PrintMinutes of July Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 9th July 2009 at 4.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Kilrush
Presiding
- Cllr. Marian McMahon-Jones, Méara
Councillors present
- Paul Moroney
- Liam Williams
- Ian Lynch
- Tom Prendeville
- Stephen O'Gorman
- Liam O'Looney
- Mairead O'Brien
Officials present
- Ms. Nora Kaye, Director of Service and Town Manager
- Mr. John Corry, Town Clerk
- Mr. Derek Troy, Executive Engineer
- Ms. Geraldine Quinn, Assistant Staff Officer
Apologies
- Cllr. Tom Clyne
Item No. 1: Adoption of Minutes of June Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 11th June 2009 at 4.00 p.m.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Gorman:
The Minutes of the June Monthly Meeting were duly adopted.
Item No. 2: Adoption of Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 15th June 2009 at 4.00 p.m. in The Courthouse, Moore Street, Kilrush.
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Brien cuidithe ag Cllr. Lynch :-
The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting were duly adopted.
Matters Arising
Mayor McMahon-Jones pointed out that at the AGM only one appointment was made to both the Board of Kilrush Amenity Trust and the Board of the Vandeleur Walled Garden Enterprises Ltd. whereas in fact two appointments were necessary. It was agreed to defer these appointments to the September monthly meeting.
Item No. 3: Local Government Fund General Purpose Grant Allocations 2009 (documentation previously circulated).
The town clerk referred to the letter from the Department dated the 24th June 2009 and advised the members that the Local Government Fund allocation to Kilrush Town Council would be cut by €21,538 representing 3.2%. He furthermore advised that the Department did indicate that the shortfall would be balanced by the new Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 which provided for the introduction of the €200 charge on non-principal residences. When questioned as to how many homes same would relate to in the town the town clerk responded by saying that an assessment had not yet been done. The town manager advised that the Private Rented Tenancies Board (PRTB) would have a register, but that it was out of date. She further advised that the onus was on the owner to declare a second house. When asked if the levies collected in Clare would be staying in Clare or going to Dublin the town manager advised that, at this stage, she couldn't give an answer. She said that people who have their second houses on the Rental Accommodation Scheme would be exempt from the €200 levy. The town clerk was asked to circulate the members with a map showing the boundaries of the Kilrush urban area and he confirmed that this would be done
Item No. 4: Appointment of Vocational Educational Committee Representative
Ar Moladh Cllr. Lynch cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Brien:
Cllr. Williams was nominated as the 1st Vocational Educational Committee representative.
As no other nominations were received, Cllr. Williams was elected as the 1st Vocational Educational Committee representative.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Moroney cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Brien:
Cllr. Lynch was nominated as the 2nd Vocational Educational Committee representative.
As no other nominations were received, Cllr. Lynch was elected as the 2nd Vocational Educational Committee representative.
Item No. 5: Appointment of Members to Partnership Bodies
Chamber of Commerce Liaison Group
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Brien cuidithe ag Cllr. Williams :-
Cllr. Lynch was nominated as the Chamber of Commerce Liaison Group representative.
As no other nominations were received, Cllr. Lynch was elected as Chamber of Commerce Liaison Group representative.
Tidy Towns Liaison Group
Ar Moladh Cllr. Moroney cuidithe ag Cllr. Lynch :-
Cllr. O'Brien was nominated as the Tidy Towns Liaison Group representative.
As no other nominations were received, Cllr. O'Brien was elected as Tidy Towns Liaison Group representative.
Gateway to Shannon Dolphins Committee
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Brien cuidithe ag Cllr. Williams :-
Cllr. Lynch was nominated as the 1st Gateway to Shannon Dolphins Committee representative.
As no other nominations were received, Cllr. Lynch was elected as the 1st Gateway to Shannon Dolphins Committee representative.
Ar Moladh Cllr. McMahon-Jones cuidithe ag Cllr. Williams :-
Cllr. O'Looney was nominated as the 2nd Gateway to Shannon Dolphins Committee representative.
As no other nominations were received, Cllr. O'Looney was elected as the 2nd Gateway to Shannon Dolphins Committee representative.
Kilrush London Association
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Brien cuidithe ag Cllr. Lynch :-
Cllr. Moroney was nominated as the Kilrush London Association representative.
As no other nominations were received, Cllr. Moroney was elected as Kilrush London Association representative.
