Minutes of the January Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, 7th January 2008 in the Council Chamber, Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, Ennis, Co. Clare
Presiding
- Mayor T. Brennan
Councillors Present
- M. Coote Ryan
- J. Flynn
- T. Glynn
- T. Matthew
- D. O'Bearra
- F. Neylon
- J. Reidy
Apologies
Cllr. P. Considine.
Officials Present
T. Coughlan, Director of Service.
E. Power, Town Clerk.
T. Tiernan, Town Engineer.
B. Keating, Senior Staff Officer.
Register
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(a) Adoption of the Minutes of the December Monthly Meeting held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, 3rd December 2007
Cllr. J. Flynn referred to item 11 of the December Monthly Meeting:
11. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. J. Flynn:
"Ask the Town Engineer to provide a report on the adequacy of water supplies for fire fighting purposes in Ennis provided by the Sanitary Authority, and whether he is happy with same".
Cllr. J. Flynn indicated that the Minutes of the December Meeting did not reflect what he said in relation to Item 11. He proposed that the Minutes be amended to include his statement that the Fire Services Act placed a statutory obligation on the Sanitary Authority to provide water for fire fighting purposes. Professor Tobin's report indicated that 7 million gallons of water supply was required for fire fighting purposes. This proposal was seconded by Cllr. D. O'Bearra and agreed by the Council.
Ar moladh Cllr. J. Flynn cuidithe ag Cllr. D. O'Bearra agus glacadh leis:
"That the amended Minutes of the December Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3.30 p.m. on Monday, 3rd December, 2007 be adopted and signed"
Item 1(b)Adoption of the Minutes of the Annual Budget Meeting held at 7:00 p.m. on 18th December 2007
Ar moladh Cllr. F. Neylon cuidithe ag Cllr. T. Matthew agus glacadh leis:
"That the Minutes of the Annual Budget Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 18th December 2007 be adopted and signed".
Matters Arising
Cllr. D. O'Bearra asked that an update on traffic calming measures be included in the Quarterly Progress Reports.
The Members welcomed the opening of the Ennis Bypass before Christmas.
The issue of speed limits around schools should be examined in the current year. Cllr. J. Flynn requested that Public lighting be included in the Quarterly Progress Report regarding lights out of use.
Following a query from Cllr. T. Brennan regarding the condition of the road surface at Drumbiggle the members were informed that the area would be resurfaced as part of the Road Improvement Contract. There are no plans to continue this work up to Cahercalla Cross.
Item 2 Proposed disposal of land at Abbey Street Car Park to the E.S.B.
On the proposal of Cllr. T. Glynn, seconded by Cllr. T. Brennan it was resolved that notice having been served pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001, Ennis Town Council approves, pursuant to the powers vested on it at Section 211 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 2000, of the disposal of circa 6.25 square metres of land at Abbey Street Car Park, Ennis to the Electricity Supply Board".
Item 3 Offer received by Clare FM for the acquisition of the entire share capital of Clare F.M.
A copy of correspondence received from Clare F.M. had been circulated with the Agenda. Cllr. T. Brennan proposed that the Council not accept the offer. This was seconded by Cllr. J. Reidy and agreed by the Members.
Item 4 Restructuring of Sports Facilities Committee
The Council considered the report of E. Power, Town Clerk dated 31st October 2007. Following a general discussion, it was agreed to increase the membership of the Committee to allow the codes of rugby and skateboarding to be represented. It was agreed to write to all existing sporting bodies on the Committee to nominate a representative to the Committee.
The new composition of the Committee will be three Town Council Members, three County Council Members and one representative from each of the following sporting codes: - soccer, athletics, G.A.A., rugby and skateboarding.
Item 5 Correspondence
Letter received from Macroom Town Council in relation to a Notice of Motion adopted by that Council at its November Meeting regarding reporting arrangements in the Health Service Executive.
