PrintMinutes of March Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 13th March 2009 at 4.00 p.m. in the Vandeleur Walled Garden, 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. Alec Fleming, County Manager
- Ms. Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Service and Town Manager
- Mr. John Corry, Town Clerk
- Mr. 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 11th February 2009 at 4.00 p.m.
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Clyne:
The Minutes of the February Monthly Meeting were duly adopted.
Item No. 2: Draft Taking in Charge Policy for Private Housing Developments.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Gorman :-
The draft Taking in Charge Policy for Private Housing Developments was duly adopted by the members of Kilrush Town Council.
Item No. 3: Schedule of Uncollected Rates.
In accordance with Section 40(2) of the Local Government (Financial Procedures and Audit) regulations 2002 the Town Clerk updated the members on Kilrush Town Council's Schedule of Uncollected Rates for 2008 as per Report dated 6th March 2009. The Town Clerk confirmed that the write-off comprises one charitable account and the other was incorrectly billed. He further confirmed that every effort will be made to recover the amount outstanding. The members urged that understanding, compassion and flexibility needs to be shown to the customers and the institution of legal proceedings should be the final course of action. The Town Clerk suggested that we could advertise the flexibility measures available through the Chamber of Commerce and also it could be included in the upcoming newsletter.
Item No. 4: Date for Civic Reception for Jack McKenna, Shannon Ferry.
The Town Clerk advised the members that Listowel Town Council had proposed the 7th May 2009 for the civic reception for Jack McKenna and this date was agreed. The time has yet to be confirmed.
Item No. 5: Traveller Accommodation Programme.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Sweeney :
The Traveller Accommodation Programme was duly adopted.
Item No. 6: Ar Moladh Cllr. Clyne :
“To ask this council and engineers for an update regarding the unfinished surfaces opposite the developments at Béal an Inbhir and on the Killimer Road."
In a written reply circulated dated the 13th March 2009 the Town Engineer, Derek Troy, reported as follows :
"I wish to confirm that at both of these locations, where developments have been constructed, a setback of the original road edge has been required and a new footpath to be constructed. The area remaining between the old road edge and the new footpath is normally specified under a condition of the planning grant that it be left suitable for parking. Unfortunately, a sealed or tarmaced surface was not specified, and these areas have become potholed over the last number of years.
Maintenance works will be completed at both of these locations as soon as possible."
Item No. 7: Ar Moladh Cllr. Clyne cuidithe ag Cllr. Sweeney :
“To ask this council to erect signage at Pella Cross to assist and direct traffic back to main routes."
In a written reply circulated dated the 13th March 2009 the Town Engineer, Derek Troy, reported as follows:
"Directional signage will be erected at this location to direct traffic to the nearest regional and national roads. The existing signage adjacent to this area will also be checked to ensure that it is providing adequate advance warning and direction to road users."
The Town Engineer's commitment was welcomed by the members.
Item No. 8: Ar Moladh Cllr. Clyne cuidithe ag Cllr. Sweeney :
“To ask this council for a report on the proposed moving in of wall and extending footpath on the Killimer Road beyond Woodgate entrance to GAA grounds."
In a written reply circulated dated the 13th March 2009 the Town Engineer, Derek Troy, reported that :
"Clare County Council has no current plans do any works at this location.
The two most recent planning applications have been received at this location are as follows.
P08-163: The Secretary (Mary Cussen) Kilrush G.A.A. Club:
To construct an extension to the existing clubhouse, demolish an existing shed and to close 1 no. existing entrance/exit and to reconstruct an existing entrance/exit.
(Deemed withdrawn)
P08-1738: Kilrush GAA Club:
To construct an extension to the existing clubhouse and to demolish an existing shed.
