PrintMinutes of April Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 9th April 2009 at 4.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Kilrush
Presiding:
- Cllr. Liam O'Looney, Méara
Councillors present:
- Tom Prendeville
- Deirdre Culligan
- Colie Sweeney
- Marian McMahon-Jones
- Tom Clyne
- Jack Fennell
Officials present:
- Ms. Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Service and Town Manager
- Mr. John Corry, Town Clerk
- Mr. Derek Troy, Executive Engineer
- Ms. Geraldine Quinn, Assistant Staff Officer
Apologies:
- Cllr. Stephen O'Gorman
- Cllr. Christy O'Malley
It was proposed by Cllr. Fennell, seconded by Cllr. Prendeville and agreed that the May monthly meeting of Kilrush Town Council be held on Wednesday 13th May 2009 at 4.00 pm.
It was proposed by Cllr. O'Looney, seconded by Cllr. Sweeney and agreed that Standing Orders be suspended to allow Mr. Murt Collins and Mr. Des Jennings both of Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee the opportunity to address the members. Both Mr. Collins and Mr. Jennings addressed the meeting and sought the support of the elected members in assisting the Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee in retaining the gold medal and achieving a national title in the Tidy Towns Awards. Members were advised that the Tidy Towns Committee meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 8.30 p.m. in The Haven Arms. The members were asked to take part in the clean-up in the town on the 9th June at 7.00 p.m. and also to encourage the young people and youth organisations to get involved.
It was agreed to deal with Item No. 14 at this time.
Item No. 14: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney :
“That this Council would support and co-operate with the Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee in its Spring Clean Campaign and in particular its ambitious plan to bid for national honours in 2009."
Cllr. Sweeney spoke briefly on his motion saying that the beaches, roadsides and approach roads to the town need to be tackled in the clean-up. He urged his fellow members to be seen on the streets and to entice the young to come forward.
The members were invited to attend the Tidy Towns Liaison meetings which are held on the last Thursday of every month. Mr. Jennings urged the members to use their influence as a body to have something included in planning permissions for landscaping, etc. It was suggested that the new Aldi store be approached to include a 'feature' on their grounds similar to what was done with the new Tesco store. Both speakers commended the staff of Kilrush Town Council, the FÁS team under Martina Troy and the elected members for their help and assistance over the years and without whom no medal would have been achieved. Mr. Collins and Mr. Jennings thanked the members for allowing them the opportunity to speak.
It was proposed by Cllr. McMahon-Jones and seconded by Cllr. Culligan to host a civic reception for Mayor Madeline Taylor-Quinn before her term of office ends. It was further proposed by Cllr. Prendeville and seconded by Cllr. O'Looney that this civic reception should also include Brendan Daly for his outstanding service to Kilrush.
Item No. 1: Adoption of Minutes of March Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 13th March 2009 at 4.00 p.m. in The Vandeleur Walled Garden
Ar Moladh Cllr. Clyne cuidithe ag Cllr. Sweeney :
The Minutes of the March Monthly Meeting were duly adopted.
Matters Arising
The town clerk confirmed that a letter had been received from the NRA confirming that consideration is still being given to the location of an NCT centre in Kilrush and that Kilkee Town Council have fully supported Kilrush Town Council in this request.
Item No. 2: Roadwork’s Programme 2009
Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. McMahon-Jones :-
The draft Roadworks Programme 2009 as presented by Derek Troy, Executive Engineer was duly adopted. The town engineer confirmed that he would hope to make a start before the end of April on surface dressing.
Item No. 3: Kilrush Town Council Community Grant Schemes 2009
- Community Arts
- Community Development
The town clerk advised that the above grant schemes for 2009 will be advertised shortly with the closing date for receipt of completed applications being the 29th May and all receipts and expenditure details have to be submitted by the 30th October 2009.
The members requested that in addition to placing an advertisement in the newspaper that it should also be inserted in the Parish Newsletter. Cllr. Fennell advised that a music festival will be held on the 14th August under the auspices of Comhaltas should there be any funds available for same.
Item No. 4: Meeting with Oireachtas Members - Schedule of possible dates.
It was agreed that the Oireachtas members should be written to requesting that they put forward a schedule of possible dates for this meeting to take place.
Item No. 5: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Malley:
“That this Council request Clare County Council to clean road verges and restore road surface."
