For those who may be interested, we have received a copy of Fingal County Council’s Tree Strategy: The Forest of Fingal – A Tree Strategy for Fingal. Note that this is the final document even though it says ‘draft’.
Category Archives: Community Liaison Committee
Be part of the Fingal Development Plan Consultation!
We can all be part of the consultation process for the next Fingal Development Plan. Here is how!
See below for the on-line consultation process, and (especially useful) drop-in consultation sessions where Council staff will be available to discuss the current draft.
There are sessions in Balbriggan Library (15 March), Rush Library (4 April) and many other locations.
(from the Fingal County Council website:)
| Public Information drop-in Sessions for the Development Plan process take place as follows. Please feel free to drop in and go through the Development Plan maps and discuss the plan with Council staff.
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| Draft Plan (Stage 2 Now Open)
Fingal County Council published the Draft County Development Plan 2017 -2023 on February 19th 2016 – this marks the start of Phase 2 of the Development Plan preparation process. The Chief Executives Draft Development Plan was presented to the elected Members of the Council in December 2015 for their consideration. At a series of meetings in January and February of 2016, motions submitted by the Members were considered and the Draft Development Plan is now being published for members of the public to make submissions / observations. The public consultation period runs from February 19th to April 29th 2016. The Fingal Draft Development Plan sets out the strategic spatial vision and future direction for the county over a six year period from 2017 to 2023. In developing this we will build on our previous successes and our strategic advantages as a county. The Fingal Draft Development Plan 2017 – 2023 has been prepared for public consultation and we encourage all citizens, communities, businesses and interested parties to actively participate in helping to shape the future of your County. The Chief Executive will prepare a report on the submissions received during the public consultation phase and this will be considered by the elected Members at meetings in September and October 2016. We look forward to hearing from you and exploring your views on how the County should develop economically, socially and culturally over the years ahead. Click here to view the plan or to make a submission: |
Report of Skerries Community Liaison Committee Meeting October 2015
Tuesday 6th October 2015 – 3:00pm at Prosper Fingal, Skerries
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Cllr. David O’Connor Cllr. Grainne Maguire Cllr. JP Browne Cllr. Tony Murphy |
Jane Landy – Skerries Community Assoc. Geoff McEvoy – Skerries Community Assoc. Paula Marry – Chamber of Commerce Ann Doyle – Skerries Tidy Towns |
Ann Murphy – FCC John Hartnett – FCC Aileen O’Connor – FCC |
The meeting was chaired by Councillor David O’Connor
- Minutes of meeting held on 23rd June were agreed
Issues Arising
- O’Connor updated the Committee regarding the proposed Skerries to Loughshinny walkway.
- Browne informed the Committee that the 2016 Triathlon may try to tie in with the 2016 Skerries Water Festival. He also commented on the need for improved communication between parties regarding the organisation of future events.
- Geoff McEvoy raised the issue regarding the request for winter storage for boats belonging to Skerries Rowing Club.
- Blue Flag update
Ann Murphy outlined the process involved in attaining the Blue Flag and also informed the Committee the reason Skerries lost its Blue Flag was due to 2 individual incidents in 2014.
The Committee queried how and when Skerries could expect to get back the Blue Flag in the future. They also wondered if Milverton Quarry would affect the water quality when it was operational.
Jane Landy asked if it would be possible to contact George Sharpson with a view to recommencing local bathing water quality testing again.
- Skerries Town Park update
Aileen O’Connor gave an update on the work that had already been completed and the work that was yet to be done.
Jane Landy requested a written update so it could be put on their Facebook page.
- Skerries Town Plan (to include Traffic & Road Safety)
Geoff McEvoy suggested a coordinated approach between Fingal County Council and the Committee is taken in relation to issues of traffic and road safety in Skerries. Instead of individual issues being addressed it might be better to take a holistic approach to the issue.
It was agreed that Fingal County Council would provide the Committee with some maps of the town on which they can hi-light the areas and issues that they feel could be addressed using this approach.
- Tidy Towns 2015 – Review
Ann Doyle gave a brief review of the recent Tidy Towns results. She stated that the Tidy Towns Committee were very pleased with the results considering the large number of entrants. She said that for 2016 Skerries needed to come up with a project – maybe something in the area of waste minimisation. She also passed on her thanks to Fingal County Council for all of their assistance.
