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

Cathaoirleach sa Cathair:Cllr. Claire Haugh.
I Lathair:Cllr. Tom Nolan, Cllr. Michael McGrath, Cllr. P.J. Lardner, Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan, Cllr. Brian Keane, Cllr. P.J. Linnane.
Apologies.Cllr. Carmel Deloughery.Cllr. Michael Martin.
I Lathair:David Timlin, Director of Service & Town Manager.
Colette Costello, A/Town Clerk.

Adoption of Minutes of April monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 2^nd April, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

Matters Arising from Minutes.

Strand Line Wall
Lily Marrinan expressed her appreciation that Kilkee Civic Trust were also interested in Strand Line Wall but that Kilkee Town Councillors needed commitment that works will be done and how important it was that these works would be prioritised. P.J. Linnane requested that Dick Cronin, Conservation Officer, be requested to attend the next meeting or meet with some of the Kilkee Town Councillors before the next Town Council Meeting.
Town Twinning.
The A/Town Clerk, Colette Costello advised the following update.
A Public Meeting was held on 9^th May with 16 people in attendance.
Action Agreed: A steering committee was formed to carry out exploratory research on structure, constitution, link with Town Council, link with wider area.Timeframe – to report back with update to June meeting of Kilkee Town Council. 5 members on committee: Siobhán Curran, Cllr. P.J. Linnane, Kevin Heapes, Noel Gleeson, Marion Corbett, Mary O'Dowd.
Tom Nolan explained that the people present were happy to associate with the Town Council. He advised that there would be an update at a public meeting to be held after the June Town Council Meeting. This meeting will give people an opportunity to be elected onto the committee. A programme will be set up of items to be done and their intension is to meet with Plouhinec every 2 years. He also emphasised the importance of Kilkee Town Council to show a lead on the Twinning of Kilkee with Plouhinec.
Social Communities Facilities Capital Scheme 2007.
The A/Town Clerk advised that Kilkee bandstand was not chosen as project to go forward form the West Clare electoral area at April full meeting of Clare County Council.
Supt. Brogan.
The A/Town Clerk advised that Supt. Brogan was unavailable to attend the May meeting due to a commitment in Dublin but that he would check his availability to attend the June Meeting.
Claire Haugh expressed her support of an extra 2 guards on duty in Kilkee over the May bank holiday weekend.
The Minutes of April monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on 2^nd April, 2007 were then adopted having been proposed by P.J. Linnane and seconded by Brian Keane.

Consideration of the Annual Financial Statement for Kilkee Town Council for the year ended December 31^st, 2006.

Lily Marrinan advised that cheque for Tidy Towns for 2006 had not yet issued and the A/Town Clerk agreed to check same. Lily Marrinan also queried the overall credit balance of €10,265.77 and queried if Kilkee Town Council would loose out on monies if they were not spent in 2006.Colette Costello confirmed that this balance would roll over to the next financial year.
AFS was then adopted having being proposed by Tom Nolan and Seconded by Lily Marrinan.

Report on Kilkee Traffic Management Plan.

Item postponed as David Timlin was delayed.

Update on Hodges Green UVR Scheme.

Written reply from Mairead Corbett.

Notice of Motion from Claire Haugh.

"That another public light be provided in the vicinity of 17 Mount Charles Terrace".

Written reply from Steve Lahiffe.
Claire Haugh explained that there was already a light there it just needed to be replaced.
Michael McGrath also mentioned lights not working on flashing beckons across from the Church.
Lily Marrinan requested a review and upgrading of lighting in Kilkee Town.David Timlin agreed that an Engineers Report would be available for the next meeting in relation to same.

Traffic Management Plan.

David Timlin gave the following report:
Clare County Council as Roads Authority for Kilkee has adopted the Plan following extensive consultation over the past 2-3 years and following due process and procedure. It follows technical best practice and guidelines. It is an integrated Traffic Management and Parking Plan.
The Plan will be implemented as soon as possible, as resources permit.
The initial focus is on dealing with the main traffic problem areas including the main route from the West End to the Catholic Church. A number of locations where traffic problems occur during peak periods, including the Railway road area are also being lined. Therefore, it may seem that the early parts of the Plan are somewhat negative to some householders and businesses, while improving traffic flow considerably at peak holiday periods.
However, the integrated plan will allow the rollout of more positive developments including road pavement reconstruction and surfacing, new footpaths and kerbing, additional parking arrangements, traffic crossings and traffic calming (Strand Line) etc. Significant works are required for Jimmy's Hill, Erin St., redevelopment of parking area at "the Waterfront", Strand Line, Merton Square, Church Street/Circular Road (near Church), Carrigaholt Road (major pipe-laying due) and a new roundabout at Minister Place/Hodges Green.
An analysis of traffic signals at Marine Parade shows excessive back up will occur. People who wish to call into B+Bs to drop off luggage can do so. Vacancies can be indicated by way of appropriate signs.
Review

