September 07 Meeting

MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER MONTHLY MEETING OF ATHY TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT 7.30 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY THE 19TH OF SEPTEMBER 2007 IN THE MUNICIPAL OFFICES, RATHSTEWART, ATHY.

CATHAOIRLEACH; COUNCILLOR CUNNANE

COUNCILLORS IN ATTENDANCE; COUNCILLORS DALTON,
ENGLISH, SCULLY, DALY,
LAWLER, O’SULLIVAN,
BRESLIN, WRIGHT.

OFFICALS IN ATTENDANCE; TOMMY SKEHAN, TOWN MANAGER,
MARIA AHEARNE, ACTING
TOWN CLERK,
PAUL HICKEY TOWN ENGINEER,
OLIVE KAVANAGH, A/S.S


1. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The minutes of the July Monthly Meeting held on the 18th July, 2007 were adopted,
On proposal of Cllr Breslin.
Seconded by Cllr Lawler.

The minutes of Retail Strategy Meeting on the 23rd of July 2007 were adopted,
On proposal of Cllr Dalton
Seconded by Cllr Scully.

The minutes of Special Meeting held on the 5th of Sept 2007 were adopted,
On proposal of Cllr O’Sullivan
Seconded by Cllr Wright.


2. MATTERS ARISING

Cllr Breslin raised three issue, the first referred to the sub-committee which was to be set up with representatives from Slievemore Homes, the Kingsgrove/Grayslands residents associations, Athy Town Council staff and the Councillors, and informed the meeting that there may be a number of different residents associations in the estate, and had the council given thought as to how to contact these different group and how many representatives from each group should be on the committee. Secondly Cllr Breslin asked if the council would organise an independent study of the traffic management plan and traffic calming needs for this development. Thirdly Cllr Breslin requested that a formal reply be issued to correspondence the Grayslands residents association submitted to the council on the Slievemore Development.

The Town Engineer replied that the construction management plan had been received and he was in the process of evaluating the submission.

The Cathaoirleach enquired if a copy of the plan could be issued to the councillors and would an independent traffic management study be required.


In response the Town manager said the engineer had requested the Traffic Management plan from the builder’s consultants and once the engineer had signed off on it and the committee had examined it, a copy of the plan could be issued to the councillors.

Cllr Dalton stated that some confusion existed among the residents on the status of the green areas in Kingsgrove and asked if a letter could be issued to the councillors clarifying
the status of the green areas.

The Town Engineer stated that the green areas were marked on the site maps and designated as green open spaces on the planning files for Kingsgrove on which planning permission was granted.

The Town Manager informed the meeting that the town clerk would write to the members and inform them on the position of the green areas in Kingsgrove.

The Cathaoirleach then proceeded to seek nominations for the Kingsgrove, Graysland, Slievemore sub-committee. He suggested that the councillors’ representation should consist of four members and the Cathaoirleach.

All Agreed to this composition.

That Cllr Dalton be appointed to the Kingsgrove, Graysland, Slievemore sub-committee.
Proposed by Cllr English.
Seconded by Cllr Lawler
All Agreed

That Cllr Lawler be appointed to the Kingsgrove, Graysland, Slievemore sub-committee.
Proposed by Cllr Breslin.
Seconded by Cllr English
All Agreed

That Cllr Daly be appointed to the Kingsgrove, Graysland, Slievemore sub-committee.
Proposed by Cllr O’ Sullivan.
Seconded by Cllr Lawler
All Agreed.

That Cllr Breslin be appointed to the Kingsgrove, Graysland, Slievemore sub-committtee.
Proposed by Cllr Daly.
Seconded by Cllr Lawler.
All Agreed.

Cllr Dalton asked when a meeting will be set up with the Athy Town Soccer Club, and requested an update on the Part V housing issue in Rheban Manor.

The Town Clerk replied that a meeting will be set up with the Soccer Club, and with regard to the part v development she informed the members that a meeting had taken place with the developer, council officials and the council’s solicitor. The issue was not resolved.

The Town Manager stated that the council has engaged in discussions with the developer,
and hopefully an agreement will be reached quickly. The manager stated that he would prefer to go the consensus route rather than the high court route.



3. CORRESPONDENCE.

Notification of Heritage Week 25th to 2nd of August.

