Council 'takes in charge' estates in Athlone, Moate and Kilbeggan
Public services at three housing estates in Athlone, Moate and Kilbeggan will fall under the control of Westmeath County Council after the process of the local authority taking the estates 'in charge' was formally approved.
The estates are Abbeybrook in Kilbeggan (93 housing units), Oak Hill in Moate (40 units), and Churchwood in Athlone (41 units).
When these developments are 'taken in charge' by a local authority it then assumes responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of public services in the estates, such as roads, footpaths and public lighting.
However, the landscaping of green spaces will still have to be organised by the residents.
"The council does not have the resources to cut the green areas, prune the trees or hedges or pick litter in every private housing estate in the county," said Eugene Duffy, Westmeath County Council's taking in charge officer.
He added that it was the responsibility of residents to keep the grass cut, to keep the hedges and trees pruned, and to ensure their estate was litter free.
A report on the taking in charge of the Abbeybrook, Oak Hill and Churchwood estates came before the October monthly meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, where it was formally approved by councillors.
Mr Duffy also said he was starting the process of taking in charge two further estates in Moate, Ard na Locha (39 units) and Mount Carmel Drive (9 units), and he was hopeful this process would be completed by January.
The meeting heard that in some cases where estates were previously taken in charge by the council, the ownership of the public areas was never formally signed over to the local authority.
"When we take estates in charge we should register the lands in the council's name and, going forward, we will do that," said Westmeath County Council director of services Barry Kehoe.
Cllr Paul Hogan said it was "a very positive news day" for the 174 households in the three estates that were being taken in charge.
The taking in charge of the estates was proposed by Cllr Tom Farrell and seconded by Cllr Frankie Keena.