PrintMinutes of February Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council on the 14th February 2008 at 4.00 pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Kilrush
Presiding:
Cllr. Tom Clyne, Méara.
Councillors present:
Tom Prendeville, Deirdre Culligan, Stephen O'Gorman, Colie Sweeney, Marian McMahon-Jones, Liam O'Looney, Christy O'Malley, Jack Fennell.
Officials present:
- Ms. Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Service & Town Manager.
- Ms. Fiona Mooney, Town Clerk.
- Derek Troy, Executive Engineer.
- Ms. Geraldine Quinn, Assistant Staff Officer.
- Mr John Bradley, A/Senior Planner
Item No. 1: Adoption of Minutes of January Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 10th January 2008 at 4.00 p.m.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Gorman:-
The Minutes of the January Monthly Meeting were duly adopted.
Item No. 2: Kilrush Development Plan 2008.
The background to the draft plan and the public consultation processes involved was outlined. The manager's report, dated 8th February 2008 was then presented by the a/senior planner, including the eight submissions that had been received on the draft. The manager's report also set out the response to the submissions. Following commentary by members on the manager's report, the members confirmed that they were satisfied to accept the recommendations at section 6 of the manager's report - namely to adopt the plan subject to the amendments referred to and to formally list the former distillery and quay at Leadmore West as a protected structure, also as recommended.
The adoption of the plan was formally proposed by Cllr. Prendeville and seconded by Cllr. Sweeney.
The members commended the planners, manager and staff for all the work involved in the preparation of this plan and the manager thanked the members for their constructive approach to this process and their work in having attended many meetings and workshops in relation to it.
Item No. 3: Roadworks Programme 2008.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Malley:-
The draft Roadworks Programme as presented was duly adopted.
Queries were raised regarding the following :
St. Senan's Terrace-Wood Road - The town engineer confirmed that this will not include Crawford Street as the Kilrush Sewerage Scheme includes a sewer line planned for Crawford St, so roadworks at this location need to be deferred.
Moore Street - Temporary resurfacing works were previously carried out at Moore Street, but long-term works will now be carried out at this location.
Toler Street - The section from the Bank of Ireland to the parish house is in poor condition. The town engineer confirmed that a section of the sewer pipe has to be replaced at this location and road repairs will not proceed until afterwards.
Item No. 4: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. McMahon-Jones:-
"That this Council calls on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to ensure that all Borough/Town Council Housing Authorities receive their Annual Housing Capital Allocations directly, based on needs as identified by those authorities and retain control over all matters pertaining to public housing in their functional area."
Following discussion on the matter it was agreed that this motion be sent to Tom Ryan, Director A.M.A.I., and also to Batt O'Keeffe, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government expressing the concern of the members that town councils would not be stripped of their housing authority functions.
Item No. 5: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Culligan :-
"To ask the Manager to request the Design Team for the proposed Kilrush Civic Offices to include a Civic Arts facility in the project."
The limitations of Arts performance space in Kilrush was discussed, in the context of Kilrush being a town with an active and vibrant drama and musical societies and arts groups, and with a proud heritage in these areas also. This motion was supported by the elected members. The manager confirmed that the issue would be examined, referring to existing facilities and potential for development and resources.
It was agreed that a letter of congratulations should issue to the producer and cast of "Showboat".
Item No. 6: Ar Moladh Cllr. :-
"To ask the Manager to report to the elected members on the recent Assessment of Means public submissions and progress on the council’s social and affordable housing obligations.”
In a written reply circulated dated the 14th February 2008 the town clerk advised that :
"The 3 year Assessment of Housing Needs is underway in all housing authorities. This is a process involving the housing authority making contact with all current housing applicants to establish any changes in the details or the status of their application for housing and with a view to confirming under the Assessment of Housing Needs the level of actual housing need. The deadline for confirming the number of confirmed housing applicants under the Assessment of Need process is 31/3/2008. Kilrush Town Council has recently written to current housing applicants (105), and will be following up via other agencies as required by the process, on any applicants who do not respond to the letters. A revised and updated assessment of Kilrush Town Council's number of housing applicants will be available on 31st March 2008.
The Department is currently in discussion with housing authorities in relation to resource allocations for housing programmes for the next 3 years, including the housing authorities estimates of the level of social and affordable housing that may come available under the Part V provisions of planning. There are 13 expressions of interest for affordable housing in Kilrush and it is envisaged that affordable houses will come available for purchase by approved affordable housing applicants in developments with a Part V condition of Planning Permission that begin construction. (Six affordable home purchases took place in Kilrush in 2007 under the Part V provision).”
