A set of tables, in link below sets out the feasibility following the site assessments and a summary of the position is as follows;

1. There are 5 locations where bus shelters can be provided without any other works being required. Locations are;

• Moorefield Road, Newbridge (Moorefield Crescent opposite Tesco, Inbound),
• Moorefield Road, Newbridge (Outside Woodies and Tesco, Outbound),
• Kildare Town at Market House,
• Allenwood (Inward / Dublin Direction)
• Allenwood (Outward/Edenderry Direction).

2. There are 18 locations where bus shelters can be installed but where some enabling works by the Council would be required. NTA will fund those enabling works in full but would need the Council to undertake or arrange them.

3.There are 36 locations where NTA do not consider it appropriate to install a bus shelter at this point in time

Provision of Bus Shelters in County Kildare

Thanks to the Leinster Leader for this week’s report of the public part of last Wednesday’s Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) board meeting.

Before the discussion of the minutes from the previous meeting of the board (held Sept 27th) were raised on the agenda of last Wednesday’s board meeting (Oct 11th) I asked that the Chair, the Vice Chair and the Corporate Services manager all be deputed or replaced for the duration of any discussion relating to the investigation of the KWETB by the Department of Education and Skills

The Minutes Secretary (who is the Corporate Affairs Manager) has a senior management role in relation to one of the main areas being investigated. Chairs have had signing authority relating to the area in question. We as a board have a duty to ensure that not only conflicts of interest but any perceptions of conflicts of interest are managed. Let me be clear, I am casting no aspersions on the Corporate Affairs Manager, the Chair or the Vice-Chair – it is in everyone’s best interests including theirs to ask that they consider stepping down from their duties for the duration of the investigation, given the potential for conflicts of interest

I have serious concerns that a false narrative is being constructed in relation to the boards response to the investigation of the KWETB by the Department of Education. As a board member I am concerned that despite repeated requests we have not been provided with all of the legal advice that has been made available to the Chair and the Vice-Chair for and on behalf of the board. This is particularly worrying in light of the fact that both the Chair and the Vice Chair are reported to have taken independent personal legal advice which has not been made available to the boards. I have also had access to a document which provides evidence of a malicious misrepresentation of a private/in camera/incommittee meeting called by the Chair on September 19th. Although the meeting did not go ahead because the Chair and former Chair had acted outside their powers by calling a secret meeting, that is not what is officially documented in the memo

I am perturbed also by the Chairs decision to deviate from the standard practice of reading a letter into correspondence at the public board meeting last Wednesday 11th.
A letter from KWETB CEO Sean Ashe confirming he was attending the World Skills Conference , despite being asked to remain at home to co-operate with the investigation, was not read out at the public board meeting. No one knew where the CEO was and no one informed those present at the public meeting why the CEO was not there. There is no justifiable explanation in my mind for hiding this letter from the public.

Taking all of these circumstances into account I have respectfully asked the Chair, the Vice-Chair and the Minutes secretary to again consider their positions in order to demonstrate the highest levels of integrity and transparency in the Boards co-operation with the department regarding the investigation of the KWETB

#KWETB #governance #boardresponsibilities

My second adjourned motion at today’s (18th Oct) MD meeting; ‘That the council work together with interested community groups including local Grow It Yourself (GIY) groups to help identify locations around the district for the development of a community garden scheme.

Report: Kildare County Council has no objection in principle to the development of community gardens. More information is required in relation to the location of the interest groups and their expectations as our experience to date has been that there is different aspirations as to the size, function and design of the gardens. There is limited land available in the municipal area for recreational activities such as this. Much of what is available has been highlighted to the municipal district members already. Any additional work related to this request could only be considered once the existing Parks Section works programme has been completed.

My Adjourned Motion at today’s (18th Oct) MD meeting, ‘ That the council provide an update regarding safety issues on the Green Road, including an update regarding the lighting audit and a Technical Assessment and Advisory Group (TAAG) report to include any progress on discussions with the owner of land fronting the Green Road on either side of Newbridge Educate Together National School and Gaelscoil Chill Dara.

