Dog owners responsibilities:

1. Meeting Opening

The meeting was opened by Mr. Joe Gettings, Treasurer.

2. Accounts for 2011

The accounts for 2011 were presented by Treasurer Mr. Joe Gettings. (Full accounts available on www.ashefield.com.) These were unopposed and accepted.

3. Annual contribution for upkeep-of green areas

The [...]]]> Tweet

Ashefield Residents Association held their 2012 AGM on April 26th in The Newbury Hotel, Green Bridge, Mullingar.

1. Meeting Opening

The meeting was opened by Mr. Joe Gettings, Treasurer.

2. Accounts for 2011

The accounts for 2011 were presented by Treasurer Mr. Joe Gettings. (Full accounts available on www.ashefield.com.) These were unopposed and accepted.

3. Annual contribution for upkeep-of green areas

The residents contribution is currently €30 per house. It was pointed out that is the lowest in Mullingar. Other estate contributions range from €50 to €100. It was decided to leave the annual contribution at €30 per house.

4. Additional Remedial Works

The prospect of engaging in additional remedial works in the estate such as replacement of the house number street signs and repair to the estate walls near the Ashe Road entrance was discussed. As there is sufficient funds to complete the grass cutting for 2012, it was decided that these activities would be undertaken if estimated additional cost of this activity was collected in 2012.

5. New Constitution

The Treasurer, Joe Gettings presented a new constitution for discussion. However the quorum of 10 persons required to adopt the new constitution was not present. Therefore the discussion was suspended until a quorum could be convened. Full details of the constitution is available at www.ashefield.com.

6. Election of new committee

Mr Joe Gettings stepped down from the position as Treasurer. The election of the association officers for 2012 commenced.

• Treasurer: Mr. John Scales went forward for this position. He was elected unopposed unanimously.
•  Chairperson: Mr. Joe Gettings went forward for this position. He was elected unopposed unanimously
• Secretary: No one was available for this position. A decision was made to try and co-opt a resident into this position

7. Closing of meeting

The meeting was then closed

Contributions from all residents in the estate are most welcome. The current list of items for discussion are:

Dear Resident,

I am writing to you further to my attendance at your recent residents association AGM.  Following this meeting I requested my two colleague’s  Cllr. Bill [...]]]> Tweet

The following letter from Robert Troy T.D.,  dated  8th May 2011, was delivered to all houses in Ashefield and addresses a number of issues raised at the recent Residents Association AGM:

Dear Resident,

I am writing to you further to my attendance at your recent residents association AGM.  Following this meeting I requested my two colleague’s  Cllr. Bill Collentine and Cllr. Ken Glynn to raise the issues of concern to the residents at the next Mullingar Town Council meeting. Please see on reverse of this letter a comprehensive list of questions they asked and the replies given. We will continue to pursue these issues on your behalf.

I am enclosing a card with all our contact details for your information.  Please do not hesitate in contacting any of us should you feel we can be of any assistance to you, your family or friends in the future.

Best wishes,

Robert Troy T.D.

 

Cllr. Glynn:             That Westmeath County Council would maintain the green area at the entrance to Ashefield estate, similiar to the green strip across the road.

Reply:  This is a matter for the Ashefield Residents Association.

 

Cllr. Collentine:              Can Westmeath County Council advise what responsibility it has to ensure that the communal areas of the apartment block in Ashefield are maintained in good order, in the absence of a management company?

Reply:  It is a matter for the residents of the Ashefield apartments to make arrangements for the upkeep of any communal areas.

 

Cllr. Collentine:              Can Westmeath County Council advise that assistance it can provide to the residents of Ashefield under the National Spring Clean competition towards the removal of graffiti?

Reply:   Graffiti removal would not be covered by the National Spring Clean campaign. Westmeath County Council is currently awaiting details of the 2011 Anti Litter and Anti Graffiti Grants Scheme from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. When details are received, an application form will be forwarded to Ashefield Residents Association.

 

Cllr. Collentine:             Can Westmeath County Council advise it it has a schedule in place for the roadsweeper to come into the Ashefield estate and if possible to ensure that laneways are swept out as well?

Reply:  This estate is included in the road sweeping schedule and is swept once every three months.

 

Cllr. Glynn:             To ask Westmeath County Council to provide a litter bin at the entrance to Ashefield.

Reply: There is a litter bin at the entrance to the Ashefield. Mullingar Area Office will examine locating another bin at the entrance to TESCO. However, stopping the bin collection vehicle in this area is problematic from a safety view point.

