PrintMinutes of April Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 3rd July 2008 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
Officials present
- Ms. Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Service & Town Manager
- Ms. Fiona Mooney, Town Clerk
- Mr. Derek Troy, Executive Engineer
- Ms. Siobhán O'Keeffe, Senior Staff Officer
- Ms. Mary McMahon, Senior Staff Officer
- Ms. Siobhán Garvey, Staff Officer
- Ms. Geraldine Quinn, Assistant Staff Officer
Apologies
- Cllr. Jack Fennell
At the outset, Cllr. Sweeney extended congratulations to Cllr. Madeleine Taylor-Quinn as she takes up her new position as Mayor of Clare and wished her well for the year ahead.
Item No. 1: Adoption of Minutes of Special Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 10th June 2008 at 11.00 a.m.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Malley :-
The Minutes of the Special Meeting were duly adopted.
Item No. 2: Adoption of Minutes of June Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 12th June 2008 at 7.00 p.m.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Clyne cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville :-
The Minutes of the June Monthly Meeting were duly adopted.
Matters Arising
Under item no. 16, Cllr. McMahon-Jones asked for confirmation that the joint acquisition and development of the Inis Cathaigh is to be a 50/50 venture between Kilrush Town Council and Clare County Council and the Town Manager confirmed what the County Manager had already confirmed at the County Council meeting, that it was, in all likelihood.
Cllr. McMahon-Jones expressed the view that the amendment motion proposed by Cllr. Prendeville and seconded by Cllr. Clyne (and submitted at the June meeting) was contrary to standing orders because it was unrelated to her motion that had been seconded by Cllr. Culligan (and submitted at the June meeting). After discussion, the Mayor ruled that the amendment motion was effectively proposing to proceed with acquisition whereas the other one was proposing not to proceed, so the amendment motion was not, therefore, contrary to standing orders.
With regard to item no. 19, Cllr. O'Gorman sought feedback from the Town Engineer regarding drainage works to be carried out to the rear gardens of houses at Island View. It was confirmed that a decision has been taken to seek tenders for this work to the properties where Council engineers had confirmed the problem on file and it was also confirmed that further engineering inspections would be carried out on the houses who have more recently complained of the problem. Cllr. O'Gorman sought a commencement date for physical works, but the Town Engineer was not in a position to give an exact date. The Town Clerk confirmed that 4 houses had already been done, but that the Council could not progress further on the other houses, without the necessary internal engineering report. The Town Manager advised that the necessary preparatory work has commenced and perhaps a letter could issue to the members during August giving an update.
Item No. 3: Adoption of Minutes of Annual General Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 25th June 2008 at 7.00 p.m.
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Malley cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville :-
The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting were duly adopted.
Item No. 4: Lands owned by Kilrush Town Council.
The Town Clerk circulated to the members a map and accompanying table showing lands owned by Kilrush Town Council which was an interim but not a conclusive report. She advised that a search will have to be carried out in the Land Registry and the Registry of Deeds as some of the lands will not be registered in the Land Registry, and this would be done as (human) resources permit. The Town Manager asked members to advise of any additional lands they though were in the ownership of Kilrush Town Council as these could be confirmed in the registry search. Cllr. McMahon-Jones requested a list of the houses owned by Kilrush Town Council and the Town Clerk confirmed she would circulate this.
Item No. 5: Submission on the proposed Reform of Local Government.
The Mayor read the contents of the proposed submission as included in the agenda. It was agreed that this submission be forwarded to Tom Ryan of the AMAI, John Gormley, Minister for the Environment and the other Clare Local Authorities AMAI representatives.
Item No. 6: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Sweeney :-
"That this Council would ask the Marketing and Development Officer to address the council on initiatives undertaken in 2008 to promote Kilrush and the tourism potential of the area and enhance its position as the administrative, commercial and economic centre of West Clare."
Siobhán Garvey, Staff Officer briefed the members on progress from May 2007 to date under the following headings :- Kilrush Brochure, Website Re-Development, Kilrush Toursim, Promotion - Oversees Market, Promotion - Domestic Market, Marketing Support, Tourism Culture & Heritage Implementation Group, Chamber of Commerce Liaison, Tidy Towns Liaison, Casual Trading, Assistance to Arts/Community Projects, Parking Fines & Permits, Public Relations and West Clare Economic Task Force.
The members complimented Siobhán on a very comprehensive report and felt that the creation of the position had been a very positive move.
The Town Manager advised that in conjunction with the Clare Tourism Forum a number of initiatives are being undertaken this year as follows :
a) Development of clare.ie website.
b) The photographic initiative ‘Shoot the Mood” .
c) a 2 year promotional calendar.
