Good news for Kilcullen residents groups

When the vote in the Naas MD on Residential Association grants was passed today, it was good news for Kilcullen RAs thanks to FG’s Cllr Fintan Brett, writes Brian Byrne.

It was the second go at the grants allocation. When they came up for consideration at the April meeting, Cllr Brett disagreed with the allocation of the grants and requested that they be redistributed, as estates outside Naas with the same number of houses or more were not receiving the same amount of a grant as those in Naas town.

Councillor Moore stated that what the Naas town residents associations get goes back to Naas Town Council time and that this money comes from the rate payers in the town and other funds. A discussion took place between the members. The Mayor put it to the members that they vote on the issue and as suggested by Councillor Scully that the Environment Department draw up criteria for the issuing of the grants

The members voted against the grants as submitted and voted in favour of the grants being referred back to the Environment Department to draw up new criteria on how the grants would be distributed.

The actual vote was six members for the grants to be re-considered, while two councillors voted against and one abstained.

The vote on the revised disbursements took place this morning, and for Kilcullen, Cnoc na Greine was awarded almost €4,000, compared to €2,200 last year. Hillcrest will get €1,200 for 2016 compared to just €600 last year.

"The revised figures approved today ensures all resident associations are treated equally," the councillor told the Diary.