 

Cllr. Glynn:              To ask Westmeath County Council if it will carry out extensive remedial works on the green area between Ashefield and Abbeylands.

Reply: Mullingar Area Office plans to cut the grass in this large open space this year with a heavy duty mower so that it can be maintained by the residents association. Mullingar Area Office also intends to commence a multi-annual programme of landscaping works along the Western By-Pass R394 this year. This section of the R394 will be included in the programme

 

 

Ms. Margaret Kavanagh (Treasurer/Secetary) Mr. David Conroy (Committee Member) Ms. Maria Colvert (Committee Member)

Residents – their attendance was recorded on a sign-in sheet

Also in Attendance: Councillor Ruth Illingworth (Town Councillor) Mr. Robert Troy T.D. Mr. Jonathan Darcy (AES)

Meeting was opened by Ms. Margaret Kavanagh and all those in [...]]]> Tweet

Date/Time: April 07, 2011, 20:00

Note: these are draft minutes and may be updated

In Attendance:

Ms. Margaret Kavanagh (Treasurer/Secetary)
Mr. David Conroy (Committee Member)
Ms. Maria Colvert (Committee Member)

Residents – their attendance was recorded on a sign-in sheet

Also in Attendance:
Councillor Ruth Illingworth (Town Councillor)
Mr. Robert Troy T.D.
Mr. Jonathan Darcy (AES)

Agenda:

Meeting opening:

Meeting was opened by Ms. Margaret Kavanagh and all those in attendance were welcomed.

Role of the residents association:

The role of the Residents Association was discussed by Ms. Margaret Kavanagh.

Responsibilities of each resident:

Ms. Margaret Kavanagh reminded those present that grass cutting currently carried out by the contractor only extends to the large green areas. It remains the responsibility of the residents to cut the strip of grass in front of their own house.

Annual contribution for upkeep-of green areas:

Mr. David Conroy proposed that the contribution per house be continued at the current rate of €30 per annum. This was agreed by all those present.  However the possibility of using a raffle to raise funds in the future was discussed. Ms. Margaret Kavanagh said that she had got a two quotes for the cutting of the grass and while the exact cost had not been agreed finally with the tendering parties it was expected that this would be approximately €1400. The large green area adjacent to the C-Link road was discussed and was felt this area needed remedial works. Mr Robert Troy T.D. undertook to write to the County Council and request that these works be carried out.

Ashefield resident and professional fitness instructor,  Eamonn offered to hold a series of fitness classes using one of the green areas within the estate. It was proposed that any revenue generated would be contributed to the estate funds.

Tenants/landlords responsibilities:

It was discussed that as some of the houses are rented there is an issue as to who has the responsibility for the upkeep.  It was decided that the residents should forward the request to the landlord if they were unprepared to pay.

Apartment block:

Ms. Margaret Kavanagh said that the apartment block in Ashefield did not have a management company.  Therefore it was unclear as to who had responsibility for the upkeep of the area around the apartments.

Laneways/anti-social behaviour:

The issue of litter in the laneways and the congregation of people in laneways was discussed.  Councillor Ruth Illingworth stated that it was currently proposed to close off some of the laneways in neighbouring estate Abbeylands. However it was decided that this course of action would not be pursued.  Other deterrent methods were proposed and discussed.

Ashefield website

Ms. Margaret Kavanagh reminded residents that a lot of information regarding the estate and the residents association is currently available on the estate’s website.

http://ashefield.com/

Financial statement for 2010:

Ms. Margaret Kavanagh presented the financial statement for 2011 (see below).

Election of new committee:

Mr. David Conroy and Ms. Maria Colvert agreed to stay on in their current position. This was unopposed.  Ms. Margaret Kavanagh stated that she no longer wished to remain in the position of treasurer and asked if anyone was willing to go forward.  Mr. Joe Gettings offered to take over this role.
He was accepted into this position unopposed.  Ms. Margaret Kavanagh then handed over the folder containing the financial details of Ashefield Residents Association and undertook to assist in the smooth handover of the accounts to Mr. Joe Gettings.  Ms. Margaret Kavanagh also presented Mr. Joe Gettings with the Associations Petty Cash which amounted to €120.

Closing of meeting:

The meeting was then concluded.

Record of Ashefield Residents’ Association accounts for year ending 2010

Due to new Credit Union rules with regards to withdrawing cash, the present committee has decided to keep a certain amount of money in the kitty for miscellaneous expenses as it is not always convenient for members to get to the credit union.

