Print this Document

Place: Town Hall, Naas

Attendance: Cllr. A. Creevey (in the Chair), Cllr. W. Callaghan, Cllr P. Behan, Cllr. P. Clear, Cllr. S. Moore, Cllr. J. J. Power, Cllr. D. Scully, Cllr. P. McCarthy, Cllr. M. Glennon.

Also Present:Mr. J. Lahart, Town Manager, Mr. C Flynn, Town Engineer, Ms. M. Mc Carthy, A/Town Clerk Mr. Brian Mc Grath, Staff Officer. The Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Clear took the chair

Minutes for this Meeting:

1 To consider Manager’s Orders and Planning Applications received since last Monthly Meeting.

Cllr. Mc Carthy wished to note that the concerns aired by the public regarding the lack of a facility for pedestrians at Lawlors Hotel during the footpath reinstatement were well founded.

The members agreed to take items 3,7 and 13 as they were for information purposes only.

The Mayor took the chair.

Cllr. Moore wished to raise a matter in committee. He wished to impose speed restrictions in the vicinity of the schools. The Town Engineer stated that Kildare County Council had the statutory power pertinent to speed limits. Naas Town Council could make a submission to Kildare County Council. The Members agreed to make a submission to Kildare County Council requesting the necessary speed restrictions

2 To consider minutes of November Monthly Meeting held on 21st November 2006.

The minutes were proposed by Cllr. Behan and seconded by Cllr. Callaghan.

The Mayor said that if Members had not been afforded sufficient time to peruse the minutes they could raise pertinent issues at the January Monthly Meeting.

Cllr. Glennon wished the minutes to be amended to state that she was against the specific notice of motion because it did not make sense.

Cllr. Callaghan enquired into the legal advice pertaining to the land at Devoy Quarter. He expressed his dissatisfaction at the manner in which the matter was being dealt.

3 Update on Part VIII for the cul-de-sacing of Ploopluck Bridge.

The Town Engineer advised the Members that the details pertaining to the proposed works were now on public display. The pertinent drawing was shown to the Members.

Cllrs. Power and Moore expressed the view that they would like cycle lanes along the entirety of the works. The Town Engineer stated that land would have to be acquired to accommodate this. Markings would be considered similar to those on the Sallins Road.

4 Report on alterative carparking spaces.

The Town Engineer outlined the options for temporary car parking during the construction phase of the Marshaelsea development. The development necessitates the loss of 220 spaces in Corbans Lane for the period of construction.

The following potential sites were identified:

Site	No. of spaces	Cost of development (approx.)	Ownership
Friary Road (Adj. Motor Tax office)	110	€20,000	Private
Tuttys shoe factory	60	€100,000	Naas Town Council
Rathasker Road	152	€100,000	Naas Town Council
Opp. Corbans Lane	129	€150,000	Private

The option of engaging with the proprietor of the multi story car park on the Sallins Road was discussed. The facility is underutilised at present.

The Town Engineer stressed that these were interim measures for the specific period concerned (C. 2½ to 2¾ years). He went through the various issues relevant to each site.

The cost of all day parking will have to be reviewed upwards.

The development of the site on Friary Road, adjacent to the former Motor Tax office, was proposed by Cllr. Callaghan and seconded by Cllr. Behan. Cllrs. Moore and Glennon expressed themselves unhappy with this site.

The Members did not wish the Rathasker site to be developed in the context of access through St. Ita’s. They wished the Town Engineer to engage with the developer of the Sallins Road car park.

5 Completion of Agreement under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 2001 between Naas Town Council

The Acting Town Clerk read a brief report. The agreement was proposed by Cllr. Behan and seconded by Cllr. Power.

Cllr. Callaghan stated that when this arrangement was first mooted it was very much considered to be short term in duration.

Cllr. McCarthy expressed the view that the issue was not properly discussed.

Cllr. Moore sought clarification on Naas Town Council expenditure on metering.

The Manager stated that there had not been a significant take up nationwide of the Town Councils relinquishing their sanitary function. It is in the interest of the Town Council to maintain the status quo. There is no interest to be derived for either party to change. The expenditure on metering is essential to estimate leakage and usage.

6 To consider report on Allotment Advertisements.

The report detailing information from respondents was circulated by the Acting Town Clerk. The Members expressed their satisfaction with the report and thanked the Acting Town Clerk.

The Members agreed that Cllrs. Moore and Power should sit on a sub-committee to progress the matter further.

7 To consider report on Affordable Housing Expressions on Interest.

The Acting Town Clerk circulated a report and read it. The specific needs of the interest parties were collated. Cllr. Power said the report showed that the advertisement for expressions of interest was justified. He thanked the Manager for the report.

The Manager said that a point based system for the allocation of affordable housing was equitable.

