COMHAIRLE BHAILE NA SIONNA
(Shannon Town Council)
Minutes of the December
Monthly Meeting of the Shannon Town Council held in
the Shannon Town Hall on Tuesday
December 2nd 2003 at 6.30 p.m.
Councillor Seán Hillery, Méara Bhaile,
presided.
Present were Councillors McCarthy, Lambert, Flynn,
McMahon, O'Brien, McKee, Duff and Mulcahy.
In attendance : Mr. Ger Dollard - Town Manage,
and Tomás Mac Cormaic - Town Clerk.
1/12/03 Minutes of November Meeting
Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Flynn and resolved;
"that the minutes of the November meeting of the Shannon Town Council held
in the Shannon Town Hall at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday November 4th 2003, having been
circulated, be adopted and signed by the Méara Bhaile."
2/12/03 Correspomdence.
1. A letter from Conradh na Gaeilge seeking support
for the official status within the E.U. of the Irish
Language was read and noted.
It was proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr.
Lambert and resolved;
"
that Shannon Town Council support the request by Conradh
na Gaeilge."
2. A letter from the office of the Minister for Housing
and Urban Renewal dated November 17th 2003 having been
circulated was noted.
3. A letter from the Department of Enterprise, Trade
and Employment dated November 13th 2003 having been
circulated was noted.
4. A letter from Shannon Town Centre Management Co.
relating to signage on the N18 and N19 was read and
noted. This matter has been addressed by the County
Councillors at their Area Council Meeting. Paul Moroney
, Clients Representative proposes to meet with the
Project Resident Engineer and the Area Councillors
to deal with concerns regarding signage.
5. A letter of thanks from Thomond Gaels G.A.A. Club
for the Community Grant was noted.
6. A letter from South Tipperary Council in relation
to funding of bench marking payments was noted.
7. A letter from Clonmel Borough Council relating to
toilet facilities for disabled people in retail outlets
and supermarkets was noted.
3/12/03 Deputation from residents of Tola Park, Dernish
Lawn, Pinewood and Tullyglass Hill.
Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved;
"that the Council receive a deputation from the residents of Tola Park,
Dernish Lawn, Pinewood and Tullyglass Hill who are concerned about the possible
closure of a section of the old N19."
In receiving this deputation the Méara Bhaile explained that in accordance
with Standing Orders two members of the delegation could address the Councillors,
each for a maximum of five minutes after which the Councillors could seek clarification
of some points made by the delegation.
Mr. Gerry Carroll and Mrs. Heather Halton expressed the concerns of the residents
which were mainly centred around safety issues.
Following the presentation the Méara Bhaile assured the deputation that
the proposed closure of the section of the N19 would only be for a limited
trial period of not more than two months during which an audit of traffic would
be taken. Following this audit
consultation would take place to get the most appropriate solution to this
section of roadway. Some maps showing various options would be made available
to the residents.
It was proposed by Cllr. McKee, seconded by Cllr. Mc Mahon and resolved :
"
that representatives of the Residents of Tola Park, Pinewood, Dernish Lawn
and Tullyglass Hill be invited to the February meeting of the Council to get
an up-date on developments."
4/12/03 Take-Over of Town Services by Clare Co. Council.
Copies of a report prepared for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee regarding
the take-over of services from Shannon Development by Clare County Council
had been circulated to members. The Town manager went through this report
outlining advantages and disadvantages associated with the take-over, possible
dates when the take-over would be completed and the implications for the
occupancy of the Town Hall.
Councillor Flynn expressed his concern for the water supply to the town when
the County Council tapped into the supply for Newmarket on Fergus and ultimately
for Ennis.
Councillor McCarthy expressed her concern that there was not a dedicated budget
assigned to the management and provision of services to the town.
Councilor McCarthy also expressed concern for the future of open green areas
once they became the property of the County Council and she suggested that
the County Council would have to take measures to ensure that these areas retained
their present status. Mrs. McCarthy also suggested that the Town Council might
take on some agency work in the town on behalf of the County Council. This
agency work and the finance to carry it out would be negotiated with the County
Manager
Councillor Mulcahy expressed his concern for the refurbishment of houses and
flats being taken over by the County Council.
Councillor Duff's concern was for the ongoing maintenance of roads, paths,
trees, shrubs and open green area.
Councillor McMahon's concern was for the provision of social facilities.
5/12/03 Reports from M.P.C. Chairpersons..
Cllr. Lambert reported on progress with the Playground Fundraising Project.
Letters to commercial outlets have been prepared inviting these to sponsor
specific items of their choice in the playground. These would be sent out
by individual councillors who have personal contacts within the companies
and would be followed up personally by these councillors.
This M.P.C. would be meeting early in the New Year to consider the setting
up of a Civic Fund and the procedures for getting the general public involved
in financing this fund.
The Website which it was hoped to launch in 2003
will now be launched early in the New Year as, although
all the data necessary for the launch has been processed,
some technical problem has arisen regarding a "Server" which
had to be referred to Dublin .
6/12/03 Rail Link to Shannon.
Proposed by Cllr. McMahon, seconded by Cllr. Duff and resolved;
"that the Minister for Transport, together with upgrading the Western Railway,
sanction the provision of a spur link to facilitate Shannon Town, the Industrial
Estate and the Airport."
7/12/03 Ennis General Hospital.
Proposed by Cllr. McMahon, seconded by Cllr .McCarthy and resolved;
"that S.T.C. demand the Minister for Health increase and upgrade existing
services at Ennis General Hospital and ensure the continuation of a consultant
lead Accident and Emergency Service at the Hospital."
8/12/03 Hedgerows in Corrib Drive.
Proposed by Cllr. Hillery, seconded by Cllr. O'Brien and resolved;
"that where the residents in the immediate vicinity request it hedgerows
at junctions of Corrib Drive and Parks be removed as these hedgerows are unsightly
and unkept."
9/12/03 Twice Yearly Information Letter.
Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. McMahon and resolved;"that
Shannon Town Council publish and distribute an information newsletter twice
years."
The compilation, publication and distribution of this newsletter would be undertaken
by the Municipal Policy Committee with responsibility for Environment and Community
Affairs."
Two notices of motions, one from Cllr. Flynn relating
to Traffic Management Strategy and one from Cllr. Duff
relating to car parking facilities at the Town Shopping
Centre were deferred to the January 2004 meeting.
Signed: ____________________________ Méara
Bhaile Dated; _____________
Signed: ____________________________ Town Clerk Dec.
4th 2003
