Minutes of the April Meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 12th April 2010, at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee

Cathaoirleach sa Cathair

• Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan

I Láthair

• Cllr. P. Collins
• Cllr. PJ. Lardner
• Cllr. M. Owens
• Cllr. E. Haugh Hayes
• Cllr. K. Reilly
• Cllr. C. Haugh
• Cllr. M McGrath.

Apologies

• Cllr. B. Keane

I Láthair

• N. Kaye, Acting Director of Services Housing and Social Policy
• J. Corry, Acting Town Clerk

Minutes of the March monthly Meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 1st March 2010 at 8.00 p.m. at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

Cllr P. Collins mentioned the courthouse that it was not protected but that it was within an architectural conservation area of Kilkee.  He referred to the Conservations Officers report.  He said that he felt that it was Clare County Councils job to carry out repairs to protect the building externally.  He added that he had made a submission to the Draft County Development Plan to have the building listed as a protected structure. 

Nora Kaye said there were more grants available to non public bodies and that was why she felt that expressions of interest be sought from various community groups in Kilkee.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan asked if Clare County Council could secure the building externally in the short term and then perhaps if there were expressions of interest from community groups that more comprehensive works could be carried out to the courthouse.

J. Corry said that he would examine same with Michael McNamara and come back to the next meeting. He also indicated that letters seeking expressions of interest from community groups would be sent.

It was agreed to keep the Courthouse as a recurring agenda item.

Minutes were proposed by Cllr. P.J. Lardner and seconded by Cllr. Karen Reilly.

Boundary Extension

Nora Kaye referred to the inclusion of Byrne’s Cove and George’s Head to the proposed boundary extension.  She added that she felt that if they were included that she was concerned that Clare County Council would be no longer responsible for their maintenance but rather Kilkee Town Council would be responsible for same with very limited resources.

Cllr. P. Collins said the reason that it should be included as Byrnes Cove was an integral part of the swimming experience in Kilkee.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan said that we needed to mindful of the budget that Kilkee Town Council had.

There was agreement amongst the members to include Byrnes Cove and George’s Head in the proposed boundary extension. The proposed inclusion of Byrnes and George’s Head were marked on a map.

Nora Kaye asked the member if they had any observations on the proposed boundary extension document circulated to the members at the February meeting.

Cllr. P. Collins queried could the Kilkee Beach Bye Laws extend beyond the town boundary.

John Corry indicated that the beach bye laws could not extend beyond the town boundary therefore at present Byrnes Cove and George’s Head would not be included in the beach bye laws.

Allender’s Field

It was agreed that items 3 and 10 would be taken together.  John Corry indicated that the head Gardener in Vandeleur Walled Garden had anticipated that the flowerbed planted last year would be in bloom within 2 to 3 weeks.  He added that approximately 20% of the plants had not survived the very harsh winter.  He added that the head Gardener was going to provide plants from the Vandeleur Walled Garden to replace these plants & that he was going to spray the flowerbed planted last year and that Clare County Council were going to spray and weed the flowerbed at the right hand side of the bridge so that same could be planted this year. 

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan said that the Tidy Towns had resources and that they were also going to invest in the field.  She indicated the she would continue to update the Council from the point of view of the Tidy Towns.

John Corry indicated that he was still waiting to get a response from Eirtricity re the cost of providing lighting to the site.  He added that the surface water had been diverted away from the footpaths to Allender’s Field and that this had nothing to do with the river.

10. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. M. Owens.

“ Calling on the council to have the river in Allender’s field cleaned ”.

Response from Cyril Feeney, A/Senior Executive Engineer, Kilrush Area Office, Clare County Council.

Clare County Council can arrange for same to be examined in the context of its work programme for Kilkee over the coming months. There is also an obligation on Kilkee Waterworld to keep this river clean.

Response Ends

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan mentioned that there was some water coming from beneath the steps in the East End and that this was washing away the sand and she was wondering if there was a new outlet on to the beach. 

There was a concern amongst the members about the sand being washed away.

John Corry indicated that he would investigate this and report back to the next meeting.

Beach Bye Laws

John Corry indicated that in accordance with Section 200 of the Local Government Act 2001 that the draft bye laws went on public display on 12th of March and that they would be on display until 12th of April.  He added that no submissions had been received as of yet.  He added that once the draft Bye Laws were adopted that they became law 30 days after being adopted.  He also indicated that public notice would have to be given of the laws having been made.  He added that they had planned to have the Bye Laws in effect from 1st of June 2010 and that is what was included in the draft.

