Shannon Town Council Meeting Minutes October 2003

1. A proposal presented by Barry Boland of Beau Walk Properties to Séamus Brennan, T.D., Minister for Transport relating to a Rail Service to Shannon was noted. The Town Clerk would arrange to get copies of this proposal for the six members who are not also members of Clare County Council.
2. A letter from Bernadette Kinsella Director of Services with Clare County Council was read and noted. Ms. Kinsella promised that the Project Shannon Development Officer, Padraig Mac Cormaic would attend the November meeting of the Council.
3. A letter from Éamon Donegan of 44, Corrib Drive referring to the lack of maintenance of bushes adjacent to his house was read and noted. This matter would be referred to Shannon Development Co. for their attention.
4. A letter from the Dog Control section of Clare County Council relating Dog Control Signage was read and noted.
5. Notification from the Department of the Environment and Local Government that the 2004 Budget of Shannon Town Council should be held between November 15th and December 16th 2003 was noted.
6. The results of this year's Tidy Towns' Competition were noted. Shannon Tidy Towns Committee were complemented in once again this year succeeding in having Shannon's marks increased.
7. A letter addressed to the Méara Bhaile from St. Patrick's Comprehensive School seeking some financial assistance in the hosting of German Students in Shannon for the tenth successive year was read and noted.
   It was proposed by Cllr. Lambert, seconded by Cllr. O'Brien and resolved by five votes to three:-
   "that an amount of €200 .00 be granted to this school by way of sponsorship."
   Cllrs. Hillery, Lambert, McCarthy, McKee and O'Brien supported the proposal and Cllrs. Flynn, McMahon and Mulcahy opposed it.
8. A letter from Fingal County Council relating to the important role of Local Authority Members on Health Boards was read, noted and supported.
9. Notification of two half day Information Seminars on Local Government for elected members of former Town Commissions was brought to the attention of the members. These seminars would be held on Saturday November 22nd in the I.P.A. Building in Dublin and on Friday November 28th in the Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
   The Town Clerk suggested that one of these seminars might be of interest to six members who are not members of the County Council and that transport arrangements could be made for these members.
   Councillor McCarthy however suggested that all nine members should be free to attend one of these seminars and that each member should be free to make their own travel arrangements. She would seek clarification from the Minister for the Environment and Local Government on the payment of travel and subsistence to members attending the seminar.

3/10/03 Recognition of Special Achievements by Community Members

The following list of Community Members to be honoured for their achievements during the past year was agreed.
John and Dan Kirby (Handball)
David Dawson (Special Olympics).
Heather Nolan (Golf)
Brian Lohan (Hurling)
Stephen Hanley (Chess)
Eimear Danaher (Chess)
Shane O'Connor (Chess)
Catherine Danaher (Chess)
David Ryan (Chess)
Eanna Ryan (Chess)
Liam Normoyle (Chess)
Marian Todorov (Chess).
These thirteen people top be honoured on the evening of the distribution of the 2003 Community Grants.

4/10/03 Reports from M.P.C. Chairpersons

Cllr. McKee reported that his committee would be meeting within the next week and he would have a report for the November meeting.

Cllr. Lambert reported that much progress has been made in the development of a Shannon Website and a presentation would be made to members at the November meeting. A meeting on the Playground is scheduled for Thursday October 16th at 7.00 p.m. and a report on progress would be delivered at the November meeting of the Council.

5/10/03 Annual Budget Meeting

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved; "that the Annual Budget Meeting to consider income and expenditure for the year 2004 be held in the Shannon Town Hall at 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday December 2nd 2003."

6/10/03 Unofficial Parking Outside Graveyards

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and resolved;
"that Shannon Town Council request Clare County Council to deal with problems associated with unofficial parking outside graveyards which is causing undue hardship and grief to many families."

It was proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and resolved;
"that Shannon Town Council introduce a bye-law to prohibit overnight parking adjacent to Illaunmanagh Cemetery."

7/10/03 Maintenance of Trees Throughout the Town

Three notices of motions relating to tree maintenance (two by Cllr. O'Brien and one by Cllr. Lambers) were taken as one motion as follows.
Proposed by Cllr. Lambert, seconded by Cllr. O'Brien and resolved;
"that Shannon Development Co. conduct a complete examination of the trees in the town and take appropriate action where these trees constitute a hazard because of height, spreading roots damaging footpaths, boundary walls and house foundations, interference with street lighting and other problems."

8/10/03 Purchase of Homes by Tenants of Voluntary Housing Schemes

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and resolved;
"that Shannon Town Council call on the Minister for Housing to introduce amendments to the scheme for Voluntary Housing to allow existing tenants the right to purchase their homes."

9/10/03

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. McKee and resolved;
"that a formal queuing system be introduced at the Health Centre to prevent queue jumping."

10/10/03 Financial Implications of the Take Over of Shannon Town by Clare Co. Co.

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr.McKee and resolved;
"that Shannon Town Council request the Tánaiste, Mary Harney, T.D. to ensure that when responsibility for the management of Shannon Town passes from Shannon Development Co. to the Clare County Council adequate funds are provided to renew essential services in Shannon such as Water, sewerage etc."

11/10/03 Responsibilities of Private Landlords

Proposed by Cllr. McMahon, seconded by Cllr. Flynn and resolved;
"that the Town Manager outline what action Clare Co. Co. can take to address problems caused to residents by houses let / rented by private landlords."

12/10/03 Re-Introduction of Third Level Fees

Proposed by Cllr. McMahon, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and resolved;
"that S.T.C. demand that the Government / Department of Education does not implement the proposed third level college fees."

13/10/03 Street Lighting

Proposed by Cllr. McKee, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and resolved;
"that Shannon Development Co. carry out a survey of all the street lights under their control and repair or replace them as necessary."

In the absence of Councillor Duff two notices of motions submitted by Mr. Duff were deferred to the November meeting.