Area Council Meetings:February/March 2009 Electoral area Meeting
With reference to Notice of Motion no 7, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 3rd March, 2009,
To ask Clare County Council to upgrade the existing footpath in Kilnasoolagh Townland as it is in a very dangerous condition
I wish to reply as follows:-
There is a significant amount of land zoned for residential development in the townland of Kilnasoolagh. In order to service this land it will be necessary to lay storm and foul water sewers, a water main, Eircom and ESB cables and possibly a gas main in the road and adjacent footpaths to which the motion refers. Clare County Council will carry out permanent restoration of the road and footpaths in this area once these services have been laid. In the interim period I will arrange to have the footpaths gravelled which will provide a reasonable surface for pedestrians to walk on.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices.
With reference to Notice of Motion no 8, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 3rd March, 2009,
That an update be provided on the provision of a services information sign adjacent to Drumgeely roundabout
I wish to reply as follows:-
Clare County Council is in discussion with the National Roads Authority with regard to the provision of a services information sign on the N19 for Drumgeely. At present, the National Roads Authority is upgrading the signage on the N18 to motorway standard. I will endeavour to have this information sign provided whilst these works are taking place.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices.
With reference to Notice of Motion no 9, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 3rd March, 2009,
That Clare County Council would erect signs on the Fergus Road approaches prohibiting large trucks from using this residential road. These service trucks are causing quite a considerable amount of damage to the green areas off Fergus Road and are also a traffic hazard for local people.
I wish to reply as follows:-
In terms of signage the only means of prohibiting large trucks from using Fergus Road is by introducing a 3 tonne weight restriction on the road. This will interfere with refuse collection in the area and is not recommended. Lorries making deliveries to shops in Drumgeely and Delginis are running onto grass areas particularly in front of the entrance to Allen Park and the Crossroads. I intend to reinstate the green area opposite the entrance to Allen Park off Fergus Road, construct high kerbs and erect bollards at critical locations to prevent vehicles running onto grass areas. This should help in discouraging delivery goods vehicles from using Fergus Road.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices.
With reference to Notice of Motion no 10, submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 3rd March, 2009,
There is a dangerous open drain from Bunratty Folk Park on the Low Road which needs to be piped and a footpath installed. This is a road used by many pedestrians and there have been a number of accidents on this stretch
I wish to reply as follows:-
Clare County Council is not in a position at present to provide a footpath with associated drainage works along the Low Road in Bunratty. My estimate for providing this footpath, with associated road widening, public lighting and drainage works, for a distance of 850 metres along this road is approximately €220,000. This estimate does not include for land acquisition costs. The Council will endeavour to secure contributions from developers for the provision of a footpath when development occurs of lands zoned in this area.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices.
With reference to Notice of Motion no 11, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 3rd March, 2009,
That Clare County council put a barrier in place outside Brendan McInerneys house in Ballycar due to the ongoing traffic/safety problems in this area of Newmarket on Fergus
I wish to reply as follows:-
Clare County Council does not consider a safety barrier appropriate for this location. Improvements to road signage and road markings have taken place along this stretch of road recently. In periods of cold weather the road is being salted, which should prevent the road from becoming icy or slippery. Since the introduction of salting operations on this road I am unaware of any vehicles skidding off the road as a result of frost and ice forming on the road’s surface.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices.
With reference to Notice of Motion no 12, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 3rd March, 2009,
That the Housing Section provide an update on the proposed Affordable housing at Cluain Airne
I wish to reply as follows:-
The Placenames Committee has named the above scheme "Glaise na Rinne", for which the English translation is "Clear stream through the Headland "
Planning
Following the approval by the Council of the Part VIII planning decision, a number of conditions required compliance prior to the commencement of development. These conditions have now been complied with. In relation to the details required for the further documentation, a comprehensive site survey was completed in September/October 2008.
Procurement
The procurement of a contractor to develop the first phase of this scheme ( 22 affordable houses, construction of the new road, diversion of services, provision of car parking) commenced towards the end of 2008 and comprises 2 stages. Expressions of Interest were sought to ascertain the suitability of contractors to develop the scheme and following an assessment of responses, a detailed Request for Tender issued in January 2009. The closing date for receipt of tenders is 6th March 2009.
Financing of Scheme
An application was made to the Department of Environment Heritage & Local Government for a subsidy for this scheme, as there are extraordinary site development costs associated with the site. A subsidy of €653,000 was approved and subsequently drawn down in December 2008. The scheme will be financed by way of a loan, which will be repaid according as the houses are sold.
In July 2008, the DOEHLG introduced new rules regarding the approval and draw down of loans. As the Council had not approved a loan specific to this scheme, an existing approved loan for land purchase was amended, by the Council, to facilitate the construction of affordable houses. The resolution was forwarded to the DOEHLG, together with a short report outlining the details of the scheme. Approval is still awaited from the DOEHLG to proceed.
Next Steps
Following the assessment of tenders and in anticipation of A competitive rate, the most economically advantageous tender will be processed, subject to approval of the DOEHLG to finance the scheme by way of loan.