Notes:

1. Accounts statement as presented to new treasurer Mr. Joe Gettings on 08 April 2011.
2. Cash in kitty had not been recently updated and was €120 on 08 April 2011. The possibility of opening a current account is currently being investigated with a view to removing the need to hold cash.

I refer to your letter re the above and wish to advise that Mullingar Area Office will seek to erect a new [...]]]> Tweet

Conor, an Ashefield resident, got in touch with Westmeath County Council regarding the litter problem on Ashe Road near the estate entrance and green area.  Their response was:

I refer to your letter re the above and wish to advise that Mullingar Area Office will seek to erect a new bin at the pedestrian crossing on Ashe Road near Tesco entrance.

This will hopefully help to reduce the litter dumped over the wall into the green area.  Thanks, Conor!

Every resident is invited to attend,  contribute ideas,  highlight problems,  and have an important say in the management of the estate.  The committee comprises ordinary residents from the estate who volunteer their time and expertise for free.  [...]]]> Tweet

The next Ashefield residents’ association meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 8pm in the Newbury Hotel, Mullingar.

Every resident is invited to attend,  contribute ideas,  highlight problems,  and have an important say in the management of the estate.  The committee comprises ordinary residents from the estate who volunteer their time and expertise for free.  If you might be considering getting more involved, this would be an ideal opportunity to do so.

The draft agenda is as follows.

1. Introduction
2. Why do we need a Residents Association
3. Responsibilities of each resident
4. Annual contribution for upkeep of green areas
5. Tenants/Landlords Responsibilities
6. Apartment Block
7. Laneways
8. Deterring street games and ensuring safety
9. Ashefield Website
10. Financial Statement for 2010
11. Election of new committee
12. Any other business

More items for the agenda are encouraged. Feel free to use the comments area below or send an email to info@ashefield.com.

Members of Ashefield’s residents’ [...]]]> Tweet

It’s difficult not to notice that the wall between the estate main entrance road and apartments is deteriorating.  This wall runs between the block of apartments and main estate along the main estate entrance road.  However, due to its location, it has been unclear who is responsible for the upkeep of this wall.

Members of Ashefield’s residents’ committee contacted Westmeath County Council about this.  The main aims here were to clarify who is responsible for the maintenance of this wall and to try and get the problems fixed.  The key questions raised, and responses received from the council are:

Q. For some time now, we have been observing the slow but seemingly inexorable descent into decrepitude of the low boundary wall between the apartments and the estate proper. There doesn’t seem to be anyone taking responsibility for the condition of this wall.

A. The boundary walls of an Estate become the responsibility of the residents once an Estate has been Taken in Charge and are the responsibility of the residents/Management company (whichever is applicable) of any apartments from the date of first occupancy/formation of Management Company. (Reference Westmeath County Council’s “Guidelines for Purchasers in Residential Developments” Policy)

Q. The original planning permission (97/655) had a condition (#30) that a management company was to be established to look after the maintenance of the apartments and common areas. This led to the registration of a company called Minkridge Management Company Limited in March/April 2001. Looking up this company on www.cro.ie I find that its status is recorded as “dissolved” with an effective date of June 2002. It seems clear that this company was never intended to actually perform the maintenance role and was a mere artifice in the successful attempt by Fernside Homes Ltd. to gain planning permission.

A. Condition 30 of Planning Reference 97/655 has been complied with by the Developer in 2001 in that the Management Company was set up for the maintenance of the apartments

Q. Are there separate planning references (presumably with attached conditions) for the different phases of the scheme’s development?

A. The only main Planning Reference for this Development appears to be Ref. 97/655, however you can come into our offices and request a Planning Search and ask to view the Planning Files.

Q. The planning reference only seems to cover Apts. 10-26 (there is no Apt. #13). There is an additional block of apartments (27-30) for which I don’t have a separate planning reference. Is there a separate planning permission for #27-30? Are there any conditions related to a management company?

A. I am not aware of a separate Planning Reference for apartments 27-30, however, you can view Planning File Ref. 97/655 in this regard.
Q. It is my understanding that the council endeavors to ensure that all conditions on planning permissions are satisfied prior to taking an estate in charge. I gather that the council doesn’t take apartment developments in charge, but can your enforcement section offer any input here? It would seem like the lack of a management company would have been evident when the council took the estate in charge?
A. At the time that the Estate was being Taken in Charge, the Apartments would not have been taken into consideration as they were not being Taken in Charge.