PrintMinutes of April Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 8th April 2010 at 7.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Kilrush
Presiding:
Cllr. Marian McMahon-Jones, Méara.
Councillors present:
Paul Moroney, Liam Williams, Ian Lynch, Tom Clyne, Tom Prendeville, 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. Stephen O'Gorman.
Item No. 1: Adoption of Minutes of March Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 11th March 2010 at 7.00 p.m.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Williams cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Brien:-
The Minutes of the March Monthly Meeting were duly adopted.
Item No. 2: Schedule of Uncollected Rates.
The Town Clerk presented the report on the 2009 Schedule of Uncollected Rates and it was noted that the collection percentage was down on the previous year. The Town Clerk advised the members that Kilrush Town Council were being as flexible as possible in collecting rates being conscious of the economic climate and he found that personally meeting with the rate payers was the way to proceed. The Town Manager was asked how the collection percentage in Kilrush would compare with that in Ennis and the Manager undertook to find out this information. The Manager commended the Town Clerk and his staff on the speed at which the Demands went out for 2010.
Item No. 3: Fix date for the official launch of the Historic Town Trails.
Following discussion it was agreed to hold the official launch of the Historic Town Trails on Thursday 10th June 2010 at 8.00 p.m. immediately after the June Monthly Meeting to be held at the earlier time of 6.00 p.m.
It was agreed that Paul Gleeson, originally from Kilrush and now living in Limerick, would be invited to give a talk at the launch or take people on a small trail and Cllr. Prendeville undertook to obtain his address.
It was agreed that the Town Clerk would check with Siobhán Garvey, Marketing & Development Officer regarding the involvement of the schools. Also, with regard to the Special Meeting to be held in the Secondary School the Town Clerk undertook to liaise further with the school in an effort to set a date for this meeting and it was agreed that said meeting should take place in the morning time.
Item No. 4: Mayoral Special Endeavour Award.
The Town Manager advised the members that there was a sum of €1,000 available for the Mayor to present for a Special Endeavour Award. She advised that it could be given as one lot or divided between recipients. Following discussion it was agreed that this award would not be confined to young people or academics; that it would be open to anyone of any age who has excelled in some way. The Mayor advised that she was open to suggestions. The Manager advised that the Scheme needed to be agreed upon; a closing date set and have the nominations adjudicated upon and in that regard it was agreed that the adjudicators should be the Mayor and Executive of the Council.
Furthermore, it was agreed that something should be set aside for the local participants in the Young Scientists Exhibition.
Item No. 5: Update on the Loop Drive.
In a written report circulated Siobhán Garvey, Marketing & Development Officer reported that :
"The Clare Local Authorities Tourism Strategy 2010-2014 is presently at Draft stage and will be brought before the SPC for Community, Enterprise, Tourism and Emergency Services on the 12th April. This Strategic document has listed the development of an integrated tourism package for the West Clare Peninsula centred on the Loop Head Light House Tourism Project as it’s number one priority in terms of product development for the County. It would be anticipated that the Loop Drive would be very much an integral part of this tourism package.
Most recently the West Clare Economic Task Force whose membership includes representatives from the key development agencies in Clare, including Clare Local Authorities and Shannon Development, underwent an idea generation/consultation process. This process involved the Task Force meeting with a wide variety of community groups and interested parties from the West Clare area and gathering feedback from these groups on what the area lacks in terms of Tourism, Economic and Infrastructural Development. The need to develop Loop Head and to create of a clear package for the area spanning from Kilrush back through the Peninsula and up towards Doonbeg and Spanish Point was echoed by many of community groups who were consulted. With this in mind and having gathered 100+ ideas for development in the Area, the Task Force members recently held a workshop day where all these ideas/needs were discussed and a realistic number of agreed specific achievable objectives for the Task Force to progress were identified. Under the Tourism heading, once again the development of Loop Head and the Loop Drive was identified as a priority for the Task Force. Moving forward the Task Force will be divided into smaller working groups to deal with the progression of it’s priority actions and the Task Force will be meeting within the next month to identify how while working with the various key development agencies in the County can develop the Loop Drive and Loop Head tourism package and perhaps identify funding options for the project.
