Minutes of the Adjourned July Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3: 30 p.m. on Thursday, 9th July 2009 in the Council Chamber, Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, Ennis, Co. Clare.
Presiding
- Mayor F. Neylon
Councillors present
- T. Brennan
- P. Considine
- M. Coote Ryan
- J. Flynn
- M. Guilfoyle
- M. Howard
- B. Meaney
- P. O'Shea
Officials present
- E. Power, Acting Town Manager
- E. O'Dea, ActingTown Clerk
- L. O'Connor, 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.
At the outset of the meeting the Mayor F. Neylon thanked everyone for attending the funeral of his late brother P.J. Mayor Neylon also thanked the staff of the Regional Hospital, Limerick, St. Joseph's Hospital and the County Hospital, Ennis, for the care and support given to his brother and family, especially the staff of the ICU in the County Hospital.
1.Adoption of the Minutes of the June Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held on Tuesday, 2nd June 2009 at 3.30 pm
Ar moladh Cllr. T. Brennan, cuidithe ag Cllr. M. Guilfoyle agus glacadh leis
"That the Minutes of the June Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 2nd June 2009 be signed"
2. Schedule of Meetings
The Schedule of Meetings was proposed by Cllr P. Considine, seconded by Cllr M. Coote Ryan and agreed. It was further agreed that the dates for the April, May and June Meetings in 2010 would be set nearer the time of the meetings.
3. Consideration of the Annual Financial Statement for the Year Ended December 31st 2008
E. Power, A/Town Manager told the meeting that the Annual Financial Statement had been completed in accordance with guidelines set by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and would be subject to an audit by the Local Government Auditor. He added that 2008 resulted in a negative operating result of €113,701 on the Council's revenue account, but that there was still a cumulative credit balance of €837,042 on the revenue account.
In response to a query from Cllr J. Flynn, L. O'Connor, Senior Staff Officer gave a breakdown of the transfers to reserves set out in the AFS.
The following resolution was proposed by Cllr. T. Brennan and seconded by Cllr. M. Coote-Ryan and agreed
Adoption of the Annual Financial Statement for Ennis Town Council for the year ended December 31st, 2008.
The following resolution was proposed by Cllr. F. Neylon and seconded by Cllr. M. Guilfoyle and agreed:
Approval of additional expenditure in the amounts set out below in respect of the Service Divisions listed for the year ended 31st December 2008
- Service Division A: Housing & Building €130,885
- Service Division B: Road Transportation & Safety €53,776
- Service Division C: Water Supply & Sewerage €242
- Service Division F: Recreation & Amenity €200,203
- Service Division H: Miscellaneous Services €272,760
The following resolution was proposed by Cllr. T. Brennan and seconded by Cllr. M. Guilfoyle and agreed
Approval of transfers to reserves as set out below
- Service Division A: Housing & Building €38,035
- Service Division B: Road Transportation & Safety €46,201
- Service Division E: Environmental Services €16,492
- Service Division F: Recreation & Amenity €352,146
- Service Division H: Miscellaneous Services €112,804
4. (a) To note the resignation of one of the Council's nominees to the County Clare Vocational Education Committee
The resignation of Cllr T. Brennan as an Ennis Town Council nominee to the Clare County Vocational Education Committee was noted.
- To nominate a member to the County Clare Vocational Education Committee.
Cllr B. Meaney proposed that Cllr P. Considine would be nominated as the Council's representative to the VEC. This was seconded by Cllr F. Neylon.
Cllr J. Flynn proposed that Cllr P. O'Shea would be nominated as the Council's representative to the VEC. This was seconded by Cllr M. Howard.
A vote was then taken on Cllr P. Considine's nomination.
Cllrs T. Brennan, P. Considine, M. Coote Ryan, M. Guilfoyle, B. Meaney and F. Neylon voted in favour of the nomination.
Cllrs J. Flynn, M. Howard and P. O'Shea voted against the nomination.
As the result of the vote was 6 in favour and 3 against, Cllr P. Considine was elected as the Council's representative on the VEC.
5. Community and Arts Grant Applications 2009
On the proposal of Cllr P. Considine and seconded by Cllr M. Coote Ryan it was agreed that the following groups would be allocated grants under the Council's Community & Arts Grants Scheme for 2009
- Ennis Gospel Choir, €2,000
- Ennis Street Festival, €2,000
- Tic Toc Puppets, €1,500
- Banner Minor GAA Club, €500
- Ennis St. Johns Community Games, €3,000
- Clare Music Makers, €500
6. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr B. Meaney
I request that Ennis Town Council consider the siting, funding and commissioning of a statue of Michael Collins in Ennis Town.
Ar moladh Cllr B. Meaney, cuidithe ag Cllr J. Flynn agus glacadh leis
"that Ennis Town Council consider the siting, funding and commissioning of a statue of Michael Collins in Ennis Town".
Concerns were expressed regarding the funding of the proposed statue.
It was agreed that the Fine Gael members would speak to their party colleagues regarding funding.
7. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr B. Meaney
That Ennis Town Council compile a list of locations on footpaths around Ennis where repairs and in some cases rebuilding are necessary, identification of who is responsible for the work and a date for its completion.
In his written reply the Town Engineer replied as follows,
Ennis Town Council will carry out an assessment of the condition of footpaths to identify sections needing replacement and prepare a priorities list of work.
It was the intention of the Council to proceed in a programme of repair of footpaths in the Town Centre area and €60,000 had been allocated to this work. This work was removed from the revised road works programme due to reduction in allocation of the Special Block Grant.
8. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr M. Howard
That Ennis Town Council in the interest of safety align the roads in Ivy Hill, Gort Road and arrange for a grass maintenance programme to be put in place in the Estate.
