Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 15th June 2009 at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee

I Láthair

• Cllr. Claire Haugh
• Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan
• Cllr. Paddy Collins
• Cllr. Brian Keane
• Cllr. Elaine Haugh Hayes
• Cllr. Karen Reilly
• Cllr. P.J Lardner
• Cllr. Michael McGrath
• Cllr. Mary Owens

I Láthair

• Nora Kaye, Acting Director of Services Housing and Social Policy
• John Corry, Acting Town Clerk
• Tom Coughlan, County Manager

John Corry took the Chair as agreed by the Members until the incoming Mayor was elected.

Return of Persons Elected

John Corry read out the names and parties of the newly elected council members of Kilkee Town Council.

• Claire Haugh, Fianna Fail
• Lily Marrinan Sullivan, Non Party
• Paddy Collins, Fine Gael
• Brian Keane, Fine Gael
• Elaine Haugh Hayes, Fine Gael
• Karen Reilly, Fine Gael
• Michael McGrath, Fianna Fail
• PJ Lardner, Fianna Fail
• Mary Owens, Fianna Fail

John Corry congratulated all the members on their Election to the Council and confirmed that he would work in partnership with them during their tenure to try and make Kilkee a better place to live, work and visit.

Election of the office of Cathaoirleach

Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan was proposed for the position of Chairperson by Cllr. Paddy Collins and was seconded by Cllr. Brian Keane.
John Corry asked if there were any other nominations for position.
Cllr. Claire Haugh was proposed for the position of Chairperson by Cllr. Michael McGrath and was seconded by Cllr. PJ Lardner.
As there were two nominations for the position John Corry called for a vote.
In favour of Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan Cllr. Collins, Cllr. Keane, Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan, Cllr. Reilly, Cllr. Haugh Hayes
In favour of Cllr. Claire Haugh, Cllr. McGrath, Cllr. Lardner, Cllr. Haugh, Cllr. Owens.
John Corry deemed Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan duly elected as Chairperson.

Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan took the chair and she said she was delighted with the opportunity to act as Mayor for Kilkee Town Council and indicated that the elected Council had a great opportunity to achieve over the next five years.  She indicated that with the lack of funds that it was not the best time for a council to be starting and that it would be difficult to get some things done that they would like to get done.  She said that if the Council agree on things that were important to Kilkee and the people of Kilkee that she hoped that they could achieve most of them.  She also said that she would like to think it would be an inclusive council representing different views across the town, and that she would help in allowing this to happen, as would everyone else at the table.
Cllr. Michael McGrath wished Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan well indicating that she had worked very hard for the last 10 years.
Cllr. Claire Haugh offered her sincere congratulations to Cllr Lily Marrinan Sullivan.  She added that she had always found her to be fair and impartial in her working relationship with her for the past 10 years.
Cllr Brian Keane wished Cllr Lily Marrinan Sullivan well and could see her as being a great chair for the year.
Cllr. PJ Lardner said he would too like to be associated with the comments of his colleagues.  He said she was passionate about Kilkee and that she would strive to get projects up and running.

Election of the office of Leas-Cathaoirleach

Cllr. Brian Keane was proposed by Cllr. Elaine Haugh Hayes for Vice Chair and this was seconded by Cllr. Karen Reilly.  As there was no other nominations Cllr. Brian Keane was deemed elected to the position .

Appointment of delegate to the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland

Cllr. Brian Keane proposed Cllr. P. Collins as the nominee for the A.M.A.I.  This was seconded by Cllr Karen Reilly
Cllr. Claire Haugh proposed Cllr. P.J Lardner for the position.  This was seconded by Cllr Michael McGrath.
As there were two nominations John Corry called for a vote on the nomination.
In favour of Cllr. Paddy Collins Cllr. Collins, Cllr. Keane, Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan, Cllr. Reilly, Cllr. Haugh Hayes
In favour of Cllr. PJ. Lardner, Cllr. McGrath, Cllr. Lardner, Cllr. Haugh, Cllr.Owens,
John Corry deemed Cllr Collins nominated.
Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan thanked Cllr. Lardner on behalf of the last two councils for the work he had done as the representative to the A.M.A.I

Schedule of Ordinary Meetings for Kilkee Town Council

John Corry listed the schedule of ordinary meetings of Kilkee Town Council up to the next AGM in 2010, as circulated to the Members.

 A.O.B

Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan wished the County Manager the best of luck in
his new role, and she added that she would like to bring to his attention the things that were important to them in Kilkee.  She said that these were their beach, their amenities and their people.  She added that she was concerned that there was a depletion of some of the services because of the staff embargo put on Clare County Council.  She asked that it be considered by the County Manager about lifting this embargo for seasonal workers in Kilkee.  She also congratulated Clare County Council on retaining eight Blue Flags.  She said she probably spoke for everyone at the table regarding this matter and she hoped for a response for the July meeting.  She concluded by saying that when the budget was adopted that the expectation was there that this work could be carried out by the two seasonal workers who had carried out works here before. 

Tom Coughlan congratulated the Mayor, the Vice Mayor and all the elected Members on their election to represent the people and to express the views of the people.  He added that it was a difficult thing they did in putting themselves up for election.  He added that he would help the Council in every way he could and that he would attend meetings from time to time.  He said he was very aware of the issues and very aware of the importance of the beach to the town, as well as the amenities and the people.  He said he would look at the situation and see what he could do.  He added that Nora Kaye and John Corry would be responsible for the Management of the day-to-day affairs of the town and he said he had every confidence in them.  He also added that Nora Kaye, John Corry and himself would be working in partnership with the Councillors to improve the quality of life for the people of Kilkee.

Cllr. Claire Haugh congratulated Tom Coughlan on his promotion to County Manager.  She added that she was delighted that he was going to look at the issue of the embargo on the recruitment of two seasonal beach workers.

Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan thanked Nora Kaye and John Corry but she also paid tribute to members who sat in the last Council who were not there tonight i.e. Tom Nolan, Michael Martin, P.J. Linnane and Carmel DeLoughery, and wished them all the best of luck in what they would do in the future. She concluded by saying that if this Council got one or two things done each year that was important to all of them and to the town then she added that they could say they did their part for the town.

As there was no further business the meeting concluded.