PrintMinutes of November Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 12th November 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber Town Hall, Kilrush
Presiding
- Cllr. Marian McMahon-Jones, Méara
Councillors present
- Paul Moroney
- Liam Williams
- Ian Lynch
- Tom Clyne
- Tom Prendeville
- Stephen O'Gorman
- Liam O'Looney
- Mairead O'Brien
Officials present
- Ms. Monica Meehan, Senior Executive Officer, A/Town Manager
- Mr. John Corry, Town Clerk
- Mr. Derek Troy, Executive Engineer
- Ms. Geraldine Quinn, Assistant Staff Officer
The Mayor welcomed Monica Meehan, Senior Executive Officer, Clare County Council who was attending in the absence of the Town Manager.
Item No. 1: Adoption of Minutes of October Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 8th October 2009 at 7.00 p.m
Ar Moladh Cllr. Clyne cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Gorman :-
The Minutes of the October Monthly Meeting were duly adopted.
In the absence of Barry Keating, Road Safety Officer it was agreed to proceed with Item 3.
Item No. 3: Set date for pre-Budget meeting
It was agreed to hold the pre-Budget meeting on Tuesday 24th November 2009 at 5.00 p.m.
Item No. 4: Set date for Budget meeting
It was agreed to hold the Budget meeting on Thursday 10th December 2009 at 6.00 p.m.
Item No. 2: Presentation by Barry Keating, Road Safety Officer, Clare County Council
Barry Keating advised the members that the Road Safety Together Working Group was made up of 3 councillors, council executive, community sector, HSE, RSA, NRA and the Gardaí and he spoke under the headings of 1) School Wardens, 2) Junior School Warden Scheme, 3) Cycling Training subsistence, 4) Drive for Life Campaign, 5) Lifesaver Project. He also advised the members of the Autumn Road Safety Initiatives including the provision of high viz jackets to school children to be worn by them when alighting on and off school buses. He indicated that the provision of footpaths was the most effective method of speed reduction within towns. He also advised that next Sunday marked world day of remembrance for road traffic victims. The members thanked Barry for his presentation.
No. 5: Set date for Joint Policing Committee meeting
The town clerk advised the members that Superintendent Comyns had advised that he would be available any Monday, Tuesday or Thursday at 4.00 p.m., that Pat Breen T.D. would be available on a Friday and possibly a Monday. It was agreed that it would be essential to have the Superintendent present and in that regard it was agreed to hold the Joint Policing Committee meeting on Tuesday 1st December 2009. However, Cllr. Williams proposed that the said meeting would be held at 5.00 p.m. instead of 4.00 p.m. and this was seconded by Cllr. Moroney. The town clerk confirmed that he would liaise with the Superintendent in that regard and that he would schedule the meeting based on the Superintendent's availability. This was agreed.
Item No. 6: Proposal for review of Kilrush Town Council Intoxicating Liquor Bye-Laws
The town clerk advised the members that since the introduction of the Local Government Act 2001 that the current Bye-Laws were outdated. The members were circulated with a draft of the amended Bye-Laws and it was agreed that these would be reviewed at the December monthly meeting.
Item No. 7: Ar Moladh Cllr. Moroney cuidithe ag Cllr. Clyne
"That this Council would request Bus Éireann to operate quick wheelchair accessible buses on all routes out of Kilrush."
Following discussion on this matter it was agreed to write to Bus Éireann setting out the contents of this motion seeking an improvement to the services of wheelchair accessible buses as it was felt that the current arrangement of making a call to Bus Éireann advising of intention to travel was unacceptable and Bus Éireann should be requested to advertise that buses are wheelchair friendly. The members commended Clare Accessible Transport for the service provided by them to people in rural areas by giving them the opportunity of travelling to town and it was seen as an initiative to promote social inclusion.
Item No. 8: Ar Moladh Cllr. Lynch cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Corman
"To ask this council to erect a bus shelter in the town for use by all public transport users and also request that Bus Éireann re-route buses from Ennis to Kilrush to facilitate the erection of a bus stop in a more central location within Ennis Town."