Cllr. Prendeville was satisfied with the reply as given.
Item No. 7 : Ar Moladh Cllr. O’Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. O’Looney:-
"To ask the Town Engineer Mr. Derek troy why the street lighting in Wilson’s Road has not taken place as promised, this work has been passed since 2003 as it’s a hazard to children going to school and now with Tescos it will be more hazardous. Also, why the street lighting on the Lime Kiln Road has not taken place as promised, as this is also causing problems and will be more hazardous due to Tescos on the Ennis Road."
In a written reply circulated dated the 14th February 2008 the executive engineer reported that :
"An upgrade of public lighting at both Wilson’s Road and at Limekiln Road has been included in the draft 2008 Kilrush Roadworks Programme. Both of these locations have areas where footpaths do not exist currently. It would not be normal practice to install public lighting without having footpaths in place. Both of these roads are important pedestrian link roads within Kilrush and the provision of footpaths will be dependant on future development”.
Cllr. O’Gorman was satisfied with the report as given. Further discussion took place regarding the provision of footpaths and the executive engineer advised of the difficulty that land acquisition would be necessary. Members wondered whether the works could be carried out and costs recouped from developers in the future when developments are underway.
Item No. 8 : Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Clyne:-
"To ask the Town Clerk, Ms. Fiona Mooney, to give a feedback on the next phase of the John Paul Estate Regeneration Programme. Has the monies been determined by the Department to continue with the programme for all the Estate."
In a written reply circulated dated the 14th February 2008 the town clerk advised that :
"The Department is in a process currently of meeting all housing authorities will a view to determining resource needs for the coming three years. Kilrush Town Council has submitted and stressed the need for a further phase of the John Paul Estate project. It is likely that housing authorities will be notified of their Department allocations by May of 2008. The pilot phase of this project is ahead of schedule and has been marked by positive relations and a high degree of cooperation and facilitation by the local community. The redesign objectives of the pilot phase of increasing security and privacy by the removal of back lanes and derelict open spaces have been achieved and the quality and specification achieved by the pilot phase is high.
Kilrush Town Council officials appreciate the support of the Kilrush elected members and of the Clare Oireachtas members in terms of convincing the Department of the need for the allocation of resources to advance and complete the project for John Paul. This support has been very important thus far in what is a long term and strategic programme, and involving social and economic developmental elements as well as physical infrastructural improvements. In this regard, the ongoing support of the Council’s multi-agency partners is also acknowledged and appreciated."
The town clerk advised that a face to face meeting with the Department will take place next week and it might be good if we had a resolution of support for allocation of funds. The town clerk further advised that a show-house is to be opened in one of the new houses in Willow Green for a short period and this idea was welcomed by the members, who also gave full support for the talks with the Department on future funding for JPE.
Item No. 9 : Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman :-
"To ask the Town Engineer Mr. Derek Troy why was number 13, 14, 15 and 16 Sycamore Drive left flooded for weeks on end where residents were left wading through a foot of water to get in and out of their homes. This flooding has been occurring since these were built over 22 years ago, the pipes need to be redirected."
In a written reply circulated dated the 14th February 2008 the executive engineer advised that :
"A flooding problem at this location was reported to this office in mid January. For the entire month of January, there were widespread flooding problems in the west Clare area. County Council staff attended to this particular problem within 2 days of the report. Council staff were unable to alleviate the flooding. A private contractor was then requested and the flooding subsided following jetting of the storm drains. There has been no report of any problems since. A full inspection of the pipe work in this area will be undertaken and any works required will be undertaken in conjunction with the current and future John Paul Estate works."
The town engineer confirmed that a camera will have to be put down and the pipe may have to be relayed.
Item No. 10 : Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney :-
"To ask the Town Engineer to write to the contractors of the nursing home and residential development at the Manse to restore the road at Factory Lane to its original condition by road surfacing and tarmacadam."
In a written reply circulated dated the 14th February 2008 the executive engineer advised that :
"A letter will be written to the contractors, the developers of ‘The Manse’ Stewart Street and to the planning section of Clare County Council requesting that Factory Lane and all other affected services be restored to its original condition."
Following discussion on the matter Cllr. Sweeney expressed his satisfaction with the reply as given.
Item No. 11 : Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney:-
"To ask the Town Engineer to report on the proposal to repair and replace footpaths in the Burton Street and Chapel Street areas."