It was agreed that a special meeting would take place regarding the adoption of the Beach Bye Laws on 26th of April at 6 pm.

Control of Dogs

John Corry indicated that the Community Warden in Kilrush had prepared a report regarding inspecting the grounds of the school in Kilkee to investigate incidents of dog soiling at this location.  The report indicated that there had been three separate inspections carried out and that there was no evidence of dog soiling.

A number of the members mentioned that the strandline was particularly bad.

John Corry indicated that once the beach bye laws were adopted that these would govern the beach areas. 

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan asked if special bins could be provided for the disposing of this waste.

John Corry indicated that people could be fined and that this may the biggest deterrent.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan mentioned if a notice could be placed in the newsletter.

Nora Kaye indicated that a leaflet could be prepared re this matter.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. C. Haugh.

“ Calling on Clare Co. Council, to reduce the cost of Fire Brigade Callouts”.

Response from Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire Officer, Clare County Council.

Fire Service Charges have been in existence throughout the country for some time, the basis of the current charges being set out in Section 35 (3) of the Fire Services Act 1981 and Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act 1983 and 2000.

Clare County Council Fire Service Charges are calculated using the National Rates of Pay of Retained Fire Fighters, which were reduced in line with the Public Service Pay reductions earlier this year.

Fire Brigade Attendance Fees

For information purposes, the average cost of attending a Chimney Fire is in the region of €1,100 – €1,300.  It costs from €35 - €60 to get a chimney cleaned.  As can be seen from the above table, the Charge is a fixed Charge of €150.

For all instances where persons make representations to the Council citing financial hardship, due consideration is given on a case by case basis.  However, it must be noted that premises and motor insurance policies generally provide for cover to include for Fire Service Charges.

There has been a system in place for a number of years for Chimney Fire Charges, both for Old Aged Pensioners and for persons in receipt of Social Welfare.

In the case of Old Aged Pensioners, where the Officer in Charge is aware or becomes aware that the person is in this category, he refers to this in the fire report and then no bill will issue

In the case of persons in receipt of social welfare, there can be up to a 50% waiver when we are made aware of the fact

Response Ends

Cllr. C. Haugh raised concern re cost to some people of calling out the fire service and the associated cost of same may result in some people that need to call the fire brigade failing to do so.

It was agreed that the media would be asked to highlight the fact that there were waivers available for the elderly.

John Corry indicated the importance of everyone getting their chimney cleaned in the interest of fire safety and also it would help reduce costs of having to call out the fire service.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. C. Haugh.

“ Calling on Clare Co. Council to re - locate the disabled parking spaces in O’ Curry St, i.e. spread them out throughout the street ”.

Response from Cyril Feeney, A/Senior Executive Engineer, Kilrush Area Office, Clare County Council.

Careful consideration was given regarding the location & provision of disabled parking spaces in O’ Curry St. Kerbs & footpaths have been dropped at the location of each of these disabled car park spaces in order to further accommodate those persons with disabled access needs. Therefore Clare Co. Council have no immediate plans to relocate any disabled parking spaces in O Curry St. 

Response ends

Cllr. C. Haugh indicated that there was a difficulty at where the disabled spaces were located in O’Curry Street in that they were very close together and that they were difficult to access.  She suggested that they should be spread throughout the street.

Nora Kaye referred to the response from Cyril Feeney.  She referred to the possibility of disabled funding being available for the implementation of the access audit.

A number of the members referred to the difficulty many people experienced in accessing same.

Cllr. K. Reilly also mentioned disabled space at the Pollock Holes near the barrier.  She indicated that it was located too close to the barrier to use same to its full potential. 

John Corry indicated the he would investigate same. 

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. C. Haugh.

“ That the crossings in O’ Curry St. in the vicinity of Nolan’s shop & the Pantry be defined ”.

Response from Cyril Feeney, A/Senior Executive Engineer, Kilrush Area Office, Clare County Council.

There are presently no pedestrian crossings in O’ Curry St in the vicinity of Nolan’s shop & the Pantry nor were same deemed as a requirement in the preparation of the current Traffic Management Plan for Kilkee. Because of limited resources Clare County Council are presently only in a position to maintain existing pedestrian crossings. Should further pedestrian crossings be required same would need to be considered in the context of the Traffic Management Plan for Kilkee.

Response Ends

Cllr. C. Haugh said that a number of people assumed that there was a pedestrian crossing across from O’Curry Street as the footpath had been dipped etc.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan said that whole idea in the Kilkee Traffic Management Plan of pedestrianising the Pantry Lane was to have the option of a pedestrian crossing across the Strand Line and O’Curry Street.  She added that a lot of people from the beach would use this crossing.

