Minutes of the November Meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 5^th November, 2007 at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

Cathaoirleach sa Cathair

• Cllr. P.J Lardner

I Láthair

• Cllr. Tom Nolan
• Cllr. P J Linnane
• Cllr. Brian Keane
• Cllr. Claire Haugh
• Cllr. Michael McGrath
• Cllr. Carmel Deloughery

Apologies

• Cllr. Michael Martin
• Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan

I Láthair

• David Timlin, Director of Service & Town Manager
• Derek Troy, Executive Engineer
• Margaret Clancy, A/Town Clerk

Item 1: Minutes of the October monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 1^st October 2007 at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

Mr. David Timlin Town Manager informed the members that Clare County Council was still awaiting approval of the preliminary report for the Kilkee – Kilrush Sewerage Scheme from the Department of the Environment Heritage & Local Government.   Following approval by the DOELG the commencement of the scheme will be subject to the following:

• Application for a Foreshore Licence.
• Part 8 process (planning).
• Purchase of necessary land.

He advised that he would arrange a presentation to the members by Clare County Council Water Services as soon as approval has been obtained from the Department.  In response to a query from Cllr. Linnane he assured members that very high standards were being adhered to in these schemes.
The minutes of the October monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 1^st October were then adopted having been proposed by Cllr. Carmel Deloughery and seconded by Cllr. PJ Lardner.

Item 2: Set Date for Annual Budget Meeting

It was agreed to hold the annual budget meeting at 8:00 p.m. on Monday 3^rd December 2007.  The December monthly meeting will follow the budget meeting at 8:30 p.m.  A/Town Clerk to circulate notice to members.

Item 3.  Update on Hodges Green UVR Scheme

Mr. Derek Troy Executive Engineer for Clare County Council reported that the tarmacadam is due to be laid in the next week.  Lights on the poles have been connected and there is a further application with the ESB to connect the uplights.  Planting of the area will take place as soon as possible.  This should complete the development of the Hodges Green UVR Scheme.

Item 4. Review of Kilkee Traffic Management Plan

Margaret Clancy A/Town Clerk advised that the review of the Traffic Management Plan has begun. The plan is available for inspection at the Sweeney Memorial Library and at the Kilrush Civic Offices during normal business hours from November 5^th 2007 to December 17^th 2007.  Submissions can be made in writing to the Roads Section Clare County Council Town Hall Kilrush up to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday the 8^th January 2008.

Mr David Timlin advised that he is currently awaiting a report from the Gardaí in relation to the effectiveness of the existing traffic plan in operation.  He advised that Derek Troy Executive Engineer is putting interim measures in place to improve the traffic situation in the short term especially in the Marine Parade area.  Derek has met with the residents and ramps are to be put in place in an effort to reduce the speed of through traffic there. The Town Manager also requested the insertion of a reminder notice in the Clare Champion in early December re the traffic review.

Item 5: Moveen Quarry

Cllr. Tom Nolan spoke at length about the damaging visual and economic impact on the area as a result of the operations of this quarry.   He expressed his frustration and annoyance at the non-attendance at the meeting of officials from planning and environment in CCC as had been requested at the October meeting, however he acknowledged the reports that had been provided by both of these sections.  He said that in 1967 the original area defined for quarrying purposes was 50 sq. yards, however at this stage it was now about 70.7 hectares and he believed that this now required an EIS.  He said that there were so many anomalies and faults with the present operations.  In his opinion there was about 240,000 tons of material being extracted from the quarry per annum.  This necessitated 24,000 lorry trips in the year.  The volume of heavy traffic on the Dunlickey Road made people nervous of walking on this road.  He said that Clare County Council hadn’t considered the huge volume of traffic that would ensue from this operation.
Cllr. Nolan also spoke of the surface water, which was eroding the road and running into the sea.  He asserted that Clare County Council should be moving to protect the area and had been remiss in the past in not designating this area as one of special interest in line with European designated sites. 
Cllr. Nolan suggested that perhaps it was time for the members to consider obtaining an interlocutory injunction to halt the operations at the quarry. 
He said that this quarry would have serious ramifications down the road both from a tourist perspective as well as the destruction of the peace and quiet of the populace of Kilkee.  Finally he warned members that owners had quarry rights and where there was an existing registration an owner could claim compensation if he considered conditions too severe.   He requested more information and action.
Cllr. Linnane said that he had read both reports and he questioned whether any of the conditions had been applied.  He also had reservations about the monitoring that was in place by Clare County Council in relation to the blasting and screening operations.
David Timlin Town Manager informed the members that this matter had been dealt with comprehensively over 3 monthly meetings and advised against any action pending the result of the appeal by An Board Pleanala.  He assured members that monitoring was taking place by the environment section of Clare County Council.   Furthermore he said that the new legalisation now in place governing the operation of quarries would put all quarries post and pre 1962 on a legal footing. 

Item 6.  A.M.A.I Submission: Green Paper on Local Government Reform

Mr David Timlin Town Manager said that the present Local Government system in Ireland dated back to 1898 and had undergone very little reform since that time.  He said that the range of functions carried out by local authorities in Ireland is narrow in comparison to that in other countries and that the areas covered by councils in other jurisdictions are much smaller in many cases.  The financing of local government in Ireland is a major issue as lack of own funds means less discretion for local authorities.  He said that there are many variances relating to the various small town councils and boroughs since the re-naming of the town commissioners.  All these issues hopefully will be covered in this Green Paper.

