Area Council Meetings: Replies to Notices of Motion November 20^th 2007

With reference to Notice of Motion no 6, submitted by Cllr. G Flynn & Cllr J. Crowe, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

That Clare County Council water services section provide a report considering the supply of water to B&B's and guest houses in the wider tourist area of Bunratty.

1. How is cost calculated - is it a flat rate or metered on usage?
2. Are all B&B's in the area paying cost at the same rate as Guest Houses & Hotels?
3. Who in the Council determines who is eligible to pay for water rates or are there businesses operating without a cost?
4. Are families who use their B&B's/Guest Houses as their family home allowed a set discount of water free of charge as to the same extent as that offered to residential homes?

I wish to reply as follows:-

1. At present the flat rate charge and metered charge applies throughout the wider area of Bunratty and also throughout the county.
2. B & B s are paying by both systems i.e. some are metered and some are paying by fixed charge. This situation has arisen historically and there is no explanation for the difference charging systems to different customers. It is the policy that all new customers both domestic and non-domestic will have meters installed at the time of connection.
3. The Revenue Section is in charge of billing customers for water provided to  customers. When the Council becomes aware of customers who are using water for non-domestic purposes then the Revenue section will issue charges appropriately.
4. Families who live in a B& B / Guest House situations are given an allowance of 227m³ per year and subject to a minimum charge. All other water provided is charged at the current charge rate.

At the present a complete survey of all known non-domestic water customers is ongoing in the county. Following on from the survey, meters are being installed where none exist at present or where existing meters are not properly functioning. It is expected that this contract will be finished in late spring of 2008.

Yours sincerely,
Walter Walsh
Senior Engineer.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 7, submitted by Cllr. S McLoughlin, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

To ask Clare County Council as a matter of urgency to remove the overgrown bushes (Not the Trees) from the centre of Ballycasey Roundabout, as this is obstructing the view of motorists approaching from the N18.

I wish to reply as follows:-

I have arranged to have landscaping work carried out shortly at this roundabout.  This work will include removal of some shrubs and general pruning of the shrubbery.  This will provide increase sight distance at the roundabout.

Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 8, submitted by Cllr. P McCarthy, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

That in the interest of road safety appropriate signage and road markings be provided on the Ballymurtagh to Ballycally road.

I wish to reply as follows:-

I will arrange to provide some additional road safety signage and lining on this road as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 9, submitted by Cllr. P McMahon, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

That Clare county Council be requested to upgrade and seed the unfinished green areas in Woodland Heights particularly near Gleeson & McMahons residence as the residents have agreed voluntarily to maintain and enhance the work to be completed.

I wish to reply as follows:-

I have arranged to have this work carried out and preparatory work has commenced.

Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 10, submitted by Cllr. J Crowe, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

 I am requesting that extra parking be made available for the Little Church, Limerick Road as this Church is on the main road, which is very busy. This extra parking might be looked on as part of the proposed new development on the Limerick Road

I wish to reply as follows:-

The car parking requirements for the proposed development on the Limerick Road will be assessed as part of the planning process.  It is the intention of the Council to ensure that adequate car parking is provided by the developer to serve the proposed development.  The Council cannot require the developer to provide additional parking spaces relation to use of the nearby church.

Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 11, submitted by Cllr. G Flynn, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

In view of the fact that the scheme for re-juvenation of Tullyvarraga Hill has failed to be finished to the specifications outlined to public representatives and the community of Shannon, I am calling on the Town Manager and Director of Service for the Environment to find additional funding and bring in a contractor to finish this project to a level of excellence for the enjoyment of the Shannon community.

I wish to reply as follows:

The Neighbourwood Scheme at Tullyvarraga Hill has been completed at a cost of €97,045. This expenditure is being financed by income from timber sales felled at the site (€20,000), grant aid under the Neighbourwood Scheme operated by the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture and Food (€30,730) and own resources (€46,315).

Works involved the felling and removal of older trees and the planting of a variety of broad-leaf trees.  In addition, walkways were enhanced as footpaths were upgraded and access points provided at more suitable locations.  The Scheme was completed to a satisfactory standard in line with specification. It has resulted in the creation of an amenity facility with increased usage being made of walkways and a reduction in anti-social behaviour.