Notification of Parnell Summer School held on the 12th to 17th of August.

Notification of conference on rural Tourism held on the 6th and 7th of September.

Notification of conference on “Developing Local Heritage for Tourism Purposes” held on the 6th and 7th of September.

Invitation from the Riverbank Arts Centre to the launch of An Fomhar, at 7 pm on the 13th of September.

Notification of Irish Language activity course, on the 17th 20th and 27th of September held in the Clochan Bhreanainn Gaeltacht.

Notification of conference on “Local Government and Rural Development” in the Tullamore Court Hotel on the 25th and 26th of September.

Notification of conference on Social housing in Whites Hotel in Wexford, on the 25th to the 27th of September.

Town Clerk to attend this conference.
On proposal of Cllr English.
Seconded by Cllr Dalton.
All Agreed.

Cllr Scully to attend this conference.
On proposal of Cllr Lawler.
Seconded by Cllr O’ Sullivan.
All Agreed.

Cllr Wright to attend this conference.
On proposal of Cllr English.
Seconded by Cllr Lawler.
All Agreed.

Notification of Conference on “Understanding and improving attitudes to disability”, on the 27th of September in the Radisson Hotel, Dublin Airport.

Notification of Conference on “The changing Ireland – are Local Authorities prepared” on the 28th to the 30th of September in Greystones, Wicklow.

Notification of conference on “developing arts tourism in Ireland” on the 4th of October in Killarney.

Cllr Scully to attend this conference.
On proposal of Cllr Lawler.
Seconded by Cllr. O’Sullivan.
All Agreed.

Notification of conference on “The battle against substance abuse” on the 4th and 5th of October in Killarney.

Cllr English to attend.
On proposal of Cllr Dalton.
Seconded by Cllr Lawler.
All Agreed.

Cllr. O’ Sullivan to attend.
On proposal of Cllr. Lawler.
Seconded by Cllr. Breslin.
All Agreed.

Notification of conference on Irish Housing, on the 11th of October in the Plaza Hotel, Santry.

Notification of conference on “The challenge of Climate Change for the island of Ireland” on the 19th of October in Killarney.

Notification of training seminar for councillors on “Health and Safety in Local Government” on the 26th and 27th of October.

The Town Clerk to attend.
On proposal of Cllr Dalton.
Seconded by Cllr. Lawler.
All Agreed.

Notification of “Douglas Hyde Conference” on the 26th to the 28th of October in Ballaghaderreen.

Cllr Lawler to attend.
On proposal of Cllr Dalton.
Seconded by Cllr English.
All Agreed.

Cllr Scully to attend.
On proposal of Cllr Breslin.
Seconded by Cllr Daly.
All Agreed.

· Correspondence from Helen Dowling, tendering her resignation from the Athy Town Council Twinning Committee, and requesting that a special meeting of Athy Town Council be held to adopt the Youth Café Part 8 scheme.

The Cathaoirleach stated that the new town clerk should take Helen Dowling’s position on the twinning committee and he proposed that the special meeting be held on Tuesday the 9th of October at 5.00pm to adopt the youth café part 8 scheme.

All Agreed

Correspondence outlining details of the works to be carried out in the change of use of the old dispensary at Meeting Lane to the Youth Café.

Correspondence from Bryan Doyle former Town Clerk, and Director of Services with Wicklow County Council, congratulating Cllr English on his 40 years service as a councillor.

Notification of new Outreach Drop-in Clinic at Athy Health Centre, Woodstock St.

Correspondence from Minister Gormley, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government acknowledging receipt of a recent letter from the council in connection with Private Refuse Collection.

Correspondence from Cuan Mhuire requesting sponsorship of their fund raising Golf Classic to be held on September 28th.

That Athy Town Council sponsor a tee in the sum of €300.00
On proposal of Cllr Lawler.
Seconded by Cllr English.
All Agreed.

· Correspondence from Clonakilty Town Council seeking support for their motion “That this council writes to the Minister for Transport calling for an amendment to the present Hackney Regulations so as to enable Hackney Drivers to legally stop and pick up potential customers who flag them down on the street without prior arranged bookings”

Cllr Daly informed the meeting that Kildare County Council are looking at the taxi rank regulations in the county, and he asked that the council defers a decision on this request until the county has regularised the situation for taxis who have paid for their permits.

