PrintMinutes of May Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on 15th May 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Kilrush
Presiding:
Cllr. Liam O'Looney, Leas Mhéara.
Apologies:
Cllr. Tom Clyne, Méara.
Councillors present:
Tom Prendeville, Deirdre Culligan, Stephen O'Gorman, Colie Sweeney, Marian McMahon-Jones, Christy O'Malley, Jack Fennell.
Officials present:
Ms. Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Service & Town Manager.
Ms. Fiona Mooney, Town Clerk.
Mr. Derek Troy, Town Engineer.
Ms. Geraldine Quinn, Assistant Staff Officer.
Cllr. O'Looney as acting Mayor extended to the meeting the apologies of Mayor Clyne who was attending a meeting in Dublin with the Minister for Health.
On the proposal of Cllr. Fennell and seconded by Cllr. Culligan the meeting was adjourned for a short time as a mark of respect upon the death of Roibeard O'Ceallaigh, former Kilrush Town Manager. The members spoke in turn about his commitment to Kilrush during his time as manager and how he had sowed the seed for the future development of the town. They also spoke of his great love of the Irish language and culture. All members wished to be associated with a vote of sympathy to be extended to his wife Carmel, sons Robert, Ronan and Eoin and their families. The town manager joined in offering sympathy on behalf of staff of Kilrush Civic Offices.
Item No. 1: Adoption of Minutes of April Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 10th April 2008 at 4.00 p.m.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Fennell cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Gorman :-
The Minutes of the April Monthly Meeting were duly adopted.
Matters Arising
Cllr. Sweeney queried if a reply had been received from the ESB regarding the attendance of an ESB representative at a monthly meeting to deal with the issue of public lighting out of order. The town clerk advised that the ESB were unable to have a representative available for either the April or May meeting, but that she has it diaried for June.
On behalf of the family of the late Cllr. Tom Nagle, Cllr. Prendeville formally presented to Cllr. O'Looney, Acting Mayor, the silver key and citation which had been presented to Cllr. Nagle to mark the end of his time as a public representative after 31 years. This will be displayed in the Council Chamber, next to the photo of Cllr. Nagle.
Item No. 2: Adoption of Minutes of Special Meeting held on the 15th April 2008 as a mark of respect upon the death of Dr. Patrick Hillery.
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Culligan :-
The Minutes of the Special Meeting were duly adopted.
Item No. 3: Adoption of Minutes of Special Meeting with Clare Oireachtas Members held on the 28th April 2008.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Culligan cuidithe ag Cllr. McMahon-Jones :-
The Minutes of the Special Meeting were duly adopted.
Item No. 4: Adoption of Minutes of Special Joint Meeting of Kilrush Town Council and Shannon Town Council held on the 1st May 2008.
Ar Moladh Cllr. McMahon-Jones cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville :-
The Minutes of the Special Joint Meeting were duly adopted.
Item No. 5: Kilrush Spring Clean, including Brews Bridge.
The town clerk advised the members that the clean-up of the town and Brew's Bridge will take place on Wednesday 11th June and those wishing to help out should meet at 5.00 p.m. in the Square.
Item No. 6: Set date for Cissie Roughan Awards.
It was agreed to hold the Cissie Roughan Awards on Friday 4th July, 2008 at 7.00 p.m. in The Vandeleur Walled Garden.
Item No. 7: Set date for Casual Trading Committee Meeting.
It was agreed to hold the Casual Trading Committee Meeting on Thursday 29th May 2008 at 4.00 p.m. in The Council Chamber. It was agreed that James Barry be requested to attend this meeting.
Item No. 8: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Malley :-
"To ask the Town Manager to update the elected members on the appointment of a Design Team in respect of the proposed new Civic Offices."
The members discussed the acquisition of the former Inis Cathaigh as a site for the location of new Kilrush civic offices and welcomed this for the improved delivery of quality local government services in future for west Clare and the town of Kilrush. However, some concerns were voiced regarding funding arrangements and the status of the Town Hall in the context of the new offices accommodation.
The town manager said she was pleased that the establishment of the new civic offices, under discussion for a long time, was a step closer and that the letter informing the members of the acquisition had issued to them when she was confident that a deal had been agreed. She pointed out the high degree of confidentiality needed in regard to the acquisition deal. The town manager advised that the site had been jointly acquired by Kilrush Town Council and Clare County Council for €1.4 million, and that full site development costs could be in the region of €5 million and that development schedule might take place over the medium term. The appointment of a design team would enable plans for the site to be drawn up and looked forward to working with the members in this regard. The manager said that public consultation would also take place.