Report Issued by Mr B Martin, Administrative Officer, Roads, Transport and Public Safety. : This issue is listed on TAAG for assessment. The Roads Department would be open to preliminary discussions with the owner to examine if land can be acquired by agreement. The Public Lighting section will shortly make an assessment for lighting on the Green Road in accordance with the Kildare Lighting Infrastructure Priority Schedule (KLIPS).

My second motion at today’s (18th Oct) MD meeting ; ‘ In light of worsening traffic chaos, that we get an update on the status of traffic management plan for Kildare Town and Newbridge Town and a plausible explanation for the ongoing delay. In the absence of a delivery date, I reiterate the request to see the current iteration of the plan however far from agreement.
Report Issued by Mr B Martin, Administrative Officer, Roads, Transport and Public Safety;  ‘ The members will be updated on continued discussions with the National Transport Authority (NTA) at the municipal district meeting. The outline of the proposal submitted to NTA proposed using a multi-disciplinary team, with the main objective being the creation of an enhanced environment with multi-functional streets, maximised connectivity, permeability and ease of movement. The Outline Proposal and associated draft Tender Documents have been provided to Councillor McLoughlin Healy. The Roads Department will copy the draft documents (circa 70 pages) to all members if required

My second question at today’s (18th Oct) MD meeting, ‘As legislation is unclear on the role of the Municipal District Manager, can the Chief Executive Officer clarify what the nature and extent of the role of the Municipal District Manager is within Kildare County Council?
Here is the report issued by: Mr T McDonnell, Director of Service, Housing and Corporate Services; ‘Each Director of Service is delegated duties to attend and service a municipal district, on behalf of the Chief Executive. The Director co-ordinates and monitors, in consultation with the relevant Director of Service for a specific function, in terms of the adopted works programme as approved by council, the annual budget, and Capital Programme for the municipal district.

My first question at today’s (18th Oct) MD meeting, ‘Can the Municipal District Manager provide an update on the response, if any, from the Curragh Forum to the municipal district’s invite to update the municipal district on their progress since their inception over two years ago in relation to ongoing issues raised by councillors at the time regarding illegal encampments, illegal parking, dumping, over-grazing and maintenance and management of the Curragh Plains?
Here is the report issued by Ms F Skehan, Administrative Officer, Corporate Services. Please see attached correspondence to and from the Department of Defence. The members to agree date to schedule meeting with the Curragh Forum.

My first motion at today’s (18th Oct) MD meeting ‘That the council ask for a meeting between residents of St. Dominick’s Park, Gardaí, the Municipal District Councillors, the Director of Housing and Municipal District Manager and the Peter McVerry Trust to address evidence of increasing levels of antisocial behaviour in and around their estate with a view to delivering a just, sustainable solution for all stakeholders.
Here is the report issued by Ms S Scully, Administrative Officer, Housing Department. ‘This matter was discussed at the last meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District JPC and was further addressed at a meeting on the 19 of September last between the Gardaí, the National Director of the Peter McVerry Trust, a representative from the Housing Department and an elected representative from the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District. It was agreed at this meeting that regular engagement would take place between the aforementioned parties to address any issues and a follow up meeting was held on Thursday 28 September. Further regular engagement will continue in an attempt to reach a viable solution for all parties involved.

Kildare County bottom of the table for Town and Village scheme grant approvals.

T&V 2017 projects

The Local Enterprise Office Kildare is commencing Start Your Own Business Programmes throughout the county over the coming months.
The programme will benefit people who are considering setting up a business or who have recently set up their own business. The programme involves developing and researching your ideas, learning basic business start-up skills and expanding your potential with marketing and financial planning advice.

Venue : Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge
4 Wednesdays commencing 22nd November – Cost €100
To book logon to www.localenterprise.ie/Kildare