One of the action items from this year’s AGM was to invite a Westmeath County Council staff member to examine the green area adjacent to the C-link road to help find out who is responsible for this area and to discuss what measures can be taken. Thanks to Cllr. Ken Glynn, he and members of the residents association brought a Westmeath Co. Co. staff member to examine the area. We’ll post any further updates and outcomes on this website when available.
Laneway clean-up
Volunteer members of Ashefield Residents Association recently carried out a clean-up of a closed-off laneway within the estate. Many thanks to Joe, John and Dave who kindly gave up some of their spare time to do this. If anyone has some spare time to help with similar efforts, it would be greatly appreciated – feel free to get in contact by email if you might be able to help [info@165.227.235.101]
2013 Ashefield Residents Association AGM Report
Thanks to all the residents who attended the 2013 AGM of Ashefield Resident’s Association. We also want to thank Cllr. Ken Glynn who also participated in this meeting and provided valuable input.
Joe Gettings, Chairperson of Ashefield Residents Association, chaired the meeting and shared a presentation outlining the agenda items as follows:
The points discussed at the meeting were as follows
- Budget and expenditure
Accounts summary 2013
The 2012 accounts were presented and all expenditure items were detailed [see the presentation for details] . Projected expenditure for 2013 was also discussed ( primarily grass cutting and upkeep of the estate common areas ). The main works carried out during 2012/2013 to date involved the maintenance of the green areas within the estate and replacement of missing signage.
- Boundary wall at apartments
It was agreed that the boundary wall adjacent to the apartments near the entrance of Ashefield requires attention. Through the Chair, the committee took an action to seek quotes from potential contractors for the repair of the blockwork and pier cappings for the wall only. It was noted that any proposed additional work inside or outside the boundary wall could not be undertaken as it would be the clear responsibility of the apartment owners or Westmeath County Council. It was also agreed that following a review of the quotes received by the committee, the contractor offering the best value would be selected to undertake the work.
- Annual Collection
Volunteers were identified to help collect this years contributions towards the upkeep of the common areas of the estate. A note regarding this year’s collection was distributed in the fortnight before the AGM and also posted on ashefield.com . In addition to this, Credit Union and Westmeath County Council grants have been applied for. It was noted that the €30 annual contribution / household in Ashefield is low compared to Petitswood Manor (€100), Lakepoint (€100), and Sherwood Park (€50).
- Grass cutting 2013
It was agreed to retain the services of the existing contractor to the high quality and value of the work carried out.
- Committee – election
No new nominations for the 2013 committee were received and the existing committee members were re-elected.
Joe Gettings (Chairperson)
David Conroy (Secretary)
John Scales (Treasurer)
Maria Colvert (Collection of contributions)
Martin Tourish (Collection of contributions)
Keith Nolan (Web admin)
- Westmeath County Council
Concerns regarding the green area adjacent to the C-Link road were discussed. In particular, it was pointed out it is unclear who has responsibility for this area. A number of potential uses for this area and immediate actions regarding grass cutting were outlined. Cllr. Ken Glynn offered to ask a representative from Westmeath County Council to meet him and committee members at the estate to assess this area.
- Access lane between Ashefield and Abbeylands
Issues regarding the access lane between Ashefield and Abbeylands were raised. It was agreed that no action could be considered until the views of all residents in Ashefield regarding the lane access could be surveyed.
- Dogs and dog litter
It was agreed that dog fouling is a growing problem in the estate. Dog owners must remove their pets’ waste from public places and dispose of it in a proper manner. Signage advertising the law regarding this is clearly displayed at the entrance of the estate. It was also noted that dog littering does not only have to be witnessed to be reported; dog owners that do not carry a litter bag/pooper scooper when walking dogs can be reported also.
- Closing
The meeting attendees were thanked and the meeting was adjourned at 8.45pm.
2013 Annual General Meeting
Ashefield Residents Association will hold the 2013 Annual General Meeting in the Newbury Hotel, Green Bridge, Mullingar on Friday 19th, July, 2013. All Ashefield residents are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Agenda:
- Presentation of the 2012 Accounts
- Discussion of the maintenance and remedial works in the coming year.
- Election of the New Committee for 2013
This meeting notice and the following update was distributed to all houses in the estate:
Dear Resident,
Thanks for your support in 2012 and we hope that you will be as supportive in the coming year.
The 2013 Ashefield Residents Annual Fund Raising Collection will commence following the upcoming AGM with committee members circulating in the estate. The funds collected will be used in the upkeep of the common areas throughout the estate. The committee comprises all unpaid volunteers – your neighbours, who are willing to spare some time.
Your contribution is very important. It falls back on us as a community to maintain and improve the common areas and in the estate. We realise that time is precious so therefore we appreciate all and any help you can give. This can involve calling on Tesco to collect abandoned shopping trolleys or picking up litter in your area.
The main expense incurred is the grass cutting in the large green common areas. It cost approximately €1260 to cut the grass and carry out other upgrades such as replacing the signs within the estate in 2012. With a view to continuing this work, the Resident Association Committee Members will be circulating in the coming days asking for a contribution of €30 per household. (Accounts available on www.ashefield.com)
Ashefield has a website, e-mail address, Twitter account, and a Facebook page to help you keep up with to date and to contact us. We encourage you to use these to stay in touch with both the residents association and residents.