It was confirmed that Department funding was not accessible for this, but that conservation grant funding might possibly be sourced in relation to the Town Hall.
The manager confirmed that some work will be done in-house to enable preliminary plans to be developed and she suggested the members meet at a later date to discuss this further. Cllr. Prendeville proposed that this meeting take place on Thursday 12th June 2008 at 3.00 p.m and this was seconded by Cllr. Sweeney. Cllr. Culligan proposed that this meeting take place on Thursday 5th June 2008 at 4.00 p.m. and this was seconded by Cllr. McMahon-Jones. In view of the fact that there were two proposed dates the acting Mayor called for a vote. Those in favour of Thursday 12th June 2008 at 3.00 p.m. were Cllrs. Prendeville, O'Malley, Sweeney, O'Gorman and O'Looney. Those in favour of Thursday 5th June 2008 at 4.00 p.m. were Cllrs. McMahon-Jones, Fennell and Culligan. In view of the vote 5:3 it was agreed to hold the meeting on Thursday 12th June 2008 at 3.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Kilrush.
Item No. 9: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. McMahon-Jones:-
"To ask the Manager if this council will be making a formal submission on the proposed Reform of Local Government."
Following discussion on the matter and the deadline for submissions of 31st July 2008, the manager suggested that the members put their views in writing to the town clerk in advance of the June meeting. The town clerk would then collate same and bring the document to the June monthly meeting.
Item No. 10: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville:-
"To ask the Manager on the situation regarding the availability, now and into the future, of units of social and affordable housing given the recent high level of planning permissions granted/ sought for residential units within the urban area."
In a written reply circulated dated the 15th May 2008, Fiona Mooney, Town Clerk reported that :-
"6 houses were made available as affordable houses in Kilrush during 2007, under the Part V requirements of planning conditions. Kilrush Town Council expects, given the other significant housing developments which have planning permission and which may commence construction, that further houses for affordable or social housing purposes may become available for approved affordable housing applicants or approved social housing applicants.
The table below collates the issued planning permissions for residential development which have a Part V condition attached to them. The planning condition relating to Part V in every case is: "In accordance with Part V of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 2000 as amended, no development or any associated works shall take place on foot of this planning permission until an agreement is entered into between the Planning Authority and the person or persons having sufficient interest in the subject land”.
Table: Part V – 2004-date
| Development File Ref | Relevant Part V requirement is Condition No | No. of Units in total in the development |
| 06/31 | No. 2 | 37 |
| 06/47 | No. 2 | 60 |
| 07/02 | No. 2 | 50 |
| 07/07 | No. 2 | 31 |
| 07/20 | No. 3 | 218 * |
| 07/25 | No. 3 | 6 |
| 07/26 | No. 3 | 38 |
| 08/01 | No. 2 | 5 |
*Notification of Decision to Grant issued on 12/05/08 but Final Grant has not yet issued.
Were these developments to proceed, Part V will have to be satisfied. It is therefore anticipated that further housing units for social and affordable purposes will become available to Kilrush Town Council."
Item No. 11: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney:-
"That this Council would ask the Town Manager to tell us what proposals are being considered for the open spaces at Dooneen Park as these lands were taken in hands by the council in recent years."
In a written reply circulated dated the 15th May 2008, Derek Troy, Town Engineer reported that :-
"Kilrush Town Council has taken roads and services within Dooneen Park estate in charge in recent years, however the open spaces near the entrance to the estate are still in the ownership of the ESB. Kilrush Town Council does not have any plans being considered at this time for this property."
Following discussion on the matter some members felt that the green area at Dooneen Park should be left as it is. The manager suggested that the Dooneen Park Residents Association liaise with the ESB and with Catherine O'Hara, Community & Enterprise, Clare County Council in relation to the possibility of providing something to enhance the area.
Item No. 12: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney :-
"I am asking the Town Engineer to tell us the timescale envisaged for the one-way systems to be put in place at John Street and Burton Street and what is happening about providing additional parking spaces at Place de Plouzané."
In a written reply circulated dated the 15th May 2008, Derek Troy, Town Engineer reported that :-
"Works on the one-way system at Burton Street are currently nearing completion. As part of the implementation of this one-way system, the new entrance only access to the upper end of the car park at Place de Plouzane has been made fully operational. All signage, road-markings, kerbing and footpaths works will be completed in the coming week.