Item No. 6: Appointment of Delegates to:
Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances (IPBMI)
Ar Moladh Cllr. Lynch cuidithe ag Cllr. Moroney :-
Cllr. Williams was nominated as delegate to Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances.
As no other nominations were received, Cllr. Williams was elected as delegate to Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances.
Local Authority Members Association (LAMA)
Ar Moladh Cllr. Williams cuidithe ag Cllr. Lynch:
Cllr. Moroney was nominated as 1st delegate to the Local Authority Members Association.
As no other nominations were received, Cllr. Moroney was elected as 1st delegate to the Local Authority Members Association.
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Brien cuidithe ag Cllr. Moroney:
Cllr. McMahon-Jones was nominated as 2nd delegate to the Local Authority Members Association.
As no other nominations were received, Cllr. McMahon-Jones was elected as 2nd delegate to the Local Authority Members Association.
Clare Tourist Council
Ar Moladh Cllr. Moroney cuidithe ag Cllr. Williams:
Cllr. O'Brien was nominated as 1st delegate to Clare Tourist Council.
As no other nominations were received, Cllr. O'Brien was elected as 1st delegate to Clare Tourist Council.
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Brien cuidithe ag Cllr. Lynch:
Cllr. McMahon-Jones was nominated as 2nd delegate to Clare Tourist Council.
As no other nominations were received, Cllr. McMahon-Jones was elected as 2nd delegate to Clare Tourist Council.
Item No. 7: Joint Policing Committee
For the benefit of the newly elected members the town clerk advised that a Joint Policing Committee was being established which would be a partnership between the elected members of Kilrush Town Council, the Gardaí, an Oireachtas member and 3 community representatives. The committee will comprise the 9 elected members, Deputy Breen as the Oireachtas representative, 2 Garda representatives, the town manager, town clerk and 3 community representatives. The town clerk advised that despite having made repeated efforts to get the community representatives in place only one name had been forthcoming and two were still outstanding.
Following discussion it was agreed to re-advertise for the community representatives and ask the media present to stress the need for people to become actively involved in their community. It was agreed that it would be realistic to have the Joint Policing Committee in place by September.
Discussion took place regarding the possibility of introducing CCTV in the town and it was agreed that the Chamber of Commerce would be the ideal independent body to move this matter forward. Cllr. O'Brien advised that some time ago grants were available for the installation of CCTV but Kilrush did not qualify as the town was considered too small. However, she confirmed that she will bring this matter up again at a Chamber meeting.
Item No. 8: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville:
“To ask this Council for information with regards to the unfinished footpath on the Doonbeg Road; who is responsible for the delay in finishing this project, as it is in a state of being a danger to residents who use that road."
In the absence of Cllr. Clyne, Cllr. O'Gorman tabled this motion on his behalf.
In a written reply circulated dated the 9th July 2009 the executive engineer reported that :
"A private contractor is undertaking the works that are ongoing on the Doonbeg road, as part of housing developments at this location. The contractor has indicated that the current delay in finishing the works has been caused by ESB in relation to the provision of public lighting along the length of the proposed footpath.
Kilrush Town Council as part of planning applications P05-16 and P05-17 requested the provision of a footpath and associated services, at this location. The contractor has been contacted on various occasions in relation to ensuring that the works area is kept in a safe condition, and in relation to the timely completion of the works."
Following discussion on the matter it was agreed that the contractor be requested to close up and make the area safe until he is in a position to complete.
Item No. 9: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Looney:
“To ask this Council for an update as to when repair works will commence on the road margin opposite Beal an Inbhir on the Shanakyle Road. It has now come into serious disrepair with large potholes now surfacing out onto the main road itself."
In the absence of Cllr. Clyne, Cllr. O'Gorman tabled this motion on his behalf.
In a written reply circulated dated the 9th July 2009 the executive engineer reported that :-
"Maintenance repair works have been completed in front of Beal an Inbhir housing development where the footpath has been constructed and road edge set back. Permanent re-surfacing works will be undertaken over the coming weeks at this location."
Cllr. O'Gorman confirmed that he was happy with the reply as given.
Item No. 10: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville:
“To ask this Council when will the signage be put in place on the Killimer Rd. entrance to Moore St., The Square, and on to Pella Rd. Cross, indicating back to main routes."