Item No. 7: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Sweeney :-
"That this Council calls on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to grant aid public and private housing in the provision of sustainable, eco-friendly, energy-efficient residences."
Following discussion it was agreed that this motion be forwarded to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government impressing upon him the need to encourage people to become eco-friendly and energy-efficient by providing them with grant aid.
Item No. 8: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville :-
"To ask the Town Engineer to report on the recent incidences of flash flooding which caused substantial damage to public and private property and to outline any proposals to inspect and report on the adequacy of the town's underground drainage system to deal with such emergency situations."
In a written report circulated dated the 3rd July 2008 the Town Engineer reported that :
"Over the last number of years, in Kilrush Town, incidences of flash flooding have increased. These 20-30 minute high intensity isolated rainfall periods have caused major problems in certain areas within Kilrush Town. Areas such as Crofton Street, Vandeleur Street, Stewart Street and Cappagh Road have been identified.
It should be noted that with normal rainfall, even over a prolonged period, the storm water drainage system is adequate and has been designed as such to cater for storms events within the design in the Kilrush Main Drainage Preliminary Report. Using MicroDrainage software, storm and flooding event flows are calculated to assess the adequacy of the system. These calculations have taken account of all rainfall figures available. Because of the un-predictable and isolated nature of the flashing flooding rainfall events, the drainage system is unable to take the volume initially, however all flooding does subside within 40-60 minutes of the event.
Over the last number of years, all new large scale residential and commercial developments and been conditioned under planning to provide storm water attenuation. These attenuation provisions slow the rate of flow of surface water from these sites to a rate of 2 litres per second per hectare. In the older areas of Kilrush Town, combined sewer systems have been over-loaded during the flash flooding periods. This is due to the fact that even though new storm lines have been laid on the main streets, the rainfall to rear areas of houses are still connected to the combined sewer systems. All works on upgrading of storm water systems are in line with the recommendations in the Kilrush Main Drainage Preliminary Report.
One of the areas hit by flash flooding is the Back Road – Pound Street – Crofton Street area. This is mainly caused by rainfall in the Shannon Heights/Kilkee Road/Creamery area that travels over the surface of the roadway. County Council staff are currently investigating and un-covering old stone culverts that have been blocked or damaged. This will help to alleviate flooding in this area and further down-stream. The provision of an attenuation system may be required in the Shannon Heights area to regulate the flow rate towards the Back Road.
Works were undertaken by the County Council at Stewart Street adjacent to the old Orchard Hotel earlier this year. These works have helped to improve the situation at this location. Works on the existing storm system are required to be completed by the developers of ‘The Manse’ nursing home.
A program of regular inspection and cleaning of all road gullies is in place and will be increased in light of the recent changes in rainfall patterns. County Council staff have been instructed to proceed to known problem areas as soon as possible in the event of heavy rainfall."
Following discussion it was agreed that the Town Engineer would go through the Kilrush Main Drainage Preliminary Report with the members in September and that the members would be circulated with the telephone numbers to be used in an emergency. It was suggested that the Town Engineer make contact with Pakie Fennell, former Water & Sewerage Caretaker who may be in a position to assist in seeking out drains that have been covered over.
Cllr. Sweeney referred to a blockage beside the pedestrian crossing at Crawford St and the condition of the road at the nursing home and the Town Engineer confirmed that he will examine these.
Item No. 9: Ar Moladh Cllr. McMahon-Jones cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Malley:-
"That this Council provides a footpath on the Kilkee Road as far as the Town Council Boundary, and also to provide a footpath from Doonbeg Cross on the Doonbeg Road to the existing footpath and does a proper surface dressing on the existing footpath."
In a written report circulated dated the 3rd July 2008 the Town Engineer reported that :
"With regard to the existing footpath on the Doonbeg Road, I wish to confirm that this will be surfaced with tarmac in August of this year, to coincide with the tarmac overlay re-surfacing / re-alignment of the N67 Kilkee Road Leadmore to Hayes Cross.
Special planning contributions have been requested on planning applications for the provision of footpath and public lighting for the section from Doonbeg Cross to the existing footpath on the Doonbeg Road, and also on the N67 Kilkee Road from Doonbeg Cross to the site on the western side of the nursing home.
Clare County Council has requested funding for safety improvement works at Doonbeg Cross, however funding has not been made available in 2008."
With regard to the provision of a footpath from Doonbeg Cross on the Doonbeg Road to the existing footpath and the reply that this work is dependent on planning contributions, it was suggested that this could be included in the budget for 2009.
Item No. 10: Ar Moladh Cllr. McMahon-Jones:-
"To request that the Town Manager /Director of Services to provide a full written reply to all the questions submitted by me on June 17th relating to the purchase of the site for the new Civic Offices."
