Minutes of the March Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 2nd March 2009 in the Council Chamber, Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, Ennis, Co. Clare
Presiding
- Mayor P. Considine
Councillors present
- T. Brennan
- J. Flynn
- T. Glynn
- F. Neylon
- D. O'Bearra
- J. Reidy
- M. Coote-Ryan
Officials present
- T. Coughlan, Director of Service
- E. Power, Town Clerk
- E. O'Dea, Town Engineer
- S. Barrett, Staff Officer
Apologies
Cllr. T. Matthew
Register: The Register of Orders by the Director of Service, Town Clerk and Town Engineer and the Planning Register were on the meeting table.
Cllr M. Coote Ryan proposed that Standing Orders be suspended and that the meeting be adjourned for 15 mins. as a mark of respect to the former Senator Michael Howard, R.I.P. Cllr. F. Neylon seconded the proposal.
All of the Councillors joined in the vote of sympathy to the Howard Family.
Mayor P. Considine declared that the meeting would be adjourned for 15 mins.
1. Adoption of the Minutes of the February Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held on Monday, 2nd February 2009 at 3:30 p.m.
Ar moladh Cllr. T. Brennan, cuidite ag Cllr. J. Reidy agus glacadh leis:
"That the Minutes of the February Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3.30 p.m. on Monday, 2nd February 2009 be signed"
Cllr T. Glynn stated that he submitted documentation in relation to a Market Cross as a possible replacement for Icarus in the Market area.
Cllr J. Flynn said that the ramp at Considine's Terrace is like a chicane and needs to be addressed.
2. To note the report on the Council's activities under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 - report attached.
The report was circulated and noted by the Members.
3. To Note proposed projects/works. (pre part VIII)
E. Power, Town Clerk, highlighted the pedestrian crossings proposed.
4. To consider the Quarterly Progress Report
Cllr. D. O'Bearra requested that the provision of bicycle stands be addressed in the report.
Cllr T. Glynn welcomed the progress at the new Ennis Water Treatment Project and the new track at Lees Road. He hoped that the cross-country running track would be completed soon. Mayor P. Considine hoped that some national events would be held at the track.
Cllr T. Brennan stated that the indoor facilities earmarked for Lees Road should be progressed, as it is vital for the area.
Cllr J. Flynn said that public lighting in the Parnell St./Cinema area needs to be looked at.
Mayor P. Considine stated that some of the commercial bins in the lanes around town are still causing problems, especially in Thompson's lane and that the Byelaws need to be implemented in these cases. Cllr T. Brennan supported the Mayor in these comments.
5. Draft Road Works Programme 2009
This item was deferred until the April Meeting.
6. St. Patrick's Day Parade.
E. Power, Town Clerk, informed the meeting that the St. Patrick's Day Parade committee had met under the chairmanship of the Mayor. Approx. 30 groups had submitted application forms to date.
Cllr T. Glynn expressed his view that the Council should be represented in the New York Parade. Cllr J. Reidy agreed with Cllr T. Glynn and said that the Irish abroad appreciate and welcome the links with their home country.
Cllr J. Flynn stated that in the current climate cost control had to be a priority and that this matter is non-essential.
Cllr M. Coote Ryan added that she believed it to be a very worthwhile trip.
Mayor P. Considine pointed out that he would not be attending the New York Parade and he noted that no other councillor had expressed a willingness to travel.
7. Notice of Motion Submitted by Councillor J. Flynn
In the interest of public safety that Ennis Town Council immediately in conjunction with Clare County Council put in place a temporary traffic island or other suitable/effective engineering solution at Cappahard/Oakleigh Wood junction with the Tulla Road.
In his written response the Town Engineer replied as follows
"Road Design are examining the possibility of facilitating turning movements at the centre of the road at Cappahard/Oakleigh Wood junction. However, consideration has to be given to the completion of the construction of cycle lanes from the Ennis Bypass to Corrovorrin Junction on the Tulla Road"
Cllr J. Flynn proposed this notice of motion and Cllr D. O'Bearra seconded it.
