Minutes of the May meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Tuesday 4th May 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
• Cllr. B. Keane

I Láthair

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

Minutes of the April monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 12th April 2010 at 8.00 p.m. at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

Cllr. P. Collins asked as to when the diving boards were going to be put in place.

J. Corry indicated that he would follow up with same with Mr. Liam Griffin.

Cllr. K. Reilly asked if there had been any update regarding the water which was coming out under the steps at the East End.

J.Corry indicated that same occurred as a result of the water being blocked at the gate in the stream of Allender’s Field. He added that on the recommendation of the Council that he would be writing to Kilkee Waterworld to ensure that they kept the gate clear so that the water could pass through.

J. Corry also mentioned that he spoke to Betty Devanney re Lisdeen opening times and confirmed that she had indicated that a formal submission should be made to the Environment Section of Clare County Council re opening hours if they felt that they should be changed.

J Corry indicated that Emma Pillion was presently carrying out a survey of all signs on the approach roads to the town.

The Minutes of the meeting were then proposed Cllr. K. Reilly and seconded Cllr. M. Owens.

Boundary Extension

J Corry indicated that it had been agreed at the last meeting that Byrnes Cove and George’s Head would be included in the proposed extension and he added that the map was now being updated to reflect same.  He also added that, as he had received no further feedback from any of the members regarding the word document re the proposed extension, which had been previously circulated, that he was taking it that they were in favour of the document as circulated.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan indicated that with the Town Council taking over these areas at Georges Head and at Byrnes Cove that the Town Council would now be ultimately responsible for them and that this would put more pressure on their finances.

There was a suggestion that the Shelters at Byrnes Cove should demolished before Kilkee Town Council took over this area in a proposed extension.

J Corry suggested that he would follow up with Clare County Council re same.

Nora Kaye suggested that this would need to go on the agendas for both the Kilrush Area and also for Clare County Council meetings and that a copy of same should be given to Michael McNamara in Corporate Services before same would be further progressed.  She added that it would take time for boundary extension procedure to be completed

Allender’s Field

J Corry indicated that due to the last winters severe weather that there were a number of plants lost.  He also indicated that it would take another few weeks before all plants would be in full bloom here.  He also added that the weather had resulted in the other flowerbed not being sprayed to prepare it for planting.  He indicated that the proposal was to have this flowerbed planted this year.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan said that the other flowerbed should be done this year and to leave it at that to see how they thrived etc.  rather than go spending further monies on this site if plants did not survive here.

Nora Kaye agreed. 

A number of members suggested that allowing some of the flowerbeds to be restored to grass may be the way forward. 

Cllr. E. Haugh Hayes asked as to when the grass cutting would take place in Allender’s Field.

There was a general discussion re grass cutting.

J Corry indicated that there was a lawnmower provided by Clare County Council for grass cutting in Marian Estate and same was to be carried out by the residents association.  He added that Clare County Council then cut the area around the promenade and the remaining areas were contracted out.  He added that he would investigate what the present position was with regard to the grass cutting contract fro 2010.

Cllr. C. Haugh expressed concern that there may be insurance implications for the residents association using a lawnmower and also the cost of the residents association having this insurance.

Nora Kaye indicated that from her time in Housing that she was not aware of any insurance implications for the County Council re same.  She added that she would follow up on same with the housing Department.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan asked if the Town Clerk could investigate once again with FAS to see if there was any possibility of another FAS scheme coming to Kilkee.

J Corry said he would investigate same.

Beach Bye Laws

J Corry indicated that same had been adopted and that an ad had been placed in the Local Paper re the adoption of same and that they would become official on 1st of June 2010.

Kilkee Courthouse

J Corry indicated that as a result of him sending out letters seeking expressions of interest for the use of the Courthouse that he had not yet received any written expressions of interest.  He added that having raised the query with Michael McNamara in Clare County Council re carrying out works to maintain the building that Michael McNamara had indicated that he had no budget for same and that he would await results of expressions of interest to determine the future of the Courthouse.

