Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on Tuesday, 9th October, 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.
Cllr. John Molloy.

In attendance (Officials)
Mr. Kevin Kelly, Director of Services.
Ms. Martina Moloney, County Manager.
Mr. Alan Farrell, Town Clerk
Mr. Uinsinn Finn, Senior Executive Engineer
Mr. Brian Murphy, Senior Staff Officer.
Ms. Edel Hourigan, Galway County Council
Mr. Gerard Scully, Galway County Council.

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. J. Devlin, seconded by Cllr. S. Tully.

The Mayor, Cllr. M. Kelly, welcomed newly appointed Galway County Council Manager, Ms. Martina Moloney to the meeting and wished her well in her role.

Martina Moloney, County Manager, stated she was delighted to attend the meeting and she said she was looking forward to working with the members and with the staff in the Town Council.

Matters arising:-

Alzheimer’s Unit/Health Services in Ballinasloe.

Mr. A. Farrell, Town Clerk, informed the members that he had received a letter from Ms. Pryia Prendergast of the Health Service Executive, stating that she would be available to meet a delegation from the Council. Mr. A Farrell also informed the meeting that no further correspondence had been received from the Minister for Health

Cllr. C. Grealy stated that the Breast Cancer unit was now being removed from Portiuncula Hospital. It was agreed that a delegation, including all nine Councillors, the Director of Services, Mr. K. Kelly and the Town Clerk,
Mr. A. Farrell would meet with Ms. Prendergast.

Jubilee Street.

It was agreed that the Council members and the Town Engineer, Mr. U. Finn would meet with the residents’ on Tuesday October 16th, 2007 at 5.30 p.m. to discuss the introduction of a one way system at Jubilee Street.

October Fair.

Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery and Cllr. J. Walsh congratulated the Council on the measures taken with regard to closing Jubilee Street in order to prevent the anti-social behaviour that occurred there in 2006.

Cllr. J. Molloy stated that the Council should discuss the positioning of the stalls with the Chamber of Commerce next year.

Mr. K. Kelly stated that the annual review meeting of the Fair would take place shortly and that all issues of concern could be discussed at the meeting with all the parties.He stated that consideration was previously given to the suggestion regarding the stalls be positioned in the middle of the road but that it was not viable due to the need to ensure access for emergency vehicles.

Galway Minor Team.

Cllr. S. Tully congratulated Keith Kelly on his All-Ireland success with the Galway Minor Team.

N6

Cllr. S. Tully asked that the issue of a contingency plan for when the N6 motorway reached Ballinasloe and the increased traffic which would result from that, be considered at the November meeting of the Council.

2. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2001 SECTION 183 NOTICE – DISPOSAL OF HOUSE AT NO. 6 ST. MICHAEL’S PLACE TO MR. STEPHEN CONNELL (NOTICE ALREADY CIRCULATED).

The disposal of the house at No. 6 St. Michael’s Place was proposed by Cllr. J. Walsh and seconded by Cllr. S. Tully.

3. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2001 SECTION 85 – TO APPROVE SECTION 85 AGREEMENT BETWEEN BALLINASLOE TOWN COUNCIL AND GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL IN RELATION TO THE RENTAL ACCOMMODATION SCHEME.

Ms. Edel Hourigan, Galway County Council gave a presentation on the Rental Accommodation Scheme. She stated that the scheme is for persons who are in receipt of Rent Supplement for more than twelve months and who are deemed by the Local Authority to have a long term housing need. She explained how the scheme would work, and the benefits for the Local Authority and for the Tenants.

Following the presentation a number of the Councillors expressed concerns that the scheme was being delivered by Galway County Council and not Ballinasloe Town Council.

Mr. K. Kelly stated that this is a National Scheme, and there would be no erosion of the powers of Ballinasloe Town Council as this was a function previously carried out by the Department of Social & Family Affairs. He informed the members that the Town Council does not have the resources to carry out this function, and he recommended the members approve the Section 85 Agreement.

Mr. K. Kelly and Ms. Edel Hourigan answered a number of queries from the members with regard to the scheme. It was agreed by the members to defer a decision on the Section 85 Agreement to the next meeting.

4. WATER SERVICES INVESTMENT PROGRAMME FOR BALLINASLOE

Mr. Ger Scully, Galway County Council updated the members regarding the Water Services Investment Programme for Ballinasloe and addressed a number of questions raised by the members.

Cllr. S. Tully stated that the Sewerage Scheme requires an extension to the following areas:Parkmore, Kilconnell Road and Beechlawn.

Cllr. C. Grealy welcomed the proposed works as outlined by Mr. Scully. Cllr. J. Molloy asked that a map be made available to the members to view the work proposed and a short report given on the schemes relevant to Ballinasloe.

Mr. Scully stated that he would provide a map and that he would revert to the members regarding the specific areas where the works would be carried out.

Mr. K. Kelly indicated that the availability of Water Services in Ballinasloe would be a key issue in the new Town Development Plan.

5. PAY PARKING.

Mr. A. Farrell, Town Clerk, presented a report to the members on the proposed introduction of Pay Parking in Ballinasloe. He stated that there were a number of underlying principles to be considered by the members:-

• The improvement of road safety
• Good traffic management and improved traffic flow
• Reduction in traffic congestion
• Influencing people’s behaviour positively
• Encourage economic development and to assist commercial activity in the town centre area
• Maximise the use of public parking and improvement in space turnover for short term parking
• Encouragement of utilisation of longer term parking facilities
• Good environmental management
• Generate revenue to be invested in the town.

