Kildare Co Council should make five-year plan for tree work

THE current process for managing work on trees by Kildare County Council is wasteful of time, cllr Tracey O'Dwyer told a recent meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District. 

She was discussing her motion seeking a costing for an assessment of trees in the Municipal District by an independent arborist, for the purpose of compiling a working list for the parks team.

The official response was that a tender for a programme of tree works in the municipal district has been issued, tenders to be received by the end of the year, and the members will then be advised of the content and cost.

Commenting that "we always seem to be fire-fighting", cllr O'Dwyer said it would be better if there was a plan of work for five years. 

"If there was an external consultant brought in to decide what works should be carried out for the term, it would mean that we could say to the public what is in the programme for next year and the year after and so on. Yes, work is going on, but it is very much ad hoc."

The councillor added that a longer programme would also cut down on the "backward and forward" of motions brought to the meetings, and would help to alleviate the workload of officials.

The councillor's stance was supported by cllr Chris Pender, who said it would help to have a more proactive planning in place for these things.