Minutes of the September Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, 3rd September 2007 in the Council Chamber, Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, Ennis, Co. Clare.
Presiding:
- Mayor T. Brennan
Councillors present:
- P. Considine
- J. Flynn
- T. Glynn
- F. Neylon
- M. Coote Ryan
Apologies:
- T. Matthew
- D. O'Bearra
- J. Reidy
Officials present:
- T. Coughlan, Director of Service
- E. Power, Town Clerk
- T. Tiernan, Town Engineer
- L. O'Connor, 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 1a Adoption of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, 28th June 2007.
Ar moladh Cllr. T. Glynn, cuidithe ag Cllr. F. Neylon agus glacadh leis:
"That the Minutes of the Annual Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, 28th June 2007 be adopted and signed"
Item 1b Adoption of the Minutes of the July Monthly Meeting held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, 2nd July 2007.
Ar moladh Cllr. M. Coote Ryan, cuidithe ag Cllr. F. Neylon agus glacadh leis:
"That the minutes of the July Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3.30 p.m. on Monday, 2nd July 2007 be adopted and signed"
Item 1c Adoption of the Minutes of the Special Meeting held at 6:00 p.m. on 8th August 2007.
Ar moladh Cllr. T. Glynn, cuidithe ag Cllr. F. Neylon agus glacadh leis:
"That the minutes of the Special Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 6.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 8th August 2007 be adopted and signed"
Matters Arising
The Elected Members expressed concerns regarding the decision of Aer Lingus to relocate their Shannon/Heathrow route to Belfast. After some discussion, Cllr. T. Glynn proposed that further letters would be sent to An Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport requesting them to use the Government’s 25% shareholding in Aer Lingus to reverse the company’s decision to cease operating the Shannon/Heathrow route after January 2008 or else vest the Shannon/Heathrow slots to Shannon Airport Authority. This was seconded by Cllr. J. Flynn and agreed.
On the proposal of Cllr. P. Considine, seconded by Cllr. T. Brennan, it was also agreed that clarification as to the legal position regarding the ownership of the slots be established immediately and this would also be requested from An Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport.
Item 9 Review of Housing Strategy - Presentation by Mr. John Bradley, Senior Executive Planner, Clare County Council
On the proposal of Cllr. M. Coote Ryan, seconded by Cllr. T. Glynn it was agreed to take Agenda Item No. 9 next.
D. Timlin, Director of Service, J. Bradley, Senior Executive Planner and G. O’Grady, Development Assistant made a presentation on the review of the Housing Strategy to the Elected Members. D. Timlin informed the meeting that a review of the Housing Strategy was required as it formed part of the Development Plan. After a lengthy discussion on the issue it was agreed that the Town Engineer would outline the capacity of the infrastructural systems in Ennis in a written report to the Mayor. It was further agreed that the requirement for a separate Housing Strategy for the Ennis and Environs area would be examined.
Item 2 Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (Part VIII) - Proposed Improvement Works (pallisade railings) at Coote Park, Waterpark Estates, Ennis, Co. Clare
The Elected Members considered the Planning Report dated 29th August 2007. On the proposal of Cllr. M. Coote Ryan, seconded by Cllr. J. Flynn it was agreed that the proposed improvement works at Coote Park would proceed.
Item 3 Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (Part VIII) - Proposed construction of an exhibition area, bar and reception area, toilet facilities, storage spaces, a 200 person (loose seating) auditorium and alterations to parking areas, with all associated site works and signage at Glor Theatre, Causeway Link, Ennis.
The Elected Members considered the Planning Report dated 29th August 2007. On the proposal of Cllr. P. Considine, seconded by Cllr. M. Coote Ryan it was agreed that the proposed works at Glor would proceed. The Town Manager told the Elected Members that funding was not currently available for the proposed works. However, it was prudent to have the plans approved should funding become available in the future.
Item 4 Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (Part VIII) - Proposed construction of traffic calming measures at:
- Hermitage
- Shallee Drive
- John Paul Avenue
- Gordon Drive
- Drehidnagower Road
- Friars Close
- Kincora Park
- Summerhill, Ennis
The Elected Members considered the Planning Report dated 29th August 2007. On the proposal of Cllr. T. Glynn seconded by Cllr. J. Flynn it was agreed that the construction of traffic calming measures at Hermitage, Shallee Drive, John Paul Avenue, Gordon Drive, Drehidnagower Road, Friars Close and Kincora Park would proceed. Cllr. T. Glynn requested that further consultation take place between the Town Engineer and the residents of Summerhill regarding the possibility of construction traffic calming measures there.