The Mayor, Cllr. M. Kelly, welcomed the update on Pay Parking and he stated that it was a positive step for the town. He said that it would be imperative that the revenue generated would be re-invested back into the town.

A number of the Councillors welcomed the report and in particular the ring fencing for the town of the revenue generated. Cllr. J. Devlin stated that consideration should be given to the issue of parking permits for residents, and the issue of spill over into private car parks.Cllr. H. Dolan expressed concern on the impact of pay parking on the economic life of the town and urged the Council to consider this.

The Members requested that plans for the introduction of pay parking should progress and that the Budget for 2008 should reflect an income from this source.

Mr. K. Kelly stated that there was no reason why pay parking would impact adversely on the economic well-being of the town. He confirmed that the money will be ring-fenced for investment in the town, and welcomed the positive response by members to the report.He also confirmed that a number of issues will receive further consideration and a process of consultation will be undertaken.

6. MANAGER’S BUSINESS.

Mr. K. Kelly informed the members that the prescribed period for the 2008 Budget meetings is from November 25th to January 15th.

Mr. U. Finn, Town Engineer, gave an overview of recent works carried out in the town together with some works to be carried out.

• Roads & Footpaths
• Overlay on the N6 at Brackernagh completed.
• Works to commence on footpath replacement on Dunlo St and Society St junction
• The replacement of footpaths at Portnick to commence in coming week.
• Works to commence on the provision of a culvert on the Ahascragh Road beside the train station. The road will be closed with diversions in place
• Traffic Calming will be provided in Meadowbrook.
• Water Services
• A number of leak repairs have been carried out over the past month and will continue for the next 6 weeks. 

7. MAYOR’S BUSINESS

The Mayor, Cllr. M. Kelly, stated that this year’s October Fair had been a great success, and he complimented all involved including Mr. Brendan Bradley, Chairman of the Fair & Festival, Fr. C. McCormack, President of the Show Society, the Fair Co-Coordinating Committee, Ms. Charlene Bloe, Fair Co-Ordinator, An Garda Siochana, Queen of the Fair, Sponsors, Stewards, Medical Personnel, Council Staff, the Director of Services, Mr. K. Kelly and the Town Clerk, Mr. A. Farrell.

The Mayor, Cllr. M. Kelly, congratulated the Galway Minor Football Team on their All-Ireland success, and paid particular tribute to Keith Kelly. It was agreed that a letter of congratulations would be sent to Keith Kelly. The Mayor stated that a civic reception should be held for the team. Cllr. J. Molloy stated that the management, captains and players from the area of both the minor team and the U-21 All-Ireland Hurling Champions be invited to a reception.

The Mayor, Cllr. M. Kelly, offered congratulations to Creagh National School for their recent success in cross country running in Roscommon.

Mayor Kelly thanked the Mental Health Service Group in Ballinasloe for their work in putting together a programme for our guests from Chalonnes-Sur-Loire.

8. CORRESPONDENCE

Notice of the Local Authorities Members Association Annual Winter Conference in Carlow was read. It was agreed that Cllr. J. Molloy and
Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery would attend on the Council’s behalf.

It was agreed also that Cllr. C. Grealy and the Mayor, Cllr. M. Kelly would attend A National Tourism Conference held on Thursday 22nd, Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th November, 2007, in the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, Co. Clare.

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr. C. Grealy informed the meeting that she had recently received numerous complaints about the odour emanating from the Premier Proteins factory, and proposed that the Council issue a letter to Premier Proteins voicing the Council’s concern. Her proposal was seconded by Cllr. J. Molloy who added that a letter should also be sent to the EPA also.This was agreed by the members.

Cllr. S. Tully raised the matter of the surfacing of the Kilconnell road, and he asked the Manager to consider providing a toilet facility at Creagh cemetery.

Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery asked that the engineer consider traffic calming markings and yellow lines on the Pollboy road, flooding on the Kilconnell road, tarmacadam at the Cube and improvements works at the Deerpark/Killure road.

Cllr. J. Walsh asked if an update on the economic action plan for Ballinasloe could be brought before a Council meeting in the near future. Cllr. J. Walsh also asked if the Council had progressed on the Community Hall at St. Grellan’s.

Mr. K. Kelly stated that the Council are currently re-examining this proposal giving consideration to the usages and the management structure of the proposed hall, whether it should be refurbished or demolished and if such a facility is required and feasible, where it should be located.

Cllr. J. Walsh asked about the terms of eligibility for the affordable housing scheme. Mr. K. Kelly stated that the Council are examining this, and are also looking at making the scheme available to people from outside Ballinasloe.The members expressed their satisfaction with this approach.

Cllr. P. O’Sullivan stated that the river channel at Sli-na-hAbhainn should be a feature of the town, stating that it has the potential to be a wonderful amenity in the town, but that it is currently in need of improving.

Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery informed the meeting that the Pollboy Residents’ Association wish to make a delegation to the Council at the November meeting.This was agreed by the members.The Town Clerk advised that the delegation would be in accordance with the standing orders having regard to the numbers to attend and the protocol.

It was agreed that a letter of congratulations would issue to Mr. Patsy Geraghty on being honoured by the G.A.A. for his role as referee for the All Ireland Football Final fifty years ago in 1957.

This concluded the business of the meeting.