MINUTES OF WICKLOW MUNICIPAL DISTRICT MEETING. MONDAY 22nd OCTOBER PM DISTRICT CHAMBER, TOWN HALL

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1 MINUTES OF WICKLOW MUNICIPAL DISTRICT MEETING MONDAY 22nd OCTOBER PM DISTRICT CHAMBER, TOWN HALL Present: In attendance: Cathaoirleach Daire Nolan, Councillors Gail Dunne, Mary Kavanagh, Shay Cullen District Manager Brian Gleeson, District Administrator, Joan Sinnott, District Engineer, Kevin Scanlon, Clerical Officer, Sinead Turner Cathaoirleach Daire Nolan opened the meeting at 3.03pm. Councillor Irene Winters joined the meeting at 3.10pm. Councillor John Snell joined the meeting at 3.15pm. Councillor Gail Dunne left the meeting at 4.40pm. CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE WICKLOW MUNICPAL DISTRICT MEETING HELD 17 th SEPTEMBER 2018 It was proposed by Councillor Shay Cullen, seconded by Councillor Mary Kavanagh and unanimously agreed to confirm and sign the minutes from the Wicklow Municipal District meeting held on 17 th September PRESENTATION BY ANDREW LAWLESS ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COMMUNITY Cathaoirleach Daire Nolan welcomed Andrew Lawless of Wicklow Tidy Towns to the meeting. Andrew commenced by thanking the elected members and staff of the Council for all their support, financial or otherwise, in recent years and said the Wicklow Tidy Towns were delighted to obtain their first silver medal in the national Tidy Towns competition this year, which would not have been possible without this support. He said that results in the county as a whole had improved this year. He went on to outline that climate change was now an almost universally accepted issue and that we need to change how we live. There is a difficulty however in reducing energy consumption. He said that 11% of the overall marks in the Tidy Towns competition go to the area of Sustainability doing more with less and therefore the next big project for Wicklow Tidy Towns involved the setting up of a Sustainable Energy Community with the aim of changing energy behaviour within the industry, residential, public, business, recreational and transport sectors. SEC s are being set up around the country under the umbrella of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Four sustainable energy committees in County Wicklow have registered with SEAI Wicklow Tidy Towns, Laragh Tidy Towns, Newtownmountkennedy Community Forum and a group in Greystones. SEAI need to see the formation of a strong Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will prepare the plan for submission to the SEAI and will pursue the objectives of that plan once approved.

2 To date, the proposed Steering Committee consists of one or two representatives of Wicklow Tidy Towns, a member of the Wicklow Town Team, District Manager Brian Gleeson with technical assistance from the Council s Environmental Awareness Officer, Rahim O Neill. Wicklow Tidy Towns propose to hold a public meeting early in January to seek as many other volunteers as possible. Andrew again acknowledged the importance of the Municipal District s support and thanked the members for their attention. The members congratulated the Tidy Towns on their achievement and thanked them for all their work and commitment and stated that any financial contributions made by the Council were very well spent. WICKLOW MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BUDGET Head of Finance, Brian Gleeson, introduced this item and stated that in accordance with the Local Government Regulations a draft budget had been prepared for each municipal district. The General Municipal Allocation for Wicklow MD was 38,000 and the allocation for all Municipal Districts in the county was 217,500. There was no change on last year s allocation. It was proposed by Councillor John Snell, seconded by Councillor Shay Cullen and unanimously agreed to accept the draft budget. ENGINEER S REPORT Mr. Kevin Scanlon presented the District Engineer s report: Housing Work continuing on general maintenance and repairs. 68 queries in September. 43 completed. 25 ongoing. 4 DPG applications processed and commenced in September. 3 upcoming applications to be tendered. Technical support to WCC-Housing Dept: - 0 condition surveys issued on potential housing purchases. - 0 inspections for Mortgage to Rent scheme (icare AHB). - Re-lets: 4 new houses received. 5 returned to WCC Housing Dept. 5 have works continuing. 2 out to tender. - 4 tenders for repairs to fire damaged house at Ashwood, Roundwood received last week. Currently being assessed by architect. - 3 Part 5 houses in Kirvin Hill snagged and approved. Roads and Footpaths Winter maintenance schedule started last week. WMD staff on standby for frost gritting instructions daily. WMD applied for additional funding for snow damaged roads. News of the extent of this grant is expected soon.

3 Urban and Village renewal grant funding received by Newtown groups/wcc for public realm improvements around Main Street. Meeting to be held soon to plan and design and procure. Proposal to join 1 discretionary job to get consistent design and value for money. LAP and infrastructure report currently underway and this is good time to look at proposal for the area. 5 road recycling projects completed on 11 th October. Traffic light timings at Grand Hotel require some ducting to complete and loops to be installed. This will be done as soon as contractor is available. Laragh-Trooperstown footpath completed on 21 st September. Currently assessing the last section of path for widening with landowner for possible widening. Discretionary grant works: 1. Traffic calming Glenealy Signs, road markings and pedestrian crossing commencing next week. 2. Footpath at Ballybeg Contractor to complete works in coming weeks. 3. Road at old village, Rathnew Contractor to complete works in coming weeks. 4. Lights at steps to sailing club Possible to add to historic sites contract. 5. Picnic benches at Murrough Complete. 6. Zebra crossing Dunbur Rd Signs, road markings and pedestrian crossing commencing in 2 weeks. 7. Traffic calming Ballinastoe Quote received works commencing in 2 weeks. 8. Road safety in Newtown Possible to add to Urban Renewal works. 9. Lighting at Riverwalk, Murrough Possible to add to historic sites contract. Road Opening Licences continue to be processed and agreed. Children At Play signs have been installed in numerous estates. To be completed soon. Environment Storm Callum on 11/12 th October caused some damage to trees but no major flooding. WMD staff in the 3 areas on standby and patrol over 2 days. Dealt quickly with the issues. Thanks to staff for their help and assistance. Grass cutting and edge cleaning continues. Urban and Village renewal grant funding received by Wicklow Town Team/WCC for lighting historic sites around town. Meeting held last week to plan and design and procure. Proposal to join 2 discretionary jobs to get consistent design and value for money. Planning Reports on applications and compliance with applications are continuing to be issued. Estate taking in charge reports and inspections are continuing with WCC planning staff. Playgrounds Roundwood playground contract awarded to Haffey Playgrounds. Site meeting took place last week and contractor to commence in November. 4-5 month programme. WMD to commence enabling works at site next week. Laragh playground contract awarded to Play and Leisure Services. Site meeting to be held in coming weeks regarding commencement and schedule. Repairs carried out:

