Shannon.ie - Town Council Meeting Minutes October 2006

Councillor Tony McMahon, Meara Bhaile, presided

Present were Councillors, Flynn, McCarthy, Lambert, McKee, Duff and Mulcahy In attendance : Mr. Gerard Dollard – Town Manager, and Tomás Mac Cormaic - Town Clerk

Apologies from Cllr. Hillery and McLoughlin

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and resolved; “that the minutes of the September monthly meeting of the Shannon Town Council held in the Shannon Town Hall at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday September 5th 2006, having been circulated, be adopted and signed by the Meara Bhaile.”

Cllr. Flynn reporting from the Industrial, Tourism and Development Committee outlined plans for having information maps displayed in various areas throughout the town, at the Airport and in the Town Centre, and the publication of a newsletter in hard copy for distribution to every house in the town

Councillor Mulcahy , Chairman of the Area Council, reported on matters relevant to Shannon Town discussed at the September meeting of the Shannon Area Council. There was a lot of discussion on how best to keep the Town Council up-to-date on planning issues relevant to the town. It was proposed by Cllr. Mulcahy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved; “that the Planning Department of Clare County Council give a thirty minute presentation to the Shannon Town Council on planning policy and an overview of planning applications for Shannon Town. This presentation to take place at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday November 7th , prior to the November meeting of the Council.”

The Town Manager informed the meeting that Clare County Council is currently considering Bye-Laws to regulate Casual Trading in the County. At present there are no specific areas designated for casual trading which means that casual trading can take place without any controls in any part of the county. The proposed Bye Laws would designate, after public consultation with interested parties, specific casual trading areas throughout the county. The manager sought the following information; (1) areas in Shannon where Casual Trading currently takes place ? and (2) where in Shannon would it be most appropriate to designate a Casual Trading Area ? Cllr. Lambert suggested the area where the Farmers’ Market had been held in Drumgeely as an appropriate area for designation. There were no objections to this suggestion

The Meara Bhaile gave a brief report on the recent visit by 28 members of the Shannon Town Twinning Association to Shannon’s twin town, Guingamp in Brittany. A presentation was made by the Meara Bhaile to the Mayor of Guingamp on behalf of the people of Shannon. He commented on the ongoing relationship between St. Caimin’s Community School and Lycee Notre Dame in Guingamp and welcomed an interest by St. Patrick’s Comprehensive to form an exchange relationship with a school in Guingamp. The Meara Bhaile commented on the strong relationship that has developed over the years between social and community groups in both towns and suggested that consideration might be given to expanding this to commercial interests

Proposed by Cllr. Mulcahy, seconded by Cllr. Flynn and resolved; “that this Council engage with all relevant stakeholders to explore and identify the social, recreational and cultural needs of our community in relation to our new residential / commercial retail developments about to take place with the construction of the Southern Primary Route.”

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy. “that Shannon Town Council request Clare County Council to clarify their position in relation to bonfires in Shannon, and if they are to go ahead this year that the green areas be properly prepared by rolling back the green surface which will then facilitate the reinstatement of the area in the immediate aftermath of any such fires.” The Manager informed the meeting that Clare County Council will not in any way facilitate the lighting of bonfires

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and resolved; “that in view of the recent spate of anti-social behaviour in the Drumgeely area, that Clare County Council make sure all lighting is working and remove trees that are obstructing and reducing the effectiveness of new lights on the Corrib Drive Road.”

Proposed by Cllr. Duff and seconded by Cllr. Flynn. “that Clare County Council take action to prevent the storage of stones at a dangerous bend at Sli na Ri entrance to Shannon Olympic Pitch.” Cllr. Duff commented that the stones have been removed but he would like to know who stored them there in the first place

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved; “that Clare County Council undertake a speed survey on Corrib Drive.”

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Flynn and resolved; “that the Road Design Team of Clare County Council meet with Shannon Town Council prior to the commencement of the design of Phase 2 of the Shannon Southern Primary Road.”

Proposed by Cllr. Duff, seconded by Cllr. Flynn and resolved; “that Shannon Town Council request Beau Walk to address the need to clean up the approaches to Dromoland Mall and other entry points to the town centre on a daily basis.”

Two items on the Clár Oibre submitted by Cllr. McLoughlin were not moved because of Cllr. McLoughlin’s absence from the meeting

Sínithe ag : _________________________ ar an _______________ Méara Bhaile

Sínithe ag Tomás Mac Cormaic __________ ar an 5/10/06 Cléireach an Bhaile