Minutes of the October Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday 5th October 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
- P. O'Shea
- M. Howard
Apologies
- Cllr B. Meaney
Officials present
- G. Dollard, Town Manager
- 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.
Cllr F. Neylon stated he wished to put on record a clarification of remarks attributed to him at the last meeting, which were incorrectly interpreted and reported. It was suggested and agreed that equality training be provided for Councillors.
Ar moladh Cllr M. Guilfoyle, cuidithe ag Cllr M. Coote agus glacadh leis.
2. Construction of pedestrian crossings at Mill Rd Bridge, Circular Rd, Clonroadmore, Highfield Park and Turnpike Rd, Ennis
Having considered the report of the Executive Planner, it was proposed by Cllr. T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr P. Considine and agreed that the developments proceed in accordance with details and drawings put on public display.
3. Pedestrian/cycle bridge over the railway and access ramps leading to the pedestrian/cycle bridge from both sides
Having considered the report of the Executive Planner, it was proposed by Cllr.
T.Brennan, seconded by Cllr M. Coote Ryan and agreed that the development proceed in accordance with the details and drawings set out on public file.
4. Consideration of the adoption of the Ennis Appointed Stands (Street Service Vehicles) Bye Laws 2009
E. Power, Town Clerk, pointed out that a report had been provided in relation to providing part time / night time taxi ranks.
Having considered the report of the Town Clerk, it was proposed by Cllr T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr M. Guilfoyle and agreed that the Ennis Appointed Stands (Street Service Vehicles) Bye Laws 2009 be adopted.
5. Taking in charge of Dun na hInse Housing Development
Having considered the report of the Town Clerk, it was proposed by Cllr. T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr P. Considine and agreed to declare the roads in Dun na hInse Housing Development, Lahinch Road, Ennis to be public roads.
6. Update on Car Parking submissions
This item was deferred.
7. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr P. O'Shea
For fairer treatment of asylum seekers at Clare Lodge, there should be extension of notice period for a couple of months to allow for discussion with RIA on specific case and situations.
8. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr B. Meaney - Deferred from September Meeting
That Ennis Town Council allow free parking for Electric Cars.Cllr B. Meaney stated that he wished to withdraw this motion.
9. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr B. Meaney
I request a list detailing The Comparative difference in commercial rates charged by Ennis Town Council compared with similar sized towns in Ireland.
In his written reply the Senior Staff Officer, Finance Section replied as follows:
The table below sets out the general annual rates on valuation for 2008 for towns with revenue expenditure budgets in excess of €6m.
| Town | Rate | Difference | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tralee | 79.98 | + 16.44 | + 25.87% |
| Carlow | 74.88 | + 11.34 | + 17.84% |
| Dundalk | 70.98 | + 7.44 | + 11.70% |
| Killarney | 70.49 | + 6.95 | + 10.93% |
| Letterkenny | 69.60 | + 6.06 | + 9.53% |
| Tullamore | 68.33 | + 4.79 | + 7.53% |
| Naas | 67.92 | + 4.38 | + 6.89% |
| Bray | 66.23 | + 2.69 | + 4.23% |
| Ennis | 63.54 | - | - |
| Athlone | 60.12 | - 3.42 | - 5.68% |
10. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr M. Howard
That Ennis Town Council undertake a safety audit to improve Pedestrian safety in the Town and implement traffic calming measures as appropriate paying particular attention to the following locations: Tulla Road, Cusack Road/Maid of Erin, Clareabbey, Watery Road/Bishops Court and Tesco.
The response of the Town Engineer was as follows :
There would be significant work in carrying out a safety audit in regard to improving pedestrian safety in the Town and based on the present resources available in the Road Design Section of Clare County Council, I would not expect any work to proceed for some time.
In regard to the particular locations mentioned there are pedestrian crossings on the Tulla Road and Cusack Road. The Road Design Section is looking at the feasibility of providing pedestrian crossing at or adjacent to roundabouts and mini roundabouts around Ennis.
The Council has proposed a Pedestrian Crossing on Highfield Park to permit pedestrians from Watery Road & Bishops Court to cross Highfield Park. Clare County Council Road Design Section and Transport Section are in discussions with the NRA about a pedestrian crossing at Clareabbey roundabout toward Clarecastle.
The Town Council have Part VIII Planning for pedestrian crossings at Circular Road, Mill Road, Clonroadmore, Highfield Park and Turnpike before them today and proposals for a pedestrian crossing at Lifford Road will be put forward for Part VIII Planning Procedure soon.
11. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr M. Howard
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, That Ennis Town Council urge the Minister for Health and Children and the National Cancer Screening Programme to introduce Mobile Digital Breastcancer Screening in County Clare immediately as promised.
E. Power, Town Clerk, informed the meeting that arrangements are being made to locate the mobile Breastcheck screening unit in Ennis. It is planned to have the unit in place shortly for a period of 10 months and will accommodate all residents of Clare who are included in the screening programme.
Following discussion on the current accommodation available in St. Joseph's Hospital it was agreed that the council would write to the HSE for an update on the current & planned provision of health services there.
13. Correspondence
Letter received from Clare County Council regarding Drumcliff Burial Ground, Ennis.
The councillors welcomed the contents of this report.
- Letter received from Kilrush Town Council regarding a Notice of Motion considered by that Council in relation to the recommendation contained in the McCarthy Report to abolish Town Councils.
The Council expressed support for the notice of motion as agreed by Kilrush Town Council.
- Letter received from South Tipperary County Council regarding a Resolution adopted by that Council in relation to their opposition to the proposals relating to the re-introduction of third level tuition fees.
The council expressed support for the resolution adopted by South Tipperary County Council.
14. Conference and Seminars
- Councillor Co-Operation, North and South – the Challenges, being organised by North-South Confederation of Councillors and taking place at Bellingham Castle Hotel, Castlebellingham, Co. Louth on the 9th and 10th October 2009.
- Annual Winter Seminar being organised by the Local Authority Member's Association and taking place at the Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel, Dublin Road, Limerick on the 6th and 7th November 2009.
- Who's in charge? Towards a Leadership of Service The Céifin Conference 2009 taking place at the West County Hotel, Ennis, on the 3rd and 4th November 2009.
- Cancellation of Public Policy Making and the Councillor on 2nd to 4th October at the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, and rescheduled for 30th October to 1st November in the Carlton Atlantic Hotel, Westport, Co. Mayo.
- Time Management, Media & IT Skills Conference – A Guide for the busy Councillor being organised by Ace Training & Management and taking place at the Creggan Court Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath on 6th to 8th November 2009.
Any other business
T. Brennan raised the matter of the proper completion of the Lahinch Road roundabout. G. Dollard undertook to have the matter investigated.
M. Howard requested on behalf of traders that street cleaning in O'Connell Street commence earlier. The Town Engineer said he would have the matter examined.
F. Neylon expressed concern that residents in some parts of Ennis were still experiencing water shortages due to inadequate pressure. G. Dollard undertook to have a report prepared for the Council.
G. Dollard outlined the difficulties faced by the organisers of the Ennis Trad Festival and recommended that the Council approve payment of €7,500 to support this year's festival. This was proposed by T. Brennan, seconded by Mary Coote Ryan & agreed.
G. Dollard referred to correspondence from the Mayor of Langenfeld in Germany regarding the development of a twinning arrangement, and inviting a delegation from Ennis Town Council to visit. It was proposed by M. Guilfoyle, seconded by P. Considine and agreed that suitable arrangements be made to visit Langenfeld and to receive a reciprocal visit.
The meeting then concluded.