Area Council Meetings : Replies to Notices
of Motion December 20th 2005
With reference to Notice of Motion No.5 submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy,
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee on 20th December, 2005,
“That the right of way between Hickeys and McAllens (Smithstown)
be restored with a proper surface underfoot and public lighting.”
I wish to reply as follows:-
The Shannon Area Office will liase with the Forward Planning section
of Clare County Council, who are currently preparing a master plan for
the development of this area, with a view to preserving and enhancing
this public right of way through the upgrading of surfacing, and the provision
of public lighting. In the meantime I will arrange to have the pathway
cleaned.
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Shannon Civic Offices
With reference to Notice of Motion No.6 submitted by Cllr. T. Mulcahy,
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee on 20th December, 2005,
“That this Council would provide a site for a multi-denominational
Church in Shannon to cater for the religious needs of the many new residents
that have come to our town over the last number of years.”
I wish to reply as follows:-
The South Clare Local Area Plan has designated areas for particular use
including community purposes. It is suggested that the particular group
involved should study the zonings in the plan to ascertain if a site exists
which is suitable for their requirements.
When a potentially suitable site is identified by the group, the Council
can engage in discussions with the group on the terms for disposal of
the selected site.
Any development would of course be subject to the requirement to obtain
planning permission.
Yours sincerely,
Michael McNamara
Senior Executive Officer
Corporate Services
With reference to Notice of Motion No.7 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn,
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee on 20th December, 2005,
“That Clare County Council initiate plans to establish a Playground
in Sixmilebridge and Newmarket on Fergus
(a) ring fence sites in these areas
(b) establish representative committees in both areas to drive the project
forward.”
I wish to reply as follows:-
Clare County Council adopted a Play Policy in September 2005, following
a recommendation from SPC No. 5 for Community & Cultural Development.
This included a recommendation for both an electoral area and county play
grant scheme. This adopted recommendation was then submitted as a budget
request of €500,000 as part of the 2006 budget process. It is proposed
that an allocation will be provided as part of the budget adoption process
being considered by elected members. The adoption of budget is a reserved
function. The budgetary resources available will be confirmed in early
2006 following budget adoption. There are currently approximately 20 communities
who have registered an interest in developing a playground. Each community
is at a different stage of readiness in terms of core issues such as:
- site availability
- the existence of a well structured committee in a position to develop
- local sense of ownership
- match fundraising already completed
- local committee's capacity to progress the playground project through
various pre-development stages and maintain the playground post construction.
In line with the adopted Play Policy, a community interested in progressing
a playground is required to form a playground group /committee of interested
stakeholders such as parents/guardians. This structure will then be in
a position to work in partnership with the local authority as part of
the grant application process. The establishment of a local representative
committee will require local leadership to initiate this process. Clare
County Council will be in a position to work with established structures
and to focus on playground implementation. All submissions received from
communities will be presented to the Play Policy Group for consideration
and recommendation to the full elected Council. The Play Policy Group
has an inter-agency membership and is a sub-committee of the SPC for Community
& Cultural Development. Following approval of playground grants etc.
by the elected members, Clare County Council management has agreed that
playground project implementation will occur involving community partners,
area engineers and Community & Enterprise Directorate.
Clearly, communities are encouraged to also pursue parallel and additional
(non-council) funding opportunities in order to progress their playground
proposal.
Yours sincerely,
Leonard Cleary
Development Officer
Community & Enterprise
With reference to Notice of Motion No.8 submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon,
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee on 20th December, 2005,
“That Clare County Council erect a black & white directional
sign for Drumline at the Shannon Town Centre roundabout on the N19.”
I wish to reply as follows:-
I will arrange for a black and white directional sign for Drumline to
be erected at the Shannon Town Centre roundabout on the N19.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Shannon Civic Offices
With reference to Notice of Motion No.9 submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe,
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee on 20th December, 2005,
I am requesting an update on the proposed opening of the Sixmilebridge
Railway station.”
I wish to reply as follows:-
The Forward Planning Section of the Economic Development and Planning
Department have been in discussions with Iarnrod Eireann concerning progressing
the identification of a site for the development of a railway station
at Sixmilebridge.
Through the review of the South Clare Local Area Plan a site has been
proposed that corresponds in part to the site of the former railway station
and will be considered for zoning as an amendment to the local area plan.