A dilapidation survey will be undertaken, on the houses abutting the scheme ang house owners/occupants will receive prior notice.
An affordable homes information evening will be arranged to promote the scheme, where interested persons will be invited to visit the various stands – Clare County Council Affordable Housing, Clare County Council Loans, Approved Lending Institutions, Energy Conservation Officer, Legal Adviser, Architect. Details of this will be agreed prior to the event.
Conclusion
At present there are 137 persons on the waiting list for Affordable housing in Shannon. However, this is subject to change, in light of changing economic factors – loss of employment and difficulty in securing mortgage approval, in particular. However, all applicants will be contacted to update their records. Such meetings can be arranged at short notice and can be held in Shannon or other locations, as appropriate.
Yours sincerely,
Nora Kaye,
A/Director of Services,
Housing & Social Services.
With reference to Notice of Motion no 13, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 3rd March, 2009,
That Clare County Council clean up the area outside the East boundary of Illaunamanagh graveyard in Shannon.
I wish to reply as follows:-
I have made arrangements to clean the area to the eastern boundary of Illaunamanagh graveyard.This work will be carried out shortly.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices.
With reference to Notice of Motion no 14, submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 3rd March, 2009,
The front wall in the Ballysheen Graveyard needs urgent attention as this wall is falling in sections and is a danger to the public and motorists
I wish to reply as follows:-
Clare County Council will carry out any repairs deemed necessary to make the wall safe and prevent any stones falling out on to the public road.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices.
With reference to Notice of Motion no 15, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 3rd March, 2009,
To ask Clare County Council to construct a footpath or widen the existing road from Bunratty Folk Park to the numerous Guest Houses on the Low Road as the safety of pedestrians is threatened on an ongoing basis
I wish to reply as follows:-
Clare County Council have prepared an estimate for the provision of a 2 metre wide footpath along the Low Road in Bunratty from the castle to the various guesthouses. The cost of providing this footpath, with associated road widening, public lighting and drainage works, for a distance of 850 metres is approximately €220,000. This estimate does not include for land acquisition costs. Clare County Council is not in a position at present to finance the provision of this footpath from it's own resources but will endeavour to secure contributions from developers for it's provision when development takes place at the northern end of the folk park.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices.
With reference to Notice of Motion no 16, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 3rd March, 2009,
That the housing section provide an update on the refurbishment of the Tradaree Court Flats
I wish to reply as follows:-
Background
Michael Healy & Partners were engaged by Clare County Council to design a scheme for the Tradaree Court Apartments. Following a number of design proposals, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government did not approve any of the designs. In mid 2007, the Department instructed that the Council re-design the scheme and directed that the new procurement rules be implemented.
Procurement
The Council began the task of establishing a number of Framework Agreements, which would act as "Panels" for the selection of the Design Team. All but one of these Agreements have been finalised. Framework Agreements now been established for Architectural, Civil & Structural and Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Consultants. The Framework Agreement for Quantity Surveyors is at an advanced stage, with tenders now being examined. It is anticipated that this Agreement will be in place by end of April 2009.
Funding
Although the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government approved the Scheme under the Regeneration Programme and approved the funding of the scheme (100%), no specific allocation was made, nor is there an allocation proposed for 2009. (In relation to Remedial Works Scheme, the funding allocation for 2008 was insufficient and apart from the two schemes on-going in Shannon, no new schemes have since been approved).
In order to progress the scheme, the Department has been requested to approve the scheme as a "New Build" scheme, to be funded from Capital Allocation. The Department appears to be favourably disposed to this and it’s approval in writing is awaited.
Towards Carbon Neutral
The Department invited applications for Housing Projects, which would comply with a "Towards Carbon Neutral" concept, and an application was made in respect of the Tradaree Court development. No decision has been made on this, to date.
Next Steps
On the completion of the 4 Framework Agreements, the Department will be requested to approve the Design Team. Proposals will be discussed with the Council and updates on the progression of this scheme will be discussed with the Council.
Yours sincerely,
Nora Kaye,
A/Director of Services,
Housing & Social Services.
With reference to Notice of Motion no 17, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 3rd March, 2009,
That Clare County Council replant trees to the front of Cronan Lawn and also Tradaree Court area as previous planting of trees has failed and looks unsightly
I wish to reply as follows:-
Many of the trees in front of Tradaree Court and Cronan Lawn planted by Clare County Council, some 2 to 3 years ago have been deliberately vandalised along with the wooden stakes and wire mesh surrounding them. I have made arrangements to have the damaged trees replaced and staked.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices.
With reference to Notice of Motion no 18, submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 3rd March, 2009,
From Sixmilebridge to the Railway Bridge on the Shannon Road, I am requesting extra public lighting on this stretch of road. A lot of people are using this road for walking and the current lighting is inadequate, with the high volume of traffic using this road.
I wish to reply as follows:-
Clare County Council intend to construct a public footpath as well as providing associated surface water drainage and public lighting on the Shannon Road, between the Fana Glás and Ashview Drive housing estates, in 2009 subject to the availability of funding.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Office
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