Shannon.ie - Town Council Meeting Minutes May 2010

; Bernadette Kinsella – Town Manager & Liam O’Connor – Town Clerk.In attendance were

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and agreed; “That the minutes of the April Monthly Meeting of the Shannon Town Council held in the Shannon Town Hall at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday April 6th, 2010 having being circulated, be adopted and signed by the Meara Bhaile” Cllr. Flynn and Cllr. McCafferty noted that they had an issue with item 3 (c) in the minutes of the April Meeting regarding the Mayor’s attendance at a function in New York as well as his attendance at the St. Patrick’s Day parade there. Cllr. McCarthy noted that while there was a lot of discussion on this issue at the April meeting and a proposal had been made and there was no objection to that proposal. The Town Clerk outlined the costs incurred to date regarding travel & subsistence for conferences, conference fees and promotional activity abroad. He also outlined the cost of the New York element of the visit to the USA. After further discussion a vote was taken on the adoption of the minutes of the April Monthly Meeting. Cllrs. McLoughlin, Duff, McMahon, Mulcahy, Fleming and McCarthy voted in favour of the adoption of the minutes of the April Monthly Meeting. Cllrs. Flynn & McCafferty voted against the adoption of the minutes. Cllr. Brennan abstained from the vote as she was not in attendance at the April Meeting. As the result of the vote was 6 for and 3 against the minutes of the April Monthly Meeting were formally adopted

(a) A letter from Shannon Community Workshops regarding the sale of houses at Cill Chais was circulated. The elected members expressed concern regarding what the proceeds of the sale would be used for and the fact that there was still a need for the type of housing that had been provided at Cill Chais. It was agreed that terms and conditions attached to the transfer of the houses from Shannon Development to Shannon Community Workshops would be requested. (b) A letter from the Concerned Residents of Cluain Airne was noted by the elected members. It was requested that the letter would be circulated to all members. The Town Manager noted that Clare County Council had agreed to level and re-seed a 20m linear strip in front of house no’s 65 – 100. The remainder of the lands form part of the construction site and is subject to continuous development. The Town Manager added that regular liaison meetings have taken place between residents and council staff. (c ) The following Notice of Motion passed by Clones Town Council was noted by the elected members; “That this council calls on Minister Batt O’Keeffe, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment to work with the regulator to ensure that the UK/Nothern Ireland business is re-opened with immediate effect to safeguard the 2,800 highly skilled jobs in Quinn Insurance” (d) The following Notice of Motion passed by Mullingar Town Council was noted by the elected members; “That Mullingar Town Council calls on the Minister for Family and Social Affaiirs to amend the eligibility for Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme (M.I.S.) having regard to the existing anomalies contained in this Scheme” It was requested that details of these anomalies would be requested. (e) Notification of a conference on the Integration of Joint Policing Committee in Local Authority Structures in Rosscarbery, Co. Cork on May 21st – 23rd, 2010 was considered and after some discussion it was agreed that Cllr. McMahon, Chair of the Shannon JPC, would attend the conference on the proviso that the conference fee did not exceed €250. (f) Notification of the AMAI Annual Conference which is to take place in Inishowen on September 9th – 11th, 2010 is to be considered at a future meeting of Shannon Town Council

The report from the Area Meeting, having been circulated, was noted. On the proposal of Cllr. Flynn it was agreed that the Area Engineer’s report on staff resources that was discussed at the Area Meeting would be circulated to town council members

Cllr. Brennan noted that the Chamber of Commerce had nominated a representative to the Industrial, Tourism & Development M.P.C

It was agreed that the Annual Meeting of Shannon Town Council would be held on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 at 6.00 p.m

It was agreed that the July Monthly Meeting of Shannon Town Council would be held on Tuesday June 22nd, 2010 at 6.30 p.m

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and agreed; “That this council provide, in conjunction with the Business Community, Local Business information signs advising of neighbourhood business areas e.g. Drumgeely, Ballycasey.”

The provision of advertising signs on national routes is contrary to NRA policy and is therefore not allowed. Such advertising signs are allowed on regional and local roads but require the benefit of a licence where an annual fee of €630 is payable to Clare County Council. The Area Engineer should be consulted about the sign design and location before formally making an application to the Planning Department of Clare County Council. Application forms for providing advertising signs are available for download from the Clare County Council website or alternatively can be collected from the civic offices in Shannon. Area Engineer Shannon Area Office Clare County Council Cllr. McCarthy noted that what she proposed was that information boards would be developed outlining what services were available in neighbourhood areas such as Ballycasey. It was suggested that the proposal might be examined by the Industrial, Tourism and Development MPC in conjunction with the Area Engineer and Chamber of Commerce

Proposed by Cllr. Fleming, seconded by Cllr. McCafferty and agreed; “I am asking Shannon Town Council and Clare County Council for an update on the bus shelter for Cronan as it was agreed at the community initiative fund meeting that a third bus shelter would be one of the projects that would benefit all ages of the community in Shannon”

A costing for the erection of a proposed bus shelter, and ancillary works, in Cronan will be carried out, and will be advised to council. At the community initiative fund meeting it was requested that the project would be subject to a public consultation process. This process will commence once the location and design for the bus shelter have been finalised. Formal confirmation regarding the suitability of a site for the bus shelter will also be required from Bus Eireann. Liam O’Connor Town Clerk Following some discussion the following proposals were agreed; Proposed by Cllr. Fleming, seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and agreed; “That Shannon Town Council formally identify a site for a bus shelter in Cronan/Tullyvarraga Area and go for planning” Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. Fleming and agreed; “That clarification be got on the proposed bus shelter for Bothar na Rinne in front of Bru na Sionna”

