Minutes of the joint meeting of Kilrush Electoral Area and Kilkee Town Council  held on Monday 6th October 2008 at Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee at 8:00 p.m.

Cathaoirligh sa Cathair

• Cllr. PJ Linnane

I Láthair

• Cllr. Carmel Deloughery
• Cllr. Claire Haugh
• Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan
• Cllr. P.J Lardner
• Cllr.Michael Martin

Apologies

• Cllr Brian Keane
• Cllr. Michael McGrath

I Láthair       

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

Minutes of the September monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 1st September 2008 at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee

J. Corry indicated that he had spoken to James Barry regarding the appeal of the Casual Trading Bye Laws & was informed that the appeal was taking place in the District Court on the 13th October next & that he would update the members at the next meeting.

The minutes of the September monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 1st September 2008 were adopted having been proposed by Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan and seconded by Cllr. Martin.

Joint Policing Committee

J. Corry informed the members that the new Joint Policing Committees were being rolled out to each of the 114 local authority areas. He indicated that these policing committees would provide a forum for An Garda Siochana, Local Authorities, Oireachtas members and community interests to make an important contribution to addressing issues relating to crime locally to get together in a regular and structured way to consult with each other and to discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policy of the local authority's area. He added that their function would include the monitoring of two broad areas:

Firstly, the levels and patterns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in its area including patterns and levels of misuse of alcohol and drugs.

Secondly, the broader issue of the factors underlying and contributing to crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Comprehensive guidelines regarding the setting up of these committees were circulated to the members and J. Corry proposed that in order to give the members time to peruse these guidelines that the setting up of the committees be postponed until the November meeting.

Cllr. Martin agreed.

D Timlin suggested to the members that consideration be given to these guidelines before the November meeting. He added that it was hoped that the new Superintendent for the Kilrush area would be at the November meeting and that he could possibly advise the members on the setting up of these committees.

Adoption of 2007 Audit Report

J. Corry indicated to the members that the balance on the revenue account at 31 December 2007 was a credit balance of €11,391.45 and that this was an increase of €1,125.68 on the previous year.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan questioned if the credit balance of €11,391.45 was ringfenced for the Council.

J. Corry indicated that it would be and that it would have no impact on the 2009 budget.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan wondered whether or not Kilkee Town Council were paying insurance on the Courthouse in Kilkee which is now only being used by the Court Services.

J. Corry confirmed that he would investigate this matter and report back to the members.

Cllr. M. Martin confirmed that there would be no further court cases held in Kilkee so he assumed that the Council would not be using the Courthouse anymore.

Cllr. P.J. Linnane confirmed that he recently had a meeting with Bernadette Kinsella and that she suggested that she would like to see Kilkee Town Council accommodated within the new library proposed for Kilkee.

Cllr. M. Martin suggested that it would be very important that if the library was being refurbished that the audibility requirements needed to be carefully considered.

Cllr. Linnane said it was a great pity that the Courthouse could not be refurbished to house the Town Council & its Minutes & archived & historic documentation relating to the Town Council.

This was agreed by the other members.

Cllr. Haugh asked what was to become of the Courthouse

D. Timlin suggested that the Town Clerk write to the Director of Corporate Services to ascertain what the proposals were from the court service after the District Court is withdrawn at the end of the year so that the Town Council can plan ahead. He added that the Courthouse was a listed building & that it may attract some heritage funding.

Cllr. Haugh stated that it is not acceptable that the Town Council does not have a premises of their own to hold Town Council meetings.

Cllr. Lardner indicated that a lack of internal heating was the biggest difficulty with the existing courthouse.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan requested that the members be kept fully informed of developments regarding the Courthouse.

The 2007 Audit report was proposed for adoption by Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan and seconded by Cllr. Lardner.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan

"That the gardening section/department (or equivalent) of Clare County Council immediately take over all responsibilities for the upkeep and maintenance of both Allender's 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. 

I would suggest that the ongoing maintenance of Allenders Field & Hodges Green will have to be a joint effort utilising existing resources such as Clare County Council's grass cutting contract for Kilkee, the seasonal workers employed by Kilkee Town Council, and the local Tidy Towns Committee.  It might also be worth linking with the Clare Supported Employment Services who may be in a position to provide a staff resource under the supervision of the town engineer.