Defer.
All Agreed

· Correspondence from Fermoy Town Council seeking support for their motion “That all third level students who attend universities or institutes of technology be eligible to vote in the Seanad Eireann elections”

That Athy Town Council support the motion.
All Agreed.

· Correspondence from Kildare County Council regarding the setting up of an on-line discussion forum asking if the councillors are willing to become part of the process.

Noted.

· Correspondence form Athy Hurling and Camogie Club seeking to be considered for land to provide a pitch under the community gain scheme.

The following discussion followed the reading of this correspondence. Cllr Dalton stated that the Athy GAA had only one pitch, and understood the importance of the hurling and camogie club having their own facilities. Cllr Breslin suggested that the council sit down and talk to the Hurling and Camogie Club. Cllr Daly stated that if land does become available under the scheme that they should be considered for it, but he added the council should not be earmarking land for particular clubs at this stage.

Noted.

Report on the CCTV scheme.

Correspondence from Trevor Shaw, regarding the Methodist Church and Hall, Woodstock St.

Put on the agenda for the special meeting on the 9th of October.
All Agreed

Correspondence from the Athy Sports and Acrobatic Club seeking funding.

That €500.00 be paid to the Athy Sports and Acrobatic Club.
On proposal of Cllr Breslin.
Seconded Cllr Dalton.

Cllr Daly raised the issue of the properties that should have been delisted in the development plan. Cllr Breslin stated that a list of buildings for de-listing had been submitted for the development plan. The Cathaoirleach replied that the omission was on the bureaucratic side, as the list that came before us in the development plan was not what we had submitted. The Town Manager replied that he got the entries on the development plan proofed from the minutes. Councillor Daly asked do we have to delist these properties individually or globally. The manager requested that the councillors submit a copy of the de-listing submission they submitted for the development plan. We will have the submission examined by the conservation officer and request a report on same from the conservation officer. We will be doing the mid term review shortly. Cllr Lawler asked would the conservation officer’s reports from his work on the list for the development plan be sufficient, as a report would have been issued on the list at the time the development plan was being prepared. The Town Manager requested that the list in question be submitted to the Town Clerk.


4. NOTICES OF MOTION;

“That Athy Town Council ask the Minister for Environment to lower the age from eighteen to sixteen for persons eligible to vote in all local elections.”

Cllr Breslin stated that young people were studying political science in school and she felt
allowing them to vote in local elections would get them involved in politics and their communities. Cllr. Daly added that at 16 students are responsible and supported the motion. Cllr English informed the meeting that he had reservations and why not allow them to vote in Dail elections or allow them to drink at 16. Cllrs, Lawler and O Sullivan also spoke in favour of the motions.

Proposed by Cllr Breslin.
Seconded by Cllr. Daly.
In favour; Breslin, Daly, Lawler, O’ Sullivan, Scully, Wright.
Against; Cllr English.
Abstained; The Cathaoileach, Cllr. Dalton.
Motion Carried.


5. “That Athy Town Council investigates the feasibility of a yearly servicing
Of gas central heating system for tenants who are old age pensioners.”

Cllr Breslin stated that servicing the boilers was costly and represented a burden on our old age pensioners.

Proposed by Cllr Breslin.
Seconded by Cllr. Lawler.
All Agreed

6.. “That Athy Town Council investigates the reasons why the street lights and green areas of Branswood estate have not been completed as per the planning permission granted by Athy Town Council.”

Cllr Breslin asked if the Town Engineer would investigate this. The Town Engineer replied
that the developer has to comply with the planning conditions, there is no time scale for complying except for the seven-year rule by which the development must be completed. This gives rise to issues. He also stated that our development enforcement officer is following up this issue.

Proposed by Cllr Breslin.
Seconded by Cllr Lawler.
All Agreed



7.. “That Athy Town Council designates specific parking spaces which are not paying parking for persons using the facility of Athy Adult Literacy Centre at Nelson St Athy.”