Proposed by Cllr. McMahon, seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and agreed; “That Shannon Town Council call on Clare County Council to address the problem of advertising notices placed all around the town and approach roads”

Subject to availability of resources I will arrange to have unauthorised advertising notices removed around the town and on the approach roads to the town. Area Engineer Shannon Area Office Clare County Council The elected members expressed concern that some advertising signs around Shannon were dangerous as they could potentially distract drivers. It was suggested that a designated areas for locating advertising signs could help address the problem

Proposed by Cllr. McCafferty, seconded by Cllr. Flynn and agreed; “In the interests of road safety, that Shannon Town Council requests the area engineer to paint double yellow lines at the junction of Tullyglass Court with Tullyglass Road and the junction of Dun na Ri/Bothar na Luachra and other potentially hazardous junctions indicated by members where parked cars clearly obstruct the view of emerging drivers”

I will request the Road Design Section of Clare County Council to inspect all junctions onto the main collector and distributor roads in Shannon with a view to drafting proposals to prohibit parking close to these junctions so as to ensure adequate sightlines at junctions are available. Area Engineer Shannon Area Office Clare County Council Cllr. McCafferty noted that she had received a number of complaints regarding parking at junctions and called for double yellow lines to be put in place

Proposed by Cllr. McCafferty, seconded by Cllr. Flynn and agreed; “That Shannon Town Council prioritises the construction of a footpath on the avenue leading to Ballycasey Craft Centre in the interests of public safety”

Subject to resource constraints and analysis of pedestrian demand consideration will be given to extending the footpath along Ballycasey Avenue as far as the Ballycasey Craft Centre in 2011. Area Engineer Shannon Area Office Clare County Council Cllr. McCafferty told the meeting that traders in Ballycasey had requested that the footpath would be extended as far as the Ballycasey Craft Centre as the road was quite narrow and was dangerous for pedestrians. Clarification is to requested as to whether the road has been taken in charge by Clare County Council

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and agreed; “That Shannon Town Council request Clare County Council to remove the dangerous tree at the back of No. 5 & 6 Ballycasey Manor, this tree poses a health & safety issue for members of the public using Ascal na gCeard Road and also adjacent properties”

These trees will be inspected by a tree surgeon on Wednesday 5th May 2010. If the trees are deemed dangerous they will be removed otherwise routine maintenance work will be undertaken. Area Engineer Shannon Area Office Clare County Council

Cllr. Flynn noted that he was satisfied with the reply

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and agreed; “That Shannon Town Council request Clare County Council to repair the section of footpath outside 33 Dun an Oir. This was damaged by severe frost during the winter and is in a dangerous condition”

Subject to availability of resources I will include these footpath repairs in our current schedule of works. Area Engineer Shannon Area Office Clare County Council Cllr. Flynn and Cllr. McCarthy requested that temporary repair works would be carried out on the footpath outside No. 33 Dun an Oir as a matter of urgency

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and agreed; “Arising from the discussion on the Wetlands Project that Shannon Town Council meet with the Wetlands Project team to discuss how to progress the project and explore the feasibility of making the area an environmentally friendly recreation area” After some discussion it was that the council would meet with the Wetlands Project Team. It was also suggested that the Environment and Community Affairs MPC could help progress the project

Proposed by Cllr. McLoughlin; “I propose that the criteria for honouring the members of the community under the Liosta na Laochra Awards be altered to acknowledge through their personal leadership, individuals, not necessarily resident in Shannon, who have made an outstanding contributions to the town of Shannon and to the Shannon Community” After some discussion it was agreed not to alter the criteria for the Liosta na Laochra awards

Proposed by Cllr. McLoughlin, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and agreed; “That Shannon Town Council request the Ministers for Finance and Transport to remove the Public Service Obligation (PSO) currently in place for regional airports across the country in the interest of fair play to all airports” It was agreed that a letter would be sent to the Ministers for Finance and Transport requesting the removal of the Public Service Obligation

Proposed by Cllr. Duff, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and agreed; “That as the area to the rear of Collins Park has become a dumping ground, Shannon Town Council supports a clean up plan that would complete the work begun in this area last year”

Should the local residents wish to arrange for a clean-up then the council will provide gloves, bags etc and will arrange to collect the rubbish at an agreed time and location. Area Engineer Shannon Area Office Clare County Council The elected members supported Cllr. Duff’s motion and noted that illegal dumping was occurring in many areas. Cllr. McMahon & Cllr. McCafferty called on Clare County Council to employ extra staff to deal with the issue of illegal dumping. At this point in the meeting Cllr. McCarthy proposed that standing orders would be suspended so that the agenda could be finished, this was seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and agreed

Proposed by Cllr. Duff, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and agreed; “In light of the increasing mortgage payment crises, Shannon Town Council call on the Government to introduce a 24 month moratorium from the time mortgages first go into arrears before repossession proceedings can be taken” The elected members expressed grave concerns regarding the increasing mortgage difficulties being experienced at present. It was agreed that the motion would be circulated to all Local Authorities for discussion

The Meara Bhaile proposed a motion of sympathy to Cllr. Brennan following the death of her brother, which was unanimously supported by the elected members

The Town Clerk informed the meeting that McFadden’s Funfair had revised their schedule and would be opening their funfair in Shannon on Friday May 7th, 2010. . The meeting then concluded