(Granted)"
The Town Engineer undertook to liaise with the Conservation Officer in Clare County Council who, on a previous occasion, was adamant that the wall at the location in question cannot be taken down as it is an historic wall. The Town Engineer is to make a case to the Conservation Officer on the grounds of health and safety issues as the wall is dangerous. It was suggested that the Conservation Officer be invited to meet with the GAA Club and Cllr. Culligan requested that the Ladies Football Club be included as they have a lot of young girls using the facilities at the GAA grounds. If works have to be carried out at this location it will be under National Road Maintenance and Clare County Council will have to check their budget in this regard. The Town Engineer confirmed that he will pass on the concerns of the members of Kilrush Town Council. In the meantime it was agreed that signage such as "Danger - Concealed Entrance" should be erected in the vicinity of the GAA grounds.
Item No. 9: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Looney :
“Molaimid Comhairle Bhaile Chill Ruis as ucht an tslí ina gcomhlíonfar a chid oibleagóidi de réir Achta na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus a chuireann a chuid sheirbhísí ar fáil don phobal trí mhéan na Gaeilge sa chóras áitiúil seo."
The Mayor commended Cllr. Prendeville on his initiative in his school to promote the Irish language and keep it alive among the young people. Cllr. Prendeville thanked Emer O'Flaherty, Irish Officer, Clare County Council for providing a grant to his school.
Item No. 10: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Looney :
“That in these times of hard economic recession, this council recommends that all members of the community demonstrate practical patriotism by supporting local shops and services in order to sustain and protect current employment levels and a positive discrimination in favour of purchasing Quality Guaranteed Irishmade Goods and Produce be recommended to all consumers."
Following discussion on the matter it was agreed that local enterprise needs to be supported in an effort to protect and safeguard jobs in the town and the Mayor undertook to bring forward this motion to the next Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Item No. 11: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. McMahon- Jones :
“That this Council, while acknowledging the contents of the 'Smarter Travel - A Sustainable Transport Future' publication condemns the action of Bus Éireann in reneging on its social and moral obligation in removing the 6.20am Kilkee, Kilrush to Ennis coach service on Tuesdays to Saturdays and the 21.25 Ennis, Kilrush to Kilkee coach service from Monday to Thursday and Saturday."
Following discussion on the matter it was agreed that a letter of protest should issue to Bus Éireann expressing the annoyance of the members of Kilrush Town Council at the withdrawal of the early morning and late night bus service between Kilkee and Ennis. The members felt that Bus Éireann are failing the people of West Clare socially and morally as it will be the less well-off that will suffer the most and furthermore that they are not living up to their commitment and obligation to the West of Ireland. It was further agreed that a representative of Bus Éireann should be invited to address the members in the context of the document "Smarter Travel - A Sustainable Transport Future" and giving their views for peripheral areas such as West Clare.
Item No. 12: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney :
“I am asking the Manager to insist on complainants signing any letters of complaints submitted to this council as unsigned vexatious complaints can often cause undeserved personal anguish, embarrassment and insult to innocent parties against whom there is often a presumption of guilt rather than innocence before this council has had the opportunity to investigate the basis for the complaint."
Following discussion on this matter the Town Clerk confirmed that all complaints are taken in confidence and unsigned complaints are treated with caution. He requested that Cllr. Sweeney furnish him with details of the case that has given rise to his motion and he will arrange to investigate same.
Item No. 13: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Gorman :
“I am asking this council to support our local firefighters who are not prepared to suffer any cutbacks in frontline services provided to the local community due to the announced 3% cut in the public service budget for 2009."
Following discussion on the matter the Town Manager confirmed to the members that the 3% cut is not aimed at any one service within the council. It is a 3% cut in the council's overall payroll costs. It is being done in the best interest of services with priority being given to retaining essential services, of which the fire service is one. However, the members queried if it is practical that people who are retiring are not being replaced. The Town Manager confirmed that there are no proposals to cut the firefighters service.
Cllr. Prendeville sought and received support for the contents of a letter from Billy O'Connor dealing with (1) payroll and retention of numbers in service and (2) protecting our communities.
