Council Archives

Tuttys; Devoy Barracks

Tue 20 Feb 2001

(a) "Now that Tutty's and Hedermans have put their lands up for sale in Millbrook, that Naas Urban District Council purchases this property as a car park".

Cllr. Conway stated that he had a professional interest in regard to one of the properties involved and that he would not be proposing or speaking on the motion.

In response to the motion, the Town Clerk indicated that the Council were originally negotiating a lease on part of this property for use as a car park. He advised that the site was now for sale by tender and that the closing date for receipt of tenders was 14/3/2001. The Town Clerk noted that the site is zoned residential/commercial under the present Town Development Plan and that this zoning permits for a number of different uses of the site. He stated that the Council realises the strategic importance of the site and is presently considering all aspects of the site including the cost of acquisition and its potential uses. The Town Clerk advised that based on these considerations, a decision would be taken on whether or not to submit a tender. Discussion then took place in relation to the motion during which Cllr. Byrne stated that the Council needs to be careful with the expenditure of large sums of money. Cllr. Glennon stated that finance should be made available to purchase this site.

The motion was unanimously agreed by the Council.

(b) "That the Financial arrangements between Naas Urban District Council and Kildare County Council in relation to Devoy Barracks be finalised prior to Planning Application being submitted and that the future of the Town Hall be outlined"

The motion was proposed by Cllr. Conway and seconded by Cllr. Moore.

In response to the motion, the Town Clerk indicated that seven acres of land were transferred free to Naas Urban District Council by the Department of Defence. He stated that it was also agreed that a further acre would be sold to Naas Urban District Council by the Department of Defence at a price to be agreed. He stated that the design for the new Civic Offices for Naas Urban District Council and Kildare County Council had been agreed that it is hoped that construction of the offices will be completed by Autumn 2003. The Town Clerk noted that Naas Urban District Council will have to pay its share of the costs for the new offices and that these costs and the cost of the site Kildare County Council would have to be considered together. The Town Clerk noted that the transfer of the lands from the Department of Defence to the Naas Urban District Council is presently being finalised and when this is completed, the Council will be in a position to commence negotiations with Kildare County Council.

In relation to the Town Hall, the Town Clerk indicated that it had previously been agreed that when the Town Hall was vacated by the Urban District Council that it would be made available as a Community Centre for the town.

Cllr. Conway referred to the difficult negotiations with the Department of Defence in relation to Devoy Barracks and the transfer of the seven acres. He stated that Kildare County Council, Naas Urban District Council, Motor Taxation Office and the VEC would be located in the new civic offices. He asked that the model of the new offices be put on display in the Town Hall.

Cllr. Moore, supporting the motion, stated that the main benefit of this proposal is the making available of the Town Hall as a Community Centre. He noted that a number of groups in the town needed accommodation and that a survey of such needs be undertaken.

Cllr. Egan noted that the cost of the site should go a long way towards meeting the cost of the offices for the Urban District Council. Cllr. Bracken stated that there were many groups in the town who needed accommodation. Following further discussion on the matter, the motion was agreed by the Council.

The Council then received a deputation from Kildare Failte. The deputation was led by Mr Sean Feely, Chairman, and Kildare Failte. The deputation was welcomed to the meeting by the Chairman. Mr Sean Feely stated that the AGM of Kildare Failte had taken place and that a new Officer Board had been elected. He stated that County Kildare Failte is a partnership between Kildare County Council and Kildare Tourism. He stated that it is funded through subscriptions from the members and corporate bodies such as Kildare County Council. Mr Feely referred to the important position that Naas occupies as a gateway to many other locations both in the County and in the Country. He stated that Naas had an excellent opportunity to develop a quality town and that speciality such as gourmet restaurants, specialists shopping etc should be developed. He stated that there was an ideal opportunity for Naas to attract people off the motorway into the town.

Margaret Edgehill, Marketing Director of Kildare Failte stated that Kildare Failte had exhibited at various holiday fairs during 2000. She stated that 20,000 brochures had been published by Kildare Failte in the past year. Ms Edgehill stated that a new marketing strategy for 2001 is being prepared and that new promotional material is being developed. She also indicated that a mobile unit is also to be used in the current year. Ms Edgehill stated that there is very little finance available to Kildare Failte and that their total income is £55,000, £35,000 of which goes on administration. The deputation then dealt with a number of questions from the members in relation to tourism matters. In conclusion, the Cathaoirleach thanked the deputation for their presentation and stated that the Council looked forward to working with Kildare Failte in the future.

(c) "That Naas Urban District Council support the provision of the new St Patrick's Community College in Oldtown as requested by the Chairman, CEO and Members of the VEC"

The motion was proposed by Cllr. Conway and seconded by Cllr. Bracken.

In proposing the motion, Cllr. Conway referred to the submission by both the Chairman and CO of the VEC and the Principal of St. Patrick's Community College in relation to the development of a new community college. He stated that the proposed relocation to Oldtown afforded the college an ideal opportunity for a new start and the potential to significantly increase the intake of pupils. Cllr. Bracken, in supporting the motion stated that the construction of a new college was what the VEC were seeking and that discussions were ongoing with the Department of Education in relation to this matter.

A discussion then took place in relation to the motion, during which Cllr. Glennon stated that the motion be deferred until all legal matters were dealt with. She stated that she fully supported the development of St. Patrick's Community College.

Cllr. McCarthy stated that to facilitate the construction of a new college at Oldtown that both that site and the existing site of the Community College on the Newbridge Road would have to be re-zoned. He stated that the Council were being asked to surrender its site on the Newbridge Road to facilitate this exchange.

Cllr. Egan stated that the land use strategy is presently being undertaken and that a number of questions need to be answered before he could support the motion.

Cllr. Moore also supported the motion.

Cllr. Callaghan also supported the motion, stating that the passing of the motion by the Urban District Council would assist in negotiations with the Department of Education. A discussion then took place in relation to the motion and during the discussion the Cathaoirleach adjourned the meeting for 5 minutes. When the meeting resumed, the Cathaoirleach stated that the Council must try to work by consensus for the betterment of the people of Naas. A discussion took place as to whether the motion should be put to the meeting. Cllr. Glennon stated that she whilst she fully supported the development of St. Patrick's Community College, she could not support the wording of the motion before the Council. The Cathaoirleach then put the motion to the meeting with the result of 5 members voting in favour, 1 member against and 3 abstentions. The motion was then declared carried by the Cathaoirleach.

It was then agreed to adjourn the remaining business on the Agenda to 26th February 2001.