Cllr. Scully stated that provision of parking spaces was important for people using this excellent service. The Cathaoirleach acknowledged the importance of the service but stated we have not been granting such parking requests to date, and consistency should be upheld. Cllr English replied, if we agree to this what about the people using doctors’ surgeries, post offices etc. If this is the road we go down as a council we should forget about the pay parking. He stated he could not agree with the motion. Cllr O ‘Sullivan agreed with councillor English and said it would create too great a precedent.

Proposed by Cllr. Scully.
Seconded by Cllr. Breslin.
In Favour; Cllr Scully, Breslin, Wright.
Against; The Cathaoirleach, Cllrs English, Dalton, Daly, O’Sullivan, Lawler.
Motion not carried.



8. “That Athy Town Council investigate and make good the problems with wheelchair accessibility at the Augustan Canal Bridge considering the problems it represents for wheelchair users and accessibility problems at other locations including Plewmans’s Tce.”

Cllr. Scully stated that people in wheelchairs, and people with children in buggies can’t use this bridge, and Athy Town Council should investigate this problem and present a solution. Cllr Dalton agreed with the motion and asked if Athy Town Council could look at a board walk solution like the one on the Liffey Bridge in Newbridge. Could we look at a multi agency approach? Cllr. Lawler and English requested that the engineer investigate this problem. Cllr Wright informed the meeting that the Barrow Bridge presented a similar problem. The Town Engineer replied that he would consider the feasibility of the boardwalk solution to the problem. He also stated that the council was reviewing the 2005 Access group report and its recommendations at present. Cllr Daly requested that a copy of the access report be circulated to all the councillors. The Town Clerk agreed to circulate the report, and she stated that she would instruct the litter, traffic and community wardens to police the footpaths on market days in Emily Square to ensure they were not being obstructed by traders.

Proposed by Cllr. Scully,
Seconded by Cllr. Lawler.
All Agreed.



9. “That we as council look at the possibility of having Kildare County Council and Department of Health to investigate water pollution in the River Barrow from raw sewage coming from Portarlington and Monasterevin and that in all years I have never seen the Barrow so filthy.”

Cllr Wright spoke about the above motion, and asked if it could be investigated and requested that samples be taken from the river. Cllr Daly also requested that the water quality be tested as it seemed quiet dark at the moment. Cllr Dalton suggested that it was scare mongering and that the reason for the dark colour of the river was our wet summer. Cllr Lawler agreed and said there was a lot of rain this summer and a lot of silt had washed down from the Slieveblooms as a result of the rain. The Town Manager replied to the motion and stated that Kildare County Council had legal responsibility for the river. He stated that the river was the heart of the town, and that an environmental report was issued every year to say that the water quality in the river was fine.

Proposed by Cllr.Wright.
Seconded by Cllr Daly.
In favour of the motion; Cllr Wright, Cllr Scully.
Against the motion; The Cathaoirleach, Cllrs Lawler, O’Sullivan, Dalton, English, Breslin.
Abstained: Cllr Daly.
Motion not carried.


10. ” That in view of the fact that Tegral has decided to invest in Athy in the form of a new factory it illustrates the confidence that Tegral has in Athy and its dedicated workers and that it must be seen as a catalyst for other companies and IDA to invest here and I propose that we invite the IDA to our next meeting to discuss it.”

Cllr Wright stated that it had been 20years since the IDA attended a council meeting. He also stated that Tegrals confidence in Athy should be a catalyst for further development. Cllr Daly stated that it was not necessary for the IDA to attend a council meeting as representatives from the IDA were on the Athy Investment and Development Forum. They work with all the other bodies on the forum to attract investment to the town, and Cllr Daly said he wanted to complement the work of the IDA on the forum. Cllr Dalton stated that he had no problem with inviting the IDA to attend a council meeting, and he endorsed the work they had done as part of the forum.

Proposed by Cllr Wright,
Seconded by Cllr Lawler.
All Agreed.


11. “That 4 Emily Row be removed from the list of protected structure.”

Put the process in place to remove 4 Emily Row from the list of protected structures.

Proposed by Cllr Dalton.
Seconded by Cllr English.
All Agreed.


12. “That a safety barrier be erected at corner of Town Hall close to Heritage Centre in order to protect pedestrians at this location.”

Cllr Daly asked if the engineer would investigate this.

Proposed by Cllr. Dalton.
Seconded by Cllr. English.
All Agreed.