Any future progress on the development of the Loop Drive will be relayed to the Town Council in due course."
Cllr. Williams welcomed the reply and thanked the Manager and staff for bringing this matter forward. He thanked his fellow members for their support.
The Manager suggested that the Kilrush section of the signage be paid for out of the Development Contributions Fund.
Item No. 6: Ar Moladh Cllr. Lynch cuidithe ag Cllr. Williams:-
“That this council, in the interest of job creation and development, will submit a comprehensive marketing package to all stakeholders in the recently announced 'renewable Energy hub' for the region in an effort to highlight the potential development of Kilrush as a prime location for such a research centre."
During discussion Cllr. Lynch urged his fellow members to 'put pen to paper' in an effort to have the research centre located in Kilrush as there are plenty of vacant places here. It was suggested that Siobhán Garvey, Marketing & Development Officer, might send out a letter in support of this motion. The members indicated that they would favour anything to create jobs.
Item No. 7: Ar Moladh Cllr. Lynch cuidithe ag Cllr. Moroney:-
“That this council will erect appropriate advanced warning signs on all approaches to Kilrush Town Centre roundabout and to install clear and visible road markings in the interest of public safety prior to the commencement of the tourist season."
In a written reply circulated dated the 8th April 2010 Cyril Feeney, Senior Executive Engineer reported that:-
"The appropriate signage and road markings are currently in place and will be maintained and renewed as required."
Cllr. Lynch indicated that he was not happy with the reply and that this matter needed more investigation. During discussion the members expressed their opinion that signage was terrible for people visiting the town and that it needed to be upgraded as a matter of urgency. The Town Clerk advised the members that he would meet with the Senior Executive Engineer and emphasise the urgency of the matter. The Manager advised the members that the Town Engineer, Derek Troy, was out on sick leave, hence the reason for the replies being signed by Cyril Feeney. She further assured the members that she would convey their disappointment with the reply received.
Item No. 8: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Lynch:-
“To ask the Town Engineer to update the members on progress made to date regarding the proposal for a roundabout at the junction of Ennis Road/Limekiln Road/Vandeleur Street/ Glen Street/O'Dea's Road."
In a written reply circulated dated the 8th April 2010 Cyril Feeney, Senior Executive Engineer reported that :-
"There has been no progress with the design of the proposed roundabout/revised layout at the junction of Ennis Road/Limekiln Road/ Vandeleur Street/Glen Street/O’Dea’s Road due to depleted resources in the Council Road Design Office and the current recruitment embargo."
Cllr. Prendeville expressed his disappointment with the reply as given and during discussion the members expressed the view that the Council was negligent and it was only a matter of time before an accident, possibly fatal, occurred at this location. The members expressed their frustration and annoyance that nothing had been done despite the fact that this matter had been discussed previously. The Town Clerk advised that Derek Troy, Town Engineer had not been satisfied with the initial design received and it was suggested that road markings be put in place in the interim while waiting for an updated satisfactory design.
The Manager said that the members had articulated their concerns and she undertook to personally speak with Derek Troy and the Design office in an effort to progress this matter.
Item No. 9: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Clyne:-
“To ask the Manager to report to the members on the initiatives undertaken by this council since 2000 to address disability issues within the urban area."
The Town Manager apologised to the members for not having a report available on this motion. She advised that Clare County Council received monies for disability works to be carried out, but some of these monies were not spent in 2009 and she advised that once updates have been done she would come back to the members with a report.
Cllr. Prendeville advised that this matter could be set aside for a full report saying that Kilrush Town Council had a magnificent record in dealing with disability issues and this could be an item to be spoken on at the special meeting to be held in the Secondary School.
Item No. 10: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Moroney:-
“That this council's marketing and promotional team would continue to work closely with the Kilrush Chamber of Commerce to encourage all members of the West Clare community to support the ongoing 'Shop Local' campaign and safeguard local employment and business enterprises. [Slogan: 'Keep Kilrush in business by keeping your business in Kilrush']."
