Area Council Meetings: Replies to Notices of Motion June 19th 2007

With reference to Notice of Motion no. 6, submitted by Cllr. T. Mulcahy, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 19th June, 2007,

That this council will put in place a pedestrian crossing from Gleann na Smol to Ard Na Mara Choill Mhara in light of new large scale housing developments taking place at rear of GAA club on the southern primary route.

I wish to reply as follows:-

It is considered that a pedestrian crossing is not warranted at this location at present, having regard to the number of pedestrians involved and the traffic volumes on the road.  This location is quite close to where a Junior Warden
Service operates for children crossing this road at St. Conaires School.  However the Council will monitor the situation here in the light of increasing pedestrian and vehicular movements having regard to ongoing developments such as the housing associated with the Shannon Southern Primary Road.

Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no. 7, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 19th June, 2007,

That Clare County Council advise why no report issued arising from the notice of motion on the July 06 agenda "That the main footpath in Lemenagh be resurfaced" and that there be no further delay in undertaking improvement works to this footpath

I wish to reply as follows:-

Subsequent to the Electoral Area Meeting of July 2006, the cost of resurfacing the main access to Lemenagh Burial Ground in Dense Bituminous Macadam was estimated at €17500.   There is only limited funding available for work of this nature however the improvement works were submitted for funding under the Disability Access Programme and no funds have been made available to date.  The existing surface is tar and chip and it is in reasonably good condition with no potholes.  The area staff will monitor the condition of the access road on an ongoing basis and will fill any potholes, which occur.

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no. 8, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 19th June, 2007,

Due to ongoing water supply problems in Lower Ballinacragga (opposite Glencragga), that Clare County Council upgrade to a new line.

I wish to reply as follows:-

Some houses in this area have long service supply pipes and Clare County Council intend to remove these and connect them onto the new main which fronts the houses in question

Liam Murphy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no.10, submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 19th June, 2007,

From Soreeney to Castlecrine Gate the road needs attention as this road was used during the laying of pipes from Sixmilebridge to Castlecrine gate

I wish to reply as follows:-

I have made arrangements to have maintenance works carried out on this road as soon as possible.

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no.11, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 19th June, 2007,

That the Environment Section of Clare County Council undertake selective mobile CCTV surveillance initially in the Town of Shannon, then throughout the electoral area as part of a concerted drive to eliminate littering.

I wish to reply as follows:-

The Environment Directorate of Clare County Council will undertake, where appropriate, covert camera surveillance of selected litter blackspots in the Shannon Electoral Area.

Cyril Feeney
Acting Senior Executive Engineer,
Environment Section,
Clare County Council.

With reference to Notice of Motion no.12, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 19th June, 2007,

That Clare County Council install speed ramps on Stonehall Road due to excessive speed by a minority of motorists.

I wish to reply as follows:-

In recent years several measures have been implemented at Stonehall School in order to highlight to motorists the location of the school on this road. These measures include flashing school lights and associated signage and also road lining on the approaches to the school advising traffic to slow down.   This road is narrow and should not lend itself to speeding.  It is considered that all appropriate speed reduction measures have been implemented at this location.

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no.13, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 19th June, 2007,

That all the signs in relation to the dumping of green waste be erected as a matter of urgency and all existing waster illegally dumped be removed by the Council in the Shannon Electoral Area

I wish to reply as follows:-

The ‘No Dumping’ signs for the Wetlands area are to hand and will be put in place forthwith.  Arrangements will be made for the removal of the material, which has been dumped in this area

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no.14, submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 19th June, 2007,

The area in front of Marie Burnes, Paddy Meahan and Christy Murrays in Sixmilebridge needs to be curbed and finished off.

I wish to reply as follows:-

The Council has installed roads drainage gullies at this location a few months ago. Further work including provision of a drainage channel will be carried out as soon as resources are available.

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no.15, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 19th June, 2007,

That Enforcement Section of Economic Planning & Development advise what progress has been made in the taking in charge of Chapel Court & Woodview Heights Estates, Sixmilebridge.

I wish to reply as follows:-

No Taking In Charge application has been received from Mr. McNamara (developer) for Chapel Court, Sixmilebridge.  Regarding Woodview Heights, Sixmilebridge, Mr. Creaven, (developer) submitted an incomplete application in February 2005.  The developer was informed of same and a further application was received in April 2006.  This application was returned to the developer as it was incomplete.  The developer was requested to complete and submit the application.  This remains outstanding.

Monica Meehan,
Senior Executive Officer,
Planning Section.

With reference to Notice of Motion no.16, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 19th June, 2007,

That Clare County Council upgrade the footpath in Kilnasoolagh townland due to its dangerous condition

I wish to reply as follows:-

I will arrange to have improvements carried out to this footpath as soon as possible within the works programme for the year.

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no.17, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 19th June, 2007,

That Clare County Councils Housing Section be requested to strengthen the partnership between the various residents associations in Council estates as the current system is not adequate and is leading to difficulties in retaining interest by the residents in the continuation of participating in estate management.

I wish to reply as follows:-

The Estate Management Unit in the Housing Section of Clare County Council was established in order to put a structure in place to develop and enhance Housing Estates. The work of the Estate Management Units includes the following:

• Pre-tenancy training.
• Assistance in the setting up of Residents Associations.
• Assistance by way of advice, information and support to Residents Associations.
• Formulating policy proposals in relation to tenancy management issues, including collection of rents, implementation of terms of tenancy agreements, anti-social behaviour. A copy of the adopted policies has been given to all Residents.
• Organising competitions to encourage and support the improvement of housing estates.
• Implementing the Housing Management Initiative Grants Scheme.
• Working with Residents Groups in the development of proposals for Regeneration and Remedial Works Scheme.
• Working with Gardaí and HSE and other agencies as appropriate in relation to the development of best practice in Estate Management.
• A further recent initiative was undertaken – the publication of the Tenants Newsletter “ABODE”. This provides useful information and updates to all residents and also invites submissions/articles for publication by Residents Associations.
• In 2006, a Residents Association Network was also established – this is a forum for the elected officers of each Residents Association to come together. Guest speakers in the past include Sergeant J. Downey, and Brendan Keogh, Gardening Supervisor as well as Specialist Staff from Clare County Council. It is proposed to have a member of the Environment Team to advise the forum on recycling as well as a member of the Health and Safety Team to give advice on Health and Safety in the near future.

The current resources – both staff and financial are, as you will appreciate, quite limited. It is hoped to expand the services going forward, but until such time as extra resources are allocated, it will be difficult to add to the above programme.

Nora Kaye,
Senior Executive Officer,
Housing Section.

With reference to Notice of Motion no.18, submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 19th June, 2007,

The footpath from the Square in Sixmilebridge to the Little Church needs attention as this path is being used by mass goers and locals alike

I wish to reply as follows:-

This is a heavily trafficked footpath, which has deteriorated somewhat over recent years.  It has been planned already to resurface this footpath as part of the 2007 Road Works programme.  The work will be done as soon as can be arranged within the constraints of available resources.

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.