Minutes of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 2nd March 2009 at Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee at 8:30 p.m.

Cathaoirleach sa Cathair

Cllr. P.J. Linnane

I Láthair

Cllr. C. Deloughery
Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan
Cllr. T. Nolan
Cllr. M. Martin
Cllr. B. Keane

Apologies:

Cllr. P.J Lardner
Cllr. M. McGrath
Cllr. C. Haugh.

I Láthair:

Alec Fleming, County Manager
Nora Kaye, Acting Director of Services Housing and Social Policy
Derek Troy, Executive Engineer
John Corry, Acting Town Clerk

Cllr. P. J. Linnane welcomed the County Manager and proposed that item 2 on the Agenda would be dealt with first.

Address from Alec Fleming, Clare County Manager

The County Manager thanked the Chairman. He said that as he was retiring he wanted to come out to say farewell and to wish the Council well in the future. He indicated that Kilkee had gone from strength to strength but that it also had its challenges. Some of the areas he mentioned where Kilkee had progressed were the development of its website, the traffic management system, the development of Allenders Field and Hodges Green, the development of the Twinning movement in Kilkee, the Cois Fharraige festival, the establishment of a Joint Policing Committee in Kilkee, Casual Trading in Kilkee, and the Regional West Clare Water Scheme. Community Development was also mentioned which he acknowledged was very strong in Kilkee and he also mentioned the West Clare Economic Task Force and was glad to see that there was a particular focus in this part of County Clare. He thanked the Council for all the work done both by this Council and previous Councils.
Cllr. P.J. Linnane thanked the County Manager and said he would be very sorry to see him go, as he had been extremely helpful to Kilkee as a community. He mentioned that the Ennis Bye Pass completed during the County Managers tenure was also an excellent development for Kilkee as it provided a better link to Limerick and Shannon. He added that there had been a lot of good things that happened in the community over the years and that he wanted to take an opportunity on behalf of the community to thank the County Manager.
Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan wanted to wish the County Manager the best of luck in his retirement and to thank him for some of the work carried out in Kilkee. She said that she would ask him that as one of last things that he would do whilst in office would be that there would be some sort of plan in place to look after Allenders Field and Hodges Green.
Cllr. Michael Martin wished to thank the County Manager for what he had done for Kilkee. He questioned as to how the sewerage plant was coming along for Kilkee.
The County Manager indicated that he was waiting on word from the Department at the moment. He said that all the preliminary work had been done on Kilrush and Kilkee Sewerage scheme and that they were just waiting on Departmental approval. He said that it would happen but that with the present economic climate that he couldn’t give a commitment as to when it would commence.
Cllr. B. Keane said that he wished the County Manager well in his retirement and that he hoped that whoever took up his post would carry on the good work that he had done.
Cllr. T. Nolan indicated that he couldn’t say he knew the County Manager and he said that this could be attributed to the element of disconnect between the Town Council and the stewardship of Clare County Council and the commitment of the County Council to the Town Council in Kilkee. He added that in the context of Alec’s retirement that it was “a lot done more to do”. He suggested that the County Manager would try to make an issue of making Town Councils more relevant by giving more powers to them and to allow them to be more representative rather that simply having the power to adopt a budget on a yearly basis. He said that where the Town Council were when the County Manager came to office and where they were now, that he was leaving office, were pretty much the same. He said that on a personal level he wished him well in his retirement.
The County Manager confirmed that the status of the Town Council was outside his remit as it was governed by legislation. He indicated that he didn’t come out to the Town Council meetings as the Town Manager was delegated to represent him at meetings. He did however indicate that he took great interest in issues that affect the town. He said that the Town of Kilkee had gone from strength to strength in the areas that he had earlier pointed out and that the areas that had been mentioned to be examined that he would indeed discuss same with the Town Manager.
Cllr. C. DeLoughery wished the County Manager a happy and healthy retirement.
Cllr. P.J. Linnane called on the Town Manager as a link between the Town Council and the County Manager to say a few words.
Nora Kaye said she would like to join in the tributes passed to the County Manager. She said that in her time working with him that he always operated on the basis of an open door be it councillors, be it staff or be it the public. She said that he was very much focused on solutions and that he showed great ability to find solutions when they thought their backs were to the wall and nothing could be done. She said that on behalf of the staff that they would miss him but that she wished him a long and happy retirement.
J. Corry wished the County Manager well and thanked him for all the help and advice that he had provided him with over the years.

