PrintMinutes of May Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 12th May 2010 at 7.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Kilrush
Presiding:
Cllr. Marian McMahon-Jones, Méara.
Councillors present:
Paul Moroney, Ian Lynch, Tom Clyne, Tom Prendeville, Stephen O'Gorman, Liam O'Looney, Mairead O'Brien.
Officials present:
Ms. Nora Kaye, Director of Service & Town Manager.
Mr. John Corry, Town Clerk.
Ms. Geraldine Quinn, Assistant Staff Officer.
Apologies:
Cllr. Liam Williams.
Item No. 1: Adoption of Minutes of April Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 8th April 2010 at 7.00 p.m.
Ar Moladh Cllr.O'Brien cuidithe ag Cllr. Lynch :-
The Minutes of the April Monthly Meeting were duly adopted.
Matters Arising
With regard to Item No. 6 Cllr. Lynch requested that a comprehensive marketing package be submitted rather than just a letter which was recorded in the minutes.
In relation to Item No. 10 which was adopted to 'shop local', Cllrs. Lynch and O'Looney expressed their disappointment that a company from Ennis was contracted to carry out drain works in Kilrush and the local person was not asked to do so. It was pointed out to the members that it was Clare County Council and not Kilrush Town council who had engaged the services of the Ennis contractor as Clare County Council are responsible for the water and waste water function. Furthermore, the Manager confirmed that there are procurement procedures in place for the retention of contractors. It was suggested that Clare County Council should be requested to use locals for local jobs in Kilrush. The Town Clerk advised that he would investigate the particular case in question on receipt of details regarding same.
Item No. 2: Set date for A.G.M.
It was agreed to hold the A.G.M. on Thursday 17th June 2010 at 6.00 p.m.
Item No. 3: Time Change for June Monthly Meeting.
It was agreed to hold the June monthly meeting at 6.00 p.m. on Thursday 10th June 2010 in The Vandeleur Walled Garden to be followed by the launch of the Historic Town Trails at 8.00 p.m..
Item No. 4: Assistance to Arts and Community Development Scheme 2010.
The members were informed that advertisements would be appearing in the local press this week inviting applications for the Community Grants Scheme under two categories, i.e. Assistance to Community Arts Related Projects and Assistance to Community Development Projects. The closing date for receipt of completed applications would be Friday 4th June 2010 and application forms would be available from Kilrush Civic Offices.
The members welcomed this grant scheme in the current economic climate.
Item No. 5: Mayoral Special Endeavours Award.
All members accepted the terms of the Mayoral Special Endeavours Award and it was agreed to proceed with same. The closing date was rescheduled to the 4th June 2010.
Item No. 6: Ar Moladh Cllr. Moroney cuidithe ag Cllr. McMahon-Jones:-
“That this council would encourage Clare County Council to revert back to Textile Recycling Limited in the case of the collection of clothes in clothing banks in Co. Clare as they are an Irish company which would put money back into the Irish economy."
Cllr. Moroney informed that he had met with a person from Textile Recycling Limited at a recent conference and was advised that they had lost the contract for collection of clothes in clothing banks in County Clare to a Northern Ireland Company which in turn was benefiting the UK economy and not the Irish economy.
In a written reply circulated dated the 12th May 2010 John O'Malley, Executive Engineer, Environment & Water Services, Clare County Council reported that :
"Clare County Council have an existing contract with All-Tex Recycling Ltd. We are in the process of putting together new contract documents which I hope to have advertised within the next 2 weeks. I have already spoken to Aidan Kenny from Textile Recycling Ltd a number of weeks ago and informed him that I would be advertising for a new contract very soon. I have also had enquiries from other Irish companies who are interested in getting this contract."
When questioned on the cost of the service Cllr. Moroney confirmed that the Northern Ireland company were providing the service at €15 per tonne cheaper than Textile Recycling Limited. In the light of this information Cllr. Moroney was advised that under EU law the Council could not exclude the Northern Ireland company and it was suggested that Textile Recycling Limited put in a more competitive quote on the next occasion.
Item No. 7: Ar Moladh Cllr. Moroney cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Gorman:-
“That this council would provide skips in different locations around the town to encourage people to recycle what they no longer need and promote a spring clean 'Clean in our houses. Clean on our streets."
