Shannon Town Council Meeting Minutes March 2004

1/3/04 Minutes of February Monthly Meeting

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Mc Mahon and resolved;
"that the minutes of the February monthly meeting of the Shannon Town Council held in the Shannon Town Hall at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday February 3rd 2004, having been circulated, be adopted and signed by the Méara Bhaile"

2/3/04 Correspondence

1. A letter from International Funfairs which had been circulate to members was noted. The relevant M.P.C. would discuss with Sky Court the provision of an appropriate site to accommodate visiting Fun Fairs and circuses.
2. A letter from the Department of Foreign Affairs relating to the support of Irish Emigrants was read and noted. A copy of this letter would be circulated.
3. A letter from the Mid-Western Health Board relating to the affect the implementation of the Hanly Report would have on Ambulance service to Shannon was read and noted. This matter would be referred to the Hanly Report Implementation Group.
4. A letter from Sky Court giving details of parking arrangements, and in particular parking arrangements for disabled drivers, in the new development at the Town Centre was read and noted. A copy of this letter and the five accompanying maps would be circulated to the members.
5. A letter from the Chief Executive of An Post in response to a letter to Dermot Ahearn T.D. Minister for Communications and Margaret McGinley, Chairperson of the Board of An Post relating to the failure of An Post to provide satisfactory facilities for the collection of undelivered parcels and registered letters was read and noted. As this letter offered no solution to the problem the Council would invite Adrian Gordon, An Post's Customer Manager to meet the members and discuss a satisfactory solution to the problem.
6. A letter from the Chairman of Cronan Residents Association requesting that the Council receive a deputation from the Residents Association to discuss a four item agenda at this meeting was read. The Town Clerk informed the members that he had sent two letters to this Chairman explaining the protocol as laid down by Standing Orders for dealing with requests for a deputation to be heard by the Council.
   Councillor Flynn proposed "the suspension of Standing Orders to allow the deputation to be heard." This proposal was not seconded. Cllr. McMahon proposed "that The Council meet this deputation at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday March 9th 2004, this was seconded by Cllr. Duff and resolved.
   The Town Clerk would communicate the decision of the Council to the Chairman of the Residents Association. At this time a member of the public attempted to address the Council. The Méara Bhaile adjourned the meeting and reconvened it when order was restored.
7. A letter from the Barcelona Project Team invited representatives of the Council to attend a conference in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin on Monday 19th 2004.
   It was proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved ;
   "that the Méara Bhaile and the Town Clerk represent the Council at this conference."
8. A letter from Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances Ltd. inviting the Council to send a representative to the Insurance Companies Annual General Meeting was read. It was proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and Resolved; "that the Méara Bhaile represent the Council at this meeting and that in the event of the Méara Bhaile being unable to attend, Cllr. Tony McMahon be nominated as substitute."
9. A request from the Clare County Council, Environment Department that the Town Council nominate a location for the planting of an oak tree in commemoration of the Special Olympics 2003 was considered and it was agreed that this tree be planted adjacent to the Shannon Leisure Centre.

3/3/04 Kilkee Waterworld Conference

It was proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved;
"that Cllrs. Duff, McMahon and O'Brien represent Shannon Town Council at this conference."

4/3/04 One Stop Shop

The Town Hall has now been vacated by Rural Resource Organisation and plans for the reorganisation of the Town Hall to accommodate a reception area, a downstairs council chamber, the removal of the circular stairs and the provision of toilet facilities for people in wheelchairs were shown to the members. Cllr. McCarthy had reservations about the plans for toilet facilities and recommended that these be re-examined.

5/3/04 M. P. C. Chairpersons' Reports

Councillor McKee Chairman of the M.P.C. for Industrial and Tourism Development was not present at this time so Councillor Lambert introduced consideration of a TACIS EU Programme which would involve Shannon working in tandem with Zhukovsky in the Moscow Region of Russia on Local Government and Entrepreneurship over a two year period. The Project would cost €200,000, 80% of which would be refunded by the EU leaving the Town Council responsible for the bulk of the balance of €40,000 some of which need not necessarily be in cash but might be "in-kind" .

