PrintMinutes of December Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 13th November at 4.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Kilrush
Presiding
-
Cllr. Liam O'Looney, Méara
Councillors present
- Tom Prendeville
- Deirdre Culligan
- Stephen O'Gorman
- Colie Sweeney
- Marian McMahon-Jones
- Tom Clyne
- Christy O'Malley
- Jack Fennell
Officials present
- Mr. Leonard Cleary, A/Director of Service & Town Manager
- Mr. John Corry, Town Clerk
- Mr. Derek Troy, Executive Engineer
- Ms. Geraldine Quinn, Assistant Staff Officer
The Mayor welcomed everyone to the last meeting of 2008 and thanked his fellow members for their unanimous support for the budget.
Item No. 1: Adoption of Minutes of November Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 13th November 2008 at 4.00 p.m.
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Malley cuidithe ag Cllr. Clyne:-
The Minutes of the November Monthly Meeting were duly adopted.
Item No. 2: Overdraft Accommodation for 6 month period from 1st January 2009 to 30th June 2009
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Clyne :-
The following Resolution was duly adopted :
"That this Council hereby approves of the temporary borrowing by Kilrush Town Council in the sum of €175,000 for the Town Council's Municipal Account, FÁS Job Initiative Account, FÁS Rate for the Job Project Account and Vandeleur Walled Garden Enterprises Ltd. Account for the period 1st January 2009 to 30th June 2009."
Item No. 3: Proposed alteration of date of January Monthly Meeting to the 15th January 2009
Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney cuidithe ag Cllr. Clyne :-
It was agreed to hold the January monthly meeting on Thursday 15th January 2009 at 7.00 p.m.
Item No. 4: Attendance of Catherine O'Hara, Administrative Officer, Community & Enterprise
Catherine was welcomed to the meeting and the Town Clerk introduced her by saying that she was in attendance arising from a motion put forward by Cllr. Culligan for the October monthly meeting -
"That this Council would convene a meeting composed of young people and representatives of community organizations, especially those concerned with young people to highlight the need or lack of facilities for the youth of Kilrush."
Catherine advised the members that she welcomed the opportunity of meeting with them to discuss the Recreation & Sports Strategy . She advised that the strategy for the county was almost finalized and that it focused on making the most of the facilities available, maximizing development and was a holistic approach in pulling everything together. She added that sustainability was a key part of the strategy and advised that the working group that the members proposed setting up should be representational of all generations and all members of the community. Catherine offered her support to the working group and she recommended that a balance between sport and recreation was needed.
The members acknowledged that amenities are available in Kilrush, but that a lack of volunteers was a problem. The town clerk confirmed that he had issued letters to the various clubs/groups involving the youth of Kilrush seeking their support in setting up a working group. It was agreed that once a response was received to these letters that an initial meeting should be set up to be chaired by the Mayor .It was further agreed that Catherine should be invited to attend the second meeting of this working group. The members & town clerk thanked Catherine for her presentation.
Item No. 5: Presentation to Kilrush Town Council of souvenir key of the Town Hall presented to Tom Nagle, Chairman, 31st January 1932
Cllr. Prendeville presented the souvenir key to the Mayor on behalf of the Nagle family who felt that the key should be returned to where it came from, i.e. the Town Hall. He advised that Tom Nagle, late of Moore Street, was a member of Kilrush Town Council for over 40 years and was the Chairperson on a number of occasions. He added that he was a brave and courageous man and was aware of what was going on locally and nationally. Nagle's Terrace, Kilrush was called after him. The Mayor said it was a great honour to accept this presentation on behalf of Kilrush Town Council.
Item No. 6: Hosting of Civic Reception for Jack McKenna, Shannon Ferry
The town clerk advised the members that he had been contacted by Nora Daly, town clerk of Listowel Town Council enquiring if Kilrush Town Council would be interested in jointly hosting a civic reception with Listowel Town Council for Jack McKenna who is the sole surviving founder of the setting up of Shannon Ferry. The Mayor advised that he had likewise been contacted by his counterpart in Listowel regarding this matter. Following discussion, the members expressed their wish to be associated with this civic reception and that in view of the fact that Mr. McKenna is elderly that this reception may need to be held in Listowel.
Item No. 7: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville
"That this Council would enter into discussions with Coillte regarding the development of a public park in the Kilrush Wood."
In a written reply circulated dated the 11th December 2008, John Corry, town clerk advised that:
"On contacting the Recreation Dept of Coillte I have been informed that the woods in Kilrush have been accepted along with a number of other woods in the country for upgrading. There is a plan to upgrade the paths & to have a trail with information maps & signs. This will however all be subject to Coillte obtaining funding. Coillte have also indicated that if invited by the Council a representative could attend a future meeting of Kilrush Town Council to discuss the development of the wood."
Cllr. Prendeville confirmed that the reply as received was satisfactory.
Item No. 8: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville
"That this Council would arrange for the repainting of the street nameplates.”
In a written reply circulated dated the 11th December 2008, John Corry, Town Clerk advised that:
"Arrangements have been made to repaint the street nameplates. This work will be carried out by the Job Initiative FAS sponsored workers & will commence in March 2009.”