In a written reply circulated dated the 12th May 2010 Cyril Feeney, Senior Executive Engineer reported that :
"Clare Local Authorities currently provide a recycling facility at Lisdeen which is only a short distance from Kilrush. The facility, which is licensed, offers a full range of recycling facilities for a small nominal charge. There is no charge for recycling electronic or electrical equipment.
The provision of skips throughout the town for recycling would incur both financial cost, i.e. it would have to be subcontracted, and supervisory issues for the limited resources available to Kilrush Town Council.
Recycling facilities are currently being revamped in the Place de Plouzane Car park which will hopefully encourage people to continue with the excellent work already achieved in meeting recycling targets."
During discussion it was noted that Lisdeen was not accessible to some people and that some years ago skips were provided around the town which were a huge success as they enabled people to dispose of big household items, but there was a significant cost involved. Cllr. Moroney said that the cost shouldn't be as high with recyclable items. The Town Clerk said that perhaps for the Tidy Towns clean up in June a skip could be provided for this purpose. It was suggested that Clare County Council should be approached with the idea of local lorry owners using their lorries to transport items to the dump for householders and the Town Clerk undertook to liaise with them on this. It was furthermore suggested that Residents' Associations in the various areas should be asked to hold their own clean up on the same day as the big clean up which is the 8th June at 5.00 p.m.
The members were encouraged to attend the Waste Minimisation Workshop in the Vandeleur Walled Garden on Friday next 14th May 2010 at 7.00 p.m.
Cllr. Prendeville offered his thanks to John Corry and Cyril Feeney for their input into having the local graveyards cleaned up.
Item No. 8: Ar Moladh Cllr. Moroney cuidithe ag Cllr. Lynch:-
“That this council would request that the beaches in Kilrush esp. Brews Bridge would receive funding for upgrade works to it's facilities as well as regular clean ups in the location ie. cutting of grass, hedges as well as removal of seaweed and other illegally dumped items."
During discussion it was agreed that Brews Bridge was dilapidated and messy and there was a problem with overgrown grass. It was hoped that a voluntary clean-up would take place and the Council would take away the rubbish.
In a written reply circulated dated the 12th May 2010 Cyril Feeney, Senior Executive Engineer reported that :
"The Environment Directorate deal with the issue of illegal dumping. When illegal dumping has been investigated by the community warden and reported to the Area Office a clean up of the offending items is arranged and carried out by the Area Office staff. A number of clean ups of this type have been undertaken this year throughout the Kilrush Electoral Area.
The upkeep of beaches and provision of upgrading works currently comes under the Housing Directorate. Upgrading works were carried out last year at Brews Bridge. These consisted of the removal of the old dilapidated shelter, rebuilding existing walls and facing them with stone, general clean up of the car park and installation of a concrete slab viewing area and new seating. The removal of sea weed is not something that is recommended in the Blue Flag criteria for beaches as it is part of the natural beach environment."
The above reply was acknowledged by Cllr. Moroney.
Cllr. Lynch offered thanks to Peter Bradbury of the Brothers of Charity for the clean-up at Cappa.
Item No. 9: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. McMahon-Jones:-
“That this council resolves to list the sixth century monastic settlement of Inis Cathaigh as an ecclesiastical site of exceptional and outstanding heritage merit and calls on Duchas and tourism interests in Clare to promote the holy island of St. Senan as a renowned centre of early Celtic learning, teaching and enlightenment and a hallowed place of national significance and importance for present and future generations."
During discussion it was felt that the Inis Cathaigh was not getting the national recognition that it deserved and it was agreed that Duchas should be requested to really promote this 6th Century Monastic Settlement. It was also felt that a more co-ordinated approach was needed between Kilkee Town Council and Kilrush Town Council for marketing places and events in the West Clare area as a whole and it was agreed that a letter of congratulations should issue to Johnny Redmond and Elaine Haugh for their work in the success of Loophead in the European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) competition. The Town Manager pointed out that there was a good partnership in existence between both Kilkee and Kilrush Town Councils and advised that the Task Force report would be available after May 25th.
Cllr. Lynch invited his fellow members to a meeting next Wednesday the 19th May in relation to a festival that was being organised in the town by a small group of people.
Item No. 10: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Moroney:-
“That this council calls on the manager to detail the number of fines handed out under Section 21 of the Litter Pollution Acts to dog owners who have fouled public places in Kilrush over the last five years."
