Shannon Town Council Meeting Minutes April 2006

Minutes of the April Monthly Meeting of the Shannon Town Council held in the Shannon Town Hall on Tuesday April 4th 2006 at 6.30 p.m.

Councillor Tony Mulcahy, Méara Bhaile, presided.
Present were Councillors, Flynn, McLoughlin, Duff, McMahon, McCarthy, Lambert, McKee and Hillery.
In attendance : Mr. Gerard Dollard - Town Manager and Tomás Mac Cormaic - Town Clerk.

1/04/06 March Minutes

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and resolved;
"that the minutes of the March monthly meeting of the Shannon Town Council held in the Shannon Town Hall at 6.300 p,m on Tuesday March 7th 2006, having been circulated, be adopted and signed by the Meara Bhaile."

2/04/06 Correspondence

1. Notification of the Tidy Towns Committee A.G.M in the Alley Diner, Shannon Knights Inn at 8.30 p.m. on Thursday April 6th 2004 was brought to the attention of the members.
2. A letter from the Department of Transport relating to a Council resolution on Open Skies which had been circulated to members was noted.
3. A letter from McFadden Fun Fairs seeking permission to use the area behind Tir na nOg Playground for their annual Fun Fair in Shannon was read and discussed. It was proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Duff and resolved:
   "that McFaddens be given permission to use this area subject to certain clarifications which would be discussed with a representative of McFaddens in the Town Hall at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday April 11th 2006. The members of the Council to meet at 6.30 p.m. to draw up a list of points needing clarification."
4. Support by the following Town Councils for the Shannon Town Council's resolution Open Skies was noted; Clonmel, Trim, Macroom.
5. Notices of resolutions adopted by the following Councils were noted;
   • Clonakilty re Education and Science Building Contracts.
   • Ballinasloe re Waste Collection Vouchers to Elderly.
   • Skibbereen re VAT on Defibrilllators
   • Ennis re Undocumentated Irish in the U.S.A.
   • Clonakilty re Adult Entertainment.
   • Edenderry re Stardust Victims
   • Passage West re the continued production of quality food
6. A conference hosted by Clare Council on "Enhancing an Enterprise Culture - The Role of Local Authorities" on May 25th and 26th was noted. The members were informed that arrangements have been made to allow three Shannon Councillors attend for the price of two. Members anxious to attend should give their names to the Town Clerk.
7. A proposed program to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising was presented to the meeting and was approved by the Council subject to the starting time being altered from 4.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
8. A model of the proposed "Art Piece" for the Town Centre Roundabout was on display in the Council Chamber.

3/04/06 Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge

The meeting was joined at this stage by Emer O'Flaherty the Irish Officer with Clare County Council who informed the Council of Public Meetings to be held throughout the county relating to a Draft Scheme on the use of Gaeilge in official documents in accordance with Official Languages Act 2003, These Public Meetings are to inform the general public and to invite submissions from any interested party.

4/04/06 Block Grants for footpaths to former Town Commissioners

A proposal was put before the Council listing six specific areas in the town for which the County Council proposed to seek financial aid under the "Block grant Scheme"
It was proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr.Flynn and resolved;
"that Shannon Town Council approve the application of Block Grant Aid for the footpaths listed in the proposal."

5/04/06 Area Council

The Meara Bhaile gave a verbal report on issues relevant to Shannon Town raised at the February meeting of the Shannon Area Council. A lot of discussion took place relating to a request before the County Council for the closure of 111 maters of roadway at the rear of Tesco's, the Hairdressers, McLoughney's, Hillery's Pharmacy and the Oratory. The decision on this piece of roadway is the responsibility of Clare County Council and will be considered at the April monthly meeting of the County Council.

6/04/06 M.P.C. Reports

Cllr. McMahon reported that following discussions with Michael Hannon of Clare County Council he hopes in the near future to organise a meeting between his MPC, Michael Hannon and The Voluntary Housing group.
Cllr. Mc Mahon also requested that Eddie Ryan be given an opportunity to address the Council on his plans to provide "An aviation Park" in Shannon.Mr. Ryan would be given this opportunity at 7.30 p.m Tuesday April 11th 2006, in the Town Hall immediately after the meeting with the Fun Fair representative.

7/04/06 Fair Trade Concept

There are no further developments on this concept.

8/04/06 County Council Rent Scheme

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Flynn and resolved;
"that Clare County Council review how it is bringing the Shannon development rent Scheme into line with the Council's Scheme so that increases will not impact so severely on tenants."
The Manager said that where there is evidence of hardship being caused an extended lead-in period could be considered.

9/04/06 Flooding at the side of 67 Corrib Drive

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. McLoughlin and resolved;
"that Clare County Council solve the flooding at the side of 87, Corrib Drive as a matter of urgency."

10/04/06 Town Litter

Proposed by Cllr. McLoughlin, seconded by Cllr. Duff and resolved;
"that Shannon Town Council request Clare County Council, as a matter of urgency, to organise a crew of workers to do a general clean-up of Shannon and to employ two people cleaning in Shannon on a full time basis."

11/04/06 Litter Bin in Ballycasey Park

Proposed by Cllr. McLoughlin, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and resolved;
"that Shannon Town Council request Clare County Council to place a litter bin adjacent to the Shop in Ballycasey Park."
The Litter Warden has been in touch with the owner of this shop who has responsibility for the prevention of litter in this area.

12/04/06 Cycle Lanes

Proposed by Cllr. McKee, seconded by Cllr. Mulcahy and resolved;
"that Clare County Council be commended on having cycle-lanes as part of the road system in Cul na Greine and will they consider putting them in other suitable roads within the town."

13/04/06 Illegal Parking

Proposed by Cllr. McKee, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved;
"that Shannon Town Council express concern over vehicles parking on roads which are clearly causing obstruction and that the County Council conduct an audit on the inner roads in Shannon to determine whether or not double yellow lines are required."
The Meara Bhaile advised the members that they should immediately bring to the notice of the Gardai any instance of parking which is causing an obstruction."

14/04/06 Pedestrian Crossing on N18

Proposed by Cllr. McMahon, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved;
"that S.T.C. request Clare C. C. to put a pedestrian crossing or other safe means of crossing the N18 between the Drumgeely Flats/Hill and the Industrial Estate."

15/04/06 Aer Lingus

Proposed by Cllr. McMahon,
"that S,T,C, demand that the government retain ownership of Aer Lingus."

An amendment to this motion was proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved;
"that Shannon Town Council demand that the government retain majority ownership of Aer Lingus."

Sínithe ag : _________________________ ar an _______________
Méara Bhaile

Sínithe ag Tomás Mac Cormaic __________ ar an 4/04/06
Cléireach an Bhaile