The Committee passed on their congratulations to Ann and the Tidy Towns Committee.
- Strand Street Seating
Fingal County Council said that they would give consideration to a proposal to put a small number of additional seats on Strand Street. The Committee undertook to check with businesses and residents regarding the possible location of these seats prior to presenting Fingal County Council with a number of potential sites.
- Provision of additional disabled parking bay on Harbour Road
Ann Murphy said that the Fingal County Council Traffic Engineer would carry out an assessment of the area but that the addition of a disabled parking bay would be done in consultation with the Gardaí.
Councillor O’Connor made an enquiry regarding the uptake and use of disabled parking bays in the town. The Committee said that they would look into this.
- Irish language usage (signage, etc.)
Ann Murphy reported that Fingal County Council are compliant with the legislation under the Official Languages Act. She informed the Committee that all Councils have until 2026 to be fully compliant under the legislation.
During the discussion Cllr. Tony Murphy noted that Malahide will pilot a project to standardise shop fronts and signage.
Cllr. O’Connor proposed and it was agreed that this issue would be discussed at the next Skerries Community Liaison Committee meeting as a Headed Item.
- South Strand Cycling
Ann Murphy reported that the current signage was the most appropriate for the area and that there was no need for additional signs or to change what was there.
Jane Landy thought that the current signs were still confusing to the public and that something should be done to make them clearer.
Ann Murphy suggested that a sufficient period of time should be allowed for the public to get used to the new arrangement on South Strand. She also suggested that the Committee could reinforce this using their newsletter and also social media.
- AOB
- Jane Landy informed the Committee that Kay Coleman had recently won the Jim Quigley Award for Volunteer of the Year award. The Committee wished to pass on their congratulations to Kay on the award.
The above is the report as circulated by John Hartnett, Fingal County Council, on 12 October 2015.
Reports from Skerries Community Liaison Committee March 2015
REPORTS FROM SKERRIES COMMUNITY LIAISON COMMITTEE
| AttendanceCllr David O’ConnorCllr. J.P. BrowneCllr. Grainne Maguire
Jane Landy – SCA Rep. Ann Doyle – Skerries Tidy Tows Kay Coleman – Skerries Chamber Ray Ryan – S.C.I Apologies: Cllr. Malachy Quinn, Geoff McEvoy S.C.A., |
Martin Sweeney – FCCAileen O’Connor – FCCBernard Kenealy – FCCAnn Murphy – FCC
John Hartnett – FCC |
Meeting held on March 24th 2015
Town Park, Skerries – Update
Aileen O’Connor reported that the Council put the plans for the Town Park on public consultation requesting submissions from the people of Skerries.
As part of the public consultation, 53 submissions were received. All submissions will be considered in the preparation of a report that will be presented to the elected members at the Balbriggan / Swords Area Committee Services B meeting in April.
Skerries to Balbriggan Cycle Route – Update
Martin Sweeney provided an update to the proposed Skerries to Balbriggan Cycle route. There has been a lot of work carried out to date and lands have been acquired for the project. Although a portion of grant funding has been awarded by the N.T.A. the overall delivery of the project is reliant on further funding being provided. This funding has not yet been identified.
Fingal County Council will look to seek approval from the elected members to commence the Part 8 of the Planning Act & Regulations in relation to the scheme which will include the preparation of detailed drawings and costings and a public consultation period.
Signage on Promenade on South Strand
The Council will be placing signage on the promenade on South Strand restricting cycling on this pathway over the coming weeks. The signage is being installed as a direct result of cyclists who are not having regard for other users, especially elderly and mobility impaired users.
The signage will be placed at either end and at all entrance points on the track. When the signage is being installed, a press release will issue to local Councillors, Skerries News, Skerries Cycling, SCA etc. It will be emphasised that these measures are being taken to address inconsiderate adult cycling on the pathway, and it is not the intention to restrict or prohibit young children from cycling on the pathway.
Sit Down on Strand Street
The Committee members again discussed this difficult issue and have recommended that one of the benches be repositioned on Strand Street. This recommendation is being evaluated by the Operations Department and hopefully work can take place in the coming weeks.