On the proposal of Cllr. F. Neylon, seconded by Cllr. T. Brennan the following Notice of Motion which had been adopted by Macroom Town Council was supported by the Council:
"In view of the recent crisis in the Health Service that we call on the Minister for Health to introduce a system of reporting in the Health Service which will ensure that when problems arise, they are brought to the attentio0n of the relevant persons, up to and including the Minister and that the response is pro-active rather than re-active".
Acknowledgement received from the Office of Mr. John Gormely, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in response to the Council's letter of support in relation to Clare County Council's application for funding for additional water tankers.
Acknowledgement received from the Office of Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D., Minister of State for Environment and Energy, in response to the Council's letter of support in relation to Clare County Council's application for funding for additional water tankers.
Cllr. J. Flynn enquired about the proposed water tankers and was informed that money was included in the Budget of Clare County Council.
Letter from Clonmel Borough Council in relation to a notice of motion regarding parking in a disabled persons car parking spaces.
On the proposal of Cllr. D. O'Bearra and seconded by Cllr. J. Flynn the following Notice of Motion adopted by Clonmel Borough Council was supported by the Council:
"Ask the Department of Transport to introduce a clamping system for people who are parked in disabled persons parking spaces and that the fine be increased from €80.00 to €500.00".
Item 6 Conferences and Seminars.
"Forty Shades of Green" Tourism Conference being organised by Clare Tourist Council and Antrim Borough Council and taking place at the Dunadry Hotel and County Club on 1st and 2nd February 2008.
On the proposal of Cllr. T. Matthew seconded by Cllr. J. Flynn the Council nominated Cllr. D. O'Bearra as a Delegate to attend this Conference.
"The Local Government Planning Service" - Training Seminar for Councillors being organised by Kadenza Consultancies and taking place at Clonea Strand Hotel on 1st to 3rd February 2008.
On the proposal of Cllr. T. Brennan seconded by Cllr. J. Reidy the Council nominated Cllr. M. Coote Ryan as a Delegate to attend this Conference.
On the proposal of Cllr. F. Neylon, seconded by Cllr. T. Brennan the Council nominated Cllr. T. Glynn as a Delegate to attend this Conference.
On the proposal of Cllr. M. Coote Ryan, seconded by Cllr. T. Glynn the Council nominated Cllr. F. Neylon as a Delegate to attend this Conference.
Item 7 Any Other Business
Invitation to New York to participate in the St. Patrick's Day Parade 2008
On the proposal of Cllr. F. Neylon, seconded by Cllr. T. Brennan it was agreed that Cllr. M. Coote Ryan would represent the Council at the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade 2008.
Invitation to the City of Phoenix
It was agreed that the Council would be represented on the delegation to Phoenix to mark the 20th Anniversary of the twinning with Phoenix.
Sewerage problems
Cllr. J. Flynn raised the issue of sewerage problems in Roslevan. The Town Engineer responded that there was a considerable amount of debris removed from the sewers at this location. The remaining portion of this sewer will be upgraded at the same time as Iarnrod Eireann are carrying out their works in improving the bridge. Cllr. Flynn suggested that collision prevention radar should be considered for this bridge. Cllr. F. Neylon raised the issue of sewerage problems in back yards in Fergus Park during this period. The Town Engineer indicated that he would investigate same.
Housing Capital Allocation for Boroughs/Town Councils
Cllr. Frankie Neylon referred to the correspondence he received in relation to this from the AMAI and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government's proposal to cease allocating housing capital funds directly to Town Councils/Boroughs for 2008. He indicated that this was an attack on local politics and a further erosion of the power of Town Councils. Cllr. Brennan and Cllr. Flynn both supported Cllr. Neylon's comments.
Votes of Sympathy
The Elected Members passed a vote of sympathy to the family and relatives of the late:
- Peter Skerritt, Hermitage, Ennis.
- Mrs. O'Riordan, Castlewood Park, Ennis.
- Michael O'Donoghue, Cloughleigh, Ennis.
- Patrick Moroney, Woodgrove, Ennis.
- John O'Donoghue, Fanore, Co. Clare.
- Matt Morrissey, St. Flannan's Avenue, Clarecastle.