Minutes of the December 2007 Monthly Meeting of the Shannon Town Council held in the Shannon Town Hall on Tuesday December 4th 2007 immediately after the 2008 Budget meeting.

Councillor Sean McLoughlin, Meara Bhaile, presided.

Present were:

Councillors, Flynn, Duff, Lambert, McKee, Hillery, McCarthy and McMahon.

In attendance:

Mr. Gerard Dollard – Town Manager and Tomás Mac Cormaic  - Town Clerk

Apologies from Cllr. Mulcahy

2/12/07 Minutes of November Meeting.

Proposed by Cllr. Lambert, seconded by Cllr. Hillery and resolved;
“that the minutes of the November monthly meeting of the Shannon Town Council held in the Shannon Town Hall at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday November 6th 2007, having been circulated, be adopted and signed by the Meara Bhaile.”

3/12/07 Correspondence

• A letter from the Department of the Environment relating to driving tests was read and noted.
• A letter from the Department of Transport relating to driving tests was read and noted.
• A letter from the HSE which had been circulated to the members was read, noted and it was also confirmed that a representative of the HSE be invited to the February meeting of the Council
• A letter from a resident of Tola Park congratulating the County Council for removing overgrown shrubs from Tola Park was read and noted.
• A letter from a resident of Purcell Park in relation to the dangers at the Comprehensive School Roundabout was read and noted.
• A letter from Shannon Family Resource Centre relating to a meeting with the Council was read and noted. This meeting will be arranged in the New Year.
• A letter from the Department of Education relating to School Transport Systems was read and noted. A copy of this letter to be circulated to members.
• Two letters from Clare Haven Services in thanks for the Community Grant of €500.00 were noted.

The text of a resolution adopted by Ballyshannon Town Council in relation to increases on Television Licences was noted.
The text of a resolution adopted by Macroom Town Council in relation the reporting of problems within the Health Service was noted.

3/12/07 Shannon Area Council.

The Meara Bhaile read a report on matters concerning Shannon Town which were discussed at the October Shannon Area Council meeting.  All this information is available on the website.

4/12/07 Reports from M.P.C. Chairs.

Cllr. Duff told the meeting that representatives of the Tidy Towns Committee, Le Cheile and Shannon Youth Service Committee attended a St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee meeting with members of the Town Council M.P.C. It is planned to have a Band Competition on the day and fears that the location of the Reviewing Stand have been allayed. The next meeting would be held in the Town Hall at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday January 8th.

5/12/07 Signage at Junctions.

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr.Flynn and resolved;
“That a survey of all junctions in Shannon be undertaken to ensure that the properappropriate signage is in place.”

6/12/07 Speed Regulation on Fergus Road.

Proposed by Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved;
“that Clare County Council commence a process whereby a special speed limit of 30kmp will be put in place along the length of Fergus Road.”

7/12/07 Tree Planting in Tola Park

Proposed by Cllr. McLoughlin, seconded by Cllr. Flynn and resolved;
“That at the request of the residents of Tola Park , Clare County Council be asked to replant trees in the green area in the centre of the park in memory of the deceased residents from Tola Park.”

8/12/07 Seating in Illaunmanagh Cemetery.

Proposed by Cllr. Mckee, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and resolved;
“that Shannon Town Council allow voluntary sponsors erect specified seating in Illaunmanagh Cemetery, if council funding is not available”
The Town Manager told the meeting that any such voluntary / sponsored seating would have to have the approval of Clare County Council.

9/12/07 Footpath at 19 – 20 Killian Park.

Proposed by Cllr. Duff, seconded by Cllr. Flynn and resolved;
“That while recognising that there is a policy in place to improve footpaths throughout the town Shannon Town Council call on Clare County Council to address as a priority the footpaths outside 19 to 20 Killian Park.”

10/12/07 High Visibility Road Surface at Pedestrian Crossings.

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved;
“That Shannon Town Council request the Roads Section of Clare County Council to put in place a high visibility road surface on all Pedestrian Crossings in Shannon.”

11/12/07 Traffic Lights at Bothar na Rinne and Bothar Droim Junction.

Proposed by Cllr. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. Hillery and resolved;
“that Shannon Town Council request the Roads Section to put in place a traffic light controlled junction at the Bothar na Rinne and Bothar Droim adjacent to the Skycourt entrance.”
The Town Manager suggested that, as planning permission has already been given to Skycourt for this traffic control system, the matter be put on the agenda for the upcoming meeting with Skycourt management.”

12/12/07 Compulsory Wearing of Reflective Clothing by Pedestrians.

Proposed by Cllr. McKee, seconded by Cllr. Lambert and resolved;
“that Shannon Town Council, in the interest of safety, call on the government to begin a process that will ultimately lead to the compulsory wearing of reflective clothing by pedestrians in the hours of darkness”

13/12/07 Civics / Ethics Classes in Schools.

Proposed by Cllr. Hillery, seconded by Cllr. Flynn and resolved;
“That Shannon Town Council request the Minister for Education to introduce additional classes in Civics / Ethics to Primary and Secondary Curricula.”

14/12/07 Controlling the Availability of Alcohol.

Proposed by Cllr. Duff, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy and resolved;
“That Shannon Town Council supports the call by the National Youth Council of Ireland that the Government introduce stiff measures to control the availability of alcohol.”