BALLINASLOE TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on Tuesday, 10th October, 2006,
in the Civic Offices, Ballinasloe, at 7.00 p.m.

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

In attendance (Officials)
Mr. Kevin Kelly, Director of Services.
Mr. Alan Farrell, Town Clerk
Mr. Adrian Headd, Assistant Engineer.
Ms. Mary Carty, Assistant Staff Officer.

A vote of sympathy was proposed by Cllr. S. Tully, and seconded by Cllr. P. O'Sullivan to the wife and family of Miko Kelly, Church View, Tuam. Mr. Kelly was a member of Tuam Town Commissioners, now Tuam Town Council, for forty years.

1. MINUTES - MONTHLY MEETING HELD ON THE 12TH SEPTEMBER, 2006, IN THE CIVIC OFFICES, BALLINASLOE, AT 7.00 P.M.

The minutes of the September Monthly Meeting held on the 12th September, 2006, which had been circulated, were adopted on the proposal of Cllr. J. Devlin, seconded by Cllr. S. Tully.

Matters arising:-

Jubilee Street
In response to queries regarding the replacement of the sign in Jubilee Street prohibiting heavy vehicles from using this road, Mr. K. Kelly said that the Council would investigate the matter.

Letters of Sympathy.
It was proposed by Cllr. P. O'Sullivan, seconded by Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery, and agreed that the Council would issue letters of sympathy each month to the relatives of those bereaved. Reference was made by the Town Clerk to the fact that there could be issues relating to how this process would be managed and how it would be decided who the letters should issue to. Cllr. S. Tully stated that he would take responsibility for this and it was agreed by the members to proceed on this basis.

2. TO CONSIDER REPORT UNDER PART 8 OF THE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 22 NO. SEMI-DETACHED AFFORDABLE HOUSES AT GARBALLY DRIVE (GARBALLY DEMESNE TOWNLAND), BALLINASLOE.

Mr. K. Kelly outlined the report, circulated to members, on the proposed construction of 22 No. semi-detached affordable houses at Garbally Drive, Garbally Demesne, Ballinasloe. He said that one observation was received and outlined the details regarding this. He said that there is an issue relating to parking in Phase 4 given its location beside the Gaelscoil and this will have to be examined before development commences. He said that on street parking in front of the houses will need to be considered and a set-back to achieve this might be required. He said that this might be necessary so as not to impact negativity on the traffic parking situation at the school. Cllr. J. Devlin said that the issue of traffic movement/parking was discussed by the Parents' Association of the Gaelscoil and they will work with the Council on this issue.

Mr. K. Kelly referred to the issue of the pedestrian access located adjacent to the site and informed members that this was not within the site boundary subject to the Part 8 process. He considered that the pedestrian access will remain.

He said that the proposal is broadly in line with the provisions of the Ballinasloe Development Plan 2003-2009 and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

He recommended that the proposal be adopted by the members.

On the proposal of Cllr. S. Tully, seconded by Cllr. C. Grealy, it was agreed to proceed with the construction of 22 No. semi-detached affordable houses at Garbally Drive (Garbally Demesne Townland), Ballinasloe.

3. BALLINASLOE ECONOMIC PROGRAMME OF ACTIONS.

The Mayor, Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery welcomed Mr. Frank Dawson and
Mr. Kieran Coyne to the meeting.

Mr. F. Dawson gave details and answered members queries on the Ballinasloe Area Economic Action Programme 2006-2009. He said that the targets set in the first Ballinasloe Area Economic Action Programme which was drawn up in light of the closure of Square D had largely been achieved and that this programme, as presented to members will continue the progress achieved under the first plan.

Mr. F. Dawson said that the programme identifies the Macro and Micro actions that are agreed to be delivered in Ballinasloe and the immediate hinterland with designated lead agents and partners. He said that the programme has been endorsed by the lead agencies, Galway County Council, IDA Ireland, FAS, Enterprise Ireland and Galway Rural Development Company Ltd. He said that he is now seeking the endorsement of Ballinasloe Town Council. He acknowledged the assistance given by Mr. Kevin Kelly, Mr. Alan Farrell and the Town Council staff in relation to the preparation of the programme of actions. He also thanked Mr. Kieran Morgan for his courtesy and assistance.

Discussions took place regarding a number of issues contained in the plan.
Mr. K. Kelly stated that the items within the remit of Ballinasloe Town Council
would be acted upon and that the members would be updated and engaged in relation to the actions.

It was proposed by Cllr. P. O'Sullivan, seconded by Cllr. C. Grealy and agreed that the Health Service Executive be invited to a meeting of the Council to update members on their plans for HSE services in Ballinasloe and regarding their plans for HSE lands in Ballinasloe.