Item 5 Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (Part VIII) - Proposed construction of pedestrian crossing at Lahinch Road and construction of new junction layout at Cloughleigh Road/Lahinch Road Junction.
The Elected Members considered the planning report dated 29th August 2007. On the proposal of Cllr. F. Neylon, seconded by Cllr. T. Glynn, it was agreed that the construction of a pedestrian crossing at Lahinch Road and construction of a new junction layout at Cloughleigh Road/Lahinch Road junction would proceed.
Item 6 Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (Part VIII) - Proposed construction of pedestrian crossing at Clon Road, Tulla Road and Station Road, Ennis
The Elected Members considered the planning report dated 29th August 2007. On the proposal of Cllr. T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr. M. Coote Ryan, it was agreed that the construction of pedestrian crossings at Clon Road, Tulla Road and Station Road would proceed.
Item 7 Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (Part VIII) - Proposed construction of traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossing and parking areas at Turnpike Road and construction of new junction layout at Turnpike Road/Collins Park Junction
The Elected Members considered the planning report dated 29th August 2007. On the proposal of Cllr. M. Coote Ryan, seconded by Cllr. F. Neylon, it was agreed that the construction of traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossing and parking areas at Turnpike Road and the construction of a new junction layout at Turnpike Road/Collins Park junction would proceed.
Item 8 Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (Part VIII) - Proposed construction of showers/changing rooms complete with public toilet, boiler room, switch room, reference room, caretakers facilities complete with boundary fencing, landscaping and connection to all services on the green area at the end of Pearse Avenue and accessed from Gordon Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis
The Elected Members considered the planning report dated 29th August 2007. On the proposal of Cllr. F. Neylon, seconded by Cllr. J. Flynn it was agreed that the construction of showers/changing rooms, public toilet, boiler room, switch room, reference room, caretakers facilities complete with boundary fencing, landscaping and connection to all services on the green area at the end of Pearse Avenue and accessed from Gordon Drive would proceed.
Item 10 Extinguishment of Public Right of Way at Drumbiggle.
The Elected Members considered the report of the Town Clerk dated 29th August 2007. On the proposal of Cllr. T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr. T. Glynn it was agreed that pursuant to Section 73 of the Roads Act 1993 that the public right of way at Drumbiggle would be extinguished.
Item 11 To Consider the Allocation of Priming Grants 2007
The Elected Members considered the report of the Town Clerk dated 29th August 2007. On the proposal of Cllr. T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr. T. Glynn it was agreed that the following priming grants would be allocated:
- Ard Aoibhinn Residents Association 300
- Abbeycourt/Abbeyville Residents 300
- Aughanteeroe Residents Association 300
- Ard na Gaoithe Residents Association 300
- Avondale Residents Association 300
- Carraigh Dubh Residents Association 300
- Castlerock Residents Association 300
- College Green Residents Association 300
- College Grove Residents Association 300
- Cregaun Residents Association 300
- Cusack Lawn Residents Association 300
- Francis St/Clonroad Residents 300
- Dun na Ri Residents Association 300
- McHugh Villas Residents Association 300
- Clancy Park Residents Association 300
- Drumbiggle Residents Association 300
- Elm Wood Residents Association 300
- Elm Park Residents Association 300
- Fergus Manor Residents Association 300
- Fernhill Residents Association 300
- Frenchpark Residents Association 300
- Glenoir Residents Association 300
- Glensheen Residents Association 300
- Greendale Residents Association 300
- Hazelgrove Residents Association 300
- Hazelwood Residents Association 300
- Meadow Court Residents Association 300
- Phoenix Court Residents Association 300
- Pine Grove Residents Association 300
- Station Court Residents Association 300
- Tireda Residents Association 300
- Springfield Residents Association 300
- The Green Residents Association 300
- Willsgrove Residents Association 300
- Woodlands Residents Association 300
- Woodview Residents Association 300
Item 12 Consideration of the Quarterly Progress Report
The Elected Members considered the progress report dated 29th August 2007 from the Town Engineer. Cllr. F. Neylon suggested that when the improvement works at Lees Road are complete that the current management structure would be looked at. He added that the Sports Facilities Management Committee should be extended to allow for other sports clubs to be represented on the Committee. He also requested that the Consultants appointed for Lees Road would meet with local athletes before works on the synthetic running track commenced.
