several estates in the Ashbourne Municipal District being taken in charge over the past 24 month, can I ask if a schedule of works has been initiated to bring these up to standard and when works are expected to begin?”
Response: Remedial Works have been carried out in Dun An Samhradh and are substantially complete. The Planning Department has appointed Consultant Engineers to establish the extent of the required works in the other three developments (Belgree, Elvana and Tudor). The design work and formulation of tender documents is at an advanced stage and it is the intention to tender these works (along with other developments in other municipal districts) in Q1 of 2019, with a contractor to be appointed in Q2 of 2019 to carry out the works. The remedial works to be undertaken, where required and subject to funding, are drainage (storm and foul), roads and footpaths, public lighting, open spaces, signage and road markings. The response was noted.
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“Install, as a matter of urgency, motion type detectors to all pedestrian lights in Ashbourne town centre, to include Frederick Street, Bridge Street, Castle Street and the Dublin road Deerpark junction to facilitate better peak traffic flow.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: Following a review of this request, it is estimated that the cost of providing the sensors at all of locations mentioned would be approximately €65,000. If funding becomes available in the future, some of these locations could be fitted with sensors and the locations would be prioritised based on available funding. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Suzanne Jamal. The motion was adopted.
MEATH COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS
9th April
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“To ask the Environment SPC to look at the feasibility of introducing a litter control bye law in Meath which forces all domestic and commercial waste collection companies to introduce a simple locking mechanism for the lids for all 1100, 660,240, 190 & 140 litre wheelie bins.”
Supporting Information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered. The National Waste Management Offices are, in accordance with objectives contained in the Regional Waste Management Plan 2015-2021 currently finalising draft Waste Presentation Bye Laws for Household & Commercial Waste. While waste presentation Bye Laws already exist in many Counties including Meath, it is considered that updating is needed as there have been a number of changes in national law since their adoption, including amendments to legislation affecting the activities of collectors of household waste and on the presentation of food waste by householders. One of the provisions emerging in the preliminary draft document circulated to all Local Authorities is a requirement that the lids of bins shall be securely closed but does not provide for the introduction of a universal lock. It is considered that a lock would involve significant expense to the operators which would be passed on to the customer. It could also interfere significantly with route collection time schedules and result in further costs to customers. While it is known that some Collectors do offer locks which secure bins at all times, this is on an exceptional basis rather than the rule, and addressing situations which prevent access to bins by parties other than the household or commercial premises. The introduction of the revised Bye-Laws will assist with giving additional powers to Local Authorities to target persistent offenders, who do not have appropriate arrangements in place for waste disposal. The draft Bye Laws, when finalised, will be the subject of discussion at SPC and full Council level and, thereafter, a public consultation phase and then back to the full Council for approval. The motion proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Noel French was unanimously adopted.
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“That Meath County Council writes to Denis Naughten, Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment, asking his department to ban plastics which cannot be recycled and where there are alternative recyclable materials readily available to replace these plastics, namely polystyrene, PET 6 Polystyrene (PS). Currently, manufacturers of these hazardous materials take no action to ensure the plastics are returned or reused.”
The motion, proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Noel French, was unanimously adopted.
3rd September
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“To call on Meath County Council and the Fire Service to do their utmost to prevent the setting and lighting of illegal bonfires this Halloween and that reminders are sent to businesses with their rates bill reminding them not to leave flammable, and when burnt, toxic waste in areas easily accessible by the public”.
Supporting Information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered. The setting and lighting of illegal bonfires at Halloween forms an integral part of a very extensive media campaign initiated by Meath Fire Service each year and including during National Fire Safety Week which in 2018 is to be held from the 1st - 8th October. Messages are posted on various social media platforms in advance of Halloween, highlighting the fire safety message and calling on the public to report the stock piling of waste for burning as part of this seasonal activity. Information leaflets are distributed through various mechanisms highlighting the serious safety risks and damage to the environment associated with this illegal activity, and often involving substances of a toxic nature. Press releases are issued containing a series of tips designed to ensure that Halloween is enjoyed without injury or damage to property. Last year there was an interview in Ashbourne Fire Station on Halloween Fire Safety for Meath daily TV. In addition to the safety and environmental risks associated with these illegal bonfires, the Council spends considerable amounts of money in both removing stockpiled material and the burned remains from bonfire sites, which are often located in densely populated estates. Every effort is made to communicate the fire safety message as widely as possible, including through businesses such as tyre operators to ensure their sites are secured and not to leave flammable or toxic waste in areas accessible by the public. Following a debate on the matter, the motion, proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Suzanne Jamal was adopted.