John Corry indicated that he would check same in the Traffic Management Plan. He also indicated that the cabling would need to be in place to have lights on pedestrian crossing.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. M. Owens.

“ That the council not allow posters for advertising to be erected all around the town. Just at the entrances to the town. ”.

Response from Betty Devanny, Administrative Officer, Environment Section, Clare County Council.

There is provision in the Litter Pollution Acts, 1997 - 2003 to control the type of advertising signage on public property/place or visible from a public place and to prosecute offenders in breach of the legislation - Section 19 refers.  

Clare County Council, on the receipt of an application for the erection of temporary signage on the County's roads, may grant approval for same, subject to compliance with a number of conditions.  Temporary signage will only be allowed in relation to once off events of community interest or for charity events.      

Permanent signs and licensing of certain signs is a matter for the planning authority in accordance with Section 254 of the Planning & Development Act 2000.  

Response ends

Cllr. M. Owens indicated concern re signage on approach roads to Kilkee & around Kilkee which she felt was very untidy and unsightly.

John Corry indicated that there was two aspects to this i.e. the litter aspect, which was governed by the Environment, and the licensing aspect of it was governed by planning.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan agreed with this motion. 

Cllr. P. Collins asked to see if clarification could be sought for the next meeting as to how many signs were licensed in Kilkee.

Nora Kaye said that this was a project that she had in mind to have this addressed however same was affected by resources.

11. Correspondence

All correspondence submitted was supported.

12. A.O.B.

Cllr. C. Haugh mentioned that there was a difficulty yesterday with regard to the number of cars parked, blocking traffic as you approach to George’s Head.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan suggested that an area for parking could be widened and marked as opposed to allowing cars to park out on the cliff area, where they would destroy the grass area.  She added that we have an obligation to the future generations to maintain same.

Cllr. E. Haugh Hayes asked if the barrier at the Golf Club could be moved as the golf club area are not closing it.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan said that we should write to the golf club to remind them of their responsibilities to close the barrier.

Cllr. P. Collins asked if there was any contingency to open the public toilets on a Sunday when it gets busy.

John Corry indicated that there was a suggestion to move the Superloo in the Square down to the area near the Waterfront so that there would be a toilet facility available to the public at all times which would be located closer to the beach.

The members felt that the existing public toilets should be opened.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan said that the town was left in a very bad state over the weekend, as it wasn’t cleaned.  She said that the council workers were now expected to do 3 days work in one day.  She said that during the busy summer season that this can’t be allowed to continue.  She acknowledged that funding was a difficulty however she indicated that there were a lot of cars in Kilkee over the weekend and yet no parking revenue was being collected.  She felt that this needed to be examined. 

A number of the councillors agreed that there was a lot of dumping in Kilkee over the weekend.

Cllr. E. Haugh Hayes said Kilkee functioned at a weekend and this was the time that the cleaners were required.

Nora Kaye said she was aware if this difficulty and that she was working to try and reach a resolution with the unions to get street cleaning returned on Sundays.

Cllr. K. Reilly informed the members as to how anyone can apply to An Taisce to get packs for clean ups on the beach etc.

Cllr. M. McGrath wished to acknowledge the work done by Willie Keane for the town of Kilkee as he was now retiring.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan agreed and said that Kilkee Town Council should make some acknowledgment of the contribution he had made to Kilkee.

Cllr. P. Collins asked if the ladders and diving boards could be put in place before the May weekend.

John Corry said he would investigate same.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan updated the members that she had met with the County Manager at the information session last week and that he had agreed that he would look at any proposal made by Kilkee Town Council to have some monies collected from NPPR in Kilkee reinvested in Kilkee. She specifically mentioned the bandstand project and the lighting up of the promenade, which was becoming a Health and Safety issue.  She said he had given no guarantees but that he would look at any proposals.

John Corry mentioned that Aidan Pender from Bord Fáilte would be in Clare on 29th of April but that he wouldn’t be in a position to visit Kilkee.  He indicated the he would in a position to separately visit Kilkee on another date.

Cllr. P.Collins mentioned that the Loop Head project in Kilkee had entered a project in aqua tourism and they had been short listed for a presentation with Bord Failte.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan queried as to whether or not there were any plans to reopen Lisdeen Recycling Centre on a Thursday coming in to the summer season.

As there was no further business the meeting concluded.

Cathaoirleach

A/Town Clerk