Item 13 To consider a review of Agreement made pursuant to Section 9 of the Planning and Development Act 2000
E. Power, Town Clerk advised the Members that in the context of the review of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan, the Agreement between Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council under Section 9 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 is also being reviewed.
Item 14 Correspondence
Letter received from Woodstock Golf & Country Club seeking sponsorship towards their participation in the All Ireland Series of the Pierce Purcell Shield Competition.
On the proposal of Cllr. T. Glynn, seconded by Cllr. P. Considine it was agreed that Woodstock Golf and Country Club would be allocated €1,000.00 towards their participation in the All Ireland Series of the Pierce Purcell Shield.
Letter received from Monaghan Town Council in relation to a Notice of Motion adopted by that Council in relation to putting a system in place to notify authorities within hours of a child going missing.
On the proposal of Cllr. F. Neylon, seconded by Cllr. M. Coote Ryan it was agreed that the following Notice of Motion adopted by Monaghan Town Council would be supported:
"That the Town Council call on the Minister for Justice, the Minister of State with responsibility for Children and the Minister of State for European Affairs to come together to put in place a system that would alert the police, media and public within hours of a child going missing and that this system would be brought forward at European level".
Letter received from Fermoy Town Council in relation to a Notice of Motion adopted by that Council regarding the eligibility of third level students to vote in Senate Eireann Elections.
On the proposal of Cllr. T. Glynn, seconded by Cllr. P. Considine it as agreed that the following Notice of Motion adopted by Fermoy Town Council would be supported:
"That all third level students who attend Universities or Institutes of Technology be eligible to vote in the Senate Eireann Elections".
Item 15 Conferences and Seminars
"Successful Apartment Living: Combating Urban Sprawl" - Conference being organised by the Institute of Public Administration and taking place at the Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin on 17th September 2007
Cllr. P. Considine noted that a Conference on "Successful Apartment Living" was being organised for 17thSeptember 2007. He added that with proper incentives there was scope in Ennis to develop the upper floors of buildings in the town centre. In response, T. Coughlan, Town Manager advised the meeting that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government had requested expressions of interest for such a scheme and that an application had been made to the Department.
Item 16 Any Other Business
Ennis Fashion Week
Correspondence received from Gwen Culligan, Ennis Fashion Week was circulated to the Elected Members. E. Power, Town Clerk noted the unique nature of the project and added that it was a great opportunity to promote the town. On the proposal of Cllr. T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr. P. Considine it was agreed to allocate Ennis Fashion Week the sum of €15,000.
Car Free Day
It was noted that European Car Free Day was taking place on Saturday, 22nd September 2007. On the proposal of Cllr. P. Considine, seconded by Cllr. J. Flynn it was agreed that Abbey Street, O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street would be closed for from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on 22nd September 2007 and that the business community would be consulted on the issue.
Local Government Reform
E. Power, Town Clerk informed the meeting that a Green Paper was being prepared on Local Government Reform. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government had launched a public consultation process in advance of the Green Paper. It was agreed that the Council would respond, indicating that an increase in the membership of Ennis Town Council should be considered from 9 to 12 in the context of a boundary extension for Ennis.
Footpath at Kilrush Road
Cllr. T. Glynn requested that the Town Engineer would arrange for repairs to the footpath near the junction of Kilrush Road Cross which was damaged following repairs to the watermain there.
Meeting with the Minister for Health and Children
Cllr. F. Neylon proposed and seconded by Cllr. T. Brennan that the Deputy Mayor and Town Clerk would also attend the Meeting with the Minister for Health and Children which is to take place on 20th September 2007. This was agreed by the Council.
Information Age Town
Cllr. F. Neylon expressed concern regarding a recent article in the Irish Independent regarding the Information Age Town project. He noted that the article was very negative and did not highlight the positive impacts associated with the project. T. Coughlan, Town Manager told the members that the article was based on current C.S.O. figures. He added that internet use during the period of the project was the highest in the Country but that times move on. He also told the members that an application had been made under the National MANS project. Cllr. P. Considine proposed that the Department would be written to and asked to fast forward the application.
Best Wishes
The Elected Members requested that letters be written to Katie Verling, Director of Glor Irish Music Centre, Barry Keating, Senior Staff Officer and Tom Quinn, Glor Irish Music Centre wishing them a speedy recovery. They also requested that letters be written to Cllr. Joe Reidy congratulating him on the occasion of his marriage to Clodagh and to Barry and Mary Keating congratulating them on the birth of their daughter, Hazel.
The meeting then concluded.
Town Clerk
Méara Bhaile na hInse.