Minutes of the February 2009 Monthly Meeting of the Shannon Town Council held in the Shannon Town Hall on Tuesday February 3rd 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

Councillor Gerry Flynn, Meara Bhaile, presided.

Present were Councillors, Duff, McCarthy, Lambert, Hillery,  Mulcahy, and McMahon

In attendance Mr. Gerard Dollard, Town Manager, and Tomás Mac Cormaic, Town Clerk

Apologies from Cllrs. McKee and McLoughlin

1/02/09 Minutes of the January 2009  Meeting

Proposed by Cllr. Hillery, seconded by Cllr. Duff and resolved "that the minutes of the January 2009 monthly meeting of the Shannon Town Council held in the Shannon Town Hall on Tuesday January 6th 2009, having been circulated, be adopted and signed by the Meara Bhaile."

2/02/09 Correspondence

1. A letter from An Taisce referring to the IBAL Anti-Litter League 2009 was read and noted.  A copy of this letter will be sent to the Shannon Tidy Towns Committee.
2. A letter from Duchas na Sionna expressing concern at the site for the  proposed County Council Depot was read and noted. The Manager told the meeting that he and the Area Executive Engineer have arranged a meeting with representatives of Duchas na Sionna for Tuesday February 10th 2009.
3. A letter from An Taisce relating to a project called KULYANA which aimed at combating climate change within the community was read and noted.  This letter invited the Town Council to nominate a representative on Agenda 21 to replace Cllr. Duff who had resigned from the Agenda 21.  This will be considered at the March meeting of the Council. A copy of this communication will be circulated to members.
4. A notice of motion adopted by Mullingar Town Council relating to T.V. Licences was noted.
5. A notice of motion adopted by Ballina Town relating to planning permission for change of use of retail business was read and noted.
6. A letter from the Union County Emerald Society in New Jersey inviting the Meara Bhaile and other members of the council to participate in their 13th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was read. The Meara Bhaile declined the invitation but had no problem in a member of the council representing him in New Jersey. It was proposed by Cllr. McMahon, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved that the Town Council would be represented at this parade.  The representatives name to be given to the Town Clerk before Friday February 6th 2009.
7. A report on the River Basin Committee Findings, in hard copy. Would be  delivered to the Town Clerk for circulation to members and which would be discussed at the March Meeting of the Town Council.

3/02/09 Report from January Area Council Meeting

The Meara Bhaile reported on matters concerning the Town discussed at the December Area Council Meeting.  This information which is available on the Council’s Website referred to the Arts Centre, Road Repairs, New Town Boundary, Extending Street lights on Bothar Mor and the holding of the February and March Area Council Meeting as one on March 3rd 2009.

4/02/09 Reports from M.P.C. Chairs

Cllr. Duff reported on progress with the 2009 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Evan Dempsey from the Knights of Malta will be the Grand Marshal and the duties of M.C. will be shared by Nicky O’Doherty and Peggy Coyne. Cllr. Mc Mahon reported that his MPC are concentrating of the Street and Place Names, River and Town Walks, the production of a Newsletter and he also hopes to get representatives from Shannon Development Co. and Shannon Chamber to join his committee.

5/02/09 Illaunmanagh Cemetery

Proposed by Cllr. Hillery, seconded by Cllr. Duff and resolved "that the Town Manager give the following information to the Town relating to Illaunmanagh Cemetery. (a) When will the extension be completed ?   (b) what conditions pertain to people / families wishing to purchase graves ?  (c) what facilities / safeguards will be introduced to protect grave surfaces and (d) that additional shrubs and small trees be planted." The Manager responding said the new portion of the Grave should be completed before the end of March, pre-purchase of graves is no longer permitted, surface damage is not acceptable and will be addressed and trees and shrubs will be replanted.

6/02/09 Fencing on the N19 facing Fergus Road

Proposed by Cllr. McLoughlin, moved in his absence by Cllr. McCarthy, Seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and adopted"that Shannon Town Council request Clare County Council to repair the timber fencing on the N19 facing Fergus Road."

7/02/09 EU Transport Working Group Visiting Shannon

Proposed by Cllr. O’Loughlin, moved in his absence by Cllr. McCarthy, Seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and resolved "that Shannon Town Council make a written submission to, and seek a meeting with the EU Transport Working Group when they visit Shannon in the near future."  The Town Clerk would attempt to arrange the meeting and the written submission would be prepared by the MPC with responsibility for Industrial and Tourism Development.

8/02/09 Shared House Ownership Scheme

Proposed by Cllr. McMahon and seconded by Cllr. Duff. "that Clare County Council consider dropping the requirement of a deposit in the purchase of houses under the shared ownership scheme." It was agreed that an overview of various housing schemes be discussed at the Spring Seminar.

9/02/09 Electioneering Posters

Proposed by Cllr. Duff, seconded by Cllr McCarthy and resolved "that Shannon Town Council discuss alternatives to the traditional use of posters by politicians at election time." The discussion did take place but there was no resolution agreed to the problem.

10/02/09 Heathrow Slots

Proposed by Cllr. McMahon, seconded by Cllr. Hillery and resolved "That the Government, now that Aer Lingus have renewed the Shannon Heathrow service, insist that the Heathrow slots be ring-fenced for Shannon and that this resolution be communicated to the Minister for Transport, Mr. Dempsey T.D."