It was considered that the project would be too big for the Town Council to manage but the relevant M.P.C. might seek the support of Clare County Council for the project.

Councillor Lambert on behalf of the M.P.C. for Environment and Community Affairs initially thanked Urban McMahon from the County Council I.T. section, Pádraig Mac Cormaic Project Shannon Development Officer but particularly Brid Deely from the Clare County Council I. T. section for the tremendous work done in developing and launching the Shannon Website.

Councillor Lambert informed the meeting that The St. Patrick's Day Parade would take place, starting from the Wolfe Tones G.A.A. Club at 1.30 p.m. and travelling via the Town Hall, Fire Station, Leisure Centre, Comprehensive Roundabout and Lisheen to the Shannon Knights Car Park. Two Bands would be present, Limerick C.B.S. Pipe Band and Ennis Brass Band. Further meetings are scheduled to finalise arrangements.

6/3/04 Road Markings on Fergus Road

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. O'Brien and resolved;
"that Clare County Council be requested to provide appropriate road markings on Fergus Road."

7/3/04 Traffic Management inm Delacy Park

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and resolved;
"that Shannon Town Council request Clare County Council to provide a traffic management solution for the problems being experienced by the residents of De Lacy Park."

8/3/04 Maintenance of Bio Cycle Septic Tanks

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. McMahon.
"that Clare County Council draw up a list of reputable operators who are certified by the Irish Agrement Board in the installation and maintenance of Bio Cycle Septic Tanks and sewerage systems."
The Town Manager, in reply to the motion, outlined the County Council's Policy in relation to the installation of septic tanks and sewerage systems.

9/3/04 Anti Social Behaviour in County Council Estates

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. Duff and resolved;
"that Shannon Town Council request Clare County Council to put in place some kind of support for the vulnerable residents in their housing estates who are experiencing problems with anti social behaviour."

10/3/04 "Welcome to Shannon" Signs

Proposed by Cllr. O'Brien, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and resolved;
"that Clare County Council be requested to erect "Welcome to Shannon" signs similar to the one at Ballycasey Cross at the following locations (1) prior to the turn off before Shannon Town Roundabout, (2) on the Airport Road adjacent to Drumgeely Flats and (3) on Road R472 approaching Shannon Town Roundabout.


At this time, which was now 8.20 p.m., Ciarán Lynch, Director of Rural Development at Tipperary Institute and RPG Project Manager for the Midwest Regional Authority arrived at the meeting. Ciarán was scheduled to brief the members on the background and principal proposals of the Regional Economic Strategies (RES) and Regional Planning Guidelines ( RPGs). The Méara Bhaile proposed that the two further notices of motion on the Clár Oibre be deferred to next Tuesday and be considered following the hearing of the deputation from the Cronan Residents Association and that Standing Orders be suspended to allow Ciarán make his presentation" . This was seconded by Cllr. Lambert and unanimously resolved.
Ciarán's presentation lasted thirty minutes and was well received by the members.


Signed: ________________________
Méara Bhaile Dated; ______________
Signed:_____________________________
Town Clerk Dated: March 4th 2004

Shannon Town Council Meeting Minutes March 2004 (Reconvened)

11/3/04 Deputation From Cronan Residents Association

1. Road Resurfacing and additional gullies in each of the Cronan Estates.
2. Replacing of footpaths and all walking areas within Cronan.
3. Additional and improved lighting in all areas of Cronan.
4. Pedestrian Crossing adjacent to St. Caimin's School.
5. Grass cutting and tree pruning.
6. Name Signs.
7. Litter Bins.

Responding to Mr. Duffy the Members would refer these items to the appropriate authority. The question of the Pedestrian Crossing would be referred to the Gardai for their observations. Road Surfacing with additional gullies, name signs and litter bins would be referred to Clare County Council. Footpaths, walking areas and street lighting would be referred to both Clare County Council and Shannon Development Co. Grass cutting and tree pruning, especially a tree adjacent to No. 27 Cronan Lawn would be referred to Shannon Development Co.

12/3/04 Telephone Answering by Government Departments

13/3/04 More Involvement of the Defence Forces in Security Functions