Following discussion it was agreed that a bus shelter was needed in Kilrush and Cllr. Moroney said that as a Town Council we needed to provide same. Cllr. Williams suggested that if there was any space downstairs in the Town Hall that it should be offered as a shelter to people waiting for buses. The Town Clerk advised that there was no available space in the Town Hall and furthermore that there would be an insurance issue. It was agreed to write to Bus Éireann requesting that a bus stop be located in a more central point in Ennis to facilitate the elderly travelling from Kilrush to Ennis for hospital appointments and shopping. It was felt that the Bus Station in Ennis was too far from the town centre. It was suggested that the matter of a bus shelter could be discussed at a future Joint Policing Committee meeting.
Item No. 9: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Brien cuidithe ag Cllr. Lynch
"To ask this council for an update on the surfacing of the Shanakyle Road."
In a written reply circulated dated the 12th November 2009 Derek Troy, Executive Engineer reported that :
"At this location, where a housing development has been constructed, removal of the existing ditch, and a setback from the original road edge to construct a new footpath was required. The area remaining between the old road edge and the new footpath remains the responsibility of the landowner/developer, until such time as the estate is taken over in full by the Local Authority.
A letter has been written to the developer indicating that works were required to maintain this area. The reply received contends that this area is the responsibility of the Local Authority. This reply will not been deemed acceptable, and therefore the Local Authority will be beginning Planning Enforcement proceedings, to deal with this area and any other outstanding issues within the estate."
Cllr. O'Brien advised the meeting that the developer was adamant that as per his planning permission he was not responsible for the road in question. During discussion it was suggested that the Council should carry out the necessary works and recoup the costs from the developer. The acting Town Manager confirmed that the Enforcement Officer had commenced proceedings against the developer and she further confirmed that enforcement proceedings were in motion regarding the housing estate in Cappa.
Item No. 10: Ar Moladh Cllr. Lynch cuidithe ag Cllr. O’Gorman
"To ask the Town Engineer to review the prepared reports on public footpaths within Kilrush with regard to : accessibility, safety and further requirements and to produce for this council the intended sequence of works and currently available funds."
In a written reply circulated dated the 12th November 2009 Derek Troy, Executive Engineer reported that :
"Having reviewed the prepared reports, the following is the intended sequence of works:
Current available funding:
Disability Access Funding 2009 (to comply with 2007 Access Audit)
- Provision of controlled pedestrian crossing on Francis Street at SuperValu - Nov.2009
- Provision of controlled pedestrian crossing on Back Road at roundabout - Nov.2009
Planning Development Contributions Funding
- Ennis Road footpath provision, widening and replacement - Jan/Feb.2010
Traffic Calming Retrofit funding.
- Wilson Road / Ennis Road footpath & lighting provision - Feb.2010
Special Block Grant 2009 for Footpath/Carriageway Restoration
- Various areas for general repairs in interest of safety
2010 Funding:
Special Block Grant 2010 for Footpath/Carriageway Restoration - to be decided.
- e.g Shanakyle Road footpath, Fort Road resurfacing, etc.
Disability Access Funding 2010 - to be decided (to comply with 2007 Access Audit).”
Following discussion on the matter Cllr. Lynch requested the Executive Engineer to compile a list of the priority areas and the Executive Engineer confirmed that such a list was contained in the Disability Access Audit. However, Cllr. Lynch said that that list was not very easy to follow.
Cllr. Lynch advised that he was happy with the above report received from the Executive Engineer. He sought and received confirmation from the Executive Engineer that funding was available for the list as presented in his above report.
Item No. 11: Ar Moladh Cllr. Lynch cuidithe ag Cllr. O’Gorman
"To ask the Town Manager to request that the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources conduct a report on the integration of Moneypoint Power Station with Renewable Energy Resources."
Following discussion it was agreed to forward this motion to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources as it was felt that there was huge potential in Moneypoint for the survival of Kilrush, particularly on the issue of employment. It was pointed out that the ESB was very important to Kilrush and would be safe for the next 25 years. However, the members agreed that alternatives needed to be sought over the next 10 to 15 years.
Item No. 12: Ar Moladh Cllr. Moroney cuidithe ag Cllr. Lynch
"That this Council elected members would receive a breakdown on how much was spent on the upgrade works at Cappa Playground as well as how much was received in grants and how much was put up by Kilrush Town Council."
