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

Cathaoirleach sa Cathair: Cllr. P.J Linnane

I Lathair:

• Cllr. Tom Nolan
• Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan
• Cllr. Brian Keane
• Cllr. Cllr. Claire Haugh
• Cllr. Michael Martin

Apologies:

• Cllr. PJ Lardner
• Cllr. Carmel Deloughery
• Cllr. Michael McGrath

I Lathair:

• David Timlin
• Director of Service & Town Manager
• Siobhán Curran, A/Town Clerk
• Margaret Clancy

1. Minutes of the September monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 3rd September 2007 at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

Cllr. Tom Nolan asked the Manager for a report on the Quarry at Moveen following discussions at the September monthly meeting. David Timlin, Town Manager, outlined the history of the quarry in detail, going back to the grant of planning permission on appeal in 1968, and Court actions in 2002. He advised that 4 operators had been granted Planning Registration under the new Section 261 process, subject to certain conditions. He confirmed that the main operator had appealed the conditions imposed by the planning authority in the registration process to An Bord Pleanalá and the planning authority are awaiting the outcome of that appeal process. He further advised that the Waste Permit granted to the main operator had a 3 year time limit.

Cllr. Nolan stressed that this area is snowballing out of control and that his main grievances are the impact this quarry is having on the people of Kilkee, the loss of environmental amenity to the area and the damage it is causing to the roads. He said that he didn’t want the council to further contribute to the problem by purchasing materials from it. He requested a representative from the Planning & Environment section to attend the next meeting to explain this matter.

The minutes of the September monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 3rd September were then adopted having been proposed by Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan and seconded by Cllr. Brian Keane

2. Deputation from Marine Parade

Cllr. Linnane welcomed the deputation from Marine Parade and invited representatives to address the meeting.

Dymphna Walsh advised that she strongly objected to the traffic management plan as implemented along Marine Parade. She said that there is now no buffer as you exit the houses, compromising the safety of people. She said that while traffic is flowing the cars are flying.

Sally Downes said that even with the single yellow line outside of her
house there is still no guarantee that visitors will get a place close to her B&B outside of the hours when restrictions are imposed. She said that people including visitors, the elderly, children and members of her family are experiencing great difficulties crossing the road. Visitors have told her that they will not return unless the situation is changed. She asked why tractors and heavy traffic are not diverted up Donoughboy Road and said that the only accident that took place happened when the cars were gone. She said that the residents of Marine Parade are best placed to know the situation on the ground.
Jim Leyden and another resident also spoke in similar terms.

Cllr. Linnane advised representatives from Marine Parade that a review of the Traffic Management Plan had been committed to and the review process had commenced. He read out the preliminary report submitted by David Timlin, Town Manager in connection with Agenda Item 6 - Preliminary Report on the review of the Kilkee Traffic Management Plan

1. A written request has been forwarded to Supt. Declan Brogan, Kilrush Gardaí for comments on the effectiveness of the operation of the existing Traffic Management plan in Kilkee over the summer months.
2. I am currently awaiting feedback from Clare County Councils Transport and Infrastructure section to establish if a formal review process i.e. advertisement/submissions/local public consultation is necessary.
3. A submission has already been received from the residents of Railway Road and I am aware of issues around loading bays on Lower Circular Road.
4. The need for traffic calming measures has also been raised at certain locations around the town.

I recommend that the Councillors would also bring any other matters of concern to the Town Clerk as soon as possible
Report Ends

Ms. Walsh said that she wanted the Council to take into consideration the views of the residents and wants the decision regarding the implementation of the traffic management plan reversed. Ms Walsh asked whether the double yellow lines could be revoked for the winter months as an interim measure.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan pointed out that no member of Kilkee Town Council had adopted this plan and stressed that consultation must take place as part of the review process and that residents must be involved in this process with proper notice given to people to participate.

Cllr. Haugh assured the residents that the members of Kilkee Town Council had made every effort to find a solution for the residents of Marine Parade and had secured the commitment of a review.

David Timlin, Town Manager reiterated that a commitment had been given for the review of the Traffic Management Plan and asked that residents would forward their names to the Town Clerk for the consultation purposes.

3. Set date for Pre Budget Information Session

It was agreed to hold the Pre Budget Information Session for a ½ hour before the November Council meeting.
Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan stressed the need to increase the allocation for Kilkee in Clare County Council’s 2008 budget. It was agreed to hold a workshop next Monday, 7th October at 6.00pm in the upstairs room in the library to prepare a submission identifying project needs in Kilkee to be forwarded to Clare County Council by way of a backup to a request for an increased allocation. A/Town Clerk, Siobhan Curran to facilitate this workshop with the members.

4. Update on Hodges Green, UVR Scheme, Kilkee

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

The current status of the Hodges Green Urban and Village renewal scheme is as follows;

• The lighting (up-lighting and poles) have been installed and we are still waiting on ESB networks to come re connections.
• The flag stone paving is now complete. Tarmac and planting of shrubs to follow as soon as possible.

