Minutes of the June Meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 5^th June, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

Cathaoirleach sa Cathair: Cllr. Claire Haugh.
I Lathair: Cllr. Michael McGrath, Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan, Cllr. Brian Keane, Cllr. P.J. Linnane, Cllr. Carmel Deloughery
Apologies.  Cllr. P.J Lardner
I Lathair:  David Timlin, Director of Service & Town Manager
              Derek Troy, Executive Engineer
    Siobhán Curran, A/Town Clerk
At the outset of the meeting Cllr. Haugh welcomed Supt Declan Brogan to the meeting and also welcomed Derek Troy, as the new Executive Engineer replacing Steve Lahiffe.

1. Adoption of May monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 14^th May, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

The minutes of the May monthy meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on 14^th June, 2007 were then adopted having been proposed by Cllr. PJ. Linnane & Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan.

2. Attendance of Supt. Declan Brogan to discuss policing in Kilkee over the summer months

Supt. Brogan advised that the busy period had commenced in Kilkee and that he could report that over the Bank Holiday weekend there were 63 incidents in Kilkee with 14 arrests. The situation was helped with the increased presence of Gardai in Kilkee with 2 sergeants and 9 guards on duty over the bank holiday weekend and the availability of the public order van in the town. He said that his predecessor had submitted proposals regarding policing of Kilkee to Ennis for consideration but he confirmed that he is currently making some revisions to those proposals.  He advised that he wants to achieve a minimum Garda presence of 2 sergeants and 5 guards at all time and to get to a situation where the Garda station was open at all times so that people could walk in off the street. He stressed that he welcomed feedback from the public and the elected members and he would be happy to provide another update at the July meeting. Cllr. Linnane complimented the Supt on the visible increase in the Garda presence and that it was great to see Gardaí on the beat in Kilkee. The Supt. stressed that he didn’t want to give the impression that Kilkee is a problem area as this is not the case. The important issue for the Gardaí is consistency. He said that in general the non-nationals do not cause problems as they have a different drink culture. Cllr. Keane complimented the Gardaí on the increased presence on the street and hoped that it would continue so that people would feel safe in Kilkee. Cllr. McGrath complimented the Supt. and said that he was personally delighted with the proposal to have Kilkee Garda station open at all times. Supt. Brogan also referred to other measures that could be considered for Kilkee e.g. CCTV, which he said is a major deterrent. It was agreed that this could be discussed in more detail at a later date.

2. Deputation from Marine Parade

Cllr. Haugh proposed to suspend standing orders to allow the deputation from Marine Parade to be heard. This proposal was seconded by Cllr. Linnane. Patsy Flanagan said that they had also attended the Area Council meeting in Kilrush today and that Eamon O’Dea had told them that the lines will remain in place with a review to take place in Autumn. She stressed that she cannot operate a B&B through the summer season if the lines remain in place. She pointed out that it is the only area in town that has double yellow lines on both sides of the roads and that this only really effects 3 permanent residents. She called on the Town Councillors to go as a deputation, on their behalf, to meet Donal Buckley. This was agreed by all councillors present. A/Town Clerk to arrange meeting between Elected Members and Donal Buckley. Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan admitted that they were niave in relation to some elements of the plan but she cannot see why some parking spaces cannot be provided at Marine Parade. She also called on the Town Manager to attend the meeting with Donal Buckley. Town Manager, Dave Timlin agreed that he would accompany the deputation of members when meeting with Donal Buckley however he pointed out that there are safety and legal issues involved in changing a plan that has already been adopted. He stressed that many positive elements of the plan have yet to be implemented around traffic calming.

3. Town Twinning

Written report submitted by Siobhán Curran, A/Town Clerk

Progress Report from Town Twinning Steering Group

At a public meeting held on the 9^th May a steering group was formed consisting of 5 members; Cllr. PJ Linnane, Siobhan Curran, Daniel Noel Gleeson, Marion Corbett, Mary O’Dowd & Kevin Heapes
The steering group has met on 3 occasions to date and would like to report on the following;

Draft Constitution of ‘The Kilkee-Plouhinec Twinning Association’.

