Minutes of the joint meeting of Kilrush Electoral Area and Kilkee Town Council  held on Monday 1st September 2008 at Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee at 8:00 p.m.

Cathaoirligh sa Cathair

• Cllr. PJ Linnane

I Láthair

• Cllr. Tom Nolan
• Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan
• Cllr. P.J Lardner
• Cllr. Brian Keane
• Cllr. Michael McGrath

Apologies

• Cllr. Carmel Deloughery
• Cllr. Claire Haugh

I Láthair

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

Minutes of the July monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 7th July 2008 at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

D. Timlin indicated in relation to the attendance of James Barry at a meeting of the Town Council, that he was awaiting an appeal of the Casual Trading Bye Laws which was likely to be heard in the District Court shortly, and if there was an outcome from that James proposed to attend the following meeting of Kilkee TC to update the members.

The minutes of the July monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 7th July 2008 were adopted having been proposed by Cllr. McGrath and seconded by Cllr.Keane.

Minutes of the Special Joint meeting of Kilkee Town Council & Kilrush Electoral Area Committee held on Monday 11th August 2008 at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

Cllr. Marrinan  Sullivan said that it was very much appreciated by the people in the area that the two vehicles illegally parked ,which were brought up at that meeting, had been moved on that night & she wanted to thank the Town Engineer & the Town Clerk.

The minutes of the Special Joint meeting held on Monday 11th August 2008 were adopted having been proposed by Cllr. Nolan and seconded by Cllr. McGrath.

Overdraft Accomodation for 6 month period from 1st July 2008 to 31st December 2008. 

J. Corry indicated to the members that approval was sought for the temporary borrowing in the sum of €10,000 by way of overdraft accommodation on the Kilkee Town Councils bank account for the period 1st July 2008 to 31st December 2008.He added that it was prudent to make overdraft facilities available even if only required for short periods and that having the overdraft facility available did not create a cost unless it was utilised.

The Overdraft facility was adopted having been proposed by Cllr. Linnane & seconded by Cllr. Lardner.

The Control of Postering for Elections & Referenda.

J. Corry indicated to the Members that the Minister for the Environment,  Heritage & Local Government had invited submissions from all interested parties on the control of postering for Elections & Referenda by 15th September 2008.He added that election & referendum posters were currently exempt from provisions of the  Litter Pollution Acts until 7 days after polling & indicated that the Minister was conscious that there was significant public concern about the scale & nature of postering that arose on foot of this exemption. Issues that arose included the use of unsuitable locations, obstructing sight lines for road users, excessive repetition & the failure to remove posters (and, in particular, plastic ties) after polling.

Cllr. Nolan suggested that posters be confined to telegraph poles & should be restricted to being put in place no more than 7 days before polling & should be removed at latest 3 days after polling.

Cllr. McGrath suggested that there should be a restriction as to the size of the posters.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan agreed that the postering should be confined to certain designated locations.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Tom Nolan.

"That Clare County Council review preparedness for flooding in Kilkee including consideration of revocation of planning permission for building on existing flood plains, restoration of swamp at rear of Marine Parade currently not in use as a car park"

Response submitted by Brian McCarthy, Senior Executive Planner. David Timlin, Director of Services.

Clare Co Council is awaiting forthcoming planning guidelines re development on floodplain areas as recently announced by John Gormley, Minister for the Environment ,Heritage & Local Government.

In relation to the revocation of a planning permission, the Planning Authority may consider it appropriate that the permission be revoked under Section 44 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 – 2006. Permission may only be revoked where it no longer conforms with the provisions and objectives of the Development Plan to which the application relates. Where a Planning Authority is satisfied that this is the case, notice of same must be given to the applicant and to any other persons and in deciding whether to revoke a permission it must have regard to any submission made in respect of the above noted invitation. The revocation of a planning permission is a Reserved Function and it should be noted that where permission is revoked, mechanisms exist which provide for the payment of compensation.

The restoration from car park to swamp at the rear of Marine Parade will need to be investigated to determine the possible improvement to the reduction of flooding in this area.