Response Ends.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan said €300,000 was spent on this project and that the Council were very grateful to Bernadette Kinsella who at the time sourced the funding. She said that looking at both sites now it was as if there was never any money spent here as they were like wildernesses. She added that they were promised by the then Town Clerk, Siobhan Curran, that any plants and shrubs that did not grow would be replaced by the landscaping contractors. She said her understanding was that the landscapers were concerned at what they were being asked to plant at the time but that they were overruled. She added that in the recent Tidy Towns report that Kilkee Tidy Towns committee were slated on Allenders field. She said that this was criminal. She said that the report from Clare County Council was appalling and arrogant and absolutely unacceptable.

D. Timlin suggested that as we are now going into the planting season that the species that failed should be replanted by the landscapers. He said it was vital that species that were suitable to maritime conditions were used. He said that he would speak to Ruth Hurley on the matter as she had been involved on the project.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan said that having plants replaced was only part of the problem and the ongoing maintenance of the site was also a concern. She added that eventhough Clare County Council were carrying out the grass cutting contract that this was not enough.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan

"That in the event, of the Cois Farraigh festival being held in Kilkee in 2009, a clear, transparent, fair, process is put in place to obtain  a permit to operate a temporary camping site from Clare County Council, in conjunction with Kilkee Town Council".

Response submitted by Brian McCarthy, Senior Executive Planner.

At the outset, it should be noted that there is no provision under the Planning Acts to allow a permit to operate a temporary camping site. Camping sites of the scale that is required for weekend festivals require Planning Permission in all cases, unless they are applied for and incorporated into the application for an Outdoor Events Licence in accordance with part XVI of the Planning and Development Act, 2000.

It is unclear at this stage if the ‘Cois na Farraige' Event will be held in 2009, indeed the Planning Authority was only made aware of MCD's intention to hold this year's event 16 weeks prior to the event. From then on interested landowners were informed of the requirement to seek planning permission for camping.

It is open to the landowners to seek planning permission for temporary camping well in advance of the event occurring. Again it should be noted that all interested landowners were informed of the requirement to obtain planning permission for temporary camping facilities. Clare County Council wishes to ensure that the facilities provided in Kilkee to visiting members of the public who wish to camp in the area are in accordance with the required Health, Safety and Sanitary Standards and Planning Legislation to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all.

Response Ends.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan said that there were problems regarding how to obtain a permit to operate a temporary camping site for the Cois Farraige Festival eventhough it was clear in 2007 that there was a shortage of places for people to camp. She added that she would like to know how interested landowners were informed of the requirement to seek planning permission for camping. She said that they ended up with one official camp site for the festival. She said she wanted Kilkee Town Council to be prepared and that people who wanted to operate a campsite would be allowed do so provided they met with certain criteria as regards Health & Safety and sanitary facilities. They could then be prepared should the festival return. The other members present supported Cllr. Marrinan's motion.

Cllr. De Loughery said that if people can be kept off the cliff that that was a huge thing and that more than one campsite was required to do this.

Cllr. Linnane said that prior to the Cois Farraige Festival that recommendations were made by Kilkee Town Council that common sense would prevail with regard to issuing summons' for providing illegal camp sites.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan said that by in large common sense did prevail but some people were summonsed. She said that she wouldn't like to see anyone summonsed regarding this.

Cllr. Linnane said that they could be back to the same position again next year if festival promoters delayed announcing that the festival was going to take place only 16 weeks prior to the event then it was very difficult for someone looking for a campsite licence as same had to be applied for 12 weeks in advance.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan suggested that interested parties should take the chance.

D. Timlin suggested that a festival of this size needed to be flagged very early in the year to allow all of the planning on site and off site to take place. It should also be put into calendar of list of events so that the event gets better publicity. He suggested that the Town Clerk write to the Planning Dept. to ask them to contact MCD to suggest that if they planned to hold the festival in Kilkee in future that a festival of this scale needs to be flagged very early on to the Local Authority.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan suggested that the Town Clerk would bring to the attention of the Planning authority that Kilkee Town Council do not look kindly on people being summonsed for any breaches that may have occurred when people were trying to do what they thought young people would need in view of the fact that there was such a lack of facilities the previous year.

Cllr. Haugh said that a festival of this type should be nurtured and welcomed to the town. She said it was a boost to the town after the bad summer it had.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan.

"The elected members of Kilkee Town Council look for a special meeting to discuss the Kilkee development plan 2009 in the context of the wider West Clare area plan 2009, this meeting to take place as soon as possible"

Response submitted by Brian McCarthy, Senior Executive Planner.