There is no funding available to carry out any additional works at this location at the present time. A considerable sum of own resource income has had to be utilised given that income from timber sales did not generate the amount of income anticipated and additional costs were incurred in removing timber residue from the site, which was not part of the Scheme. The current Neighbourwood Scheme operated by the Department of Agriculture and Food has expired and the announcement of a new Scheme is awaited.  It is not known if further grant funding would be made available for any additional works required at the site.

Mairead Corbett,
Administrative Officer,
Economic Development & Planning Section

With reference to Notice of Motion no 12, submitted by Cllr. S McLoughlin, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

Ask Clare County Council due to great concern of residence to repair as a matter of urgency the fence around the pump house next the entrance to Cluain Aoibheann and replant trees to secrete off from view. 

I wish to reply as follows:-

Clare County Council acknowledge that the boundary fence to pump house 5a is now not sufficiently secure and intend to address it in the near future.

Yours sincerely,
Liam Murphy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 13, submitted by Cllr. P McCarthy, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

That the housing section identify a suitable location and proceed with a small mixed elderly/disabled-housing scheme

I wish to reply as follows:-

Clare County Council owns approx. 30 hectares of land in Shannon - some of which has been recently serviced (R5, 6 and 7). One option is to utilise some of this land for the provision of a small combined scheme as outlined in the request. Other options include liaising with Voluntary Housing Agencies, provision of units through the Part V (of the Planning Act 2000) and seeking applications / expressions of interest for the delivery of turnkeys for elderly and disabled.

As part of the statutory Assessment of Needs which will shortly commence, I would suggest that a small scheme to cater for the specialised needs
of the elderly and disabled be progressed and that a more detailed report be discussed with the Area Councillors, at that time.

Yours sincerely,
Nora Kaye,
Senior Executive Officer,
Housing Section.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 14, submitted by Cllr. P McMahon, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

Due to the ongoing problems concerning safety at Ballycar National School I request the Roads Senior Engineer to draw up a plan to alleviate the safety issues regarding the drop off and pick up of students

I wish to reply as follows:-

A joint assessment with Cllr. McMahon will be arranged as soon as possible to determine whether any safety improvements can be made at this location and a report will issue in this regard.

Yours sincerely,
Sean Liddy,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Transportation & Infrastructure Department.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 16, submitted by Cllr. G Flynn, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

That Clare County Council give an up to date report on what action has been taken to enhance the River walk route in Shannon as this route is used by many walkers not alone in Shannon but the wider area.

I wish to reply as follows:-

Work has commenced on cutting back the overgrowth adjoining the river walks.  This work will be completed shortly.  There is a short section of path to the rear of the ball alley, which needs upgrading, as the existing surface is poor.  I will arrange to have this section of path upgraded as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer
Shannon Area Office

With reference to Notice of Motion no 17, submitted by Cllr. S McLoughlin for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

To ask Clare County Council to remove all litter, grass and clean up the walkway at the rear of houses in Drumgeely & Cluain Airne.

I wish to reply as follows:-

I will arrange to have this work carried out as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 18, submitted by Cllr. P McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

That a raised pedestrian platform be provided at the Killian/SS's John & Paul Church Pedestrian Crossing 

I wish to reply as follows:-

It is intended to carry out this work in 2008 as part of the Road Works Programme.

Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 19, submitted by Cllr. P McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

That Clare County Council provide a solution to the flooding at the back road from Shannon to Newmarket in Urlanmore particularly at Cusacks residence

I wish to reply as follows:-

The elimination of this road flooding relates to compliance with planning conditions attached to the grant of permission for the dwelling house constructed at this location

Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 20, submitted by Cllr. J Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th November, 2007,

New housing development on the Newmarket-on-Fergus road. There is a number of families living here with small children and some type of fence or barrier needs to be erected in front these houses for their safety measure as the Sixmilebridge / Newmarket road is very busy

I wish to reply as follows:-

The houses recently constructed here front onto a service road, which is parallel to the Newmarket on Fergus road.  There is a grassed area between the two roads.  This grassed area is the responsibility of the developer.  The relatively narrow grassed area is not, to my knowledge, designated as a play area for the development.  The construction of a road fence here by the developer would require planning permission.  I recommend that a report regarding this matter be sought from planning section for the next area meeting.

Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

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