Cllr. McMahon-Jones referred to a letter dated the 2nd July 2008 received on the 3rd that had been circulated to the nine members. Cllr McMahon Jones expressed the view that the acquisition was contrary to the Local Government Act 2001, but the Town Manager confirmed that land acquisition was an executive and not a reserved function. The manager did, however, confirm that if a loan was being raised, that the members’ approval for this would be required, as would that of the Department of the Environment. Once proposals are developed and costed, members would be consulted in regard to the financing structure, as happens in all such acquisitions.
- In regard to the confirmation in the letter that Erinaceous had been appointed in August, Cllr McMahon Jones said it was July. The manager said that it was likely that discussions regarding the engagement of Erinaceous had begun in July and the formalities of appointment had been concluded in August.
- In regard to confirmation that Paddy Browne Auctioneers and Valuers had been used, Cllr Mc Mahon Jones asked why another valuer hadn’t been used. It was confirmed that a panel of valuation service providers was in place and having one valuer on a particular project was normal practice. The decision to purchase the Inis Cathaigh was made in accordance with professional/specialist advice, and it represented the best option available.
With regard to the manager’s confirmation in the letter that " an offer of €1.6m for 7,000 sq. feet” did not equate to any data available to her, Cllr McMahon Jones repeatedly asked the Manager, whether she had read the Erinaceous report. The manager stated that as she had said at the June meeting, if Cllr McMahon Jones had further information on this, she would examine it.
The Manager confirmed that a total of approx. €15,000 has been expended in total and this has been paid from the fund set up by the Town Council for the provision of new civic offices. She further confirmed that the Council professional valuer was used. The Manager advised that pending finalization she cannot comment further on the car-parking issues.
Cllr. Prendeville said that it was a disgrace that a confidential letter issued by his group to Paul Coady, Chairperson, Kilrush Chamber of Commerce had appeared on the Council table.
Item No. 11: Correspondence
Notification of Céifin Conference 2008 to be held on 4th & 5th November 2008 at the West County Hotel, Ennis.
Notification from Roscommon County Council of the 21st Dr. Douglas Hyde Conference to be held from 17th to 19th October in Abbeyfield Hotel, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon. It was proposed by Cllr. Clyne and agreed that Cllr. O'Malley, who expressed his wish to attend, should attend, and this was agreed.
Notification from Kadenza Consultancies Ltd. regarding training seminar for councillors - "The Local Government Planning Service" - to be held from 4th to 6th July 2008 at The West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen, West Cork.
Letter dated 4th June 2008 from Listowel Town Council regarding "peep-hole" in front doors for the elderly.
Letter dated 10th June 2008 from ESB Contracts regarding public lighting. Cllr. Sweeney indicated his dissatisfaction with the fact that the ESB have failed to attend a council meeting prior to September.
Letter dated 13th June 2008 from the Health Service Executive regarding services provided by HSE West in Kilrush. The members requested that a letter issue enquiring as to when completion of this report is likely.
E-mail dated 23rd June 2008 from Boyle Town Council regarding licensing laws for ice cream vans.
Letter dated 18th June 2008 from the Irish Commission for Justice and Social Affairs regarding recent publication Violence in Irish Society : Towards an Ecology of Peace.
- It was confirmed that Cllrs. McMahon-Jones and Culligan would attend the AMAI Seminar in addition to our delegates Cllrs. Prendeville and O'Looney.
- Presentations to Siobhán O'Keeffe, senior staff officer and Fiona Mooney, town clerk.
- Ms O’Keeffe was presented with a bouquet and gift from the members. She thanked the Council, the manager and town clerk and spoke of the opportunities she’d had in both her roles in Kilrush Civic Offices, how she had enjoyed the work. Each member and the manager and town clerk praised Ms O’Keeffe for the many talents and personal attributes and achievements she had brought to Kilrush Civic Offices to the huge progress that had been made in the Vandeleur project under Ms O’Keeffe’s direcetion and wished her the best in her future.
- Ms Mooney was also presented with a bouquet and gift from the members and Ms Mooney expressed her thanks to the elected members and to the manager and to her colleagues in Kilrush Civic Offices and in Kilrush Amenity Trust Ltd and Vandeleur Walled Garden Enterprises Ltd. She said she had enjoyed the job and praised the members for their proactive approach in establishing and supporting connections with other groups. She thanked the members for their commitment to transparent policy implementation and to supporting her role in this. The members and manager thanked Ms Mooney and wished her well in her future.
- The manager welcomed Mary McMahon as Senior Staff Officer replacing Siobhan, and John Corry, the new town clerk, would be at the September meeting.