Signage has been erected to form part of the one-way system at John Street, however footpath and kerbing works are still required to implement the system fully. These works will be completed as soon as possible in consultation will residents and businesses in the John Street area.
The provision of additional parking spaces at Place de Plouzane is currently being considered. This will require a detailed survey and appropriate design to incorporate the remaining area within the ownership of Kilrush Town Council adjacent to the existing car park."
When questioned regarding the provision of a ticket machine on Burton Street, the town clerk pointed out that there are two retailers on Burton Street selling the parking discs.
Item No. 13: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney :-
"I am congratulating the Town Engineer on repairing the pedestrian crossing hazard light near Glebe House, Crawford Street and wonder when the long-since promised traffic-calming measures for Wilson's Road, Wood Road, St. Senan's Tce, Crawford St, Lower Moore Street, Stewart St. and the Killimer Road will be put in place."
In a written reply circulated dated the 15th May 2008, Derek Troy, Town Engineer reported that :-
"The following is the current situation with the traffic-calming measures that are being implemented in Kilrush.
Ramps have been constructed at Killimer Road (1), St. Senans Terrace (1), Grace Street/Crawford St. (1), The Glen/Chapel Street (3), Wilson Road (3) - 9 in total.
The raised pedestrian crossing at The Glen is complete. Replacement of damaged lights is complete at the raised pedestrian crossing at Grace Street/Crawford. The raised pedestrian crossing at Killimer Road is not complete due to continuing works on the construction of The Manse nursing home.
The speed table and kerbing at the junction of Wilson Road and R473 is complete. Kerbing is in place at John Paul Estate entrance but the speed table has not yet been constructed due to the ongoing regeneration works. I am hoping to have work completed in the coming weeks to coincide with resurfacing works along the regional road and within John Paul Estate. Kerbing works and speed table have not yet been constructed at the Chapel Street/Lower Moore St. junction as major realignment and resurfacing is required.
Traffic islands, road markings and parking bays will be put in place when the resurfacing works and remaining speed tables have been constructed.
All signage as part of the measures is in place, including the replacement of speed limit signs on the N68 Ennis Road, R473 Kildysert Road and N67 Killimer Road."
When questioned on the reduction of the number of ramps in the town from 14 to 9, the town engineer confirmed that this was done in consultation with the emergency services.
Item No. 14: Correspondence
Letter dated 3rd April 2008 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas regarding housing authority functions of Town Councils.
Letter from the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland regarding motions for the Annual Conference to be held from the 11th - 13th September 2008 in Sligo.
Letter dated 18th April 2008 from Mullingar Town Council regarding neurological services in this country. This motion received the unanimous support of the members.
Letter dated 18th April 2008 from Clonmel Borough Council regarding driving tests.
Letter dated 18th April 2008 from Killarney Town Council regarding the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008.
Letter dated 18th April 2008 from the Department of Health & Children regarding marine-ambulance emergency service in Kilrush.
Letter dated 21st April 2008 from the Minister for Transport regarding marine-ambulance emergency service in Kilrush.
Letter dated 22nd April 2008 from Passage West Town Council regarding road conditions and motorcycle accidents. This motion received the unanimous support of the members.
Letter dated 24th April 2008 from the Department of Health & Children.
Letter dated 29th April 2008 from Pat Breen T.D. regarding meeting between Kilrush Town Council and Clare Oireachtas Members.
Letter regarding 'People of the Year Awards'.
Cllr. Prendeville complimented Eamon O'Dea, Senior Executive Engineer and Derek Troy, Town Engineer for the surfacing works at Ballynote West.
Cllrs. McMahon-Jones and Culligan indicated their interest in attending the AMAI Annual Conference.
Votes of Sympathy:
It was agreed that a vote of sympathy should issue to the following :-
Sr. Monica on the death of her sister Sr. Philomena Tubridy, Convent of Mercy, Kilrush.
Ms. Margaret Barrett, Moore Street, Kilrush on the death of her husband Mr. Josh Barrett.
Ms. Maureen Lynch, John Street, Kilrush on the death of her mother Ms. Eileen Lynch.
Mr. Philip Guihen Jnr., Shannon Heights, Kilrush on the death of his father Mr. Philip Guihen.
Mr. Michael Griffin on the death of Ms. Mary Griffin, Tullabrack West, Kilrush.
The meeting then concluded.