13. “That a review of the upkeep and maintenance of St Michael’s Cemetery with a
view to increasing resources available to the caretaker.”

Cllr Dalton informed the meeting that several issues have to be addressed, and it was very difficult for one caretaker to look after everything. Cllr Dalton said we need extra resources, and would the council consider providing extra funding in the 2008 budget. Cllr English welcomed the seating in the cemetery, but on the negative side he stated that the bins were overflowing, potholes needed filling, and kerbing was also needed. He also stated that the caretaker needs more assistance. Aoife Breslin enquired if a meeting of the cemetery committee was soon to take place. The Cathaoirleach informed her that the cemetery committee was to meet on Monday the 24th of September. Cllr O’ Sullivan stated that the committee did not get a lot of support, their were only 4 or 5 people on it. In reply to the motion the Town Manager replied that we could look at it in the context of the 2008 budget.

Proposed by Cllr Dalton.
Seconded by Cllr English.
All Agreed.


14. “That the Town Council have pedestrian lights at St. Michael’s Church
operational as soon as possible.”

Cllr O’ Sullivan stated that the lights had been erected a year ago and they still were not operational, and she called on Kildare County Council to contact the ESB and get the electricity connected so that they can be switched on. Cllr. Breslin added that the ESB were constantly letting us down and we should write to the chief executive of the ESB and get it resolved. The Cathaoirleach informed the meeting that since the ESB had been segmented we did not know whom to contact. The engineer replied that efforts were being made to contact the ESB, and he was working on having the pedestrian lights operational.

Proposed by Cllr. O’Sullivan.
Seconded by Cllr. Breslin.
All Agreed.



15. “That Athy Town Council instructs Kildare County Council to install a
pedestrian crossing on the N78 road at the GAA Centre Athy.”

Cllr Lawler speaking in support of his motion said that having the GAA, Soccer Club, Rugby Club, and Gael Scoil all situated in this area, meant that a lot of children and pedestrians were crossing the road at that point. He stated that he did not want to hold up traffic on the Dublin Rd, but public safety had to be our paramount concern.

Proposed by Cllr. Lawler.
Seconded by Cllr. Breslin.
All Agree.


16. “That Athy Town Council ensure that all our premises are fitted with CFL
energy saving bulbs.”

Speaking on his motion Cllr Daly stated that if we as a council wished to do something for the environment we should look to ourselves first. Could we also look at advising our tenants of the difference it would make to the environment and to their energy bills if they used energy saving bulbs. Can we advise our tenants pre tenancy also.

Proposed by Cllr Daly.
Seconded by Cllr. O’Sullivan.
All Agreed.


17. “That Athy Town Council calls on the Minister for Education and Science
address the shortage of qualified Irish teachers which exist within the
country and effects our schools locally.”

Cllr Daly stated that this motion was self-explanatory, and the issue should be brought to attention of the minister. The Cathaoirleach informed the meeting that as chairperson of the VEC he welcomed the motion and said that the shortage of Irish teachers was a serious matter.

Proposed by Cllr. Daly.
Seconded by Cllr. O’Sullivan.
All Agreed.


18. “ That Athy Town Council establish a Procedures and Protocol Committee
to ensure the efficient and transparent operation of our Council.”

Cllr. Daly said that as a council we need to examine how we do business. We need to sit down with the new Town Clerk and management and draw up a set of procedures of how we conduct business. Their needs to be clarification of what happens when motions get passed, why the same motions appear again and again on the agenda, even though the motions had been passed at previous meetings. Why are reports not circulated to the members? The councillors should be getting feedback on the progress of motions passed. The Cathaoirleach suggested that a committee be set up at the October meeting to investigate this matter. Cllr. Daly requested that this include the standing order committee.

Proposed by Cllr Daly.
Seconded by Cllr Lawler.
All Agreed.


19. De-Listing of 22 Offaly Street Athy.

The Town clerk informed the meeting that the procedures had been carried out for de-listing 22 Offaly Street and asked that 22 Offaly Street be de-listed from the record of protected structures of Athy Town Development Plan 2006-2012.

Proposed by Cllr. Dalton,
Seconded by Cllr. Breslin.
All Agreed.


