Minutes of the May Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, 12th May 2009 in the Council Chamber, Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, Ennis, Co. Clare
Presiding
- Mayor P. Considine
Councillors present
- T. Brennan
- M.Coote Ryan
- J. Flynn
- T. Glynn
- T. Matthew
- F. Neylon
- D. O’Bearra
- J. Reidy
Officials present
- L. Cleary, A / Director of Service
- E. Power, Town Clerk
- E. O’Dea, Town Engineer
- N. O’Keeffe, Administrative 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.
It was proposed by Mayor P. Considine and seconded by Cllr. T, Brennan that the meeting be adjourned until 4.00 pm on Tuesday 12th. May 2009.
Adoption of the Minutes of the April Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held on Monday, 6th April 2009 at 3.30 p.m.
Ar moladh Cllr. T. Glynn, cuidithe ag Cllr. T. Brennan agus glacadh leis
"That the Minutes of the April Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3.30 p.m. on Monday, 6th. April 2009 be signed"
Disposal of land in Hermitage – Report already circulated.
Having considered the report of the Town Clerk it was proposed by Cllr. J. Reidy, seconded by Cllr. T. Brennan and agreed that the disposal of land at Hermitage should proceed.
Disposal of land at Dalcassian Drive to Francie Daly – Report already circulated.
Having considered the report of the Town Clerk it was proposed by Cllr. T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr. F. Neylon and agreed that the disposal of land at Dalcassian Drive to Martin Daly (Francie Daly Motors), Dalcassian Drive, Ennis should proceed.
Disposal of land at Glor – Report already circulated.
Having considered the report of the Town Clerk it was proposed by Cllr. T. Glynn, seconded by Cllr. T. Matthew and agreed that the disposal of land at Glór should proceed. At the request of Cllr. T. Brennan the Town Clerk confirmed that the lease was for 5 years.
Overdraft Accommodation for the period 1st July 2009 to 31st December 2009 – Report Attached.
Having considered the report of the Town Clerk it was proposad by Cllr. J. Reidy, seconded by Cllr. T. Brennan and agreed that arrangements be made to provide an overdraft facility as outlined in the Town Clerk’s report dated 6th. May 2009.
Declaration of Public Roads – Castlerock Housing Development, Tulla Road, Ennis – Report Attached.
Having considered the report of the Town clerk it was proposed by Cllr. T. Glynn, seconded by Cllr T. Brennan and agreed that the roads in the Castlerock Housing Development be declared public roads.
Draft Programme (Amended) for Special Roadworks 2009 – report attached.
Having considered the Town Engineer’s report the elected Members approved the amended programme for Special Roadworks 2009.
Notice of Motion Submitted by Councillor J. Flynn
In light of hazardous levels of lead in water in a number of locations that Clare County Council as the water service (sanitary) authority, with responsibility to legally provide clean and safe water to households in Ennis and wider area, urgently prepare an action plan, including timeframe for completion, for
- lead mains removal at Marion Avenue, and
- reduction in levels of lead in other areas around Ennis down to levels in Drinking Water Regulations (S.I. No. 278 of 2007), and other relevant legislation.
In his written reply the Senior Engineer, Clare County Council replied as follows
The EPA issued guidance in 2008 about lead water pipes. This clarified that the Water Services Authority (Clare Co Council in this case) is responsible for distribution mains and for connections and services as far as each individual customer's stopcock. From the stopcock to the house, and for the internal plumbing in the house, the customer is responsible. The Council is also responsible for ensuring that water supplied from the source does not contain a lead level exceeding that specified in the current regulations, i.e. the Drinking Water No. 2 Regulations of 2007.
In October 2008 Clare Co Council put on its website a statement, issued jointly with the Health Services Executive, on lead in drinking water in the county, accompanied by information and advice to consumers.
In accordance with the EPA's guidance, Clare Co Council did a survey in 2008 of lead distribution mains in the county, and identified lead mains supplying Marian Avenue. Staff of the Ennis area office replaced approx. 50% of the Marian Avenue mains with PVC pipes. Due to reductions in staffing it has been necessary to seek prices from contractors to complete the work.
The source of funding for completion of the work is at present unclear - a case will be made to the DEHLG for extension of lead replacement funding which was available during 2008.
