Minutes of the January Meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 7^th January, 2008 at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

Cathaoirleach sa Cathair

• Cllr. P.J Lardner

I Láthair

• Cllr. Tom Nolan
• Cllr. Brian Keane
• Cllr. Claire Haugh
• Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan

Apologies

• Cllr. Michael McGrath
• Cllr. Carmel Deloughery

I Láthair

• David Timlin, Director of Service & Town Manager
• Derek Troy, Executive Engineer
• Siobhan O’Keeffe, A/Town Clerk

1. Minutes of the Annual Budget Meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 3^rd December 2007 at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

The minutes of the Annual Budget meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 3^rd December 2007 were then adopted having been proposed by Cllr. Claire Haugh and seconded by Cllr. PJ Lardner.

2. Minutes of the December monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 3^rd December 2007 at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

The minutes of the December monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 3^rd December 2007 were then adopted having been proposed by Cllr. Claire Haugh and seconded by Cllr. PJ Lardner.

3. Review of Kilkee Traffic Management Plan

David Timlin, Town Manager advised again that the closing date for receipt of submissions as part of the review process was close of business Tuesday 8th January. He advised that a number of submissions had been received to date covering the main areas of concern.
He advised that the next step in the review process was for the roads section of Clare County Council to prepare a preliminary report on the submissions. He said that he hoped that this would be prepared in time for the February meeting but if not the March Meeting and that it would be presented to both the Area Council as well as the Town Council, perhaps in a joint meeting.
Cllr. Haugh stressed that any changes agreed coming from the review process must be implemented in advance of the summer period.
Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan said that she hoped that all submissions would be given genuine consideration. Cllr. Nolan supported these comments and proposed that prior to any final plan being agreed, a round table discussion would take place involving all the parties concerned – Area Council, Kilkee Town Council, Roads Section of Clare County Council etc.
David Timlin, Town Manager also advised the members that he had made a submission to the Roads Section of Clare County Council regarding the Hodges Green roundabout and junction on Ennis road as National Secondary Road projects.

4. Consideration of request from Clare FM regarding an offer for the acquisition of the entire share capital of Clare FM

Siobhán O’Keeffe, A/Town Clerk advised that she had replied to the initial letter from Clare FM advising them that she was required to bring this matter before the Elected Members of Kilkee Town Council at the January monthly meeting.
It was agreed to wait and watch what happens with this as all agreed that the share capital held by Kilkee Town Council was unlikely to influence any proposed acquisition.

5. Schedule of Meetings for 2008

All received the schedule of meetings for the year.

6. Correspondence

• (a) Reply from Noeleen Fitzgerald to request from Kilkee Town Council

David Timlin reiterated that there is no discretion on how non-rating town council budgets are laid out and that we have to follow a very strict code. Without a change in legislation, funding on a discretionary basis cannot be added to the Kilkee Town Council budget. He referred to the forthcoming Green paper on Local Government proposals, which may address such issues.
He added that Clare County Council spends a lot more than outlined by Noeleen Fitzgerald in Kilkee on the provision of services and also provides ongoing supports to the services provided by Kilkee Town Council. What Kilkee Town Council can do is be ready to make applications for funding when funding programmes are announced and make submissions to CCC in time for budget preparations. Cllr. Tom Nolan added that Kilkee Town Council wanted to do its bit to add to the amenity value of Kilkee and just wanted to have some say in where money is spent in Kilkee for the good of the town.

• (b) All agreed to support the motion from Macroom Town Council
• (c) & (d) The contents of the letter from the HSE was noted and Cllr. Nolan stated that if the Health service is going to be centralised then a dedicated service will be required.

7. A.O.B

(a) Road Programme 2008

Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan enquired whether there was any update available on what roads are to be included in the 2008 roads work programme. Derek Troy, Executive Engineer advised that the roads programme is not finalised as yet. Derek advised that he will review past representations made by the elected members for roads such as Corry Lane, Chapel lane, North Circular Road and ensure he makes a proposal to Clare County Council before the programme is finalised.

(b) Bog Road, Kilkee

Cllr. Brian Keane advised that a fence had been blown down from the construction site on the bog road over the Christmas break. It lay on the main road for 4 days exposing up to 4 feet of water on the construction site. He said that as far as he can see planning conditions are being thrown out the window and wanted to bring this to the attention of the planning and roads section of Clare County Council.

(c) Watermain works on the Carrigaholt Road

Derek Troy, Executive Engineer advised the members that significant vandalism had taken place over the weekend on cones and traffic lights. He requested any information / assistance that the members could give to combat this vandalism.

(d) Lisdeen Recycling & Transfer Station

Cllr. Tom Nolan enquired as to whether Clare County Council had any plans to change the status of Lisdeen in terms of introducing charges for recyclable goods. Siobhan O’Keeffe, A/Town Clerk agreed to make enquiries with Environment Section of Clare County Council and advise at February meeting.
As there was no further business the meeting concluded.