Shannon.ie - Town Council Meeting Minutes June 2010

Brennan, Duff, Fleming, Flynn, McCafferty, McCarthy, McMahon & Mulcahy. ; Bernadette Kinsella – Town Manager, Liam O’Connor – Town Clerk & Emer Ni Fhlaitheartaigh – Irish Officer. Councillor Seán McLoughlin, Meara Bhaile, presided. Present were Councillors; In attendance were

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. Fleming and agreed; “That the minutes of the May Monthly Meeting of the Shannon Town Council held in the Shannon Town Hall at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday May 4th, 2010 having being circulated, be adopted and signed by the Meara Bhaile” Cllr. Flynn noted that the result of the vote taken at the May Monthly Meeting regarding the minutes of the April Monthly Meeting was 5 for and 3 against and not 6 for and 3 against as outlined in the minutes

“Wexford County Council calls on the Minister for Transport in response to “The Marine Pollution, Prevention, Preparedness and Response Capabilities Study 2008” to immediately provide Emergency Towing Vessels around the Irish coastline in order to protect Ireland’s coastline from economic and environmental damage”

“That the Council call on the government not to introduce VAT charges on council services until January 1st, 2011”

“At a recent meeting of Monaghan Town Council the Members called on Brian Lenihan T.D. Minister for Finance to explore the possibility of re-examining the basis on which rates are levied by local authorities on commercial properties throughout the country”

“That this Council demand An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen T.D., Brian Lenihan T.D., Minister for Finance and the Government to provide a financial aid package or relief’s for residential mortgage holders and S.M.E’s (small and medium enterprises) who find themselves through no fault of their own, having great difficulty meeting their financial commitments at this time”

The report from the May Area Meeting, having been circulated was noted. In response to a query from Cllr. McMahon the Town Manager told the meeting that at present there were no funds available for the development of the proposed Arts Centre for Shannon

Cllr. Brennan noted that she was awaiting a response from the Chamber of Commerce in regard to a date for the next meeting of the Industrial, Tourism and Development MPC. Cllr. Fleming told the meeting that the Environment and Community Affairs MPC could take on the project of a possible family fun day to mark the re-opening of the Leisure Centre

The audit opinion issued by the local government auditor pertaining to the 2009 Annual Financial Statement of Shannon Town Council having been circulated, was noted

Proposed by Cllr. McCafferty, seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and agreed; “That a report be prepared for Shannon Town Council detailing; The number of applicants on the list for social housing The number of social and affordable houses in Shannon The number of unoccupied social houses in the town The number of people in private rental accommodation in receipt of rent supplement A statement from the manager on how the council plans to cope with demand for social and affordable housing in Shannon during the lifetime of this council”

2610, of which 492 are approved applicants for the Shannon area. 238 social houses, 22 affordable houses provided at Cul na Greine, 16 affordable and 6 step down units are currently under construction at Glaise na Rinne. A further development of 38 affordable units, being phase 2 at Glaise na Rinne, has the benefit of a Part 8 planning process. There are 5 unoccupied social units in Shannon This information is not available In the current economic climate it is unlikely that ay large scale new schemes will receive approval from the DOEHLG. Accordingly, alternative social housing options will continue to be explored to meet housing need in the Shannon area, including the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and the Social Leasing Initiative which a national and local information and awareness campaign, seeking expressions of interest is currently underway. Madeline McCarthy A/Senior Executive Officer Housing, Social & Cultural Services Clare County Council In response to concerns raised by members the Town Manager indicated that the HSE would be written to, to ascertain the number of people in private rented accommodation that are in receipt of rent supplement

Proposed by Cllr. McMahon, seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and agreed; “That Clare County Council ensure that an adequate grass cutting programme is put in place in Shannon”

