PrintMinutes of March Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council on the 13th March 2008 at 4:00 p.m. 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
- Ms. Siobhán O'Keeffe, Senior Staff Officer
- Derek Troy, Executive Engineer
- Ms. Geraldine Quinn, Assistant Staff Officer
Item No. 1: Adoption of Minutes of February Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 14th February 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Malley cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Gorman
The Minutes of the February Monthly Meeting were duly adopted.
Item No. 2: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Looney cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Gorman
"That this Council would put in place CCTV cameras in the Parc de Plouzané car park to monitor the recycling facilities there to curb the continuing dumping problem there."
Following discussion it was felt that CCTV cameras would deal with the continuous dumping problem at this location as a short term measure, but the ultimate solution would be a dedicated managed civic amenity facility in the town.
In a written reply dated the 13th March 2008, Siobhán O'Keeffe, Senior Staff Officer reported that:
"During 2007 quotations were sought from various companies for the provision and installation of CCTV cameras in Place de Plouzane car park. Quotations received and site visits conducted at that time presented technical difficulties which made it impossible to proceed at that time. The Town Engineer has been in contact with another company that could overcome the technical issues and he is awaiting a detailed quotation from them. This quotation will be to provide an all in one package including installation, broadband, power supply, monitoring and reporting
In the interim, the location of the bottle banks was moved to the centre of the car park and this has resulted in a notable reduction in the incidents of illegal dumping.
While incidents of illegal dumping are still occurring every effort is made to tackle the problem. Twice daily inspections are carried out at this location to enable a timely response to incidents of illegal dumping. Where an incident of illegal dumping has taken place an investigation of all contents takes place and action is always taken under the Litter Pollution Act where evidence is recovered."
Item No. 3: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Looney
"That this Council calls on the Minister for Health and the HSE to deliver a modern and effective Health Service to peripheral areas like West Clare."
Following discussion on the matter it was agreed that a letter should issue to the HSE calling for a mid-term review on how peripheral areas like West Clare will be treated, as members felt that as it stands the system for West Clare has fallen short in recent times and people have lost confidence in the HSE. It was agreed to support the motion and to forward it to the other local authorities in Clare.
It was further agreed to send a letter to the Minister and the HSE expressing the concern of the elected members of Kilrush Town Council at the threatened withdrawal of the mammography screening services from Limerick regional hospital.
Item No. 4: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Culligan
"That this Council would consider embarking on a joint venture with other agencies operating in the area to publish a guide that would serve to market the town as a key economic, commercial an administrative centre that will attract more people to live and work within the environs of the urban area. This guide would specifically target prospective settlers and investors and embody an economic, social, cultural and sustainable vision that would offer a range of leisure facilities, house types, promote social inclusion and welcome the successful integration of all diverse groups into a dynamic and progressive community."
In a written reply dated the 13th March 2008, Siobhán O'Keeffe, Senior Staff Officer reported that:
"At present there is no one publication that fulfils the objective as set out in the above notice of motion however there are many examples of marketing tools that are utilised on an ongoing basis by Kilrush Town Council that market Kilrush as an economic, commercial and administrative centre;
- Ongoing Distribution of 'Welcome to Kilrush brochure'
- www.kilrush.ie.
'Kilrush – A Guide to the services, facilities and entertainment options' compiled and produced in connection with the Decentralisation effort is available online via www.kilrush.ie
- Participation by Kilrush Town Council in various advertising/business features e.g. Sunday Business Post Feature on 'Clare- A Place to work, live, invest and visit'
- County Development Board's Clare Means Business CD - Kilrush insert
In light of the ongoing investment by Kilrush Town Council in all of the above marketing tools, I feel the publication of a new guide as requested could potentially be delivered through the partnership structure of the West Clare Economic Task Force. Kilrush Town Council would be happy to support the Task Force in the delivery of such an objective."
Following discussion during which the membership of the Task Force was listed, the members welcomed the setting up of the West Clare Economic Task Force in an effort to make gainful employment available to attract young people to the town.
Item No. 5: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Culligan
"Molaim Comhairle Bhaile Ceantair Chill Ruis ar an tslí ina gcomhlíonfar a chid oibleagóidí de réie Achta na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus a chuireann seirbhísí ar fail trí mhéan na Gaeilge sa chóras rialtais aitiúil seo."
In this Seachtain na Gaeilge Cllr. Prendeville praised Kilrush Town Council on how the Irish language is promoted by them and long may the preservation of the language continue. He complimented the Mayor for his recent attendance at St. Senan's National School and his use of Gaeilge on that occasion.
The members commended Emer O'Flaherty, Irish Officer for her dedication and hard work in promoting the Irish language.