20. Cathaoirleach Business:
The Cathaoirleach informed the members that he proposed holding a civic reception on Friday the 5th of October to celebrate the Dominican Order’s 750th anniversary in Athy. A plaque will be unveiled on the 6th of October, and he stated he had requested the priors’ advice on the wording and where the plaque is to be situated. Cllr Dalton proposed the council make a contribution of €500.00 to the committee organising the celebrations.

That payment of €500.00 be made to the committee organising the Dominican’s 750th celebrations.
Proposed by Cllr. Dalton.
Seconded by Cllr. O’Sullivan.
All Agreed.

The Cathaoirleach also sent best wishes to the 4 members of the Athy Boxing club off to the world championships. He also wished all the Olympians off to the Special Olympics in China luck with a special mention to Stephen Roche from Kilmead. The Cathaoirleach informed the members that the Olympic torch would be visiting Kilmead on Tuesday the 25th of September at 2.00pm.

The Cathaoirleach congratulated the Tidy Towns committee on the results Athy received in the Tidy Towns competition. Athy achieved 240 marks, and this was an increase of 23 marks on last year. He requested that a copy of the results be circulated to the members at the October monthly meeting.

The Cathaoirleach also stated that the closing ceremony for the year of the Barrow would take place in Athy in October.
He welcomed the two new community wardens Mary Boland and Jennifer Mulhall, and he welcomed the new county road safety officer Declan Keogh. He wished to invite Declan Keogh to the October Monthly meeting.

The Cathaoirleach also extended congratulations to KARE who are celebrating 40 years in existence, and the Athy branch would be celebrating this Shrewleen Lane.

The Cathaoirleach also informed the meeting that he did not attend the area committee meeting as he did not receive notification to attend.

The Cathaoirleach informed the councillors that a meeting was being organized with Joe Boland, RPS consultants and the members, on the Northern Distributor Route.

The Cathaoirleach also stated that he would be resigning from the Rapid Area Implementation team and stated that he had enjoyed working on all the various agendas, and he sought a member to replace him on the committee. He requested that the members elect a replacement.

That Cllr Daly replace the Cathaoirleach on the Rapid Area Implementation team,
Proposed by Cllr. O Sullivan.
Seconded by Cllr. Scully.
All Agreed.

Cllr. Daly stated that he would resign his position as VEC representative on the committee, and take up the place of council representative on the committee. The Cathaoirleach congratulated Cllr. Daly on his appointment as the Athy Town Council representative.

To Suspend Standing Orders.
Proposed by Cllr Dalton.
Seconded by Cllr. Lawler.
All Agreed.

21. Manager’s Business:

· Circular Increment (EL 05/07) Application of increases
under Section 27.17. of towards 2016

Proposed by Cllr. Dalton.
Seconded by Cllr. Lawler.
All Agreed

22. Planning Register.


23. Any Other Business.

Cllr Breslin informed the members that she was disappointed that Frank Corr had to go to the ombudsman to get a reply to his queries and she requested a copy of the correspondence. She referred to the river bank planning application and stated that the rowing club was to have been consulted before a planning application was submitted. She requested that a meeting be set up with the rowing club.

Cllr Wright highlighted the fact that the fuse box in 55 Clonmullin had gone on fire; the fire brigade had been called. This fuse box had been replaced, and he requested that the fuse boxes in all the council’s houses in Clonmullin be inspected.

Cllr Breslin asked if smoke alarms were in all the council’s houses. She also asked if the bus bays outside St. Michael’s school be realigned and would the council look at tarmacing the entrance to St. Michael’s boxing club. Would the engineer look at these issues?

Cllr Lawler asked if the engineer would look at the following, resurfacing on the Kildare road, and cutting back overgrown hedges on the footpath outside Perry’s garage. The lighting in the people’s park and the handing over of the jetties on the Barrow to the council, though this will have insurance implications.

The Cathaoirleach replied that he had spoken to John Lynch regarding the taking over of the jetties on the Barrow, and he said he had informed him to submit his request in writing to the council.

Cllr. Dalton enquired if there had been any progress on the 1798 monument.

Cllr Lawler stated that he had spoken to the former engineer on the matter and he asked the new town engineer to meet with him to discuss the issue.

THIS CONCLUDED THE BUSINESS OF THE MEETING