Response Ends

Cllr. Nolan suggested that this car park located at the back of Marine Parade, which was originally a retaining swamp before it was converted into a car park, be restored to a retaining swamp to help alleviate the threat of flooding. He added that the car park which is unkempt & not clearly marked was unused & unsightly. He suggested that while Kilkee had avoided the threat of flooding so far this year that the combination of a high tide & a sudden downpour could result in flooding. Cllr Nolan added that areas including Shackleton Tce, Victoria Court & Cluain na Mara estates which were located near the car park were particularly in danger of flooding as they were built on a flood plain.

Cllr. Linnane said that it was down to the good work of the Town Engineer over the last few years that there hadn’t been a problem with flooding in Kilkee.

Cllr Marrinan Sullivan agreed with the proposal to convert the car park into a retaining swamp. She added that the car park was not currently being used so there was no harm in being prepared for flooding. If the car park was restored to a swamp area & if it did retain water which otherwise could result in flooding then she suggested the conversion of the car park to a swamp should be considered. She also wished to commend the Town Engineer for all the work that had been done over the last few years to prevent flooding.

Cllr. Linnane suggested to the Town Engineer that he look at the Consultants report in relation to storm water.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Tom Nolan.

"That 2 extra speed ramps be put in place on Marine Parade"

Response submitted by Derek Troy, Town Engineer

As part of the ongoing review of the Kilkee Traffic Management Plan, the construction of two extra speed ramps at Marine Parade, will be considered. Speed surveys will be conducted at various locations to assess how the recently constructed ramps have affected traffic speeds. It should be noted that extra ramps have been requested, between Jimmys Hill and Ministers Place, by members of the public. These will be considered also.

Response Ends.

Cllr. Nolan suggested that a lot had been done allow traffic flow more freely in Kilkee & that in fact that it is now moving too freely in Marine Parade where speeding was occurring & that more speed ramps were required.

Cllr. McGrath agreed  that speeding was a problem outside the strand & suggested that a speed ramp be put in there & another one beyond this. He also added that speeding was also occurring on the Carrigaholt rd & that he had seen hand brake turns been done & he questioned what could be done about it.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan called for a speed ramp to be put in place outside Corry Lane where speeding was also taking place. She also added that when reviewing the Traffic Management Plan that disabled parking in Kilkee left a lot to be desired. She added that as far as she was aware that for every 25 car places available that there should be one disabled car park space & that this definitely was not the case in Kilkee. Cllr Marrinan Sullivan added that there was none at all on the Strand line & that the one that was outside Myles Creek had been removed. She called for the spaces to be identified by painting them in blue as had been done in Kilrush. She added that  dog littering was also a problem in Dunlickey rd & suggested that people be reminded of their responsibilities by putting up signage.

D. Troy confirmed that in reviewing the Traffic Management Plan that the appropriate number of disabled parking spaces would be put in place.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan said that at the May meeting that she called for a pedestrian crossing be put in place at Pantry Lane & questioned as to whether or not this could be in place for next year.

D. Troy indicated that this would be a suitable place for a pedestrian crossing & that it would be considered.

Cllr Keane indicated that on the Carrigaholt rd when the new footpath was constructed that the old footpath was left outside it & that this was quite dangerous.

D. Troy confirmed that when the rd would shortly be resurfaced that the old footpath would be removed.

D. Timlin suggested that for the October meeting that the Town Engineer would list the priority items that we hope to achieve before the next season. He added that we have learned a lot regarding traffic mgt & that the trials that were carried out in May & June were quite useful. He hoped that the Council could move forward in the implementation of the plan with the co-operation of the businesses in the town.

Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Tom Nolan.

"That a municipal camping/camper van/caravan site be established in Kilkee"

Response submitted by Brian McCarthy, Senior Executive Planner.

A development such as this would require the benefit of planning permission & would be distinctly different from the numerous mobile home sites (which are more permanent).While the principle of development of such a park in a resort town as Kilkee is broadly accepted it would be of benefit if such a site was identified & appropriately zoned. Clare Co. Council are currently preparing a new West Clare Local Area Plan & are inviting submissions from the public. Any zoning proposals relating to such sites in Kilkee, (and other areas of West Clare) will be assessed in the Local Area Plan process. The Task Force on Tourism Subcommittee have also identified as a priority the identification of such a site in Kilkee & are pursuing same.