4 Zip wire replaced at the Murrough playground. New park bark at Ashford and Rathnew playgrounds. Planned repairs this month: Murrough new rubber matting under swings, repair to spring/swinger seat. Newtown straighten see saw, and repair sit on digger, Ballynerrin repair or replace four swing unit in junior area. Public Liability 3 new claims submitted to WMD this month. (1 personal injury, 2 vehicle damage) Currently working on 3 live claims at various stages. 1 in court this week. Councillors Questions and Queries The members raised concerns about the traffic lights at the Grand Hotel and the problems of long delays and traffic backing up. The District Engineer advised that one of the ducts had collapsed at the Forge and it was hoped to lay ducting the following week and put in sensors which should alleviate the problem. The members stated that road markings around the town needed to be renewed as well as a speed sign being needed for at the Bethlehem Primary School. The members queried the turnaround time on vacant Council properties and stated that it was far too long. Members queried the provision of a carpark in Glenealy and a short stretch of footpath in Merrymeeting, Rathnew. The members queried the new footpath being installed from Nuns Cross down to the junction of the new housing development at Ballinahinch and stated that it was not acceptable for persons with mobility issues as it was not wide enough and had no access. The District Engineer said he would get in touch with the developers. Members commended the provision of two playgrounds at Roundwood and Laragh and stated that a huge amount of work was being done in the District. The members agreed to decide on the allocation of remaining funds at the next meeting. The members raised the issue of large vehicles being parked in both private and Council estates resulting in traffic congestion, damage to roads and safety concerns. The District Engineer stated that in the case of a public road, the gardai have a role in the matter. The issue of parking in cul de sacs was also raised in relation to emergency services vehicles. The members indicated that the road reinstatement carried out by Irish Water on Dunbur Road was not up to standard and that some shores had sunk. It was agreed to refer the matter to Irish Water. The members referred to works carried out on behalf of Virgin Media throughout the town where footpaths were dug up and entrances blocked with no consultation with residents. It was agreed that the Council would examine the matter.

5 The Cathaoirleach suggested that in future the District Engineer s report might be circulated a few days in advance of the meeting. CLIFF WALK UPDATE The District Administrator advised that an Agreement had been drafted and was in the process of being signed by Wicklow County Council and the Golf Club, that a contractor is lined up to do the fencing and work was ready to commence. Some of the Council s staff would be working on the project. It was agreed to consult with Friends of The Murrough regarding signage etc. The duration of the works would be dependent on weather conditions in the coming months. FUNDING UPDATE Brian Gleeson, Head of Finance, indicated that funding had been allocated for two projects in the Wicklow District under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme - 120,488 for public realm works in Newtown and 120,000 towards lighting of landmark buildings in Wicklow Town. The members agreed to pool their discretionary fund previously allocated for traffic calming works in Newtownmountkennedy with this Town and Village Renewal Scheme allocation for public realm works in Newtown. The members further agreed to pool their discretionary fund previously allocated for a public lighting at the Yacht Club and the Riverwalk with the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for the backlighting of the historical sites in the town. The members were of the view that some other counties obtained a higher level of funding than Wicklow and it was suggested to engage more with TD s and Ministers in an effort to secure funding for a greater number of projects. ENTERPRISING TOWN AWARDS 2018 The District Administrator gave a brief report on the applications submitted from Roundwood and Wicklow under the National Enterprise Town Awards Roundwood was nominated in the category for towns up to a population of 5,000 and the application highlighted the achievements of the Roundwood & District Community Council namely the opening of the Vartry Reservoir loop walk. Wicklow was nominated in the 10,000 plus category because of the collaborative work carried out by the Town Team in the last year. The application highlighted the town s vision, achievements to date and the exciting plans for the future. Both Roundwood and Wicklow were to be commended on the massive effort put in and their community spirit shone through in both the preparation and presentation to the judges. Ninety towns and villages will be judged in this year s awards which have a prize fund of 157,000 with the overall winner receiving a cash prize totalling 33,000. The winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony at The Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny on the 28 th November. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

6 Councillor Shay Cullen indicated that he would be tabling a Notice of Motion for the next meeting in relation to keeping towns and villages free from election posters. Members expressed agreement in principle with this proposal. Other items raised included: Hawkestown Road access not yet open Query regarding a funding directory. The District Administrator advised that she had been approached in relation to a proposed Christmas market to be held in the Abbey Grounds and seeking a contribution from the Council for the purpose of leaflet drop etc. A query was raised as to whether this was a profit making or community event and it was agreed to seek further details and invite Mr. Horgan to make a presentation to the members at the next district meeting. CORRESPONDENCE There was no correspondence. The Cathaoirleach confirmed that the next Municipal District Meeting is scheduled for Monday 19 th November 2018 at 3 p.m. The meeting closed at 5.15 p.m. Signed: Signed: Dated: