PrintMinutes of October Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 11th October 2007 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, Christy O'Malley, Jack Fennell.
Officials Present
Ms. Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Service & Town Manager.
Ms. Fiona Mooney, Town Clerk.
Mr. Derek Troy, Executive Engineer.
Ms. Geraldine Quinn, Assistant Staff Officer.
Apologies
Cllr. Liam O'Looney.
Item No. 1: Adoption of Minutes of September Monthly Meeting of Kilrush Town Council held on the 12th September 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Malley cuidithe ag Cllr. O'Gorman
The Minutes of the September Monthly Meeting were duly adopted.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Sweeney
It was agreed to go into committee to deal with Item No. 6.
Item No. 6: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman
"That this Council will hear a deputation from residents of Nagle's Terrace in relation to allocating plots that to date are kept in very good order by these residents
(a) I recommend to the Manager, Town Clerk and Town Councillors that these plots should be allocated to these residents on a permanent basic - ownership."
The members at this point to go into committee and item 6 was heard and discussed in committee. The motion was not carried.
Item No. 2: Adoption of draft Kilrush Town Development Plan.
Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Fennell
The manager referred to her report on the draft plan and the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and the workshop with members that had informed the draft. It was agreed to include a type-written list of Derelict Sites as an appendix to the draft. The draft Kilrush Town Development Plan, as presented, was duly adopted by the members and it would now go on 10 weeks of public display with submissions invited from the public. A further report on the plan would be presented to members on foot of the receipt of submissions.
The Planning Section, and in particular Candace Ingram, were commended for their work in putting together this plan.
It was agreed to take Item Nos. 3 and 13 together.
Item No. 3: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Clyne
"That this Council organise a special meeting of all the job creation agencies in the Mid-West to discuss future employment opportunities in West Clare."
Item No. 13: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Looney cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville
"That this Council would reactivate the Industry and Enterprise taskforce to help with job creation in the area."
The Town Manager confirmed that an inaugural meeting of the West Clare Taskforce will be convened soon, with the key agencies and the Mayor, or his nominee.
Item No. 4: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. Fennell
"That this Council would extend an invitation to Kilrush-born Patricia McCarthy, Mayor of Clare, to attend a future meeting of Kilrush Town Council and that a suitable presentation be made to honour her achievement as First Citizen of Clare."
It was agreed to make a presentation to Mayor Patricia McCarthy at the December monthly meeting to be held on Thursday 13th December 2007.
Item No. 5: Ar Moladh Cllr. Prendeville cuidithe ag Cllr. McMahon-Jones
"That this Council make provision in Budget '08 for the expansion of the public car park at Place de Plouzane."
The Town Manager confirmed that the Management Team are aware of the need for the provision of additional off-street parking. However, she pointed out that there isn't need to provide for same in the Budget as it would be a Capital programme and proposals for expansion will be put forward.
Item No. 7: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman
"That this Council would affirm the engineers and executive of the Town Council the good work that has been carried out on the traffic calming and especially to Mr. Derek Troy who made a commitment to this council that the Traffic Calming would be finished late September early October."
Cllr. O’Gorman expressed his satisfaction with the introduction of traffic calming measures in the town and felt these measures, that weren’t completed yet, were needed as preliminaries before a by-pass. Cllr. Sweeney expressed dissatisfaction with Cllr. O'Gorman's motion. The mayor adjourned the meeting for 5 minutes.
Item No. 8: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Gorman cuidithe ag Cllr. Culligan
"I would like to congratulate the Tidy Towns, Job Initiative, Kilrush Town Council, Kilrush Schools, Chamber of Commerce, Supervalu for their sponsorship and everybody involved in keeping Kilrush town tidy and the fantastic achievement to receive the Gold Medal
a) That this council put every effort and monies affordable forward work in partnership with every group and resident in Kilrush to achieve the overall goal of The Tidiest town in Ireland which seems very achievable at this moment in time."
All involved in Kilrush Tidy Towns were commended for the fantastic work carried out in achieving the gold medal. It was felt that Kilrush can achieve the tidiest town in Ireland status but only if all members of the public support a strong anti-litter approach and take a personal responsibility in the effort.
Item No. 9: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney cuidithe ag Cllr. McMahon-Jones
"I am asking the Town Engineer to repair the pedestrian light at Crawford Street which has not functioned for eighteen months and is now a health and safety concern for parents and children availing of the crèche and after-school educational programmes being run at Glebe House, Crawford Street."
In a written reply circulated dated the 11th October 2007 the Executive Engineer reported that :
"As part of the implementation of the Traffic Calming that is under way along Crawford Street, the pedestrian crossing lights will be repaired. It has been reported to this office that these lights have been vandalized on a number of occasions."