Item 7: Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Claire Haugh

"That Clare County Council takes steps to re surface the entire road through Marian Estate, and repair footpaths where necessary"

Response given by Derek Troy Executive Engineer Clare County Council
Consideration will be given to resurfacing works and footpath repairs at Marian Estate within the 2008 West Clare road works program depending on availability of funding.

Item 8: Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Claire Haugh

"Requesting an update on (a) Cul de sac sign for St. Patrick’s Terrace, (b) Bollard between 16-17 Marian Estate, (c) Concealed entrance sign in the vicinity of 'Sunnyside Heights', Miltown Road Kilkee."

Response given by Derek Troy Executive Engineer Clare County Council

• The sign has been ordered and will be put in place as soon as possible following delivery.
• There are currently two bollards at this location, one of which has been damaged.  Replacement bollards are currently being sought.
• This cul de sac junction is located within the 50 kph speed limit.  Sight distances on approach and exit at this junction are adequate, however parked cars do obstruct vision at times.   A suitable sign will be placed on the approach to the junction from the south.

Report ends.
Cllr Haugh replied that there was only one bollard in place at 16-17 Marian Estate and she said that in relation to the concealed entrance at 'Sunnyside Heights' people were finding it very difficult to get on to the road so she hoped that an appropriate sign might help. 

Item 9: Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Brian Keane

"To ask the Council that the road known locally as the Bog Road would be resurfaced in the very near future from the church to Nancy O’Kane’s house and also to state the last time that this road was resurfaced".
Response given by Derek Troy Executive Engineer Clare County Council
This road was last strengthened and surface dressed in 2001.  The current housing development in the area is being monitored and any damage caused will be repaired at the expense of the developers.
Report ends.
Cllr. Brian Keane said that his concern was mainly in relation to the area where the housing development was taking place by Keelgrove Construction Ltd.  He said that the cars of the building workers where being parked on both sides of the road, making it hazardous for people and especially for children to cross.  Food wrappers from the site were also causing a serious litter problem.
In reply Derek Troy said that normally staff cars would have a parking facility within the site and he gave an undertaking to check the planning conditions in relation to the parking issue and he is to request the environmental warden to do a check of the area. 

Item 10: Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Claire Haugh.

"Calling on Clare Co. Council to provide a heli-pad in the vicinity of the Golf Club in Kilkee".

Response given by Derek Troy Executive Engineer Clare County Council
The provision of a heli-pad for the Kilkee/West Clare area would be looked upon favourably by Clare County Council and it would contribute towards its provision in partnership with any other bodies involved. 
Report ends.
Cllr. Claire Haugh said that this motion was prompted by the recent drowning tragedy in Kilkee and the difficulty the helicopter had in landing close to the emergency scene due to the volume of people.  She said that the ambulance also had difficulty in getting to the Diamond Rocks car park and wondered if something could be done to ensure that spaces could be kept free in the event of such an emergency occurring in the future.
Cllr. Nolan thanked Cllr. Haugh for putting forward this motion and he said that now was a good time to put pressure on the Department of the Environment and the HSE to provide a dedicated medical helicopter for this seaside town.  From his knowledge, there were restrictions on the locations in built-up areas where helicopters could land.  He suggested that the following motion should be sent to the DOELG and the HSE that:
Kilkee Town Council is requesting the DOELG and the HSE to expedite the provision of a dedicated emergency medical helicopter service for Kilkee.
Cllr. Haugh undertook to access more information in relation to the heli-pad proposed for the area beside the golf club.

Item 11: Correspondence

The notice of motion submitted by Monaghan Town Council was supported.
A.O.B

Brick Road Junction

Cllr. Brian Keane spoke of the traffic hazards around this area with cars overtaking each other at the junction.  Derek Troy Executive Engineer is to look at the area with a view to recommending some safety improvements.   Mr David Timlin Town Manager requested that the engineer would flag this junction as well as other potentially hazardous spots on the N67 in Kilkee, including the "Sunnyside" locations referred to above in item 8.

Beach Bye-Laws

Cllr. Linnane spoke of the serious littering that occurred on the beaches during the Halloween period.  He said that beaches were covered in debris from the burning of household rubbish and tyres used in the Halloween bonfires.   Cans bottles and glass were also strewn on the beaches.  Mr Derek Troy Executive Engineer said that the environmental warden had reported this to be the case also. All the members agreed that the bye-laws needed to be enforced more stringently.  The erection of a sign was called for and the members requested that a letter be sent to Supt Declan Brogan in relation to the non-enforcement of the beach bye-laws.

Votes of Sympathy and Congratulations

The members wished to associate themselves with a vote of sympathy to Mrs Josephine Cotter Coughlan on the death of her mother Maura.  
They also wished to send a letter of congratulations to the West Clare Gaels Ladies Football on their recent success and to wish them continued good luck in their forthcoming match.
As there was no further business the meeting concluded.