Item No. 14: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney :
“Now that we are ready to establish the Joint Policing Committees in Kilrush, I am asking that the matter of providing the SKS's fibre-optic CCTV technology, the Garda town centre specification system of CCTV, be actively pursued."
Following discussion on this matter the Town Clerk advised that Kilrush Town Council would not be in a position, financially, to install CCTV and would have to look at grant funding which, at this moment in time, is not likely to be forthcoming. It was agreed to bring this motion forward to a meeting of the Joint Policing Committee.
Item No. 15: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Sweeney :
“That this Council would see fit to put C.C.T. cameras at Fire Station to make safe the cars and vans in all emergencies."
Cllr O’Gorman advised the meeting that he had been approached by about 4 or 5 of the firefighters to investigate the possibility of having a CCTV camera installed at the front of the Fire Station in Kilrush to safeguard their personal belongings left in their cars as they often leave their cars unlocked when they arrive to go on emergency calls.
The Town Clerk advised the meeting that he spoke with the Chief Fire Officer who expressed his surprise that this request wasn’t brought to the Station Manager and he also said that some firefighters might not like to be captured/monitored on camera. Cllr. O’Gorman replied that the firefighters do not have a problem with being monitored as it is they who are looking for the CCTV.
It was noted that there is not a problem in Kilrush with personal belongings being removed from firefighters’ cars when they are on calls, but Cllr. O’Gorman said that it is a possibility.
The Mayor advised that Kilrush Town Council do not have a role in this matter and advised that it be referred to Clare County Council.
Item No. 16 : Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville :
“That this Council would please tarmac Shanakyle Graveyard as we did for All Saints as the surface is rough for anyone walking especially the elderly."
In a written reply circulated dated the 13th March 2009 the Town Engineer, Derek Troy, reported that:
"The resurfacing of Shanakyle Graveyard has been submitted and will be considered under the 2009 Clare County Council Disability Funding grant."
Cllr. Prendeville thanked Clare County Council who have been particularly benevolent to All Saints and Kilrush Town Council and he supported Cllr. O'Gorman in his motion, but advised that it is highly unlikely to get this work done in this economic climate.
Item No. 17: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Sweeney :
“That this Council would inform the Councillors the start up date for the pipe renewal in Crawford Street, as Crawford St. and St. Senans Terrace needs to be tarmaced."
In a written reply circulated dated the 13th March 2009 the Town Engineer, Derek Troy reported that:-
"Clare County Council submitted the additional information relating to the Preliminary Report (PR) for Kilrush and Kilkee Sewerage Schemes to the DEHLG in January 2009. We are awaiting approval of the PR. The current projection is that Clare County Council would go to contract in early 2010, complete in 2011, subject to DEHLG approval and Clare County Council having sufficient funds to proceed.
Maintenance works will be completed on this section of road as required."
Cllr. O'Gorman advised that the surface is diabolical at the location in question and lighting needs to be looked at in all parts of the town.
Item No. 18: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Malley cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Gorman :
“That this Council prepare - implement an allotment scheme that actively encourages the use of kitchen gardens."
Cllr. O'Malley advised that people should be encouraged to use kitchen gardens and that perhaps the council could do an inventory to see what arable land is available or available for lease. He further suggested that this motion be forwarded to Catherine O'Hara for the SPC and then to Trevor Sergeant, Minister for Food to subsidize seed, etc.
Item No. 19: Correspondence
- Letter dated January 2009 from Cllr. Thomas O'Brien, Kinsale Town Council regarding Cervical Cancer Vaccine.
- Letter dated 3rd February 2009 from Timmy Dooley TD regarding mammography screening services together with copy letter which issued to him.
- Letter dated 4th February 2009 from Tony Killeen TD regarding mammography screening services and re-introduction of the HPV vaccine, together with copy letter which issued to him.
- Letter dated 11th February 2009 from Tony Killeen TD regarding the HPV vaccine, together with enclosure referred to therein.