Cllr. Prendeville advised that his motion was self-explanatory and that there was a huge increase in shoppers to Kilrush. He commended the community saying that everyone has to 'pull together' and be seen to be part of any projects to enhance the Kilrush area.
Item No. 11: Correspondence
Letter dated 3rd March 2010 from South Tipperary County Council regarding medical card processing.
Letter dated 23rd March 2010 from Clonmel Borough Council regarding (a) Reduction of Special Needs Assistants; (b) Head Shops and (c) Medical Card processing.
Letter dated 19th March 2010 from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government regarding water rate charges, together with Letter which issued to the Minister from Kilrush Town Council.
Letter dated 2nd March 2010 from Balbriggan Town Council regarding Special Needs Assistants.
Letter dated 19th March 2010 from the Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding Urban and Village Regeneration Programme, together with copy of letter which issued to the Dept. from Kilrush Town Council. The contents of the letter from the Dept. was noted. However, the Manager pointed out that it referred to the Urban and Village Regeneration which was different from the Urban Renewal Scheme which was required for Moore Street and she requested that this be taken up with the Dept. It was further suggested that the AMAI delegates bring this to the AMAI seeking the re-introduction of the Urban Renewal Scheme. Cllr. McMahon-Jones said that in the meantime something needed to be done with Moore Street as she said that a week after the holes were being filled they needed to be done again. The Manager pointed out that a Sewerage Scheme application was pending and repairs wouldn't be carried out if this scheme was proceeding. She further advised that she has requested for Moore Street to be included in a Minor Pavement Improvement Programme.
Letter dated 19th March 2010 from Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding sewerage treatment plants for Kilrush and Kilkee, together with copy of letter which issued to the Dept. from Kilrush Town Council.
Notification of Tarbert Community Care Limited Conference to be held on 5th June 2010 at The Lanterns Hotel, Tarbert.
Item No. 12: 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 :
National Tidy Towns Conference held at The Fairways Hotel, Dundalk on 26th and 27th March 2010. Cllr. O'Brien attended this conference and advised her fellow members that it was an excellent and worthwhile conference from which she got some very good ideas for Kilrush. She said that the bring banks should be more organised and the area where they are located should be enhanced with flowers and perhaps an inviting sign should be erected. Furthermore, she suggested that rainwater be collected in barrels and used for watering flowers.
Cllr. Williams suggested that Minister Tony Killeen be congratulated on his appointment as Minister for Defence.
The members were reminded of the Civic Reception for the Toulouse Rugby Team to be held at the Vandeleur Walled Garden on Friday 16th April 2010 at 7.00 p.m.
The Manager advised the members that the tidy towns clean up would take place in June and Kilrush Town Council would take the lead on this.
Cllr. Moroney said that the town was in a terrible condition following the horse fair and he expressed his disappointment that the clean-up did not take place as early as it should have. He said it was a shame on the council that the workers would not be allowed to work overtime to facilitate this clean-up. Following further discussion on the matter the members agreed that with the amount taken from the traders in fees there should have been money available to pay the workers for some overtime. The Manager advised the members that from May onwards she hoped that street cleaning would be returning at weekends; that a meeting was scheduled with the Unions in this regard and she would brief the members following same.
Cllr. Prendeville thanked the Mayor and his fellow councillors for their part in the 1916 Commemoration Ceremony on Easter Sunday.
Votes of Sympathy:
It was agreed that a vote of sympathy should issue to the following :-
Mr. Michael Shannon and family, Cappa Cove, Cappa, Kilrush on the death of his wife Ms. Moira Shannon.
Mrs. Mary Margaret Culligan, Shannon, Co. Clare on the death of her mother Mrs. Mary Cunningham late of O'Gorman Street, Kilrush.
The meeting then concluded.
Signed: Cllr. McMahon-Jones Mayor
Signed :John Corry Town Clerk