In the absence of Cllr. Clyne, Cllr. O'Gorman tabled this motion on his behalf.
In a written reply circulated dated the 9th July 2009 the executive engineer reported that :-
"I wish to confirm that signage has been designed and is currently being ordered for these locations. Once delivered, the signage will be put in place immediately."
Cllr. O'Gorman confirmed that he was happy with the reply as given.
Item No. 11: Ar Moladh Cllr. Moroney cuidithe ag Cllr. Lynch:
“That this Council would have it's monthly meetings on at a more public friendly time."
Cllr. Moroney spoke on his motion saying that a later time for the monthly meeting would suit better to enable the public to attend.
The following amendment to this motion was proposed by Cllr. O'Brien :-
“I would like to make an amendment to change the meeting to 7 pm on the second Thursday of each month."
It was noted that the public didn't attend the monthly meetings except when a topical issue was on the agenda for discussion. The members agreed that it would be great if the public attended and in an effort to encourage this they unanimously agreed to the amendment of the time for the monthly meetings to 7 pm.
The town clerk confirmed that the review of the Standing Orders would be a headed item on the September agenda.
It was proposed by Cllr. McMahon-Jones, seconded by Cllr. O'Gorman and agreed that the September monthly meeting be held on Wednesday 9th September 2009 at 4 pm to facilitate the members travelling to the AMAI Conference.
Item No. 12: Ar Moladh Cllr. Moroney cuidithe ag Cllr. Lynch:
“That this Council would request that Eircom retain the public telephone box in Cappa."
Following discussion it was agreed that a letter should issue to Eircom requesting that the telephone box in Cappa remain in place as it could prove very important in perhaps saving a life if someone got into difficulty in the water and if a person wanting to make contact with the emergency services did not have a mobile phone. A cost break-down is also to be sought from Eircom along with how many calls have been made from the telephone box in question. Some members felt that this request would fall on deaf ears, but the letter should issue in any event. It was suggested that if Eircom proceeded with the removal of this telephone box that Kilrush Town Council could maybe look at providing an emergency phone at Cappa.
Item No. 13: Ar Moladh Cllr. Moroney cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Brien:
“That this Council would look for the bollards to be widened at Turret Lane to accommodate residents who have entrances to the back of their houses. Also to tidy up the Lane, inc. resurfacing to encourage Wood trail walks."
In a written reply circulated dated the 9th July 2009 the executive engineer reported that:
"Resurfacing works have taken place in 2008 on factory lane, however further works are required to be completed by the developers of the nursing home adjacent to Factory Lane. Access to this lane is available at all times from the Stewart Street direction. In relation to the bollards, the Turret Lane has been subject to illegal parking on a number of occasions and the bollards have been modified to facilitate local residents where possible.
As part of the Historic Town Trail, signage and an information plaque will be erected at the Turret as part of the route. Maintenance works will be completed on this lane when the signage is being put in place."
At the outset Cllr. Moroney advised that on further discussion with the residents they are happy with the bollards that are in place, but that a clean-up of the area was required. It was then suggested that the matter of the clean-up should be brought up with the Tidy Towns.
Cllr. Williams referred to the fact that the height restriction barrier on Factory Lane should be kept closed and the executive engineer confirmed that this would be a matter for the residents as council staff would have no reason to open this barrier.
Cllr. Moroney agreed to the removal of the first line of his motion and that his motion should now read :
"That this Council would tidy up the Turret Lane, inc. resurfacing to encourage Wood trail walks."
Item No. 14: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Looney:
“That this Council would cap the rates or decrease them in this time of economic downturn at our next Budget meeting."
Cllr. O'Gorman sought the support of his fellow elected members for his motion in a time when sustainability and creation of jobs is of the utmost importance. He felt that any further increases in rates would damage businesses even further.
The following amendment to this motion was proposed by Cllr. Williams, seconded by Cllr. O'Brien and agreed:
"That this council would request the government to provide adequate funding to this council under the Local Government Fund so that this council could seriously consider capping or decreasing rates at the next Budget meeting."
In a written reply circulated dated the 8th July 2009 the town clerk reported that :
"The decision to set the Annual Rate on Valuation at the annual Budget meeting is a Reserved Function to be made by the elected members. The members have an obligation to adopt a balanced budget within the time limits specified by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG). The adoption of the Annual Rate on Valuation, to determine the commercial rates payable, is one of many contributing factors to the adoption of a balanced budget, where total expenditure proposed for the year must equate with total income. At present the DoEHLG have not set a cap on commercial rates to which Local Authorities must comply."