In a written reply circulated dated the 14th February 2008 the executive engineer advised that :
"Reconstruction and re-alignment of the footpaths in this area are included in the draft 2008 Kilrush Roadworks Programme. These works will be incorporated into the one-way system on Burton Street."
Cllr. Sweeney was satisfied with the reply as given.
Item No. 12 : Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney:-
"That this council would invite representatives of the ESB to address a future meeting of the council regarding public lighting in the urban area."
Following discussion on the matter it was agreed that a letter should issue requesting that a representative of the ESB address a future meeting of Kilrush Town Council.
Item No. 13: Correspondence
Copy letter dated 28th December 2007 from Clonmel Borough Council regarding clamping system for people who are parking in disabled persons car parking spaces.
Copy letter dated 4th January 2008 from Passage West Town Council regarding implementation of new Road Safety Strategy.
Copy letter dated 10th January 2008 from Portlaoise Town Council regarding water charges for schools. Following a short discussion the members agreed to support this matter.
Copy notification of Local Authority Members Association (L.A.M.A.) Annual Spring Seminar 2008 to be held at the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim on 27th and 28th March 2008.
Copy letter dated 3rd January 2008 from the Minister for Transport regarding road safety on the SPHE curriculum in second level schools.
Copy letter dated the 22nd January 2008 from the Minister for Transport regarding Shannon's advance pre-customs clearance facilities for US bound passengers.
Copy notification Annual Conference of the Association of County & City Councils which takes place in the Roganstown Country Club, Swords, Co. Dublin from 6th - 8th March 2008.
Copy letter 23rd January 2008 from the Minister for Transport re the appointment of directors to the Board of Aer Lingus.
Copy letter dated 31st January 2008 from the Private Secretary of the Minister of State, Mr. Tony Killeen, regarding his availability to attend a forthcoming meeting of Kilrush Town Council. Following discussion on this matter it was acknowledged that it was going to be very difficult to get the Dáil representatives together because of Dáil commitments. It was suggested that a meeting could be convened for either a Monday or a Friday to facilitate them. It was agreed to get a date from the Minister and then liaise with the others.
It was agreed that a representative of Shannon LNG would address the members on Thursday 13th March 2008 at 3.15pm in advance of the March monthly meeting.
Cllr. Prendeville referred to Item No. 9 on the January 2008 agenda as follows :>
"To ask the Town Engineer to report to the members on roadwork proposals to remediate accident blackspots at Cosy Cottage Corner, Killimer Road and the dip in the road at Leadmore East on the N.67."
Derek Troy, Executive Engineer responded as follows :
"National roads inside and outside the Kilrush Town boundary are mainly the responsibility of Michael Mescall/Clare County Council. I discussed the Motion with Michael Mescall and his response is as follows :
"a) Improved signage at Cosy Cottage Corner, Killimer Road will be considered at this location. Over the winter period, the road-edge and centre-line road markings at this location were re-lined, and chevron signs were put in place. b) A section of road will be reconstructed at Leadmore East this year together with drainage works and improved sight distances."
He further advised that the landowner will be approached to replace the ditch.
Cllr. Prendeville was satisfied with the reply as given.
The mayor read the contents of a letter received by him regarding an upcoming trip to Plouzane and some members expressed an interest in travelling. The town clerk said that the budget for members conferences and meetings could be used if member representatives were interested in taking part. The manager asked any interested members to contact the town clerk.
Cllr. O'Gorman requested that Standing Orders be suspended to allow him the opportunity to speak on the ambulance cover in Kilrush. He requested that a letter issue to the relevant body expressing the dissatisfaction of the members with the lack of ambulance cover for medical emergencies in West Clare. He advised that after March there will not be a mid-wife available. It was agreed that an emergency room is needed in Kilrush, particularly now that A&E facilities will no longer be available in Ennis.
On the proposal of Cllr. Prendeville, seconded by Cllr. O'Gorman the following Motion was adopted:
"That this council deplores the lack of adequate ambulance and medical services currently available in West Clare and calls on the HSE to make adequate provision for dealing with emergency cases in West Clare."
Votes of Sympathy:
It was agreed that a vote of sympathy should issue to the following :-
Mr. James Coughlan, 4 Island View, Kilrush on the death of his partner Veronica Moran.
Ms. Breda Roughan, 3 Crestwood, Coolough, Headford Road, Galway on the death of her husband John Roughan.
Mrs. May Crowe, Carradotia, Killimer on the death of her husband T.J. Crowe.
The meeting then concluded.
Signed : Cllr. Tom Clyne
Mayor