Adoption of Minutes of the February Monthly Meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 9th February 2009 at 8.00pm at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee

Cllr. P.J. Linnane asked if there were any matters arising from the Minutes.
Cllr .C. DeLoughery mentioned that she had given her apologies to one of the other members for her non attendance at the February meeting.
Cllr. T. Nolan confirmed that he was unable to attend the February meeting as he had a long standing commitment on that date and he mentioned when the date of the meeting is changed, as it had been for the February meeting that such situations can arise.
Cllr. P.J. Linnane said he understood that but that they had changed the meeting to accommodate the Town Clerk.
Cllr. T. Nolan indicated that their was a grant available from the Heritage Council for roofing repairs for buildings with a heritage element and perhaps this grant could be applied for, for the courthouse in 2011, as the closing date for applications for 2010 had expired.
Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan questioned if there was any update available on Allenders Field or Hodges Green.
N. Kaye accepted that something had to be done and she indicated that after the last meeting that she had contacted the county gardener for his assessment of Allenders Field and to see if it could be replanted. She indicated that the gardener did visit the site and that he was very nervous of the site given that it was so exposed and that he was nervous about even planting the Oliveria Traversia, which had been previously recommended. She indicated the commitment was there to do something but that she needed to be sure that whatever was done would be done right. She added that the county gardener would plant some trees there to see how they would develop. She also said that they were totally committed to trying to repair what had been damaged but that she would find it difficult to take a chance by spending money on the project until they had a definite plan as to what would be suitable etc.
Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan said that she agreed and that she was conscious of the amount of money that had been spent and that she didn’t want any more waste of money. She asked if it would be of benefit if the Tidy Towns put together some recommendations of what might grow and that this might benefit the situation. She suggested that shelter may need to be created there.
J. Corry indicated that this was a good idea and he also indicated that the head gardener from Vandeleur Walled Garden would be going out to visit the site tomorrow to see what would be suitable to be planted there. He hoped that with his advice and expertise together with that of the county gardener and the help of the Tidy Towns Committee that the plan could be put in place to improve Allenders Field.
Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan asked that the gardener would contact her and that they could visit the site together.
Cllr. P.J. Linnane raised the matter of Kilkee Courthouse. He said that there was an offer from Kilkee Civic Trust to get involved with Kilkee Town Council to restore the Courthouse. He added that Kilkee Town Council wanted to find out from Clare County Council what the position would be regarding such a proposal as the owners of the Courthouse.
N. Kaye indicated that they couldn’t just accept one submission in relation to the disposal of a lease. She indicated that it was a formal resolution of the Council to dispose of land even by way of lease so at all times the Council would need to see that they could get the best offer that they could get and for this reason that they would need to invite expressions of interest.
Cllr. P.J Linnane asked if Kilkee Town Council could be vested ownership of the Courthouse because of Clare County Councils obligation to provide Kilkee Town Council with accommodation, and that then they could, through community schemes or in conjunction with the Civic Trust, restore the building.
N. Kaye indicated that she would come back to members re same at the next meeting.
Cllr. P.J. Linnane said that there was a lot of expertise locally from architects, to engineers to people who restore building etc. and that people were willing voluntarily to do work on the courthouse but that it needed to be vested in the ownership of Kilkee Town Council.
Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan said that a Fás scheme was required in Kilkee and that same could work on Allenders Field, Hodges Green and on the Courthouse. She suggested that Kilkee Town Council should look at being sponsors of a Scheme.
The Minutes of the February monthly meeting were proposed for adoption by Cllr. M. Martin and seconded by Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan : "That this Council call on the Government to maintain investment in primary education to avoid increasing class sizes at primary level and to ensure that the educational opportunities of our children are protected in these economically challenging times and instruct the County Manager to inform An Taoiseach of this resolution".

Cllr. L Marrinan Sullivan said that this was a very worthwhile motion and that these were the children of the future. She said she was honoured to be working with children herself and she felt that this was a very short sighted approach and that she looked for the motion to be supported.
Cllr .M. Martin and Cllr. C. Deloughery both supported Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan’s motion.
Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan asked if the County Manager would inform the office of the Taoiseach of the motion passed by Kilkee Town Council. The County Manager indicated that he would write to the Taoiseach’s office.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Nolan: "That ALL information in relation to planned developments at the field adjacent to the Pollock holes, which includes Lady Isabella's Pond, be made available and discussed at the March meeting of Kilkee Town Council. (It will help if an official of the Planning Dept. is available to answer questions, and that the plans or proposed plans also be available)"