This item was deferred to the May monthly meeting at the request of Cllr. O'Malley who had sent his apologies to the meeting.
Item No. 6: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Looney cuidithe ag Cllr. McMahon-Jones :
“That this Council would upgrade the playground at Cappa and repair existing equipment which is in bad disrepair, before the summer season is upon us."
During discussion on this motion it was agreed that the playground was in a disgraceful condition and the town clerk acknowledged same advising that possible upgrading is being looked at with quotations having been received and a decision on same would be made in the next couple of weeks.
Cllr. Prendeville expressed some reservations about adult "children" and boy-racers congregating in the playground for parties, etc. and causing damage to equipment and disturbing residents. He suggested that a gate be erected. The Mayor pointed out that this disturbance is a matter of public order and should be brought forward to the Joint Policing Committee meeting.
Cllr. McMahon-Jones requested that the works now being promised actually get done as works promised in previous years never got done and she requested that this matter be put on the agenda again for next month. With regard to the speeding at Cappa, Cllr. McMahon-Jones questioned the town engineer regarding a traffic calming report and design for that area which had been prepared by Eamon O'Dea, Senior Executive Engineer. The town engineer advised that no design is available; only a report. Cllr. McMahon-Jones confirmed that she would put forward a motion on this matter to the next meeting.
During further discussion the Council were commended for the works carried out at The Rock and Brew's Bridge and Cllr. Sweeney commended Cllr. Prendeville for his input.
Item No. 7: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Looney :
“That this Council could facilitate the fishing of Knockerra Lake and broker a deal with the adjoining land-owners so not to let another fishing season go to waste."
Following discussion on the matter the town clerk advised that legal advice had been sought and a map is awaited to identify where the Council's ownership extends to. The town clerk then added that he proposed to write to the adjoining landowners.
Item No. 8: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Looney :
“That this Council would urgently implement the one way system at John St. and repair the road as it's got into a terrible state."
Cllr. O'Looney was satisfied that these works are included in the 2009 Roadworks Programme.
Item No. 9: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Fennell :
“That this Council requests the Minister for Education and Science to reconsider the suppression of the Special Needs Class at St. Senan's Primary School which militates against the basic principles of inclusivity, parental choice and equality of opportunity and that the Department is failing in its moral and legal responsibilities to facilitate these principles by unilaterally removing special needs pupils from their families, school friends and local communities and subjecting them to long and arduous road journeys to centralised facilities.
Following discussion on this matter it was agreed that letters should issue to the Minister for Education and to our Oireachtas members to make a special case for these children who are being denied their constitutional right as it is not too late for the Department to change their decision. Furthermore, the Mayor urged his fellow members to write letters individually expressing their disgust.
Item No. 10: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Culligan :
“That in view of the HSE's decision to curtail 24 Accident and Emergency services at Ennis Regional Hospital in April 2009, that this council protest vehemently to the Minister for Health on the subsequent inadequacy of the proposed cover allocated to cover emergency situations in peripheral areas and that it is an abdication of the Minister's moral and legal responsibility when patient care is compromised for economic expediency and on the false promise of a centre of excellence at Limerick Regional Hospital that is barely able to cope with current inpatient and outpatient services due to lack of adequate resources."
Following discussion on the matter it was agreed that registered letters of protest at the curtailment of 24 hour A and E services at Ennis General Hospital issue to the Minister for Health and also the Health Service Executive. The members questioned if it is another false promise that back-up facilities are being put in place in Limerick and they feel that it is scandalous for the A and E doors to close from 8.00 p.m. It was unanimously agreed that the Health Service was going backwards. It was proposed by Cllr. McMahon-Jones, seconded by Cllr. Fennell and agreed that a further letter issue immediately to the Minister advising that Kilrush Town Council feel that the H.S.E. should be abolished due to gross incompetence.
Item No. 11: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Culligan:
“That this Council calls on the Minister for Health to intervene in the pending dispute that imposes a registration fee of €500 per nursing home, together with an annual fee of €190 per registered place, to pay for the registration and inspection of all nursing homes and residential care centres by the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of HIQA, under the Health Act 2007 as these fees are expected to add considerably to inpatient maintenance costs at these facilities."
Following discussion on this matter it was agreed that this notice of motion be forwarded to the Minister for Health requesting her intervention in this matter as the members feel that it will be the families and patients who will in effect be charged with these fees.