In a written reply circulated dated the 12th November 2009 the Town Clerk reported that :
"The following is a breakdown of the costs involved re the upgrading of Cappa Playground. This project was solely financed by Development Contributions received regarding Recreation & Amenity. There were no grants available for this project.
SUPPLIER ID(T) |
EURO |
PAYROLL |
7,729.83 |
K AND A ELECTRICAL |
30 |
MESCALL BROS LTD |
12,388.53 |
ROADSTONE PROVINCES LTD |
2,868.76 |
O'SHEA SALES & HIRE |
194.75 |
JOHN O'DWYER BUILDERS PROVIDERS |
1,081.99 |
CURRAN ROADMARKINGS LTD |
1,281.09 |
CAVANAGH PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT |
19,550.01 |
|
45,124.96 |
Cllr. Moroney advised that he was staggered at the figures produced, particularly the amount paid to Cavanaghs for playground equipment. He said he was delighted something had been done at the playground, but questioned who had signed off on the job as the work carried out was not satisfactory; that the timber seats on swings were broken and the climbing rope was also broken. The Town Clerk advised the members that Cavanaghs were not employed to replace all the playground equipment; that further improvements could be looked at in the future, but cost would be an issue. Cllr. Moroney said that if Kilrush Town Council couldn't afford to replace the timber swing seats and climbing rope he would do so at his own expense. It was also noted that there was a problem with stones on the new surface and the Executive Engineer advised that he was aware of this problem and he was looking for a cost effective solution.
Following further discussion it was proposed by Cllr. Prendeville and seconded by Cllr. Clyne that the playground at Cappa should be closed down forthwith until it was in a state of repair which, even though very unlikely, may cause injury to a child. It was felt that Kilrush Town Council could then be facing insurance claims for personal injuries if the playground remained open to the public in the condition that it was in at present. The Town Clerk undertook to have the playground assessed.
It was agreed to take Items 13 and 16 together.
Item No. 13: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Brien
"That this Council encourages local consumers to display practical patriotism again this Christmas by shopping locally in order to protect local employment and local business enterprises and to support Guaranteed Irish Quality products. (Kilrush 'Shop Local this Christmas' campaign)."
Item No. 16: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Looney cuidithe ag Cllr. Williams
"That this Council fully supports local businesses this Christmas, and that we would encourage all members of Kilrush community to support local businesses this Christmas."
Following discussion it was unanimously agreed that it was imperative that people be encouraged to shop local this Christmas to support local businesses thereby protecting local employment. It was suggested that the Mayor speak to the public on this matter.
Item No. 14: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville
"That this Council would ask the Manager to enumerate (a) the amount of development contributions levied since 2009 (b) how these development contributions have been used and (c) the total non-principal property tax collected up to November 1st 2009 for the Kilrush urban area."
Cllr. Prendeville advised that he would re-submit this motion for the December monthly meeting owing to a typographical error contained in part (a) of the motion submitted by him.
Item No. 15: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Looney
"That this Council would commence a review of the Kilrush Town Traffic Management Plan in early 2010 by inviting public submissions and organising public workshops to agree a TMP that will achieve the twin objectives of regulating traffic control and enhancing commercial activity particularly in the town centre."
The proposal for the review of the Traffic Management Plan in early 2010 received the support of the members. The Mayor advised that this matter will be progressed under RIMS.
Item No. 17: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Looney
"That this Council would ask the Manager to report to the council on the present situation with regard to Knockerra Lake and its use as a fishing amenity."
This motion was deferred to the December monthly meeting.
Item No. 18: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Looney cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville
"That this Council would ask the Engineer what is the current position with the many porposals on the National Secondary route N68 from Moyadda to Granatouha for upgrading and alignment made by Clare County Council to the NRA."
In a written reply circulated dated the 12th November 2009 Derek Troy, Executive Engineer reported that :
"Clare County Council made the most recent submission to the National Roads Authority (NRA) in August 2008 for a Category 1, full re-alignment of 2.4km of the N68 from Moyadda to Garraunnatooha, at an estimated cost of €6.2million. This submission is still in place, however it has been indicated to Clare County Council that funding will not be made available in the current economic climate.