This constitution is set out in accordance with the Kilkee Plouhinec Twinning Charter, which was signed by the then Kilkee Town Commissioners in 1983. This is reflected in article 7 & 16 of the Constitution that sets out the Management Committee of the Association and the arrangements for its Dissolution. The steering group now requests that Kilkee Town Council fully endorse this constitution and nominate the required number of representatives to sit on the Management Committee of Kilkee Plouhinec Twinning Association. (Town Clerk and 2 elected members)

25th Anniversary Celebration and formation of new Association

The steering group has organised a 25^th Anniversary Celebration to take place on Thursday 14^th June in the Diamond Rocks Café at 7:30 p.m. The evening will begin with a Public Meeting on town twining and will ask interested members to sign up to a new Twinning Association. (It is proposed that a nominal membership fee will apply). This will be followed by a wine and Breton themed finger food reception. The steering group has identified 41 active clubs / associations in the Kilkee area and personal contact is currently being made with each one of these associations inviting them to attend and encouraging them to get actively involved. Press releases regarding the event have been circulated to the Clare Champion, Clare People and Parish Newsletter. Flyers are currently being distributed (Flyer attached) It is proposed to follow this twinning event with the first meeting of the Twinning Association and elect officers to form the Management Committee, as set out in the Constitution.

Exchange Opportunities

The steering group has identified the following opportunities for exchanges between Kilkee & Plouhenic;

• School Exchanges
• Local Government Exchanges
• Maritime / Boating
• Wildlife
• Heritage  / History
• Geology
• Sport

Funding

A fund is outstanding from the previous town twinning association. It is proposed that the management of this fund will be taken over by the new Association. Funding is available under the EU Town Twinning Funding Programme. Calls for proposals normally issue in July and September 2007 every year. It is proposed that the new Town Twinning Association would agree on a submission for funding in time for the July deadline.

Report Ends

Cllr. Linnane said that he felt it is important that the Town Council take a lead on this and get it back on its feet. Keane proposed Cllr. Linnane to be one of the council representatives on the Twinning Association. This nomination was seconded by Cllr.Haugh. Cllr. Linnane proposed Cllr. Deloughery to be the second of the council representatives on the Twinning Association. This nomination was seconded by the Cllr. Haugh. Cllr. Claire Haugh proposed that the A/Town Clerk would also sit on the Twinning Association. This proposal was seconded by Cllr. Linnane.

4. Demolition of Burns Cove

Written report submitted by Derek Troy, Executive Engineer

Demolition of the shelter is currently underway. The front and side walls have
been removed and final reinstatement and general tidy-up of the area will
be completed in the coming week.

Report Ends

Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan asked Derek to ensure that some rubble left over from previous works would be taken away with the tidy up.

5. Public Lighting in Kilkee

Written report submitted by Derek Troy, Executive Engineer

The current situation with reviews of public lighting is the following:
ESB inspect all lights in the county on a monthly basis and non-working lights
are to be replaced/repaired within 10 days assuming no major replacement is
required. Clare County Council inspects all lights in the county 3 times per year
and non-working lights are reported immediately to the ESB. The contract with
the ESB requires that 98% of all lights are working at all times. Upgrade of
lighting from 55watt to 150watt normally only takes place where there is a potential hazard area where lighting is poor. Upgrade costs along with increased running costs need to be taken into account under any future review of particular locations.

Report Ends.

It was agreed that Derek Troy would provide a report on proposed lighting at the July meeting. Members could supply a list of areas where they felt lights were needed in advance of the meeting. Areas mentioned to date requiring lights include: Mt. Charles Terrace, Vicinity of Convent on Miltown Road, 2 x lights along Church Road/Chapel Street and one around the community centre.

6. Casual Trading

Written reply submitted by James Barry, Senior Staff Officer, Ennistymon Area Office.