The town manager spoke to clarify that it was a bit premature to be dealing with this matter now. She made a recommendation to the members that Kilrush Town Council could not do anything until direction had been received from the DoEHLG.
Item No. 15: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville:
“That this Council would see fit to have no rent rises for the next 2/3 years as people in our housing stock are struggling to get by, and it is unfair to ask these people for anymore money."
In a written reply circulated dated the 8th July 2009 the town clerk reported that :
"The setting of rents for local authority tenants is an Executive Function which is carried out each year in accordance with Kilrush Town Council’s Differential Rents Scheme and Circulars HRT 6/86 and HRT 3/02 from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Rents of dwellings let on differential rent are calculated in accordance with scales of assessable income of the principal earner together with a contribution from any subsidiary earners in the household. Rents are calculated in a very equitable process and are based on a % of certified income with allowances for principal earners, subsidiary earners, dependents etc. In accordance with the differential rents scheme Kilrush Town Council apply a minimum and a maximum rent and in exceptional circumstances where payment of a rent calculated would in the opinion of the authority, cause hardship, the housing authority may agree to accept a lesser sum from a tenant for a specified period. If there is any change in income or in family circumstances the rent calculated can be reviewed once the housing authority have been notified of same. "
Cllr. O'Gorman sought the support of his fellow elected members that there be no rent increases for the next 2/3 years. He said that it was unfair in the calculation of rent payable that the income of occupants, other than the tenants, would be taken into account and at the very least they should be issued with a rent receipt. He confirmed that he wasn't entirely happy with the reply as given by the town clerk.
Item No. 16: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville:
“That this Council would form a partnership with the 9 Councillors over the life of this present Council that no domestic water charges will be brought into effect in Kilrush."
Cllr. O'Gorman sought the support of his fellow elected members as he said that the introduction of domestic water charges would further exacerbate peoples financial problems, particularly those in council houses and those with big mortgages.
The following amendment to this motion was proposed by Cllr. Lynch and seconded by Cllr. Moroney :
"This Council will call on the government not to introduce domestic water charges during the lifetime of this Council."
Item No. 17: Correspondence
The following correspondence was noted:
Letter dated 5th June 2009 from Pat Breen TD regarding special needs class at St. Senan's Primary School, together with outgoing correspondence to him.
Letter dated 9th June 2009 from the Department of Health and Children regarding Nursing Home fees, together with outgoing correspondence.
Letter dated 10th June 2009 from Joe Carey TD regarding special needs class at St. Senan's Primary School, together with outgoing correspondence to him.
Letter dated 10th June 2009 from Macroom Town Council regarding natural resources.
Letter dated 16th June 2009 from Minister Tony Killeen regarding special needs class at St. Senan's Primary School, together with outgoing correspondence to him.
Notification of AMAI (Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland) 96th Annual Conference 2009 to be held from 10th to 12th September 2009 at the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney. It was proposed by Cllr. O'Looney, seconded by Cllr. Prendeville and agreed that Cllr. O'Gorman would attend this conference in addition to the two delegates.
Letter dated 19th June 2009 from Timmy Dooley TD regarding special needs class at St. Senan's Primary School, together with outgoing correspondence to him.
Letter dated 23rd June 2009 from the Department of Health and Children regarding mammography screening services.
Letter dated 26th June 2009 from Minister Tony Killeen regarding special needs class at St. Senan's Primary School. The members welcomed the decision of the Minister to restore the special needs class in St. Senan's Primary School. It was agreed to send a letter of thanks to Minister Batt O'Keeffe, our 4 Oireachtas members and Paddy McInerney, school principal.
Letter from Passage West Town Council regarding the Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances (IPB).
Item No. 18: 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
There were no seminars/conferences attended.
Votes of Sympathy:
It was agreed that a vote of sympathy should issue to the following :-
Mr. Liam Coffey, Cappa Drive, Kilrush on the death of his aunt Mrs. Áine McMullan late of Greenfields, Rosbrien, Limerick.
Ms. Sonia Hanrahan, O'Gorman St., Kilrush on the death of her grandmother Mrs. Pearl Carrig.
The meeting then concluded.