• Can commence in September, with assessment of actual performance during peak summer period.
• Seasonal approach can be provided for in Parking Regulations, in certain areas.
• Can focus on individual areas, especially those where there are not significant traffic problems and can deal with individual anomalies.

Claire Haugh queried if there were any changes to be made at Railway Road and Circular Road from the current plan. David Timlin confirmed that no changes would be made to current plan but that it would be reviewed after the summer months. Lily Marrinan said a Loading Bay was necessary on Circular Road near Doctors Dispensary. Tom Nolan said the way in which the plan was being implemented was dictatorship and not democratic. Lily Marrinan said that Kilkee Town Councillors rejected it and was it official that they had to accept it. David Timlin explained he was giving legal status and that the more positive side of the plan would take time to implement because of funding e.g. Roundabout at Hodges Green. Claire Haugh agreed that parts of the plan were positive but there were also negative aspects. Tom Nolan expressed the need for more roads in the area to cater for the extra traffic and suggested a bypass from Kilrush Road to Carrigaholt Road. He also requested that the Road Design Team attend the June Meeting. David Timlin, Town Manager agreed to meet with Claire Haugh over the June Bank Holiday Weekend to observe the traffic in Kilkee.

Notice of Motion from Claire Haugh.

"That this Council makes a suitable presentation to Alan Cronin, C.D.O. with FAS who recently retired".

Claire Haugh recommended that a presentation (maybe voucher) be made to Alan Cronin to the value of €100. All Councillors were in agreement.

Notice of Motion from Claire Haugh.

"That this Council makes a suitable presentation to Fireman Willie Keane who is retiring after 33 years service to Kilkee Fire Brigade".

Claire Haugh advised that there was a Social Evening to be held for Willie Keane in the Kilkee Bay Hotel on 8^th June, 2007 (date to be confirmed) and recommended that presentation would also be made to Willie from the Kilkee Town Councillors on the night.

Correspondence.

The A/Town Clerk advised that item regarding Letter from Mayor of Plouhinec should not have been on agenda.

Email from Daniel Noel Gleeson re Kilkee Plouhinec Twinning.

The A/Town Clerk advised that this item was dealt with at Public Meeting held.

Letter from A.M.A.I. requesting motions for the annual conference 2007 & preliminary notice of Annual Conference.

P.J. Linnane recommended that a Notice of Motion be put forward to look at funding/proposal for Courthouse or Library. Kilkee Town Council had no official room for their Town Council Meetings. Lily Marrinan said any works that will be carried out to Library should include design for a multipurpose venue. David Timlin agreed to liaise with Noel Crowley regarding any plans for Kilkee Library.

AOB.

Hodges Green.

Lily Marrinan complimented works carried out in Hodges Green and Allenders Field. She requested that someone be employed to work all year round to maintain these areas.

Byrnes Cove.

Tom Nolan said roof was off shelter but structure was still standing. Demolition had commenced but there was rubble and wire thrown around and it was in a very bad condition.
David Timlin agreed to have Engineers Report prepared for next meeting.

Beach Clean Up.

P.J. Linnane mentioned that beech wasn't cleaned Saturday, Sunday or Monday of May Bank Holiday weekend and was in a bad state by end of weekend. He questioned if someone would be available to do clean up's at weekends and maybe get time off during the week. The A/Town Clerk agreed to check out situation for summer months.

Casual Trading By-Laws.

Lily Marrinan queried up date on the Casual Trading By-Laws for Kilkee. The A/Town Clerk explained that it was being dealt with by James Barry, Clare County Council and would arrange for an update for the next meeting.

Grass outside Larry Collins House.

Brian Keane questioned why the grass outside Larry Collins house wasn't cut. The Acting Town Clerk agreed to check this matter with the supervisor.

Setting date for June Meeting.

It was agreed that the June Meeting be held on Tuesday, 5^th June, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.
As there was no further business the meeting concluded.

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Cathaoirleach

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A/Town Clerk.