Cllr. Prendeville confirmed that the reply as received was satisfactory and he was complimented for teaching the art of sign writing to the FAS workers.
Item No. 9: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville
"That this Council would ask the Town Engineer to meet with residents of Vandeleur Street concerning recurring flood water levels."
In a written reply circulated dated the 11th December 2008, Derek Troy, Executive Engineer advised that :
"I wish to confirm that I have no objection to a meeting being arranged with residents of Vandeleur St. to discuss flooding issues. An on-site inspection of the properties that have experienced flooding can be arranged also, with a view to seeking a solution to the problem."
Cllr. Prendeville confirmed that the reply as received was satisfactory.
It was agreed to take Items 10 and 12 together.
Item No. 10: Ar Moladh Cllr. Clyne cuidithe ag Cllr. Sweeney
"To ask the engineers and council for an update on the proposed works on the Shanakyle Road, i.e. footpath and lighting."
Item No. 12: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney cuidithe ag Cllr. Clyne
"I am asking the Town Engineer to report back to this council on the provision of a footpath back along the Shanakyle Road."
In a written reply circulated dated the 11th December 2008, Derek Troy, Executive Engineer advised that:
"The provision of a footpath and public lighting is currently being considered along the Shanakyle Road, for a distance of approximately 140m, from the entrance to Island View housing estate to the start of the Beal an Inbhir housing estate. It would be proposed that this footpath would be funded from roads planning development contributions. An estimate and draft design is currently being completed. A decision on the go-ahead for this project is expected early in 2009."
During discussion it was agreed that priority should be given to lighting at Wilson Road and Shanakyle Road. Cllr. O'Gorman referred to the flooding of back gardens at Island View and reiterated that drainage works need to be carried out.
Item No. 11: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney
"I am asking the Town Engineer to have a look at the council-owned land between Chapel Drive and Russell's Lane with a view to making an amenity area out of it as it is in a very derelict condition now."
In a written reply circulated dated the 11th December 2008, Derek Troy, Executive Engineer reported that :
"An inspection will take place of the lands owned by Kilrush Town Council between Chapel Drive and Russell’s Lane. The area measures approximately ¼ of an acre. There is no funding in place currently for any improvement works that may be proposed for this area. Any improvement works e.g. provision of amenity area that may be considered for this land would have to be agreed in advance with all residents in the area. Any maintenance works that are required on this area in the short term will be completed as soon as possible."
Cllr. Sweeney confirmed that he was satisfied with the reply as given.
Item No. 13: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Looney
"I am asking the Manager to inform the members of any proposals to extend the public car park at Place de Plouzane."
Following discussion on the matter the A/Town Manager confirmed that the Traffic Warden will carry out a survey of the parking spaces available to establish the facts over a reasonable period.
On behalf of the residents at Pella Road, Cllr. Clyne thanked the Executive Engineer for the work recently carried out at Pella Road.
Item No. 14: Correspondence
Notification of AMAI Spring Seminar to be held on the 13th and 14th February 2009 at the Clanree Hotel, Letterkeny, Co. Donegal.
Letter dated 10th November 2008 from the Department of Transport regarding Shannon Foynes Port Company.
Letter dated 14th November 2008 from Killarney Town Council regarding the introduction of the Leader Programme.
Letter dated 18th November 2008 from Killarney Town Council regarding support for mammography screening services.
Letter dated 25th November 2008 from Tralee Town Council to An Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, regarding recent budget issues.
Letter dated 25th November 2008 from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding road tax distribution.
Letter dated 25th November 2008 from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding town boundary extensions.
Letter dated 25th November 2008 from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding Home Improvement Grant Scheme.
Letter dated 10th November 2008 from Macroom Town Council regarding education cut-backs. The members supported this correspondence.
Cllr. Culligan requested that when a letter is listed in correspondence as being in reply to a letter issued by Kilrush Town Council that the original correspondence be attached to the reply and this was agreed by the members.
Item No. 15: 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:
Clare Tourism Conference held at The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon from 27th - 29th November 2008.
LAMA Annual Winter Conference held at the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar from the 26th - 27th November 2008.
Cllr. Prendeville expressed his annoyance at the fact that Shannon Foynes Port Authority have not reverted with a date for a meeting with Kilrush Town Council. It was agreed that a further invitation should be extended to them.
Votes of Sympathy
It was agreed that a vote of sympathy should issue to the following :-
Mrs. Maureen Bolton, Moyadda, Kilrush on the death of her husband Mr. Patsy Bolton.
Daughter of John (Jackie) Blunnie late of Burton Street, Kilrush.
Ms. Mary Fortune, Fahy's Road, Kilrush on the death of her brother Mr. Martin Callaghan in London.
Mrs. Dolores Maguire, Carnanes, Kilrush on the death of her father Mr. John McMahon late of Aill Rua, Labasheeda.
O'Dea family of Carrownacalla, Kilrush on the death of Mrs. Vera O'Dea.
Mrs. Christina Clancy, Moore Street, Kilrush on the death of her husband Mr. John Clancy.
Mr. Patrick Kelleher, Crawford Street, Kilrush on the death of his wife Mrs. Mandy Kelleher.
The Mayor wished everyone a Happy Christmas and New Year.
The meeting then concluded.