- Letter dated 10th February 2009 from Sean O'Neachtain MEP regarding the undocumented Irish in America. This letter received the support of the elected members.
- Letter dated 11th February 2009 from Timmy Dooley TD regarding Phase II of the Remedial Works Scheme for JPE.
- Notification of Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) Annual Spring Seminar to be held on 16th and 17th April 2009 at The Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
- Letter dated 12th February 2009 from Superintendent Michael Comyns regarding Joint Policing Committee.
- Letter dated 16th February 2009 from Timmy Dooley TD regarding health services in West Clare, together with copy letter which issued to him.
- Letter dated 16th February 2009 from the Minister for Health and Children regarding the health service in West Clare, together with copy letter which issued to her. It was agreed that the members should attend en masse the upcoming Hospital Rally on Saturday 28th March 2009 in Ennis with the Town Council banner. The members felt that the ambulance service in the county is not adequate or acceptable.
- Letter dated 20th February 2009 from Pat Breen TD regarding health services in West Clare, together with enclosure referred to therein.
- Letter dated 20th February 2009 from Pat Breen TD regarding the HPV vaccine, together with copy enclosure referred to therein.
- Letter dated 10th February 2009 from Tom Whelton, Chairman, Mitchelstown Forum regarding conference to be held on the 27th and 28th March 2009 in Fir Grove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.
- Letter dated 25th February 2009 from Tony Killeen TD regarding health services in West Clare, together with copy letter which issued to him.
- Letter dated 27th February 2009 from Rural Development Officer, Eirí Corca Baiscinn regarding Kilrush Community Garden.
- Letter dated 26th February 2009 from Monaghan Town Council regarding vat rate, third level fees and rate paying retail shops and services.
- Notification of Conference "The Economic and Social Benefits of Preserving our Cultural Heritage" to be held on 26th and 27th March 2009 at Listowel Arms Hotel, Listowel.
- Letter dated 27th March 2009 from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding the re-introduction of a home improvement grant scheme, together with copy letter which issued.
- Letter dated 26th February 2009 from the Road Safety Authority regarding motor vehicle testing in West Clare, together with copy letter which issued. The members welcomed this favourable response and it was noted that Kilkee Town Council support this matter.
- Letter dated 3rd March 2009 from Mary Halpin, General Manager, HSE regarding health services in West Clare.
Cllr. Clyne welcomed the fact that Independents running in the local elections have a choice of either receiving 15 signatures or paying a deposit of €50, which deposit will be refunded on the Councillor achieving one quarter of the quota.
The Town Clerk advised that nobody had expressed an interest in becoming a community representative on the Joint Policing Committee following the advertisement in The Clare Champion and it was agreed to insert this advert in the Parish Newsletter.
It was agreed to send Get Well wishes to Minister Tony Killeen.
The Mayor advised the members of the upcoming Westport Tidy Towns conference to be held on 27th March 2009 and asked that if anyone was interested in attending they should make contact with the Town Clerk.
Item No. 20: 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
AMAI Spring Conference attended by Cllrs. Culligan, Prendeville, O'Looney and O'Malley on 13th and 14th February 2009 in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
The Mayor welcomed the outgoing County Manager, Mr. Alec Fleming to the meeting. The members collectively thanked him for his stewardship during his tenure and all present agreed that he was a most affable, cool, calm, decent and approachable person who had left his mark in the county. All members wished Mr. Fleming well in his retirement and the Town Manager joined the members in these good wishes wishing him a happy and healthy retirement. She thanked him for supporting her in her role as Town Manager. Mr. Fleming thanked the members for the sentiments expressed by them and he said that most things are achieved in partnership. He commended the town on achieving a gold medal in the Tidy Towns competition and advised that every mark after this was going to be hard to get. Mr. Fleming spoke of his love of the Irish language and finished by saying that in his opinion Kilrush would be a great host town for Fleadh Ceol na hÉireann.
The meeting then concluded.