The station masters house is currently privately occupied and the adjacent
land required for the car parking is undeveloped agricultural land.
Iarnrod Eireann have advised that whilst they will not purchase the site
they will enter into an agreement with the landowners to locate a platform
and ancillary facilities necessary for the picking up and setting down
of passengers. They would not provide car parking for the station but
would leave that to others. Iarnrod Eireann will be carrying out a study
into the costs of providing the stop and platform within the next few
months
A decision has to be reached as to who will be responsible for the acquisition
and management of the car parking associated with the site. Agreement
then has to be reached on the relationship between the landowner and Iarnrod
Eireann. The Council will be considering this matter in the next few months
with a view to bringing a report to a Council meeting in February 2006.
Yours sincerely,
Graham Webb
Acting Senior Planner
Economic Development & Planning
With reference to Notice of Motion No.10 submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy,
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee on 20th December, 2005,
“That the road serving Begleys, O'Briens and Powells (Smithstown)
be
improved through cutting back of bushes, grass verges etc.”
I wish to reply as follows:-
I will arrange to have the hedges, bushes and verges trimmed back along
the road in Smithstown serving Begleys, O’Briens and Powells residences.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Shannon Civic Offices
With reference to Notice of Motion No.11 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn,
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee on 20th December, 2005,
“That Clare County Council replace the current deteriorating and
dangerous footpath to the front of Lisín and The Grove, off the
side of Bothar na Rinne.”
I wish to reply as follows:-
I acknowledge that sections of this footpath are in need of repair or
replacement. Local widening is required at a couple of locations and the
path needs to be extended over a short distance to the Tullyglass Hill
junction. It is hoped that improvements to this pathway will be carried
out next year.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Shannon Civic Offices
With reference to Notice of Motion No.12 submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon,
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee on 20th December, 2005,
“That Public lighting be installed at the side entrance to the
Obair / Family Support Centre in Newmarket on Fergus.”
I wish to reply as follows:-
I acknowledge that there is a black spot in the County Council’s
public lighting network at this location and will arrange to have a new
lighting column and lantern installed here as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Shannon Civic Offices
With reference to Notice of Motion No.13 submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe,
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee on 20th December, 2005,
“I urgently request that Clare County Council would do something
about providing extra parking in Sixmilebridge as the number of new developments,
businesses and extra traffic are hazardous. The parking in the town as
it is at present is chronic.”
I wish to reply as follows:-
The County Council is anxious to identify lands for the provision of
public car parking in close proximity from the Town Square and to assess
their suitability for this purpose. However, the costs involved in acquiring
land and developing it for car parking facilities are extremely high and
the Council at present is not in a position to make any significant contributions
through their annual roadwork’s budget or from development contributions
relating to roads for such schemes.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Shannon Civic Offices
With reference to Notice of Motion No.14 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn,
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee on 20th December, 2005,
“That Clare County Council replace all the old paving slab footpaths
in Tullyglass Court, Shannon.”
I wish to reply as follows:-
It is intended to provide new concrete footpaths at this location as
part of the contract for the replacement of slabbed footpaths which is
ongoing in Corrib Drive at present. It is expected that this work will
take place in a couple of months time.
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 on 20th December, 2005,
“I wish to again ask Clare County Council for a start date for
the new reservoir and related waterworks, and the upgrade of the existing
pipes in Newmarket on Fergus village and surrounding area.”
I wish to reply as follows:-
The Contract Documents were sent to the Department of the Environment,
Heritage and Local Government some time ago seeking approval to go to
tender. The documents have recently been examined by the Department’s
Engineering Advisor. However approval to proceed to tender stage has not
yet been received.
Until such time as approval to proceed to tender stage is received, the
Council is not in a position to give an indicative date for the commencement
of the works.
Yours sincerely,
Walter Walsh
Senior Engineer
Water Services
With reference to Notice of Motion No.16 submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe,
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee on 20th December, 2005,
“I am looking for traffic calming measures to be urgently put in
place at Stonehall National School because of the heavy volume of traffic
and the safety of children.”
I wish to reply as follows:-
Traffic calming measures such as speed humps and chicanes would not be
desirable at this rural location. However there is a need to further highlight
the location of the schools entrance and I will arrange for appropriate
road markings to be put in place which will compliment the existing flashing
school lights and advance “children crossing” warning signs.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Shannon Civic Offices
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