Item No. 10: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney cuidithe ag Cllr. Prendeville
"I am asking the Town Engineer to report to this council on the issue of public lighting in the urban area as this matter was the subject of much discussion at previous meetings of the town council."
Following discussion on the matter of public lights being out of order in the town, the members felt it is unacceptable to be paying the ESB for this inadequate service. The Council relies on the ESB to repair public lights and the contract between the Council and the ESB indicates a target of two weeks repair lead in. The public need to be made aware to report to the Town Hall lights that are out of order, giving the pole numbers, and also a plan needs to be put in place for new lights in the town.
In a written reply circulated dated the 11th October 2007 the Executive Engineer reported that :
"Public lights, which have been upgraded already in 2007, are as follows
- Burton Street (5 upgrades)
- Cooraclare Road at the Creamery (2 upgrades)
- Ducting has been laid for part of Limekiln Road
Quotations are being sought for Limekiln Road and Fort Road, and will proceed as soon as possible. Depending on the expenditure position on completion of these works, additional single upgrades or one-off new lights may be considered. Lighting upgrades currently cost approx. €800 per light. (i.e. upgrade lighting head from 55w to 150w with up-and-out arm). New additional public lights costs vary depending on location, service and ESB requirements but normally range €3,000-€5,000.
Public lights, which were upgraded in 2006, are as follows
- Ennis Road
- Cappagh
Areas that have been identified that are deficient in public lighting are
- N67 from HSE Orchard Lodge to Vandeleur Walled Garden entrance
- Wilson Road / Crawford Street
This office is compiling a public lighting programme for 2008 and would invite suggestions for locations that may need attention."
Item No. 11: Ar Moladh Cllr. Sweeney cuidithe ag Cllr. Clyne
"I am calling on the Minister for Education and Science and the Minister for Transport and Communication to introduce a module on road safety on the SPHE curriculum in second level schools as the alarming increase in young people being killed on our roads is an unacceptable tragedy."
Following discussion on the matter about the huge human cost in bereavement and disability resulting from RTAs, it was agreed that this Motion be sent to all Local Authorities, the Minister for Education and Science and the Minister for Transport.
Item No. 12: Ar Moladh Cllr. O'Looney
"That this Council would ask the Manager what is the position of the council in relation to a previous motion I had in regard to developing a 'walk' along the river from the old Orchard Hotel site to the Marina."
In a written reply circulated dated the 11th October 2007, Siobhán Curran, Senior Staff Officer reported that :
"The potential of the river and the wood in terms of their amenity value for the town is acknowledged. This is reflected in the draft Kilrush Town Development Plan and has also been taken into account in the development currently taking place at ‘The Manse’ Kilrush where the developers have committed to allow public access to the riverside walkway during day light hours.
Kilrush Town Council is currently preparing an application for funding to the Heritage Council to re-vitalise and extend a heritage walk around Kilrush Town. The deadline for the submission of this application is Friday 2nd November 07 and an announcement on funding would be expected in January 08.
Some research had also been done into the development of woodland walkways as part of the Vandeleur Demesne Action Plan but further research is required and sources of funding have yet to be identified.
Kilrush Town Council will continue to be alert to any other sources of funding that may emerge."
Item No. 14: Correspondence
Letter dated 13th September 2007 from Clare Mental Health Services re Art Psychotherapy.
Notification of Training Seminar for Councillors "Health & Safety in Local Government” to be held on 26th and 27th October 2007 at The Carraig Hotel, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary. It was proposed by Cllr. Prendeville and seconded by Cllr. Sweeney that Cllr. O'Malley attend this seminar on behalf of Kilrush Town Council.
Notification from Confederation of European Councillors of a Seminar "Tackling Poverty and Social Need in Ireland, North and South”, to be held on 7th December 2007 in the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.
A.M.A.I. Newsletters.
Notification from Carlow County Council of the L.A.M.A. Annual Winter Conference to be held
The town clerk advised the members that the Department had announced a Sustainable Communities Fund; an application was lodged for John Paul Estate and she would come back to the members with more at a later date.
Votes of Sympathy
It was agreed that a vote of sympathy should issue to the following :-
Mr. Sean Johnson, c/o Johnsons Bar, Henry Street, Kilrush on the death of his brother James (Jim) Johnson.
Mr. Patrick Brassil, O'Gorman Street, Kilrush on the death of his wife Angela Brassil.
Ms. Connie Clancy, Naas, Co. Kildare on the death of her husband Pat Clancy.
The meeting then concluded.