In his written reply the Town Engineer replied as follows,
The Town Council generally do not carry out road lining in housing schemes except at priority junction locations. The layout of the road network within Ivy Hill requires driver to reduce speed. In this present economic climate there would be higher priority locations in the Town road network for lining. In most circumstances Ennis Town Council does not carry out grass cutting in private housing schemes when they are taken in charge.
After some discussion it was agreed that a costing for the works would be obtained and that the residents could then be approached and be requested to pay for a percentage of the costs.
9. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr M. Howard
That Ennis Town Council in conjunction with the Town Manager and Ennis Town Councillors meet a delegation from Parnell St Traders to discuss their ongoing concerns.
Ar moladh Cllr M. Howard, cuidithe ag Cllr J. Flynn agus glacadh leis
"That Ennis Town Council in conjunction with the Town Manager and Ennis Town Councillors meet a delegation from Parnell St Traders to discuss their ongoing concerns"
It was agreed that a deputation from Parnell St traders would be received at the September meeting of the Council. It was further agreed that the Town Engineer would in the meantime outline to the traders what works could be done on Parnell St.
10. Correspondence
- Letter received from the Local Government Finance Section regarding adjustments to the 2009 General Purpose Grant allocation from the Local Government Fund to Ennis Town Council arising from the supplementary budget and anticipated shortfall in motor tax receipts.
In response to a query from Cllr B. Meaney, L. O'Connor, Senior Staff Officer, told the meeting that the delay in the commissioning of the water treatment plant did not have any effect on the Local Government Fund allocation.
- Letter received by Cllr P. Considine from Ennis Development Forum regarding the meeting held between Ennis Town Council and Ennis Development Forum on the 12th May 2009.
In response to a query from Cllr P. Considine, E. Power, A/Town Manager told the meeting the following
- RATES: The rate for 2009 was set by the Council at the Annual Budget Meeting. There is no legal basis to reduce the rates now.
- PARKING: Expressions of interest to provide parking in Ennis have been received and are currently under consideration.
- INFRASTRUCTURE: Members were updated on the status of infrastructure projects at the last Council Meeting.
- WATER CHARGES: Water charges are now solely the responsibility of Clare County Council.
- CASUAL TRADING: The casual trading byelaws are currently being reviewed.
- TAXI RANKS: The draft byelaws in relation to the part time taxi ranks will be on the Agenda for the September meeting of the Council.
The members noted the response of the A/Town Manager.
- Letter received from Macroom Town Council in relation to a Notice of Motion considered by that Council regarding the reintroduction of royalties on oil and gas production.
On the proposal of Cllr P. O'Shea, seconded by Cllr J. Flynn it was agreed, following a vote, to support the Notice of Motion from Macroom Town Council.
Cllrs T. Brennan, M. Coote Ryan, J. Flynn, M Guilfoyle, M. Howard, F. Neylon and P. O'Shea voted in favour of supporting the Notice of Motion.
Cllrs P. Considine and B. Meaney voted against.
- Letter received from Eoghan O'Ceallaigh, Roslevan, regarding the charity cycle from Malin Head to Mizen Head to raise funds for the Irish Heart Foundation and Cardiomyopathy Ireland.
On the proposal of Cllr P. Considine, seconded by Cllr T. Brennan it was agreed that €300 would be donated to the Irish Heart Foundation and Cardiomyopathy Ireland.
- Letter received from Superintendent John Scanlan regarding the location of the Garda CCTV pole, camera and equipment at Market Street, Ennis.
The members welcomed the letter from Superintendent J. Scanlan regarding the CCTV pole, camera and equipment at Market St, Ennis.
11. Any Other Business
- Civic Receptions
Cllr F. Neylon proposed that a Civic Reception be held for the singer, Maura O'Connell. This was seconded by Cllr T. Brennan and agreed.
The members suggested that a scroll of recognition should be considered.
On their retirements, the members noted the contributions of school principals, Gary Stack and Margaret Cooney.
- Drumcliffe Graveyard
The Elected Members requested that Clare County Council would be written to and requested to place a CCTV camera at the entrance to the graveyard or alternatively leave the gates to the graveyard open. The County Council are also to be requested to clean the altar in the graveyard.
- Ache Bhile, Loughville
Cllr B. Meaney expressed concerns regarding the condition of the Ache Bhile housing development in Loughville and requested a report on same. In response E. Power, A/Town Manager, noted that there were legal complexities regarding the development and no further comment could be made at this stage. Cllr T. Brennan requested that AIB would be asked to switch on the public lighting in Ache Bhile.
- Housing
Cllr M. Guilfoyle requested the following information:
- Why did tenants have to wait 3 to 4 months to get the keys for houses allocated to them?
- An update on the situation in Cloughleigh.
- How long did the word disadvantaged have to apply to housing estates in the RAPID area?
In response, E. Power, A/Town Manager noted that houses allocated to tenants had to be brought up to a reasonable standard before they were handed over to tenants. He added that the Minister would be written to with regard to the term "disadvantaged" in the RAPID title.
(e) CCTV
In response to concerns raised by Cllr J. Flynn, E. Power, A/Town Manager told the meeting that it was prudent to use the Part VIII process with regard to the installation of CCTV in Cloughleigh, as precedence has been set by the OPW and Gardai prior to the installation of CCTV in the Town Centre.
(f) Commerative Plaque
The following motion was proposed by Cllr P. O'Shea and seconded by Cllr J. Flynn,
"that Ennis Town Council erect a commerative plaque, or sculpture, in honour of those children who suffered in the Religious Industrial Schools and Magdalene Laundries, as a mark of our support and good wishes in their future journey in life".
It was agreed that this motion would be on the agenda for the September meeting for consideration by the Council.
The meeting then concluded.