Cllr. Nolan indicated that there was a need for a municipal owned caravan/camping site in Kilkee & that this would help to cater for events such as the Cois Farraige festival.

Cllr. Linnane indicated that Clare Co Council had invited submissions for the West Clare Local Area Plan & that the site could be identified & assessed in this process. He added that Clare Co Council had granted a temporary licence  for one caravan/camping park for the weekend of the Cois Farraige festival & that the area would be policed over the weekend & that enforcement proceedings would be taken against such unauthorised sites.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan said that she doubted that one caravan site would suffice to accommodate the no of expected visitors for the festival .She questioned as to what happens when the licensed site was full. She called for a common sense approach to be taken by Clare Co Council if such an overflow occurred.

D. Troy said that a camping licence was required for any site where camping would take place & that Clare Co Council were controlling sites to prevent camping at locations such as Georges Head.

Cllr. Linnane said that licencing was in place to prevent people from camping anywhere.

Cllr. Nolan confirmed that a municipal camping/caravan site would be a great facility for the town.

Cllr. Linnane said he doubted that there was a precedent for such a facility anywhere in the country.

Cllr. Keane said he supported Cllr. Nolans proposal.

Cllr. McGrath confirmed that there was one campervan that was moving about & parking at various locations around Kilkee with the past three months.

Cllr. Linnane stated that checking same with the local Gardai that the vehicle owners tax & insurance were in order & that there was very little that they could do about it.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan mentioned a site on the Kilrush rd the sale of which had been held up by Clare Co Council for the past forty years. She suggested that this site could possibly be used for such a facility.

J. Corry indicated that at the Special Joint mtg of 11th August last that it was indicated that the Task Force on Tourism Subcommittee had indicated as a priority the identification of a camping/caravan/campervan site in Kilkee. It was further stated at this mtg that it would be the next season at the earliest before such a facility would be in place.

11. Correspondence

(a) Cllr. Nolan indicated that the Motion proposed by Mullingar Town Council
"that this Council urges parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated against measles & other serious illnesses" represented lofty idealism & was to be applauded.

(b) Cllr. Nolan asked the Town Manager if it was the intention of the County Council to charge domestic water rates now that new meters were being installed at various locations.

D. Timlin indicated that charging for domestic water was an issue for national government & that Clare Co Council would be directed by central government on this matter. He added that he was not aware of any proposals to resume charging for domestic water rates & that the reason that these meters had been put in place was to meter commercial water consumers & to try & maximise  water conservation.

D. Troy agreed with the Town Manager on this matter.

(c) Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan confirmed that she wanted to support the motion of Skibereen Town Council that:

"Comhairle Bhaile an Sciobairín supports our fishermen in their efforts to save their livelihoods and the fishing industry which is so important to coastal areas by increasing the Irish share of the quota, a more common sense enforcement of the fishing regulations by the authorities & an immediate financial package for fishermen to alleviate the rising cost of fuel".

(d) Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan asked the Town Clerk if the correspondence received from Mr. Seamus Flannery had been forwarded to the new Garda Superintendent.

J. Corry indicated that he had written to the new Superintendent welcoming him to the area & inviting him to attend ,at his earliest opportunity, a meeting of Kilkee Town Council. He added that he would also forward the correspondence received from Mr. Flannery to the Superintendent.

A.O.B

Cllr. McGrath questioned with the upcoming Cois Farraige festival if the public toilets in the square would be monitored by someone from the Council.

Cllr. Linnane suggested that the public toilets be left open over the weekend,

D. Troy indicated that this would not be a good idea. He added that staff would be working extra hours over the Cois Farraige weekend to ensure that  the town was kept clean & tidy & that the public toilets would be monitored.

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan questioned as to whether or not a site had been identified for the new pumping station. She added that the people of Kilkee had been waiting a long time for same & that they needed to know.

Cllr. Linnane indicated that three sites had been identified but that they couldn’t be publicly disclosed yet as there would be financial implications of doing same.

D. Timlin indicated that there would be an update from the County Council Water Services department for the next meeting of the Council.

(c) Cllr. Lardner proposed a vote of sympathy to Tom Carey on the recent death of his son.

This was seconded by Cllr. Linnane.

As there was no further business the meeting concluded.