Report Ends

5. Preliminary Report on the Review of the Kilkee Traffic Management Plan (already dealt with under item 2)

6. Report on the Operation of the Car Parks in Kilkee over the summer months.

Report submitted by Siobhan Curran, A/Town Clerk

Parking Fines

Clare County Council employed a Traffic Warden for the period 15th June 2007 until 9th September 2007 & for one additional day, 16th September 2007.

Fines Issued

During that period a total of 893 traffic fines were issued under a variety of offences. The value of these 893 fines in monetary terms = €37,240.00

Fines Cancelled

To date 87 of these fines have been cancelled for various reasons.
The value of fines cancelled in monetary terms = €3,880.00

Fines Paid

To date 441 fines have been paid in full. The value of fines paid in monetary terms = €18,200

Fines Unpaid

331 fines are unpaid as at 26.09.07. The value of fines unpaid in monetary terms = €13,780.00
Reminder letters have issued on any fines where the period for payment has expired.

Use of Car Parks in Kilkee

The local supervisor has reported that the well road car park was used very little over the summer months. The East End Car park was busy at most times. Clare County Council are considering the installation of a barrier, subject to approval by all parties, for early next year.

Report Ends

Cllr. Nolan asked that the figure of money collected in car parking charges would be made available. A/Town Clerk, Siobhan Curran confirmed that she would get this figure.
Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan said that this money should come back to Kilkee to be used for various works / projects around the town.

7. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan

“ A full and complete investigation is carried out on the condition of the Strand Line Wall by the engineering section of Clare County Council and other interested bodies (Heritage, Civic Trust)

Response submitted by Michael Mescall, Executive Engineer, Clare County Council.
Clare County Council engineering staff will carry out an examination of the strand line wall and will contact other bodies such as Heritage for their views before compiling a report.

If the examination warrants a detailed technical assessment the employment of a consulting engineer may have to be engaged. The report(s) will be available at a future meeting together with the likely cost figures for any remedial works.

Report Ends

Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan asked that the Civic Trust would be consulted on any report being prepared. Cllr. Martin supported the notice of motion stressing that the damage being done by the speed of heavy traffic was untold and that the strand line wall was the pride of Kilkee and should be protected.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan asked that a letter would be sent to National Monuments requesting a survey of the wall to be carried out. A/Town Clerk to get appropriate contact from Dick Cronin, Conservation Officer.

8. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan

‘An update on the location, start up and completion of the new sewerage system in Kilkee’
Response submitted by Hugh McGrath, Executive Engineer, Water Services Section, Clare County Council

Clare County Council is awaiting approval of the preliminary report for the Kilkee– Kilrush Sewerage Scheme from the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government.

Further information was issued to the department in July 2007 in respect of this scheme.

Following approval by the DOEHLG the commencement of the scheme will be subject to the following;

1. Application for a foreshore licence
2. Part 8 process (Planning)
3. Purchase of necessary lands

It is currently projected to start with scheme in the 4th Quarter of 2008, and is projected to be complete within 12 months (4th quarter 2009)

Report Ends

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan and Cllr. Linnane sought assurances that Kilrush was not going to be taken out of the Shannon and pumped into Kilkee as part of this scheme. David Timlin, Town Manager committed to getting clarification on this matter for the next meeting.

9. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan

“That Kilkee would be granted a Town Gardener to do all year round work, with particular responsibility for Allenders Field and Hodges Green”
Response submitted by Betty Devanny, Administrative Officer, Environment & Emergency Services Directorate, Clare County Council.

Clare County Council's Gardening Section consists of a Head Gardener who is supported by four General Operatives. Their work brief is County wide and they are presently operating at full capacity. It is not proposed, at this time, with budgetary constraints and the staffing embargo, to increase the Gardening Section to provide a Town Gardener for Kilkee town. However, the existing contract for grass cutting in Kilkee could be extended to include both Allender's Field and Hodges Green. Grass cutting in urban areas, with the exception of Ennis Town Council, is contracted out.

I would suggest that the Kilkee Town Clerk/Town Engineer make contact with the Kilkee Tidy Towns Committee or any local FAS scheme who may be able to provide assistance in this matter".

Report Ends

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan stressed that consultation was ongoing with FAS and the local tidy towns committee but that the local FAS scheme would require additional participants to carry out any additional work.

10. Correpondence

(b) The notice of motion submitted by Clonakilty Town Council was supported

Burns Cove

Siobhán Curran, A/Town Clerk advised members that the railing requested for Burns Cove and had measured, ordered and is now being made. A general tidy up of the area around the concrete base will also take place.

Cois Farraige Events

Cllr. Haugh thanked the local council staff, members of the Gardaí and the visitors who came to the town on what was a very successful festival and weekend.

Siobhan Curran, A/Town Clerk stressed that Clare County Council were in favour of this event coming to Kilkee and had worked very hard in consultation with the promoters MCD to ensure that all aspects of the festival were planned out.

A/Town Clerk Cover

Siobhan Curran, A/Town Clerk circulated a note to all members advising them that she would be on annual leave from the 19th October until 27th November and that her colleague Margaret Clancy would be acting in her absence.
As there was no further business the meeting concluded.

Cathaoirleach

A/Town Clerk