At the last Kilrush Area meeting, which I attended, no agreement was reached as to the number of “designated bays”. I was asked to contact Willie Keane and George Roche regarding their use of the car park during Casual Trading days.I first contacted the Co Solicitor and asked him to look over the 1989 Court case and verify the position regarding trading at the Market Square from that case. Judgement in the case was delivered in March 1990 and therefore predates the 1995 Casual trading Act. The County Solicitor is satisfied that a “market right” for the Square, Kilkee was established by this case.
I asked if Clare Co Council designated part of the Square, but not all of it, would it be possible for an unlicensed trader to set-up in a part of the Square which was not within the designation and to claim that he/she was trading under a “market right” established by the 1990 ruling. (I am aware of one trader who applied to renew his licence after a gap of one year. Ger Dollard refused to renew the licence as the byelaws were being reviewed and the trader approached the I.O.M.S.T. – the Irish Organisation of Market Street Traders – who advised him to continue trading as there was a “market right” in existence for Kilkee). I am awaiting legal advice on this issue.
My own view is that Clare Co Council are attempting to exercise more control in Kilkee and that designating the entire Square as a trading area would mean that any new trader who wishes to trade would have to go on a “waiting list” until one of the bays became available. This would provide the Council with a defined trading area and as long as it’s introduction is properly overseen by Council staff and the Gardai it would be capable of being managed properly.
The area in front of the Funeral home could be set aside for parking associated with trading. It can also be agreed that private entrances would not be blocked. It is anticipated that stricter conditions will be attached to Casual Trading licences under a designation approach and any trader who breaches the conditions of his/her licence could forfeit their licence.
I did speak to Willie Keane on one occasion and said that I would come down and meet himself and George Roche if they wanted this. I asked him if Mr Roche parked the busses in the car park during trading and he said that he did not.

Reply Ends

Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan expressed her frustration that the situation regarding Casual Trading was not yet resolved as commitment had been given to residents and businesses people that this would be sorted by now. She stressed that the situation needed to be controlled and some rules need to be applied to the situation in Kilkee. A/Town Clerk stressed that the whole area around ‘Market Rights’ was a complex issue. She stressed that it was imperative that Clare County Council minimise the risk that they would leave themselves open to challenge in the courts.

7. Update on Hodges Green UVR Scheme

Reply submitted by Mairead Corbett, Administrative Officer, Economic, Development & Planning Section, Clare County Council

Progress report for Urban & Village Renewal Scheme at Hodges Green, Kilkee

Work is currently ongoing on the Urban & Village Renewal Scheme at Hodges Green, Kilkee. We are currently waiting on an outside contractor to carry out paving works. The lighting is due to be connected in the coming days and works will continue on the soft landscaping element of the scheme.
This project is due for completion by the end of June.

Report Ends

The members complimented the seasonal workers who are doing a great job.
Cllr. PJ Linnane advised that Kilkee had once again been awarded the blue flag beach award. All agreed that this was hugely important.
Lily enquired about the new criteria under the Blue Flag Beach Programme which now required the provision of recycling facilities.
A/Town Clerk confirmed that the criteria had changed and that Kilkee was now required to have recycling facilities to comply with its status as a blue flag beach and that the facilities would have to be in place by this weekend coming. Derek Troy stressed that the facilities would not be put on the beach itself. All agreed that the car park in front of Ocean Cove was the most suitable location. It was agreed that Derek Troy would liase with Tom Mellett, Environment Section and that a location would be tried first and that if problems arose he would revert back to the members.

8. Set Date for Annual Meeting of Kilkee Town Council

A/Town Clerk, Siobhan Curran advised that in accordance with standing orders the Annual Meeting must take place within 14 days, before or after the anniversary of the first meeting of the Council i.e 21^st June.
It was agreed to hold the Annual Meeting on the 2^nd July at 8:00 p.m. and that it would be followed by the July monthly meeting.

9. Correspondence

• The notice of motion from Skibbereen Town Council was supported.
• It was agreed to make a contribution of €250.00 to the Irish Water Safety for 2007.
• It was agreed to a nomination for the People of the Year Award 2007 could be discussed at the July meeting as closing date was not until the 20^th July.

A.O.B

NDP 2007-2013 Tourism Product Development Sub-Programme: Infrastructure

A/Town Clerk advised that Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Services requested that the members of Kilkee Town Council be advised that following a call for proposals under the above programme an application for funding had been prepared and submitted for the Kilkee Seafront project. Bernadette advised that she would revert back as soon as she received a response.
A/Town Clerk advised that there would be a second call for proposals in October and so members should identify and develop other infrastructural proposals of a capital nature that could be submitted.
The Town Manager & Members thanks A/Town Clerk for preparing the application and Bernadette Kinsella for keeping the proposal in mind.

Missing Sign

Cllr. P.J Linnance advised that a ‘No Camping & Caravan’ sign is missing from the East End Car Park. Derek Troy to arrange to get sign replaced.

Jet Ski’s

Cllr. P.J Linnane asked who was responsible for the enforcement of the by-laws covering Jet Ski’s. A/Town Clerk agreed to contact Environment Section to clarify the situation with regard to enforcement.
As there was no further business the meeting concluded.

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