A number of councillors indicated that there was an obligation on Clare County Council to secure the building as they were the owners.

Nora Kaye suggested that the expressions of interest should be submitted and that this then could be discussed further with Michael McNamara.

Agree date for proposed presentation from Aidan Pender, Bord Failte

It was agreed by the members that Aidan Pender would attend the September meeting of the Council to address the Council on 6th of September 2010. 

Kilkee Tidy Towns

J Corry indicated that he had put this on the agenda as it was now approaching that time of year for the Tidy Towns Submissions. 

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan said one of the projects they were doing was the ditch on the Kilrush Road.

Nora Kaye and J Corry commended Tidy Towns for works they were doing and confirmed that they would provide whatever help they could with regard to the submission.

Bandstand Project

Nora Kaye indicated that she put this on the agenda as it was discussed previously by a former Council.  She added that an indicative costing in 2008 estimated that works would cost €128 K.

Cllr. P Collins indicated that it may not be necessary to do all the proposed works on the costing together, that they could be phased out & also that it would be envisaged that in the current climate that a far more competitive costing could be obtained.

It was felt by the members that the lighting project in Kilkee was more important at the moment than the Bandstand Project.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. M. Owens.

 “That Clare County Council only allow parking on one side of the road on the east end beyond the boat house”.

Cllr. M Owens indicated that she felt that this was a problem area in heavy traffic & that it should be looked at.

J. Corry indicated that he would follow up with same with the Town Engineer

There was a discussion then re the new garage, which opened up on the Circular Road and how it was effecting the traffic management plan.  The question was raised as to whether or not a chequered box should be put in front of the premises.  It was agreed that Derek Troy would have a look at the matter. 

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan mentioned that there were two chequered boxes that needed to be relined on the Post Office Lane at either end.

The members also asked if they could be notified when the road marking machine would next be in town so that the members could suggest various locations around the town that possibly needed to be relined.

Correspondence

All correspondence submitted was supported.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan indicated re letter re Acute Psychiatric Unit at Ennis General Hospital that she was concerned that the letter indicated that there were no plans at present.  She added that a letter of response be sent indicating that they were delighted with the fact that it would not be moving but that they would be kept informed of any developments re same.

A.O.B.

Cllr. E. Haugh Hayes raised the matter that there were no bins up in the East End Car Park. 

J Corry indicated that the problem with putting in bins was that they attracted household rubbish as well.  He indicated that he would discuss same with the Town Engineer.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan asked if there had been any development re dog fouling in the town.

Nora Kaye indicated that we were awaiting for the Environment Section to come back to us re same.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan said if a number of containers were put up at various locations that this would be a great help.

Cllr. L. Marrinan Sullivan looked for an update re the weekend work.

Nora Kaye indicated that discussions were ongoing and that a resolution had not been reached yet.  She added that she hoped it would be solved quickly and that workers could be paid overtime rather than time in lieu.

Cllr. P. Collins asked how were the public toilets going to be managed over the summer months.

The members thanked the Council workers for the tremendous work that they were doing in keeping the town clean.

The members raised the fact that the parking meters in Kilkee were not working and that this was very frustrating as it was a source of revenue for the area which could be used to maintain car parks etc.

Cllr. P. Collins asked if separate records could be maintained for the monies collected in Kilkee.

John Corry indicated that he would investigate same.

Nora Kaye indicated that a date needed to be fixed for the AGM.  It was suggested that the AGM would take place on 28th of June at 8 p.m.  This was agreed.

It was agreed that the members would honour Willie Keane on his retirement by holding a presentation for him in the Stella Maris after the Council meeting on 8th of June.  The wording for the Certificate which was to be presented to him by the members was unanimously agreed.

There was a discussion re vehicles parking in the Square and how one B and B was being affected and it was suggested that if a yellow line was put in front of the old tourist office on the bend down as far as the funeral home to prevent people parking there.

J Corry said he would investigate same.

As there was no further business the meeting concluded.