Grass cutting in Shannon Town commenced on May 17th, 2010 and is scheduled to continue until late September 2010. Michael Healy Executive Engineer Shannon Area Office It was noted that the delay in starting grass cutting in the town was due to union related issues. Cllr. Mulcahy suggested that if there are green areas not being cut they should be notified to the area office. It was agreed that agenda items 9 & 10 would be taken together

Proposed by Cllr. McMahon, seconded by Cllr. Flynn and agreed; “That Shannon Town Council would review the conditions and granting of permission to Funfairs, Circuses and similar activities in the area adjacent to Gaelscoil Donncha Rua”

At a special meeting of Shannon Town Council held on May 28th, 2010 the following resolution was adopted by the council in respect of the use of the area adjacent to Gaelscoil Donncha Rua; “That Shannon Town Council take on board the concerns in respect of the use of the designated events area as expressed by parents, the board of management and a teacher, that the council seek to deal with them including restricting times when activities such as funfairs, circuses etc can be held on the currently designated site” There was general agreement that the designated site for funfairs and circuses should only be used during school breaks. A letter outlining the above will be sent to funfairs and circuses, who have used this site in the past. Liam O’Connor Town Clerk Shannon Town Council

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and agreed; “That Shannon Town Council request Clare County Council to find a suitable site for the visiting funfairs and circuses, the current location on Bathar Linne is no longer suitable due to health and safety issues”

At present the designated site for visiting funfairs and circuses is adjacent to Gaelscoil Donncha Rua. If Shannon Town Council wish to propose other possible locations for funfairs and circuses, they can be considered by Clare County Council. It maybe appropriate that this matter would be progressed by the Environment and Community Affairs MPC. Liam O’Connor Town Clerk Shannon Town Council It was suggested that visiting funfairs and circuses could be located on a site in TC2 under the ownership of Shannon Development or in the Town Park behind the Garda Station. The Meara Bhaile suggested that proposals should be brought back to the July Monthly Meeting. Cllr. McCarthy requested that a copy of the town centre masterplan would be given to the newly elected councillors

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and agreed; “That Shannon Town Council call on Clare County Council and the EPA to install an air monitoring system in Shannon”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are chiefly responsible for air monitoring, therefore any requests for an air monitoring system should be made directly to the EPA. David Timlin Director of Services Environment & Water Services Clare County Council Concerns were expressed that air monitoring is currently subject to self regulation, and it was agreed that air monitoring systems should be put in place

Proposed by Cllr. McCafferty, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and agreed; “That Shannon Town Council asks the Competition Authority to investigate whether petrol and diesel retailers in Shannon are operating anti-competitive practices” Concerns were expressed regarding the high costs of fuel in Shannon compared to other towns and it was agreed that the Competition Authority would be requested to investigate the issue

Proposed by Cllr. Duff, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and agreed; “Shannon Town Council call on the Government to be more supportive and focused on the tourism industry in order to enable the industry to play an important role in the recovery of the Irish Economy” The motion was unanimously supported by the elected members

Irish Officer Emer Ni Fhlaitheartaigh gave a presentation on the Sceim Teanga and outlined the various objectives of the scheme as well as Clare County Council’s responsibilities under the Official Languages Act 2003. She added that a new Sceim Teanga had to be put in place by August 20th, 2010 and any suggestions or observations could be made to her office by June 25th, 2010. On the proposal of Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Duff it was agreed to suspend standing orders in order to debate an emergency motion

Proposed by Cllr. McCafferty, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and agreed; “That Shannon Town Council condemns the Israeli commando raid on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla’s humanitarian aid mission which has resulted in numerous deaths and injuries among those attempting to bring much needed aid to the besieged city of Gaza, which has been subject to an Israeli blockade, illegal under international law. Commends those Irish citizens who participate in this mission to bring 10,000 tonnes of aid to the people of Gaza. Recognises that this attack is an affront to international law and has endangered the lives of Irish Citizens, now calls on the Irish Government to sever diplomatic links with Israel.” The motion was unanimously supported by the elected members. . The meeting then concluded