Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on Tuesday, 11th September, 2007, in the Civic Offices, Ballinasloe, at 7.00 p.m.

In attendance (Members)
Cllr. Mike Kelly, Mayor.
Cllr. Hugh Dolan
Cllr. Jason Devlin,
Cllr. Pat O’Sullivan.
Cllr. Carmel Grealy.
Cllr. Sean Tully.
Cllr. Johnny Walsh.
Cllr. Lucy Lloyd-Keighery.
Apologies Cllr. John Molloy.

In attendance (Officials)
Mr. Kevin Kelly, Director of Services.
Mr. Alan Farrell, Town Clerk
Mr. Uinsinn Finn, Senior Executive Engineer.
Mr. Gerard Mullarkey, Head of Finance, Galway County Council.
Mr. Brian Murphy, Senior Staff Officer.

1. MINUTES - MONTHLY MEETING HELD ON THE 11TH SEPTEMBER, 2007, IN THE CIVIC OFFICES, BALLINASLOE, AT 7.00 P.M.

The minutes of the September Monthly Meeting held on the 11th September, 2007, which had been circulated were adopted on the proposal of Cllr. Sean Tully, seconded by Cllr. Carmel Grealy.

Matters arising:-

CCTV Scheme.

Mr. A. Farrell, Town Clerk, informed the meeting that the contract for this scheme had been signed and that work would start in the coming weeks.

Alzheimer’s Unit/Health Services in Ballinasloe.

Mr. A. Farrell confirmed that he had received a letter of acknowledgement from the Minister for Health in response to the Council’s request for a meeting.
Cllr. S. Tully said that it was not the policy of the current Minister for Health to take deputations, and informed the Council that he was in receipt of a letter from the Health Service Executive suggesting that Ms. Pyria Prendergast was available to meet with the Town Council. It was then proposed by Cllr. S. Tully and seconded by Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery that Ms. Pyria Prendergast attend the October meeting of Ballinasloe Town Council.

Beechlawn/Old Pollboy Road.

Mr. U. Finn informed the members that some widening work will take place this year on the Old Pollboy Road, and the remaining work will be included in the Programme of Works for 2008.

2. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER, 2006.

Mr. G. Mullarkey, Head of Finance, presented to the members the Annual Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December, 2006, and answered a number of queries from the members.

The Mayor thanked Mr. G. Mullarkey for his report. The Annual Financial Statement for 2006 was adopted by the Council on the proposal of Cllr. C. Grealy and seconded by Cllr. S. Tully.

3. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AT JUBILEE STREET.

Mr. U. Finn outlined to the members a proposal for a one-way system to be implemented at Jubilee Street. He informed the members he had met with the Residents and that they are in favour of the proposal. Cllr. J. Devlin suggested that the Councillors should have an opportunity to examine this in more detail, and meet with the Residents’ before deciding on it. The Mayor, Cllr. M. Kelly agreed that it would it become before the Council at a future meeting.

4. TAKING IN CHARGE OF RESIDENTIAL HOUSING ESTATES.

Mr. A. Farrell updated the members in respect of the Taking in Charge of five residential housing estates. Mr. A. Farrell answered a number of queries from members, and confirmed that the Council will follow up regarding the outstanding issues and update the members in the coming months regarding progress.

5. OCTOBER FAIR 2007.

Mr. A. Farrell gave an overview of the preparatory work carried out by the Town Council for this year’s fair, starting with meetings early in the year with all the major players including Fair & Festival, the Gardai and Councillors.

Mr. A. Farrell stated that a number of areas had been identified, with the assistance of the Town Engineer, for parking. He confirmed also that Jubilee Street would be closed for a longer period this year in order to prevent the anti-social behaviour that occurred there in the previous year. Mr. A. Farrell confirmed that this year’s 3 Fairs Dinner would be held in the Shearwater Hotel. He complimented the Mental Health Group on their great effort in producing a programme of events for the visitors from Chalonnes-Sur-Loire.

Mr. K. Kelly answered a number of queries from the elected members regarding the Fair, in particular with regard to representations from Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery and Cllr. J. Walsh regarding the closing of Jubilee Street.

The Mayor, Cllr. M. Kelly, complimented the Ballinasloe Town Council staff on their work to date on the Fair.

6. MANAGER’S BUSINESS.

Mr. K. Kelly informed the members that the newly appointed County Manager, Ms. Martina Moloney, would be attending the October meeting of the Council.

Mr. Kelly stated that he was preparing a submission on the Draft Roscommon County Council Development Plan, and he invited members to submit comments/representations on same.

7. MAYOR’S BUSINESS

The Mayor, Cllr. M. Kelly, congratulated the Community Games team on their great medal haul at the recent Community Games Finals. He also congratulated the Galway U-21 Hurling Team on their All-Ireland success.

The Mayor also complimented the Galway Minor Footballers on their Connacht title win, and wished the team and Keith Kelly the best of luck for the All-Ireland Final.

8. NOTICE OF MOTION - CLLR. J. WALSH

“That this Council write to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government requesting the immediate reversal of his Departments decision to withdraw grant assistance from “Disabled Persons Grant” applications and that this motion be circulated to every Local Authority for their consideration and to the East Galway Oireachtas members”.

The motion was proposed by Cllr. J. Walsh and seconded by Cllr. C. Grealy.

Mr. K. Kelly informed the members that the Department had advised Local Authorities that there was a change of policy with regard to funding in respect of Disabled Persons Grants. He stated that they are now to be funded from Internal Capital Receipts, and that the Council’s ability to do the works will be dependent on the amount of money available from this source.

9. CORRESPONDENCE

The Motion from Clonakilty Town Council was noted as read.

The Motion from Monaghan Town Council was noted.

The Motion from Fermoy Town Council was proposed by Cllr. J. Walsh and seconded by Cllr. J. Devlin.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr. C. Grealy stated that Ballinasloe had recorded an increase of seven points in this year’s National Tidy Towns Competition. She complimented the co-ordinated efforts of the Town Council, the Tidy Towns Committee, FAS and the Chamber of Commerce. A number of the members also extended congratulations to all parties involved in securing the points increase in the competition.

Cllr. S. Tully asked if there was a contingency plan for when the M6 Motorway reached Ballinasloe, and the increased volume of traffic which would result. Mr. K. Kelly stated that this would be examined by Ballinasloe Town Council in conjunction with the Director of Services for Roads at Galway County Council.

Mr. A. Farrell, in response to a query from Cllr. P. O’Sullivan, confirmed that a letter had been sent to the County Registrar, in respect of a polling booth being provided for future elections at Creagh National School.

Cllr. J. Walsh enquired about the issue of the extension of the sewerage scheme to Beechlawn. Mr. K. Kelly informed the members that they would be updated regarding the Water Services Investment Programme at the October meeting.

This concluded the business of the meeting.