In a written reply circulated dated the 12th May 2010 Mary McMahon, Senior Staff Officer reported that :
“Kilrush Town Council has not issued any fines to dog owners in the last five years. A fine can only be issued where the dog owner is with the dog at the time the offence is committed. The Kilrush Town Council Community Warden is now actively patrolling activities of dogs in the town since his appointment in January 2010. In accordance with the Control of Dogs Act & the Litter Act he will issue a fine if he observes a dog committing the offence and the owner is with the dog.
Unfortunately it seems that the majority of these incidences are occurring either very early in the morning or late in the evening after the Community Warden has finished for the day. There is an onus & a responsibility on the owner of the dog to ensure that where a dog soils that same is disposed of appropriately by the owner. It should also be noted that poop scoops will be available free of charge in the offices of Kilrush Town Council for anyone that requires them.”
Following discussion it was noted that dog fouling in recent weeks is a constant source of complaints and the offences seem to occur early in the morning or late at night when there is no risk of the offending dogs being caught. The members agreed that the matter of unleashed dogs needs to be tackled and loose dogs need to be impounded and furthermore the Community Warden needs to be more aware of some dogs that require to be muzzled that are not in fact wearing a muzzle. It was suggested by the Town Clerk and agreed by the members that Frankie Coote, Dog Warden with Clare County Council be invited to attend a meeting of Kilrush Town Council.
Item No. 11: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. O’Looney:-
“That this council would convene a special public meeting of the council to include all interests to discuss how best economic recovery in the West Clare area might be achieved during the lifetime of the current Kilrush Town Development Plan and the West Clare Area Development Plan.”
Cllr. Prendeville advised that there was an air of despair among the youth which needed to be dispelled and he stressed that a meeting should take place in the Vandeleur Walled Garden with all the interested bodies and Oireachtas members once the Task Force Report had been published. He informed the members of a letter from Tony Killeen T.D. inviting all interested parties to a meeting in this regard on Friday the 14th May at the South Court Hotel.
Item No. 12: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville:-
“That this council would explain why John Paul Estate is left unfinished & in limbo."
In a written reply circulated dated the 12th May 2010 John Corry, Town Clerk reported that :
"Phase 1 of the remedial works in John Paul Estate consisted of the upgrading of 24 houses, the demolition of four houses & the reconstruction of 7 houses in the Wood rd/Willow Green part of the estate. This phase was completed in July 2008 & was seen as a significant improvement to the estate. Therefore in order to progress works in the estate a detailed submission was made by Kilrush Town Council to the DoEHLG in November 2008 which included refurbishment /remedial works to be carried out to the remainder of the estate over 3 further phases. Once this submission was presented there was continued pressure put on the DoEHLG from Kilrush Town Council for a positive outcome. Unfortunately the economic downturn struck at this point & no further approval has as yet been received despite positive indications. We are continuing to put pressure on the DoEHLG to approve further remedial works in the estate.
On a more positive note energy efficiency works were carried out to 5 vacant houses in the estate in late 2009 early 2010.These works which include the provision of central heating bring the houses up to a C1 Building Energy Rating. Kilrush Town Council then successfully made the case that approval for energy efficiency works should be extended to occupied houses & we have now obtained permission from the DoEHLG to carry out such works to 10 rented houses in 2010 .It is anticipated that these works, which are presently at tender will commence in early September of this year. As part of this tender process we are planning to have the remaining 20 occupied houses in the estate upgraded by energy efficiency works in 2011.We are also at the same time continuing to pressure the DoEHLG to get approval to carry out remedial works to upgrade the remainder of the estate including improvement of vacant houses, demolition of some strategically vacated houses as well as the provision of an independent access from Wilson Rd."
Cllr. O'Gorman said the reply was very positive, but the problem with vacant houses would remain.
Following discussion it was agreed that pressure needed to be put on the Department to provide funding for the completion of works at John Paul Estate and in that regard Junior Minister Michael Finneran should be invited to Kilrush to view the situation on the ground and also to see the negative side of this project being left uncompleted.
The Town Clerk confirmed that the Minister could be invited to Kilrush and he referred to the positive news contained in his report and reiterated that he had stressed on the Department personnel the need to get the John Paul Estate completed.
Cllr. O'Groman then referred to the number of people leaving John Paul Estate in recent times and said that the housing list needed to be looked at in a Housing Committee meeting. The Manager confirmed that the Scheme of Letting Priorities had to be followed in providing lettings and Cllr. O'Gorman responded by saying that this Scheme should be amended if necessary.