The collection has been well supported in the past and we are sure that we can rely on your support once again this year. We realise that we all have extra pressures due to Household Charge and Property Tax. However despite these, the responsibility falls on all the residents to maintain the common areas in our estate.
This request is being made to all residents; either renting or owning their home. However if those renting their home feel that this request is better directed to their landlord we would appreciate if they forwarded this message to their landlord.
We encourage you to contact us with your ideas, suggestions, and hope you can turn up to the AGM to meet other residents, give your opinion, and get involved.
AES is changing their bin collection service
If you are an AES customer in the estate, you should be aware that they are changing the bin collection service from the 1st of July, 2013. From this date, they will no longer provide alternate week collections for your general waste and recycling bin. They will be moving to a dual collection of your general waste and recycling bins. This means that your general waste and recycling bins will be collected on the same day, once every two weeks. There will be no reduction in the number of collections. AES plan to send out an updated collection calendar to customers from the week beginning 17th of June.
Bank Account Statement for Ashefield Residents Association (2012)
All, thank you to everyone who contributed to the upkeep of the estate during 2012. These contributions are used to pay a contractor to maintain the common green areas of the estate that are the responsibility of the residents and not the council, to repair/replace signage, and to address any other maintenance issues that are of benefit to the entire estate and residents. We present the 2012 accounts for Ashefield Residents Association.
| Ashefield Residents Association Bank Statement for 2012 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Transaction Type | Total Amount (€) | Balance (€) |
| 01-Jan-12 | Opening Balance | 2335.69 | |
| 12-May-12 | Lodgement | 520 | 2855.69 |
| 19-May-12 | Lodgement | 120 | 2975.69 |
| 26-May-12 | Lodgement | 30 | 3005.69 |
| 02-Jun-12 | Lodgement | 90 | 3095.69 |
| 02-Jun-12 | Withdrawal | -540 | 2555.69 |
| 07-Jun-12 | Lodgement | 140 | 2695.69 |
| 14-Jun-12 | Lodgement | 200 | 2895.69 |
| 23-Jun-12 | Lodgement | 90 | 2985.69 |
| 18-Aug-12 | Lodgement | 60 | 3045.69 |
| 18-Aug-12 | Withdrawal | -270 | 2775.69 |
| 25-Aug-12 | Lodgement | 30 | 2805.69 |
| 08-Sept-12 | Lodgement | 400 | 3205.69 |
| 13-Oct-12 | Withdrawal | 360 | 2845.69 |
| 13-Oct-12 | Closing balance: | 2845.69 | |
During 2013, the accounts were split between the Credit Union and Ulster Bank. As of July of this year, the current balance in the Credit Union is €1520 and the current balance in our Ulster Bank account is €1264.
Reinstating the green area at the entrance to Ashefield
At the March meeting of the Westmeath County Council Mullingar Area Committee, Cllr. Ken Glynn proposed a motion that Westmeath County Council immediately take steps to have the broadband company reinstate the green area at the entrance to Ashefield Estate to its original condition and that works are carried out to rectify this matter to the satisfaction of all local residents.
Westmeath County Council replied that they received a cash bond from the broadband installers and that this bond will not be refunded until all works are satisfactorily completed.
Read more on Cllr. Ken Glynn’s blog
Council cleaning activities within the estate
On Feb 22, 2013, the laneway between Ashefield and Abbeylands was cleaned by Westmeath County Council. Following this, Westmeath County Council then cleaned the edges of the estate roads using the road sweeper approximately one week later.
Council response to a question regarding Ashefield entrance safety concerns
Cllr. Ken Glynn asked Westmeath County Council about progress made regarding safety concerns at the pedestrian crossing near the entrance to Ashefield on Ashe Road. Cllr. Glynn had asked the Council’s Road Safety Officer to visit this location and assess the issue. Westmeath County Council’s Road Safety Officer replied that they had reviewed this pedestrian crossing:
The crossing is located on Ashe Road between the Ashefield roundabout and the entrance to Tesco. This road has high traffic volumes generated by the location of primary schools, residential areas and the Tesco Shopping Centre. The crossing area is positioned 5 metres off the roundabout. All relevant warning signage is provided. Both approaches to the crossing along the Ashe Road have good forward visibility. For traffic emerging from Ashefield Estate, the crossing has been found to be positioned at the optimum location for both motorists and pedestrians. The current position of the crossing allows a motorist full visibility of the crossing and of both waiting areas on the footpath, from the yield line emerging from Ashefield Estate. By moving it further from the roundabout, motorists would be unable to view pedestrians if they are on the nearside footpath and attempting to cross. The road markings at the crossing are slightly worn and it is proposed that these markings be improved next year. The Council will continue to monitor the safety of this crossing.
Further information is available on Cllr. Glynn’s blog
Road sweeping in Ashefield
Westmeath Co. Co. sweeps the roads in Ashefield approximately once every two months. However, it appears that due to funding cutbacks, this will be curtailed. The council is to issue a revised timetable in due course and we’ll provide further information on this site when received.
Thanks to John S. for this update