ASHBOURNE MD MEETINGS
11th February
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“To ask Meath County Council to assist in the realigning, clearing of drains and the reinstatement of public lighting at Garden City shopping centre. Having read the taking in charge file on the Garden City development in the late 90’s. It is not clear if this area was taken in charge or not. There is an ownership issue that also needs to be legally defined or clarified in relation to personal injury claims. There are currently 11 businesses in the shopping area and 3 residential apartments.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: Minutes From the Council’s records the area concerned has not been taken in charge by Meath County Council and is in private ownership and therefore it is not the responsibility of Meath County Council for carrying out maintenance works. It is however suggested that this notice of motion be deferred to a later meeting to enable further investigation of the issues involved. The motion was deferred.
11th March
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin (Deferred from February meeting)
“To ask Meath County Council to assist in the realigning, clearing of drains and the reinstatement of public lighting at Garden City shopping centre. Having read the taking in charge file on the Garden City development in the late 90’s. It is not clear if this area was taken in charge or not. There is an ownership issue that also needs to be legally defined or clarified in relation to personal injury claims. There are currently 11 businesses in the shopping area and 3 residential apartments.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: From the Council’s records the area concerned has not been taken in charge by Meath County Council and is in private ownership and therefore it is not the responsibility of Meath County Council for carrying out maintenance works. It is however suggested that this notice of motion be deferred to a later meeting to enable further investigation of the issues involved. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Suzanne Jamal. The motion was noted.
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“Following an extensive study on the river Broadmeadow commissioned by Ashbourne Tidy Towns and the finding that high levels of ammonia and phosphorous are entering the river at various points, can I ask Meath County Council Environment Section to investigate misconnections in the urban part of the river environs from Churchfields and Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA to Ashbourne Golf club.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: The Urban area in Ashbourne is one of the priority areas of action in the River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021 and involving an assessment and programme of measures by the Local Authority Water Sustainability Advisory Team (LAWSAT) however the Ashbourne Urban Area is not among the catchments scheduled for LAWSAT activity in 2019. The Council are aware of grant approval being given to Tidy Towns committee from the Local Authorities Waters and Communities Office (LAWCO) to have a study undertaken on an Urban Point Source Investigative Assessment on the Broadmeadow River within Ashbourne and while it is understood same has now been completed the resulting report has not been submitted to the Council as of 01/03/2019. The EPA Catchments Unit recently published a Local Catchment Assessment guidance document which includes guidance on investigative assessments in urban catchments however it is pointed out that the completion of misconnection surveys is extremely challenging and labour intensive involving door to door and drain checks /dye tests. Upon receipt of the report on the Broadmeadow investigation, Meath County Council Environment Section will consider the findings and further actions which would be indicated for the purpose of achieving environmental objectives and improvements in water quality. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Suzanne Jamal. The motion was adopted.
8th April
Notice of Motion. Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“I am calling on Meath County Council’s Community Department to bring to Part 8 an acre of land previously earmarked for a scout den but is on an area now deemed to be a flood plain. I would like the Council to consult with the public and put forward designs for a playground in this space complete with secure parking. Bringing this project to Part 8 will enable us to utilise funding streams, when they become available, with immediate effect.”
Supporting information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered: As set out in the capital programme, there is substantial investment being made in the Ashbourne Linear Park. Work has commenced on the delivery of the playground area in Zone 4 with completion expected in early summer. There are no further plans to develop other playgrounds in Ashbourne. The motion was proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Suzanne Jamal. A short discussion followed, with reference made to the limitations that exist with regard to funding further playground facilities and the alternative funding sources that could be used to provide such facilities. Reference was again made to the need to plan for such facilities, with the role of developers highlighted in providing these. It was suggested that this should be discussed further at full council level. The motion was adopted.
20th May
Notice of Question. Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“What advice does Meath County Council have for residents in Meath that now have huge amounts of sludge and sediment in their water storage tanks due to ongoing works approved locally by Meath County Council?”
Response: The Council or Irish Water has not undertaken any works which has caused huge amounts of sludge and sediment to build up in residential water storage tanks. A significant proportion of the tap water supplied by Irish Water across Meath (including Ashbourne) is sourced from groundwater. Although this water is of very good quality, it contains naturally occurring iron and manganese. Over time, some of this iron and manganese settles out in the water supply network and requires the Council on behalf of Irish Water to undertake extensive scouring in order clean these pipelines. Some iron and manganese can also settle out in storage tanks and water pipes within individual properties. The maintenance of such private tanks and pipelines is a matter for the property owners. The response was noted. Councillor Tobin referred to the lack of notification from Irish Water in relation to proposed works and water outages. He also pointed out that recent works had caused sediment issues for property owners. Clarification was sought as to the communication policy implemented by Irish Water when carrying out flushing or other works and what works were planned and the time-frame for same – it was agreed to refer this to Irish Water.
9th July
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“Can a bye-law be introduced in Ashbourne Municipal District or town to stop HGVs, HGV trailers and buses from parking on the hard shoulder or public roads?”
Response: Section 38 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997 sets out how to implement Restrictions on Parking Heavy Goods Vehicles. It states that where the ‘Prohibition on Parking Sign’ is provided at the entrance to an area in association with an information plate containing a symbol to indicate a large vehicle, a vehicle whose unladen weight exceeds the weight specified on the information plate, shall not be parked in the said area. Note that this prohibition does not apply to a large vehicle parked while goods are being loaded in or on to it or unloaded from it, for a period not exceeding thirty minutes from the commencement of the parking. The extract below from the Traffic Signs Manual shows the signage required and contains information about its erection. The permitted weight limits referred to in 5.17.10 are 3.5t, 7.5t, 10t, 12.5t. 18t, 26t and 32t. Note that it is necessary to consult with the Gardaí in relation to erection of regulatory signage. The response was noted. Reference was also made to the issues relating to trucks parking in the industrial estate and it was pointed out that funding had been allocated for the industrial estate which will include double yellow lines to facilitate enforcement. Heavy duty bollards can also be used to prevent parking on grass verges.
MEATH COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS
13th May
Submitted by Councillor Alan Tobin
“Meath County Councillors call on the Minister for Justice to review the legislation governing Community CCTV and to rectify the situation that currently requires local authorities to be the data controllers for such CCTV schemes. These schemes are established for the purposes of law and order, crime prevention and detection, which are key functions of An Garda Siochána and not local authorities.”
Based on the supporting information, the motion, proposed by Councillor Alan Tobin and seconded by Councillor Gerry O’ Connor, was adopted. It was agreed that the adopted motion would be circulated to all Local Authorities.
