Minutes of the June Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 6th June 2007
Presiding: Mayor J. Reidy.
Councillors present:
- T. Brennan,
- P. Considine,
- J. Flynn,
- T. Glynn,
- T. Matthew,
- F. Neylon,
- D. O’Bearra,
- M. Coote Ryan.
Officials present:
- T. Coughlan, Director of Service.
- E. Power, Town Clerk.
- T. Tiernan, Town Engineer.
- B. Keating, Senior Staff Officer.
The Register of Orders by the Director of Service, Town Clerk and Town Engineer and the Planning Register were on the meeting table.
Item 1 Adoption of the Minutes of the May Monthly Meeting held at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 16th May, 2007
Ar moladh Cllr. F. Neylon cuidithe ag Cllr. T. Matthew agus glacadh leis:
“That the Minutes of the May Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 16th. May, 2007 be adopted and signed”.
As a point of information the Town Clerk informed the members that a report in relation to the €20,000 received from IBAL would come before the members at the July meeting.
Having contacted the Mayor of St. Paul de Fenouillet regarding election posters, the Town Clerk indicated that in France each town designates areas for election posters depending on its size. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would draft a Notice of Motion in relation to this for consideration at the July meeting and this would be forwarded to LAMA.
It was agreed to write with all elected members in Clare to all Oireachtas Members seeking a meeting with An Taoiseach and Minister of Health in relation to Ennis Hospital.
Adoption of the Minutes of the Municipal Policy Committee held at 4.00 p.m. on 12th December, 2006
Ar moladh Cllr. F. Neylon cuidithe ag Cllr. P. Considine agus glacadh leis:
“That the Minutes of the Municipal Policy Committee of Ennis Town Council held at 4.00 p.m. on 12th December, 2006 be adopted and signed”.
Item 2 Annual Financial Statement
The Elected Members considered the Annual Financial Statement for Ennis Town Council for the year ended 31st December 2006 as circulated and complimented the Town Manager and Staff on same.
On the proposal of Cllr. T. Brennan and seconded by Cllr. M. Coote Ryan the elected members approved:-
“That this Council hereby adopt the Annual Financial Statement for Ennis Town Council for the year ended 31st December 2006.”
On the proposal of Cllr. T. Brennan and seconded by Cllr. T. Glynn the elected members approved:-
That Transfers to reserves as set out below are hereby approved:-
- Programme Group 1: Housing & Building - €115k
- Programme Group 2: Road Transporation & Safety - €318k
- Programme Group 4: Development Incentives & Controls - €80k
- Programme Group 5: Environmental Protection - €14k
- Programme Group 6: Recreation & Amenity - €240k
- Programme Group 8: Miscellaneous Services - €260k
- Programme Group 9: Support Services - €217k”
On the proposal of Cllr. P. Considine and seconded by Cllr. T. Brennan the elected members approved:-
“Pursuant to the provisions of Section 104 of the Local Government Act 2001, additional expenditure in the amount set out below in respect of the Programme Group listed is hereby approved for the year ended 31st December, 2006:-
Programme Group 8: Miscellaneous Services - €773k”
Item 3 Review of Standing Orders
The elected members considered the report of E. Power, Town Clerk, in relation to review of Standing Orders. A general discussion took place. On the proposal of Cllr. P. Considine, seconded by Cllr. T. Glynn the revised Standing Orders were adopted.
Item 4 Briefing on Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006
It was agreed to defer this item until the July Meeting and the Members would be circulated with Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) legislation prior to same.
Item 5 To note proposed projects/works
The Elected Members noted the proposed projects/works.
Item 6 Official Opening of the skateboard park at Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park
The Members noted that the skateboard park was now open for use and that the official opening of the park would take place on 16th June. It was agreed that skateboarding would be restrict to the specifically designed and purpose built skateboard park in Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park. In response to queries from Cllr. F. Neylon it was pointed out that signage at the park specified that protective gear should be worn by skaters.
Item 7 Consideration of the Quarterly Progress Report
The Members considered the progress report. A general discussion took place. Cllr. F. Neylon raised the issue of water pressure. T. Tiernan, Town Engineer, explained that there was sufficient capacity in Drumcliff Water Plant to cater for Ennis. Clare County Council is currently undertaking a water conservation programme and dividing existing supply into zones in an effort to identify leaks more readily.
Following a query from Cllr. J. Flynn, The Town Manager, T. Coughlan confirmed that Clare County Council was dealing with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in relation to the Interim Treatment Plant. He stated that Clare County Council would be seeking further funding in relation to the operation of this plant.
It was agreed to update Members at next meeting on the cycle strategy.
In response to queries, T. Coughlan, Town Manager confirmed that Ennis Town Council was at an advanced stage in acquiring land for housing development.