Item No. 12: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Looney:
“That this Council would ask the proposed Joint Policing Committee to examine traffic calming measures in the urban area as many complaints are being registered from residential locations about reckless speeding by boy racers at all hours of the day and night and especially at weekends."
Following discussion on this matter it was agreed to bring this to the Joint Policing Committee for investigation. Complaints have been made to the Gardaí. It was noted that those involved are not just boys; that girls are involved also and it is not just locals; racers are coming from other towns and villages. The Mayor pointed out that this matter is also being discussed at the Chamber of Commerce meetings.
Item No. 13: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney:
“To ask the Manager about the council's public lighting costs and whether there are any proposals to seek quotations from other electricity generating companies now that competitive rates are available in the market place."
In a written reply circulated dated the 8th April 2009 David Timlin, Director of Service, Roads and Water Services reported that :
"Nationally, it is proposed to de-regulate public lighting operation and maintenance. All Local Authorities are likely to be going to tender next year."
Cllr. Sweeney welcomed the above reply.
Item No. 15: Correspondence
Letter dated 6th March 2009 from Shannon Town Council regarding education. It was proposed by Cllr. Fennell and seconded by Cllr. Prendeville that Kilrush Town Council support this correspondence.
Letter dated 12th March 2009 from Sherkin Island Marine Station regarding 25th Annual Environmental Conference.
Letter dated 18th March 2009 from Ennis Town Council regarding the re-establishment of regional Health Boards.
Letter dated 24th March 2009 from the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland regarding motions for the Annual Conference to be held from the 10th - 12th September 2009.
Letter dated 27th March 2009 from Office of the Taoiseach regarding cutbacks in education.
Letter dated 30th March 2009 from Clare County Council regarding anniversary celebrations for the GAA. Cllr. Prendeville congratulated Kilrush Shamrocks on being founded in 1886.
Letter dated 30th March 2009 from Clare County Council regarding Lisdeen Amenity Site. Cllr. Prendeville pointed out that there has been a decrease in the number of people using the Lisdeen facility and that it was a mistake to introduce the recycling charges as illegal dumping is again taking place. This received the support of Cllr. O'Looney.
Letter received from the National Youth Council of Ireland regarding voting at age 16.
Item No. 16: Conferences
With regard to seminars/conferences attended, there were no reports completed in accordance with Section 142 of the Local Government Act 2001.
Cllr. McMahon-Jones enquired if a response had been received from the Chamber of Commerce regarding the superloo issue. The town clerk confirmed that all bodies had confirmed that they would support the Council in their decision. It was agreed to put this matter on the agenda for the May monthly meeting.
Cllr. McMahon-Jones requested confirmation on the status of the schedule of properties in the ownership of Kilrush Town Council. The town clerk confirmed that a list had been compiled but that Land Registry Searches were not yet finalised .
With regard to the issue of the Civic Offices, Cllr. McMahon-Jones asked the town manager if the Inis Cathaigh had been purchased or had a deposit been paid. The town manager confirmed that negotiations were still ongoing regarding price, etc. and that nothing had changed since the members were last briefed. Cllr. Prendeville pointed out to the members that Kilrush Town Council did resolve to set aside funds in providing new Civic Offices into the future. The mayor suggested that as these negotiations were going on so long that the Council should pull out of this site as the price was too high and the town manager advised that it was due to the price that re-negotiations were taking place. Cllr. McMahon-Jones asked could we not actually go back to the drawing board and re-visit sites in the ownership of the council. The town manager responded by saying that she was not aware that the members wanted to go back over sites owned by the council; that any properties looked at initially and deemed suitable were included in the feasibility study. She advised that this matter had to be brought to a conclusion and members would be kept informed.
Cllr. Sweeney advised that the clock on the Town Hall is out of operation and the town clerk confirmed that it was going to be repaired next week.
The town clerk advised the members that Listowel Town Council had suggested that the Civic Reception for Jack McKenna take place at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday 7th May and the members were in agreement with this.
Votes of Sympathy:
It was agreed that a vote of sympathy should issue to the following:
Ms. Edel O'Brien and O'Brien family on the death of her father Mr. Stephen O'Brien, Carnanes, Kilrush.
Mrs. Mary Bourke, St. Senan's Terrace, Kilrush on the death of Mrs. Josie Burke late of Crawford Street.
The meeting then concluded.