Shannon.ie - Town Council Meeting Minutes March 2009

Present were Councillors, Duff, McCarthy, Lambert, Hillery, Mulcahy, McKee, McLoughlin and McMahon

In attendance Mr. Gerard Dollard, Town Manager, Siobhán Mulcahy, County Arts Officer and Tomás Mac Cormaic, Town Clerk

The meeting was opened by the Meara Bhaile introducing the County Arts Officer who gave a presentation to the members, including a handout, which included a Creative Writing Project, Arts and People with Disabilities, the Shannon Guitar Rock School, Assistance given by the Arts Office to young artists. Siobhán regretted that the Arts Office had lost a number of staff over the past six months and she expressed concern for her own replacement when she shortly will be taking maternity leave. The proposed Arts Centre for Shannon is a matter of concern because while it's possible that developers of TC2 and TC3 may provide an Arts Building the fitting out of this building will be greatly hindered by the Government's decision to put the Gateway Innovation Fund on Hold

It was proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and resolved "that Shannon Town Council calls on the government to reverse their decision to put the Gateway Innovation on hold"

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved "that the minutes of the February monthly meeting of the Shannon Town Council held in the Shannon Town Hall at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday February 3rd 2009, having been circulated, be adopted and signed by the Meara Bhaile."

It was proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved "that Shannon Senior Citizens, Shannon Youth Service Council and Shannon Branch of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul be invited to each nominate one representative to serve on the Shannon Joint Policing Committee"

Two options were considered for a Pitch and Putt facility in Shannon. One of these was to convert the derelict All Weather Pitch into a Pitch and Putt Course but because of the Shannon Athletics involvement in developing the All Weather Pitch this option was not further considered

The second option was to develop the top of Tullyglass Hill into a Pitch and Putt Course. Some members considered that there would be objections from residents of Tullyglass Hill to this development. It was agree that before this be written off as an option some consultation should take place with the relevant residents. It was further suggested that if any member could suggest another alternative or alternatives these might be discussed at future meetings

The Meara Bhaile reported on issues relevant to Shannon Town discussed at the Shannon Area Council Meeting. These included the Arts Centre, take over of Ros Min and Gleann an Oir, service signs and the NRA, damage to green verges on Fergus Road, Affordable Houses in Cluain Áirne, the Eastern Boundary of Illaunmanagh Cemetery, Tradaree Court Flats and the planting of trees in Cronan and Tradaree Court. All this information is also available on the website

Proposed by Cllr. Mulcahy, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and resolved "that this council calls on the government to maintain investment in Primary Education to avoid increasing class sizes at primary level and to ensure the educational opportunities of our children are protected in these difficult times, and that this resolution be forwarded to An Taoiseach, the Minister for Education and to all Local Authorities."

Cllr. Duff reported progress on the St. Patrick's Day Parade arrangements and Cllr. McMahon said that his committee are considering assisting in the further development of the Shannon Website

It was decided not to nominate a representative of the council to the Agenda 21 section of An Taisce until members had more information about the composition of Agenda 21 and the frequency and duration of meetings. The Town Clerk would communicate this decision to the secretary of An Taisce, Mrs. Anny Wise

Members were circulated with a comprehensive report from the Riive Basin Committee and with a summary of this report

It was proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved "that the completion of the Annual Financial Statement of the Shannon Town Council for the year ended December 31st 2008 be noted and the 'technical overspends' be approved."

Proposed by Cllr. McLoughlin, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved

"that Shannon Town Council, at the request of residents of Tullyglass Court ask Clare County Council to plant trees in the green area at the rear of numbers 2, 3 and 4 Tullyglass Court Lower."

Proposed by Cllr. McLoughlin, seconded by Cllr. Duff and resolved "that Shannon Town Council ask Clare County Council to erect directional signs for Ballycasey Craft and Design Centre and this cost should be shared with Shannon Development Co. at (a) two signs on N18 on the approach for the Drumline turn off to Shannon one of these from the Ennis side and one from the Limerick side; (b) one sign on the approach to Ballycasey Roundabout from the N18; (c) one sign on the N18 from Limerick at the turn-off for the Sixmilebridge road; and (d) two on the approach to the Town Centre Roundabout on the N19 one of these from the Ennis/Limerick side and one from the Airport side. "

As all these signs are requested for National Primary Roads so permission will have to be sought from the N.R.A

Proposed by Cllr. Duff, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and resolved "that Shannon Town Council request Clare Council to investigate and deal with complaints by residents of the Gleann an Oir area in regard to their experience of an increase in the Rodent Population." The Town Manager informed the meeting that this problem has already been investigated and rectified

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and resolved "that Shannon Town Council requests the Roads Section of Clare County Council to re-surface the entrance road to Illaunmanagh Cemetery when the extension works are completed."

Proposed by Cllr. Lambert, seconded by Cllr. McLoughlin and resolved "that Shannon Town Council would encourage Shannon Airport Authority to proactively work towards restoring an evening link with Dublin Airport."

Proposed by Cllr. Lambert, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and resolved "that the Postal Vote be made available to people who are absent on polling day due to holiday arrangements."

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved "that Shannon Town Council calls on the Gardai to monitor the cycle lanes to ensure that there is no parking on or other abuse of these lanes by motorists."