Notice of Motion Submitted by Councillor J. Flynn
In light of commissioning difficulties with the plant, expressed reservations by E.P.A. and other water treatment experts, that Clare County Council urgently prepare or commission an independent report on; the efficiency and effectiveness of the new Ennis water treatment plant to provide adequate volumes of water for human usage and fire requirements and that such treated water fully complies with the quality requirements set out in EU (Drinking Water) (No.2) Regulations of 2007.
In his written reply the Senior Engineer, Clare County Council replied as follows
It is acknowledged, as per the statement recently issued by Clare Co Council to Council members, that there have been difficulties in commissioning the new Ennis water treatment plant. It is important to reiterate that the quality of water produced by the plant has been high since it came into operation on 2nd March 2009, and that the difficulties are in ensuring that it can consistently produce, under all conditions of raw water, a sufficient quantity of treated water to meet the needs of the town and its surrounds.
The contract for construction of the plant is the Design-Build-Operate (DBO) type. In a DBO contract, the Council sets performance standards rather than designing the system in detail. The three key performance requirements are that (a) the treated water comply with the current drinking water regulations, (b) the system be able to produce a max of 750 cubic metres per hour, and (c) the service reservoir maintain a specified minimum level. The contractor is responsible for the detailed design of a process to meet these requirements, and to demonstrate during the commissioning period that the process works consistently.
The contractor is continuing to work to bring the process up to the required performance standards, and it is difficult to see what purpose would be served at this time by seeking a report by any outside party.
Cllr. J. Flynn expressed concern that investment opportunities could be lost due to the delay in the commissioning process. The Town Engineer agreed to provide an updated report at the next meeting.
Notice of Motion Submitted by Councillor D. O’Bearra
Ask the Town Engineer to suggest effective traffic calming measures for the Lee’s Road junction and the Lahinch Road.
In his written response the Town Engineer replied as follows
The Council will examine the Lees Road/Lahinch Road junction including all available accident data.
Any submissions to the NRA for funding under Low Cost Safety Schemes will require this data and will be prioritised along with other projects in the County.
Funding under Low Cost Safety Schemes from the NRA has been reduced in 2009.
Notice of Motion Submitted by Councillor D. O’Bearra
Ask the Manager to report on why bicycle stands as required in the planning conditions of McDonalds on the Gort Road are not in place?
In his written response the Town Clerk replied as follows
A stand for 5no. bikes has been installed on site in the vicinity of the entrance to the drive thru.
Cllr. D. O’Bearra welcomed the installation of bike parking facilities but queried whether they were installed at the location specified in the planning permission.
Correspondence.
- Letter received from Monaghan Town Council in relation to a Notice of Motion considered by that Council regarding the decision not to notify vehicle owners when their NCT is due.
Councillors T. Brennan, T. Glynn P. Considine J. Reidy and F. Neylon expressed support for Monaghan Town Councils notice of motion in relation to NCT notifications.
- Request for development of a twinning arrangement with the town of Langenfeld, Germany.
Following discussion the elected Members agreed that the proposal from Langenfeld to develop a twinning arrangement with Ennis be investigated further.
Conference and Seminars.
Supporting Family Carers Seminar taking place at the Bellingham Castle Hotel, Castlebellingham, Co. Louth on Friday the 29th to Sunday the 31st May, 2009.
On the proposal of Cllr D. O’Bearra and seconded by Cllr T. Brennan the Council nominated Cllr T. Matthew as a Delegate to attend this Conference.
Any Other Business.
Cllr. F. Neylon suggested that Ennis Town Council provide financial support to the Clare Ladies GAA team in recognition of their recent achievements and the Elected members agreed that a contribution in the sum of €250 be made.
The use of the football pitch in Glenina was raised and the Town Clerk informed the elected members that he was in contact with the residents on the issue of restricting usage to underage teams.
Cllr. J Reidy requested an update on the proposed footbridge on the Quin Road to be installed by Iarnród Éireann.
Cllr. J. Reidy complimented the Town Clerk and staff on the organisation and running of the 2009 St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Cllr. T. Brennan requested a progress report on the upgrading of Waste Water treatment facilities, as development opportunities were on hold pending the increase in capacity. Cllr. J. Flynn supported this request.
The Elected Members passed a vote of sympathy to the family and relatives of the late:
- Michael Nihill. Shallee Drive, Ennis.
- Pascal Molloy, 18 Hermitage, Ennis.
- Caoimhe Lynch, Ballybrody, Fountain, Ennis.
- Michael Coote, c/o 1 Kincora Park, Ennis.
The meeting then concluded.