Item No. 13: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Moroney:-
“That this council would give a time & date for the resurfacing of Moore Street & Grace Street as it is causing alot of concern to the people of Kilrush as these streets seem to be forgotten about."
In a written reply circulated dated the 12th May 2010 Cyril Feeney, Senior Executive Engineer reported that :
"Moore Street forms part of the National Secondary Road Network i.e. the N67. The funding Authority for this section of road is the National Roads Authority (NRA). We did not receive any funding in this years NRA allocation for upgrade works for Moore Street.
There are a number of water services issues to be addressed in Grace Street which again is subject to funding from Government Departments. Until this work is complete it is premature to discuss resurfacing works in this area.
Therefore it is not possible to give a date & time for resurfacing works to the above named streets."
Cllr. O'Gorman said that from the reply given it seemed nothing would be done at Moore Street and that the reply was the same as that given on previous occasions. During discussion that followed it was agreed that Moore Street was in a dilapidated state with some derelict buildings; businesses closing down and terrible road surface and the people of the area deserved better. It was noted that the NRA was responsible for Moore Street and it was suggested that a cosmetic job needed to be done.
The Manager pointed out that everyone, including engineers, were aware of the need for upgrade works at Moore Street. She advised that recently an allocation was announced for minor pavement improvement works and three projects were to benefit from that allocation and Moore Street had been put forward as the fourth project on that list should further funding become available.
Item No. 14: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville:-
“That council would call a RIMS Committee meeting sooner rather than later regarding contractors working in town of Kilrush."
Following discussion it was agreed to hold a RIMS meeting on Monday 24th May 2010 at 4.00 p.m. and it was important to have the Engineer present.
The Town Clerk was commended for his handling of a particular case where a painting contractor had a cherry picker located in the town for one of his painting jobs and was asked to pay €50 to use his cherry picker on the street. It was suggested that something needed to be put in place to support contractors working on premises. The Town Clerk commented that there was legislation to deal with such matters which needed to be complied with.
The Manager and Town Clerk were commended on the recent request for signage being acted upon so swiftly.
Item No. 15: Correspondence
- Letter dated 8th April 2010 from AMAI with Brochure regarding conference to be held from 9th to 11th September 2010.
- Letter dated 9th April 2010 from Skibbereen Town Council regarding water charges.
- Letter dated April 2010 from Minister Tony Killeen regarding health services in West Clare.
- Letter dated 16th April 2010 from Mullingar Town Council regarding the Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme.
- Letter dated 27th April 2010 from the Minister for Education and Science regarding 'Head Shops'.
- Letter dated 28th April 2010 from Clones Town Council regarding UK/Northern Ireland business.
- Letter dated 26th April 2010 from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding 'Head Shops'. The Minister was thanked for his prompt response to 'Head Shops'.
- E-mail dated 29th April 2010 from Finbarr Brougham, Shannon Development regarding Kilrush Creek Marina.
- Letter dated 23rd April 2010 from Clonmel Borough Council regarding water charges. It was said that people will not be able to afford another charge.
- Letter dated 29th April 2010 from Cobh Town Council regarding 'Justice for Robert Delaney Campaign'.
- Letter dated 14th April 2010 from Donegal County Council regarding 'Head Shops'.
- Letter dated 28th April 2010 from Donegal County Council regarding V.A.T. charge on Council services.
- Letter dated 30th April 2010 from Ennis Town Council regarding water charges.
Item No. 16: Conferences
With regard to seminars/conferences attended, reports completed in accordance with Section 142 of the Local Government Act 2001 were made available at the meeting in respect of :
There were no conferences attended.
Votes of Sympathy:
It was agreed that a vote of sympathy should issue to the following :-
Dr. Mary O'Sullivan, Killimer Road, Kilrush on the death of her aunt Mrs. Theresa Hurst late of Cappa Drive, Kilrush.
Mrs. Maura Birmingham, Ballykett, Kilrush on the death of her husband Mr. Paddy Birmingham.
Mr. Tommy Pyne, Cappa, Kilrush on the death of his brother Mr. Jimmy Pyne late of Bray.
Mr. Peter Ryan & family of Carnacalla, Kilrush on the death of his wife Mrs. Maura Ryan.
The meeting then concluded.
Signed : Cllr. McMahon-Jones, Mayor
Signed : John Corry, Town Clerk