Cllr J. Flynn stated that no progress has been made on this matter and that flows of traffic and speed of traffic can make this junction very dangerous. Cllr T. Glynn agreed with Cllr Flynn and said that something temporary needs to be put in place.
8. Notice of Motion Submitted by Councillor J. Flynn
Ask the Town Clerk for a progress report on section of Inner Relief Road (E) from Station Road to Clare Road as yet undeveloped; in terms of CPO, funding and Part viii planning processes and likely completion date.
In his written response the Town Clerk replied as follows
"Negotiations are ongoing with the landowner regarding the land acquisition. Part VIII Public Consultation Process has been completed in respect of this road development. The Council has adopted a resolution to borrow funds for the development of this Inner Relief Road and the sanction of the Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is required. The advancement of this project is dependent on funding being made available to cover the costs of acquisition of the land and the construction of the road. It is envisaged that the construction phase of the project would be six months in duration".
Mayor P. Considine stated that this response was comprehensive.
9. Correspondence
- Letter received by the Mayor from Kenneth O'Loughlin requesting that the Council support him in his lobbying of the company Citylink to reinstate the Ennis Bus Stop on the Galway to Cork Route.
Cllr D. O'Bearra indicated that he would agree and supported this proposal.
Cllr T. Brennan seconded this. Cllr J. Flynn also supported this correspondence. - Response from Mary Hanafin, T.D., regarding the possibility of an additional allowance towards refuse collection with an individual's social welfare payment.
Cllr J. Flynn said that the Ombudsman's report outlined that the Department of the Environment should look at this, in addition to Local Authorities.
T. Coughlan, Town Manager, said that a waiver system should be implemented through the Social Welfare system as per the most recent report from the City and County Manager's Association. - Letter from Kilrush Town Council in relation to a Notice of Motion adopted by them regarding a request to the Minister for Health to consider the re-establishment of regional Health Boards.
Cllr F. Neylon stated that, in his view, the level of abuse directed towards a particular T.D. at the recent meeting held in relation to Ennis Hospital was not acceptable. He also said that it was wrong of an opposition T.D. to say that the hospital was going to be closed and that this issue was once again becoming a political football.
Cllr T. Glynn agreed with Cllr Neylon and said that a twenty-four hour A&E service was needed in Ennis. He claimed that we need to return to localised Health Boards and that we need to have confidence in the system.
Cllr J. Flynn said that various public representatives spoke at the meeting regarding the hospital on the Monday night. He supported the Notice of Motion from Kilrush Town Council.
10. Conferences and Seminars
- Local Authorities Members Association Annual Spring Seminar taking place at the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise on the 16th and 17th April.
On the proposal of Cllr J. Reidy and seconded by Cllr M. Coote Ryan the Council nominated Cllr T. Glynn as a Delegate to attend this Conference. - Public Relations and the Media Training Seminar organised by Kadenza Consultancies Ltd and taking place at the Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal on Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th April 2009.
On the proposal of Cllr J. Reidy and seconded by Cllr M. Coote Ryan, the Council nominated Cllr D. O'Bearra as a Delegate to attend this Conference.
11. Any Other Business
Cllr M. Coote Ryan requested that something be done for the Woodview Residents, as there is flooding occurring in that area. Mayor P. Considine told the meeting that E. O'Dea, Town Engineer, is aware of the issue and will be visiting the area to inspect it.
E. Power, Town Clerk, informed the Members that the Placenames Committee wished to make a presentation to the Council at their next meeting. This was agreed by the Council.
Attendance of Alec Fleming, County Manager
Mayor P. Considine noted that the County Manager was retiring from his position in April after serving seven years in the post. He congratulated and commended Mr Fleming for his contribution and service to the County and wished him good health and happiness in the future. The other Councillors also paid tribute to Mr Fleming. The officials of the Council acknowledged Alec's significant contribution to the County.
Alec Fleming, County Manager, thanked everyone for their support and their kind words. He said that Ennis is a great town and is a credit to the Town Council and to the Officials.
The Mayor, Peter Considine then made a presentation to Alec Fleming, County Manager, to mark his retirement on behalf of the Ennis Town Councillors.
The meeting then concluded