Cllr. T. Nolan said that the background to the motion was the uncertainty regarding this area in the long term. He said that he had learned of a late submission for alteration or extension of planned development in that area and that what he wanted to know had the Council all information re planned development of this field and that there was nothing subliminal going on here that this Council was not aware of. He wanted all information re planned development of this field to be made available to the members. He said he was not satisfied to date that it was. He added that he understood that the issue of a road linking the Pollock Holes area to the Dunlickey Road was deemed unlikely to happen but that he hadn’t heard that from anyone or hadn’t got it in writing.
J. Corry indicated that three planning applications had been decided on for that area and that other than these there were no live planning applications for the area. He added that it was not possible for a representative from planning department to attend tonight’s meeting but that a representative may be available to attend a future meeting.
Cllr. P.J. Linnane indicated that himself and Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan attended the area meeting to give their submissions to the Area Councillors on the zoning of that land. He indicated that in the original application that it was pointed out that a road would be installed as part of the development, which he supported. He said he withdrew his submission when it became clear to them that the applicants couldn’t finish the road because they had to go through Sean Hennessey’s land and therefore they weren’t able to give them any evidence that they had permission from the landowners at the Dunlickey side to go across their land. He said that at the meeting with the Area Councillors that they all agreed that the land would be zoned on that basis.
Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan said there didn’t seem to be any policy with regard to the few green areas in Kilkee. She added that she was comfortable that the proposed large development was not going to be passed at this moment. She said she would support long term plans or policies with regard to areas that would be considered as no go areas as regards development in Kilkee.
Cllr. T. Nolan asked the Town Manager if this was a greenfield site at the moment.
N. Kaye said that possibly that there should be a masterplan for the area where certain developments were encouraged, certain activities are encouraged and you have such a plan that’s within the area plan.
Cllr. M. Martin agreed with Cllr. Nolan’s motion and suggested that the masterplan be done for the area.
N. Kaye confirmed that she would try to get planning to give a presentation from the planning perspective for the members.
Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan indicated that they were quite happy with the area plan at the moment but what they want is confirmation as to whether or not this area was a green field site.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Nolan: "That in the summer time, the Area beyond the Golf Course in the East End, and Beyond Sykes Corner in the West End be pedestrian access only, with the exception of local residents and the Disabled"

Cllr. T. Nolan asked to move item no 6 on the Agenda next as it might tie in better with their discussion. He asked that in the context of traffic management in Kilkee that his motion would be looked at. He said that you could not have traffic near the Pollock Holes area and have people comfortably walking to and from the amenity area. He added that emergency access could also be compromised by traffic flow.
D. Troy confirmed that he would examine same and come back to the members at the next meeting as to how practical this would be. He added that on the East End it would be very easy to block off vehicle access full time but on western end it might be a bit more difficult depending on the point that you pick as your cut off point. He agreed that it would be a sensible approach but he wanted to see if it would be practical on the ground.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Nolan: "That this Council calls on Junior Minister Killeen and T.D. Dooley to resign from government in the face of the impending loss of Acute services at Ennis General Hospital"

Cllr. T. Nolan said that he didn’t want to be party political here but that he felt that the county was not being served properly by its political representatives at this moment. He said it was a very dangerous move for Ennis General Hospital to lose its accident and emergency function and that it would likely result in death for some people in West Clare. He said that the duty of politicians was to represent the people who elected them above all other interests and that it was his belief that TD’s Dooley and Killeen were not doing enough for the people of County Clare to avoid the loss of acute services in Ennis General Hospital. He called on all people who supported Fianna Fail and in particular the Councillors to support the motion in the interests of everybody.
Cllr. P. J. Linnane said he couldn’t support the motion, as there were conflicting views on this. He added that he would disagree that they were not doing anything for Clare. He said that they were working hard for Clare and that he would prefer to see them working within Government rather than outside it.
Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan said where she did not feel comfortable with calling for the resignation of the two TD’s she felt that they had no other option at the moment. She asked what were the people in West Clare going to do with the loss of these services to Ennis when Limerick Regional Hospital couldn’t cope at the moment before taking on the extra services from Ennis and Nenagh. She said that this motion was unfortunate but that it was justified. She said she would support the motion as she felt she didn’t have a choice.
Cllr. B. Keane said that he would support the motion and he felt that Timmy Dooley T.D. let down the people of Clare by not being present at the Dail meeting the date the vote was taken on Ennis General Hospital.
Cllr. T. Nolan said he couldn’t understand how the Chairman would support the two TD’s when the effect of the loss of these services would significantly affect the people of West Clare.
A vote on the motion was called.

In favour: Cllr.L. Marrinan Sullivan, Cllr.M. Martin, Cllr.B. Keane, Cllr.T Nolan.

Against: Cllr.P.J. Linnane.

Abstain: Cllr. De Loughery.

The motion was deemed passed.

Correspondence

The correspondence was noted