Item No. 6: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville
"That this Council would organise the 2008 Easter Rising Commemoration ceremony on Easter Sunday March 23."
Assistance in the organization of this ceremony will be given as usual from the Council and the Mayor agreed to lay the wreath on the day.
Item No. 7: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney
"That this Council would ask the Manager to report to the members on the number of derelict sites in the town included in the Derelict Sites Register and any proposals to deal with them under the Derelict Sites Act."
In a written reply dated the 13th March 2008, Siobhán O'Keeffe, Senior Staff Officer reported that:
"Under section 8 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990, each local authority is obliged to maintain a Derelict Sites Register. As at the 13th March 2008 there are 5 sites on the Kilrush Town Council Derelict Sites Register.
In November 2005, Kilrush Town Council submitted a nomination form to the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government for the entire Kilrush Town Council boundary area to be prescribed as an 'Urban Area' by the Minister under section 21 of the Derelict Sites Act. In November 2007, the DoEHLG confirmed this nomination.
This nomination of an 'Urban Area' means that Kilrush Town Council can now charge / levy a derelict sites levy on the owner / occupier of any of the derelict sites entered on the derelict sites register where the market value has been determined.
It is now proposed to prioritise the 5 entries on the Derelict Sites Register, proceed to determine the market value of each site and impose a derelict sites levies on the owner / occupier or take any other action as possible under the relevant sections of the Derelict Sites Act. Over the next 3 months a complete audit of sites in the town will also be carried out and sites will be added / removed from the Register as appropriate."
In discussion, the Old Convent and the Turret Lodge (owned by the Council) were highlighted by the members as needing action.
Item No. 8: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney
"That this Council establish a Task Force that would investigate the incidence of recurring floods, particularly in the catchment area of the Wood River leading from the urban boundary at Monvana all the way down to the sluice gate at the bridge on the Cappa Road beside the Kilrush Marina."
Cllr. Sweeney agreed to defer this Motion to the May monthly meeting.
Item No. 9: Correspondence
- Copy letter dated 5th February 2008 received from Macroom Town Council regarding scheme for microchipping and neutering dogs.
- Copy letter received from Kilrush Plouzane Twinning Association regarding trip to Plouzane in July.
- Copy Notification from Wexford Borough Council regarding conference - 'Better Local Government - Is it working?' - to be held from 3rd - 5th April at the Talbot Hotel, Wexford.
- Copy letter from Shannon Town Council regarding cystic fibrosis patients.
- Copy letter dated 15th February 2008 received from Nenagh Town Council regarding refuse collections.
- Copy e-mail dated 28th February 2008 received from Thurles Town Council regarding defibrillators.
- Copy Notification dated 28th February 2008 from the A.M.A.I. regarding the 95th A.M.A.I. Annual Conference to be held in Sligo from September 10th - 13th.
- A.M.A.I. Newsletter.
- Copy letter dated 22nd February 2008 from Mullingar Town Council regarding cystic fibrosis patients.
- Copy letter dated 26th February 2008 from Clare County Council regarding global warming and energy conservation.
- Copy letter dated 28th February 2008 from Muriel Kiely regarding vote of sympathy.
- Copy letter dated 28th February 2008 from Macroom Town Council regarding agency employment. This correspondence received the support of the elected members.
- Copy letter dated 28th February 2008 from Clonmel Borough Council regarding gaming machines. The members supported the motion regarding water charges in schools.
The Mayor read the contents of a letter received dated 13th March 2008. from Ger Power of Bonard Construction regarding remarks reported in the media from the February monthly meeting about works carried out by his company on behalf of Shannon Broadband. It was agreed that a letter be sent in reply to Mr. Power confirming that Kilrush Town Council are extremely happy with the standard of work carried out by Bonard Construction and for the accommodating way the contract was done to facilitate minimal disruption during the Christmas period. The letter should also clarify that Toler Street had indeed no connection at all with the broadband contract and that it was the Town Council road surfaces that were the subject of the remarks made in jest, rather than the surface resulting from the contract works.
The members then agreed to go into committee to deal with three items regarding housing issues, partially related to the John Paul Estate project .
It was suggested to have a housing committee meeting immediately before the April statutory meeting.
Votes of Sympathy
It was agreed that a vote of sympathy should issue to the following
Mr. Gerard Reidy, Ennis Road, Kilrush on the death of his mother Mrs. Ann Reidy.
On the death of Mr. Brendan O'Regan late of Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare.
Mrs. Ita O'Doherty, 2 Cappa Drive, Kilrush on the death of her son Donal O'Doherty.
The meeting then concluded.