8 To consider Progress Report.

The Acting Town Clerk informed the Members that the recommendation from the Finance Committee was that Nas na Riogh receive €300,000 in funding with further consideration to be given to additional funding in conjunction with the review of the Capital Development Programme.

This was proposed by Cllr. Behan and seconded by Cllr. Mc Carthy.

A progress report meeting would be scheduled for early in the New Year.

9 To consider Housing Progress Report.

An interview for a Tenant Liaison Officer was to be held on the 20^th December.

A meeting with the consultant regarding the development of the Devoy site was to take place this week. It is envisaged the Part 8 process would be expedited early in 2007.

10 To consider monthly Financial Report.

The financial report was noted.

11 To note reports from Conferences.

Cllr. Mc Carthy indicated he would be furnishing a report presently.

12 To note reports from Sub-Committees.

Cllr. Moore expressed the view that an additional Ryder Cup Festival sub committee meeting should take place. Cllr. Scully had requested the Town Clerk to acknowledge the contribution of entities whom had supported the festival.

The Town Engineer circulated a list of street and road names and their Gaelic translations. It was agreed that Mr. Dónal Ó Riagáin would be invited to consult with the sub committee. A revised list could then be published in the newspaper inviting submissions.

Cllr. Callaghan proposed the place names commission be written to requesting An Nas be changed to Nas na Ri. This was seconded by Cllr. Behan.

13 Urban Renewal Presentation.

The Town Engineer detailed the work to be undertaken at Poplar Square/Sallins Road and at South Main Street. The pertinent drawings were shown to the Members. Concern was expressed regarding certain issues to which the Town Engineer replied:

The congregation of a large number of people at Poplar Square. The number of benches was being significantly reduced and the design of the seating was such that they would not lend themselves to long term sojourns.

The existence of only one poplar tree in the new development. The root structure of the poplar tree was such that it is not suitable to a streetscape development.

The retention of the post box. The relocation of the postbox shall be in close proximity to its original location. Movement is necessary to facilitate junction realignment.

The provision of litter reciprocals. There will be an adequate number of reciprocals at both locations.

Services will be placed underground.

14 To consider Notice of Motion.

Submitted by Cllr. J. J. Power.

(a) “That we examine the possibility of a Chaplaincy in Naas, to be used for religious services and related meetings. The building would remain the property of Naas Town Council but could be rented hourly or otherwise by whatever groups felt that it fitted their needs. Example: Thames Gateway in London caters for Muslim, Christian and Sikh among others”.

The Acting Town Clerk read a report. She stated that an existing building might meet the requirements. Naas Town Council would ascertain the need for such a building. A check would also be made as to whether there was any statutory impediment to providing such a facility.

15 Submitted by Cllr. S. Moore.

(a) “That Naas Town Council introduce a Bye-Law to compel owners of recently closed non-resident or non-trading buildings, shops and site properties in Naas, to secure and present the appearance of such holdings to an acceptable appearance standard or at least to the general appearance standards of adjoining sites”.

The Acting Town Clerk stated that bye-laws could not be enacted where adequate statutory mechanisms exist for tackling a specific problem. In this regard the notice of motion could not succeed. Naas Town Council will take a more proactive approach in dealing with the appearance of unsightly buildings. Separately the Council shall engage with the Chamber of Commerce to involve them in the process.

(b) “That Naas Town Council now initiates the placing of Wild Life Information Boards at the Lakes Area, The Railway Walk and Canalside Areas”.

The motion was proposed by Cllr. Moore and seconded by Cllr. Behan. The Town Engineer shall expedite the matter.

(c) “That Naas Town Council now agrees to return the painting of John Devoy, received from the military authorities on the closure of the local barracks, to it original area of association, Devoy Barracks, now Aras Chill Dara, Naas”.

The motion was proposed by Cllr. Moore and seconded by Cllr. Behan. The Acting Town Clerk read a report suggesting the portrait could be relocated to the Clock Tower when that building was redeveloped as a museum. Cllr. Mc Carthy disagreed with the motion, stating the Town Hall was Naas Town Council’s H.Q. and therefore the most appropriate location for the portrait.

Cllr. Moore accepted the Manager’s report.

16 To consider Questions.

No questions were listed.

17 To consider motions and correspondence received.

The various motions and correspondence were read and noted where applicable.

18 To consider any other business properly arising.

The residents from Millbrook were requesting to bring a deputation to the January Monthly Meeting. The Mayor suggested that the residents could meet the Town Engineer and councillors could also attend.

Concern was expressed regarding traffic issues at St. Michael’s Place.

The Town Engineer informed the Members that the work being undertaken on the Dublin Road at Ashgrove/Kingsfurze was being overseen by Kildare County Council.

Cllr. Mc Carthy said that a resident of Hollywood Park bordered the old railway line and as such was an interested party. The Acting Town Clerk said that a report on all submissions relevant to the land, including the Hollywood Park submission, would be furnished in due course.

This concluded the business of the meeting.