It is expected that a submission will be made to the NRA for resurfacing works funding, under the National Road Pavement & Minor Improvement for 2010 & Proposals for Annual Resurfacing 2010. This submission will be based on priority locations as identified from the results of a Pavement Condition Survey, which is completed annually on all National Roads countrywide."
Following discussion it was agreed to write to the local councillors for the Electoral Area to bring this matter up on behalf of Kilrush and to seek the support of the Chamber of Commerce for this work.
Cllr. O'Looney asked if members could be kept aware of progress on motions by way of reports or the provision of a register that members could inspect to keep them up to date. The Town Clerk advised that he would liaise with his counterpart in Clare County Council regarding same. Cllr. Williams enquired if the members could be circulated with the replies to motions approx. 48-72 hours in advance of the monthly meeting and the acting Town Manager responded by saying that there would be no reason why the replies couldn't be circulated in advance.
Item No. 19: Correspondence
Letter dated 2nd October 2009 from the Dept. of Environment, Heritage & Local Government regarding domestic water charges, together with originating correspondence.
Letter dated 24th September 2009 from the Dept. of Environment, Heritage & Local Government regarding charge on non-principal private residences, together with originating correspondence.
Letter dated 1st October 2009 from Clonmel Borough Council regarding Christmas bonus to Social Welfare recipients.
Letter dated 7th October 2009 from Pat Breen TD regarding the HPB vaccine, together with reply received from the Minister for Health & Children.
Letter dated 13th October 2009 from Killarney Town Council regarding the McCarthy report proposal to abolish town councils. Cllr. Prendeville thanked all the local authorities for their support for this motion.
Letter dated 13th October 2009 from Granard Town Council regarding the McCarthy report proposal to abolish town councils.
Letter dated 13th October 2009 from South Tipperary County Council regarding VAT on specialised items of medical equipment.
Letter dated 15th October 2009 from Carrickmacross Town Council regarding the McCarthy report proposal to abolish town councils.
Letter dated 20th October 2009 from Listowel Town Council regarding Family Resource Centres.
Letter dated 20th October 2009 from Mary-Jane Burgess, Manager, West Clare Family Resource Centre, together with copy of letter addressed to her.
Letter dated 19th October 2009 from the Dept. of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs regarding Family Resource Centres, together with previous correspondence.
Letter dated 19th October 2009 from Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee.
Letter dated 16th October 2009 from the Dept. of Environment, Heritage & Local Government regarding charge on non-principal private residences, together with originating correspondence.
Letter dated 20th October 2009 from the Minister for Social and Family Affairs regarding Family Resource Centres.
Letter dated 21st October 2009 from Monaghan Town Council regarding the McCarthy report proposal to abolish town councils.
Letter dated 21st October 2009 from Monaghan Town Council regarding ESB meter readings and the McCarthy report proposal to abolish town councils.
Letter dated 22nd October 2009 from the Dept. of Environment, Heritage & Local Government regarding the charge on non-principal private residences.
Letter dated 28th October 2009 from Ennis Town Council regarding the McCarthy report proposal to abolish town councils.
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 Conference held on the 10th/11th September 2009 at The Gleneagle, Killarney, Co. Kerry.
It was agreed that the members of Kilrush Town Council, individually and collectively, write to the Health Service Executive voicing objection to the impending closure of The Orchard facility at Stewart Street, Kilrush. The members expressed their outrage at the fact that the residents at The Orchard were to be re-located to an institutional type facility after having such freedom in Kilrush and that the relatives of these people had not been informed of the impending closure.
Cllr. Prendeville thanked his fellow members for their attendance at the Remembrance Day ceremony.
It was proposed by Cllr. Williams and seconded by Cllr. McMahon-Jones that Cllr. Williams would attend the Clare Tourism Conference in Ennistymon.
It was proposed by Cllr. O'Looney and seconded by Cllr. McMahon-Jones that Cllrs. O'Looney and Lynch would attend the Irish Social Science Platform Annual Conference in Galway.
It was proposed by Cllr. McMahon-Jones and seconded by Cllr. O'Looney that Cllr. McMahon-Jones would attend "Council Budgets 2010" Seminar in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
Votes of Sympathy
It was agreed that a vote of sympathy should issue to the following :-
Mr. Jo-Jo Kelly, Pella Road, Kilrush on the death of his sister Mrs. Christina Shaw.
The meeting then concluded.