Link below to the discussion paper which was  referred to at recent MD meeting

TheCurraghDiscussionPaper_v4_23April18

My motion at July’s Full Council Meeting, ‘That the council put a protocol in place to ensure that all councillors including those not represented on the Corporate Policy Group or at meetings of group leaders at which no minutes are taken, are consulted in pre-budget discussions and consultations.
Here is the report issued by: Ms F Millane, A/Head of Finance; , ‘Kildare County Council follows the relevant legislation vis-a-vis the budget process (Appendix I attached). The Corporate Policy Group are consulted with regard to the overall budget strategy; the draft budgetary plan is brought to all elected members at the municipal district meetings in October and discussed with the members then. In addition, each municipal district has a nominated representative on the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is convened a number of times in September and October to discuss how the draft budget is progressing. If members have particular concerns they can be brought to the Finance Committee by themunicipal district representative.
The draft budget that is presented by the Chief Executive to the elected members in November, is the best estimate of expenses based on the resources available to the organisation. This budget can, however, be amended by the members by agreement at council. In accordance with legislation the draft budget is brought to council in November where it is discussed and agreed, subject to amendments brought by the members. In Kildare there is also a pre-budget meeting a week or so in advance of the actual budget where members can discuss line items with the relevant senior officials.
If the elected members wish to change any element of the budget they can do so, by agreement at the budget meeting, but should always be aware that any amendments must be met by reductions to other, identified areas of expenditure and/or valid areas of additional income.

The National Oversight and Audit Commission’s Local Authority Satisfaction Survey of the 10 largest local authority areas has revealed that Limerick City and County Council tops the rankings in overall satisfaction, with a score of 69%, ahead of South Dublin County Council on 61%, Fingal County Council on 58%, Galway County Council and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council on 57%, and Dublin City Council on 53%, the national average.

Cork County Council, Meath County Council, Kildare County Council, and Tipperary County Council scored below the average, from 46% down to 40%. Of the services offered by councils, affordable housing saw the greatest discrepancy between importance and satisfaction, with 27% considering it the most important local authority service, while just 25% were satisfied with availability. Satisfaction was higher on other important services, such as roads, parks, footpaths and local amenities and leisure areas.

Cllr James Collins, Mayor of Limerick, welcomed the survey results, saying they validated the “hard work being done by the local authority’s troops on the ground.”

#LGiU #dailynews #KFM Radio #Limerick Leader

NOAC Local Authority Satisfaction Survey 2018 (1)

My second question at this months (18th July) MD meeting, ‘Can the council include in its annual budget to be agreed in the autumn a budget for pedestrian lights/yellow box at College Farm/Sexes Bridge to deal with ongoing safety and traffic flow issues at this location?

Report: A technical examination will have to be carried out to assess the suitability of a pedestrian light at this location

My first question at this months (18th July) MD meeting, ‘Can the council outline the process, timeline and funding for the delivery of the eagerly anticipated Traffic Management Plan for Newbridge, detailing all progress since the draft plan was presented by the National Transport Authority to municipal district councillors in February?

Report issued by Ms E Wright, Senior Executive Officer, Roads Transportation and Public Safety Section: The Director of Services is engaging with the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to proposed plans for the Newbridge area. As per Motion 10 (Councillor Lynch) if the members are in agreement, this request can be forwarded to the NTA for response.

My first motion at this months (18th July) MD meeting, ‘That the council include in its annual budget to be agreed in the autumn a budget for traffic calming and pedestrian safety around Athgarvan to include a pathway from the lights at Athgarvan towards the Mill, and speed ramps near Connolly Villas.

Here is the Report Issued by Ms E Wright, Senior Executive Officer, Roads Transportation and Public Safety Section: The Municipal District Office will list the location to be surveyed and assessed for possible inclusion in the 2019 Road Works/Local Property Tax (LPT) Programme. It may not be possible to install a footpath from the traffic lights to the Mill due to the road width restrictions and may require land acquisition and relocation of services (ESB etc). The Municipal District Office will assess the location further and report back to the members. The request for traffic calming near Connolly Villas, Athgarvan will be referred to TAAG for assessment.

News and Highlights to the  Chief Executive Report-June Meeting

• Change in District Managers – effective from July 2018

Athy – Mr N Morrissey

Celbridge-Leixlip – Mr T McDonnell

Kildare-Newbridge – Mr J Boland

Naas – Mr P Minnock

Maynooth – Ms S Kavanagh

• The Boundary Commission Report was received on 14 June 2018 and is available on the membersnet.
• Development Bonds for Housing Estates As and from the 25 May 2018 the Building and Development Control Section have taken over the acceptance, monitoring and maintenance of the development bonds from the Planning Authority.
• Speed Limit Review – Pre-Draft consultation notices have been issued inviting adjoining local authorities, An Garda Siochána, elected members, members of the Oireachtas and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to make submissions/observations.
• Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) Minister Ring launched the new €4,500,000 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) on 31 May 2018.

My motion at Monday’s  (25th June) Full Council meeting; ‘That the council facilitates the provision of a governance training session to members of the Public Participation Network in Kildare.

Here is the report issued by Ms S Kavanagh, Director of Service, Economic, Community and Cultural Development;  The Department of Rural and Community Development fund training programmes for People Participation Networks (PPNs). If the PPN members feel that there is a demand for a certain type of training then they can communicate that through the PPN resource worker. Kildare County Council will of course facilitate and support any such request.

My second question at yesterday’s (20th June) MD meeting, ‘Can the council explain how or why a derelict extension built decades ago without planning permission, adjacent to a pensioners house (location provided) has been permitted to stand and what can the council do to find a satisfactory solution for this constituent?

Here is report issued by: Ms V Cooke, Acting Senior Executive Officer, Planning Section : In general, if the council becomes aware of unauthorised development or if alleged unauthorised development is brought to the attention of the council, the council will investigate the matter. If it is considered that unauthorised development has taken place, the developer will be asked to regularise the matter within a specified period of time. If the request is not complied with, the council will refer the file to our solicitors. Where the case is brought to court and the court requires the owner to regularise the matter, this can mean reversing any works done that are the subject of the enforcement process but excluding any element which is statute barred. If the unauthorised development occurred more than seven years prior to its coming to the attention of the council, a case will not succeed at court as it would be deemed to be statute bared even though the development would continue to be deemed unauthorised.

My second motion at yesterday’s (20th June) MD meeting, ‘That the council reassure residents of Athgarvan that the necessary road widening of the Athgarvan Road and upgrade of the water pumping station will be completed before any further building is permitted that would contribute further to the traffic and sewage issues in the area.

Here is the report issued by: Ms E Wright, Senior Executive Officer, Roads Transportation and Public Safety Section.: Road widening will involve land acquisition by Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) which is costly and will take time to complete. There is no funding in place for the road widening of the Athgarvan Road at this time. The Roads Department will continue engage with the Planning Department and Water Services with regard to future proposed projects in the Athgarvan area.