It is vital that elected members and the local authority executive work in close co-operation in the consultation process and the drafting of all Local Area Plans. In the context of the preparation of the 2009 West Clare Local Area Plan pertaining to Kilkee, the Forward Planning section of the Planning Authority welcomes and encourages the active input from the Elected Members of Kilkee Town Council. The officials of the Planning Authority invite the Members of Kilkee Town Council to meet at a mutually convenient time.

Response Ends.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan said that it was very important that the Kilkee councillors were afforded the opportunity to discuss the Kilkee Development Plan 2009 in the context of the wider West Clare Area Plan 2009.

Cllr. Linnane agreed and suggested that as members of Kilkee Town Council that they would be given access to or have a meeting with the Planning Dept.
D. Timlin said that there was a timetable set out under the planning act regarding the preparation of an area plan and that it was important that Kilkee Town Council were aware of these dates.
 

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Haugh.

"Requesting an update from the Director of Housing for Clare Co Council on the current housing stock in Kilkee, are there plans for further development in the social or affordable housing"

Response submitted by Madeleine McCarthy, A/Director of Service.

In reply to the above motion I wish to state that:

• The Council is in the process of acquiring 2 houses for social housing under Part V of the Planning and Development Act.
• The Council is proposing to construct 23 houses at Dough, Kilkee for Affordable Housing.  This project is at planning stage. 

There are currently 90 local authority houses rented in Kilkee.   A further 53 houses have been tenant purchased in Kilkee.

Response Ends.

Cllr. Haugh indicated that there were a lot of people in Kilkee on Clare Co Councils housing list. She questioned as to when the scheme in Dough would commence.

D. Timlin indicated that the development was presently going through the Part VIII process & that it should progress fairly quickly.

Cllr  Haugh suggested that the County Council should going forward look at buying houses at different locations that came on the market in Kilkee.

D. Timlin informed the members that the Part V & Affordable Housing Scheme were presently being reviewed nationally in light of the present housing market.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Haugh

"That disabled spaces be marked in O'Curry St., with one being in the vicinity of the banks, and another in the vicinity of the doctors surgery. "

Response submitted by Derek Troy, Executive Engineer.

As part of the Kilkee Traffic Management plan and in conjunction with the Disability Services Funding 2008, three fully accessible pedestrian crossings have been proposed on O'Curry Street. The construction of the build-outs and dropped kerbs to incorporate the crossings will begin in the coming weeks.

5 disabled spaces will be provided on O'Curry Street. Locations of disabled spaces should be kept as close as possible to dropped kerbs for ease of access to footpaths, therefore access to services such as banking, medical and general shopping will be taken into account when deciding on locations.

Response Ends.

Cllr. Haugh highlighted that these disabled parking spaces needed to be installed as a matter of urgency.

Cllr Marrinan Sullivan supported this motion.

D. Troy circulated to the members a draft  list of future works required for the Kilkee area.

D. Timlin suggested that the members should liaise with the Town Engineer & the Town Clerk to prioritise works & to add to the list where necessary.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Haugh

"That a quad & trailer be purchased for the beach maintenance staff for the 09 season, and that provision is made for them to start work at the end of March"

Cllr. Haugh suggested that this quad & trailer was urgently required & that it would be seen to reflect a recognition by the Town Council of the work carried out by the outdoor workers.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan supported this motion & suggested that same be jointly funded by Kilkee Town Council & Clare Co Council.

D. Timlin suggested that quotes be sought by the Area office for same.

Correspondence

The Notices of Motion forwarded by both Bantry & Ballinasloe Town Councils were supported by the members.

D. Troy suggested to the Members that with their approval that he proposed to put up signs on each of the two main approach roads to the town of Kilkee to commemorate the award of the Bronze medal to Kilkee Tidy Towns recently. He also added that he proposed to put up signage  in respect of the Kilkee (Regulation & Control of the Consumption of Intoxicating Substances in Public Places) Bye Laws 2006 in the areas prioritised by the members.

Cllr. Linnane wished to congratulate the Tidy Towns Committee & all involved in the recent award of the bronze medal to Kilkee.

These sentiments were echoed by the other elected members.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan proposed that Kilkee Town Council meet with Kilkee Tidy Towns Committee at 7.30pm on the night of the November monthly meeting to discuss work priorities for 2009.

This was agreed.

Cllr Linnane wished to thank the Town Manager for his work as Town Manager in Kilkee & wished him well in his new position.

These sentiments were echoed by the other members.

D. Timlin confirmed that he had been reassigned as Director of Service for Transport & Infrastructure & that Nora Kaye would be taking up the position as Town Manager. He thanked the members for their sentiments & wished them well in the future.

As there was no further business the meeting concluded.