Item 8 Update on further pedestrianisation in the town centre
The elected members considered the report of E. Power, Town Clerk in relation to pedestrianisation. Cllr. D. O’Bearra strongly supported for pedestrianisation in an effort to make the town centre more consumer friendly. Cllr. F. Neylon welcomed pedestrianisation as it was needed to keep the town alive and vibrant. Cllr. T. Brennan supported his fellow Councillors in relation to this issue. Cllr. J. Flynn suggested that pedestrianisation should be restricted to Friday and Saturday only. Cllr. T. Glynn supported his fellow Councillors regarding pedestrianisation and indicated that it shouldn’t be restricted and should be for the whole week. T. Coughlan, Town Manager, stated that the executive needed a decision from the members in relation to proceeding with further pedestrianisation.
It was agreed that further pedestrianisation should take place in Ennis and it was noted that consultation would take place with all the relevant parties and the general public.
Item 9 Update on presentation of waste for collection
The Elected Members considered the Town Clerk’s report on the presentation of waste for collection and noted that correspondence in relation to the presentation of waste would issue from the Council to local businesses.
Item 10 Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. J. Flynn
“In an effort to address apathy towards local politics and in the interest of keeping the public informed, Ennis Town Council would agree to provide for broadcasting by local radio of portions or all of statutory meetings, if and when requested by local radio stations”.
There was no support for this motion. Cllr. T. Brennan complimented the local media on job being done currently.
Item 11 Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. J. Flynn
“That Ennis Town Council carry out, or arrange to be carried out, a clean up of the Fergus River, its banks and walls as it runs through our town”.
In his written response the Town Engineer replied as follows:
“The River Fergus from Mill Bridge to New Road is cleaned each year on a voluntary basis. This voluntary effort is implemented in association with Ennis Tidy Towns Committee. The Council gives whatever support it can. This annual clean up is to be carried out in the normal way very shortly.”
T. Tiernan, Town Engineer agreed to re-examine the structural aspects of this wall.
Item 12 Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. D. O’Bearra
“That the Council provide a report in relation to the success, or otherwise, of the Ennis Town Council Prohibition of Consumption of Intoxicating Liquor on Streets and in Public Places Byelaws 2000.”
In his written response the Town Clerk replied as follows:
“The Ennis Town Council (Prohibition of Consumption of Intoxicating Liquor on Streets and in Public Places) Bye- Laws, 2000 were adopted by the Council in February 2001. In accordance with the byelaws the consumption of intoxicating liquor in public places is prohibited. The terms of the byelaws apply to any street, lane, footpath, square, court, alley or passage, any bridge, viaduct, underpass, subway, tunnel, overpass, overbridge, flyover, carriageway (whether single or multiple), pavement or footway, together with such areas or spaces contiguous with any of the foregoing places and which is in control or management of Ennis Town Council.
As you are aware the Gardai have responsibility for the enforcement of the byelaws and breaches of the byelaws are subject to on the spot fines of €31.74. A review of the implementation of the Byelaws can be undertaken with the Gardai. “
The Town Clerk indicated that the Gardai had issued 73 on the spot fines in 2003, 12 on the spot fines in 2004 and 2 on the spot fines in 2005 for breaches in relation to the above byelaws.
It was proposed by Cllr. F. Neylon, Seconded by Cllr. T. Breenan to invite the Chief Superintendent and Superintendent, Garda Station to meet with the Members on this issue.
Item 13 Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. D. O’Bearra
“I would ask that Ennis Town Council meet a Delegation from the Ivy Hill Residents at the July Meeting on the subject of road safety”.
It was proposed by Cllr. D. O’Bearra, seconded by Cllr. J. Flynn to invite a Delegation from the Ivy Hill Residents to the July Meeting.
Item 14 Correspondence
Letter received from the Mayor of St. Paul de Fenouillet inviting Members of Ennis Town Council to celebrate Bastille Day in St. Paul de Fenouillet.
It was proposed by Cllr. T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr. T. Glynn and unanimously agreed that Members of Ennis Town Council accept invitation to celebrate Bastille Day in St. Paul de Fenouillet.
Letter received from the Department of Finance in relation to the Council’s correspondence to that Department in relation to mortgage rates.
Members agreed to write to Financial Regulator requesting them to write to financial institutions to be more flexible.
Letter received from Ennis Players seeking sponsorship for their attendance at the World Irish Festival in Milwaukee, USA in August.
It was agreed that this item would be discussed at July Meeting.
Item 15 Conferences and Seminars
“The Local Government Planning Service” – Training Seminar being organized by Kadenza Consultancies Ltd. and taking place at the Baltimore Harbour Hotel, Baltimore, West Cork on 5th to 7th July 2007.
On the proposal of Cllr. T. Brennan seconded by Cllr. P. Considine the Council nominated Cllr. M. Coote Ryan as a Delegate to attend this Conference.
Item 16 Any Other Business
Votes of Sympathy
The Elected Members passed a vote of sympathy to the family and relatives of the late:
- Lucas Coote, 14 Roslea, Ennis.
- Howard Flannery, Cahercalla, Ennis.
- Mrs. O’Halloran, Roslevan, Ennis.
- Kitty Clancy, Bushy Park, Ennis.
The meeting then concluded.
Town Clerk