Special Works Programme 2015
The elected members recently adopted the special works programme for the Operations Department. The following works relate to the town of Skerries;
Restoration Improvement 2015 – Road Reconstruction
Thomas Hand Street, Skerries 300M €75,000
Restoration Maintenance 2015
Convent Lane, Skerries (MO) 200M €28,000
Millars Lane, Skerries (MO) 200M €20,000
SPECIAL WORKS 2015
Footpaths and Drainage works – Millverton, Thomas Hand St, Strand St & Millars Lane €44,000
Traffic Management Schemes
Skerries Dublin Road between roundabout and
Townparks Distributor Road Junction €23,000
Parks and Open Spaces
Skerries Cormorant Bed €8,000
Kelly’s Bay path €5,000
St Patrick’s Day Parade
The Committee wished to thank Kay Coleman for her help and involvement in this year’s parade.
End 28th March 2015
The Liaison Committee is an informal meeting of community groups (including the SCA) and Fingal County Council officials. The committee meets four times per year and any resident of Skerries can request for a topic to be discussed.
The SCA representatives on the committee are Jane Landy (jane.landy@skerriesca.com) and Geoff McEvoy (geoff.mcevoy@skerriesca.com)
- Geoff McEvoy (SCA Vice Chairperson)
- Jane Landy (Liaison with Fingal County Council)
Skerries Liaison Committee October 2014
The Skerries Liaison Committee met on the 14th October. This was the first meeting since the local elections and was a good opportunity for the new councillors to familiarise themselves with some of the work that goes on in Skerries and for the contribution of former councillors to be acknowledged.
The meeting received submissions from residents regarding the provision of disabled parking spaces and the use of Irish in the town. There was also a presentation from Skerries Rowing Club on their need for increased facilities as the club has grown in membership. The meeting also received an update on the Floraville community garden and had a discussion on the results of the Tidy Towns competition.
The provisions for Halloween were also mentioned. The Council advised that any burnable materials that are being stored on public property be reported to the Council as soon as possible for removal. Contact: Operations Section 890 5826
The Liaison Committee is an informal meeting of community groups (including the SCA) and Fingal County Council officials. The committee meets four times per year and any resident of Skerries can request for a topic to be discussed.
The SCA representatives on the committee are Jane Landy (jane.landy@skerriesca.com) and Geoff McEvoy (geoff.mcevoy@skerriesca.com)
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- Geoff McEvoy (SCA Chairperson)
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- Jane Landy (Liaison with Fingal County Council)
Community Liaision Committee March 2014
Sitting down on Strand Street
Thanks to the efforts of some dedicated Skerries residents, who collected over 1000 signatures in favour of seating on Strand Street, Fingal County Council has agreed to pilot two benches on Strand Street. They will be located in the area to the south of the bus stop between the bus stop and Gerrys Supermarket. The pictures show f the proposed style of bench.
Skerries bathing water quality figures
The Council recently released the attached figures on bathing water quality in Skerries last summer (2013). They were very good indeed. The reasons for this were improvements in the water treatment infrastructure and the very low rainfall levels.
Unfortunately, several years of good readings are needed before we will qualify for a Blue Flag again so although the Council has applied for one, it is very unlikely that Skerries will be awarded it this year. However, we are going to run our Skerries Water Quality project again this summer taking samples of seawater during the bathing season which the Council will have tested immediately, providing more timely information which we will then publicise. If you would like to volunteer as a water tester, please contact us on info@skerriesca.com
Water quality figures for 2012 and 2013:
Click to enlarge
Cycling restrictions on South Strand pathway
The South Strand pathway is not currently wide enough to safely accommodate cyclists and pedestrians. In order to address this problem, the Council has decided to apply for funding to widen the pathway to 3.5 metres, the required width for safe shared use. In the meantime cycling will be restricted to small children who are learning to cycle. Signage to this effect will appear soon. Click on this link to see a note prepared by FCC for the Skerries Community Liaison Committee recently:
Skerries skatepark
Thanks to the lobbying efforts of the Skerries skate park committee, the Council is enthusiastic about building a skatepark in the town. A probable location is next to the playground on Red Island. The next challenge will be to source the required funding which is in the region of 165k euro.
Springboards (Springers) repairs
The Council has committed to repairing the damage caused by this winter’s storms in time for the summer bathing season.