4 APPLICATIONS FOR TAKING IN CHARGE OF HOUSING ESTATES.

Mr. Alan Farrell outlined the report circulated to members on the Taking in Charge of estates. Mr. A. Farrell confirmed that under the Council's Taking in Charge Policy for Private Housing Developments adopted by the Council in 1999, the maintenance of open spaces including grass cutting shall be the responsibility of the residents after the Taking In Charge process has been completed. He also stated that as part of the Taking in Charge process, the members must consider the financial implications.

The members requested, in view of the fact that the Council maintain the open spaces in the parts of the Pines and Hawthorn estates that are already taken in charge that, the remaining green areas in these estates should be maintained by the Council when taken in charge.

Mr. K. Kelly advised the members that the issue of the Council maintaining green areas in private estates would have to be examined carefully. He said that the members must consider, as part of budgetary process, the sources of income available to the Council and the best way to expend Council funds. He informed the members that it will be necessary to prioritise the Council's work areas and asked them to consider how the continued maintenance of open space in private housing estates impacts on the other services provided by the Council including the issue of enhancement of the town centre, approach roads and other key areas of the town.

5. MANAGER'S BUSINESS.

Budget 2007.
Mr. K. Kelly said that if there were any issues which would impact on the annual Budget, members should liaise with the Town Clerk over the next few weeks.

Landfill Update.
Mr. K. Kelly updated members on progress with the remediation works on the Landfill.

Allocation of October Fair Funds to Community Groups.
Mr. A Farrell advised the members that four applications had been received for the allocation of €1,000.00 donation which was traditionally provided by the amusement operators at the October Fair. The organisations are as follows:
Ballinasloe Town Twinning, Ballinasloe Twinning Committee Mental Health,
St. Mary's Pre-School and Ballinasloe Senior Citizens.

He said that in addition to this the members had requested, at a previous meeting, that the Musical Society be considered.

On the proposal of Cllr. J. Walsh, seconded by Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery, it was agreed to allocate €200.00 to each of the groups.

Joint Policing Committee.
Mr. K. Kelly informed the members that the nominated Oireachtas members on the Joint Policing Committee had changed. The nominated Oireachtas members are now as follows: Minister Noel Treacy, Deputy Joe Callanan, and
Senator Ulick Burke.

It was proposed by Cllr. Sean Tully, seconded by Cllr. J. Walsh and agreed that the nominated Oireachtas members be appointed to the Joint Policing Committee.

Mr. A. Farrell confirmed that the inaugural meeting of the Joint Policing Committee would take place on the 23rd October, 2006.

6. MAYOR'S BUSINESS.

The Mayor, Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery, requested an update on the proposals to deal with speeding traffic on the Pollboy road. Mr. A. Raleigh outlined a scheme of traffic calming measures, circulated to members, on the Pollboy road. He said that the objective of the scheme was to slow traffic with road marking to minimise impact to residents.

It was proposed by Cllr. M. Kelly, seconded by Cllr. J. Walsh that the Council proceed with the road marking at Pollboy.

7. NOTICE OF MOTION - CLLR. M. KELLY.

"That this Council reviews the parking procedures and access to Jubilee Street and St. Michael's Place during the October Fair week, in view of activities that took place there during this year's Festival".

The Motion was proposed by Cllr. M. Kelly and seconded by
Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery.

Cllr. M. Kelly congratulated all concerned with the Fair and said it was an outstanding success. However, he said that some people staying in caravans, parked on Jubilee Street caused problems for the residents of Jubilee Street and St. Michael's Place. He said that measures should be put in place to ensure that it did not happen again and consideration should be given to the closure of Jubilee Street during the Fair Week.

Discussions took place regarding the October Fair and members expressed their delight that the Fair was such a success this year and that it was unfortunate that there were incidents of anti-social behaviour at the Jubilee Street/St. Michael's Place area. Mr. K. Kelly said that it is intended to review the operation of the fair with all the bodies concerned. This issue together with other matters relating to the October Fair will be considered with a view to making improvements and seeking to solve any problems. He stated that while a number of the issues were related to either the Town Council or Garda Siochana it would be necessary to address the issues in a partnership approach and such considerations as displacement of this behaviour to other areas of the town must be considered by all parties.

8. CORRSPONDENCE.

The motion from Clones Town Council was noted.

It was proposed by Cllr. S. Tully, seconded by Cllr. H. Dolan and agreed that
Cllr. P. O'Sullivan attend the Dr. Douglas Hyde Conference in Ballaghaderreen on Friday, 20th October, 2006, to Sunday 22nd October, 2006.

It was proposed by Cllr. P. O'Sullivan, seconded by Cllr. S. Tully and agreed that the Mayor, Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery attend the L.A.M.A. Conference in the Arklow Bay Hotel, Arklow, Co. Wicklow on Friday, 10th and Saturday, 11th November, 2006.

It was proposed by Cllr. C. Grealy, seconded by Cllr. J. Molloy and agreed that
Cllr. J. Walsh attend the National Tourism Conference in Ennistymon on the 23rd to the 25th November, 2006.

9 ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

It was proposed by Cllr. J. Walsh, seconded by Cllr. S. Tully and agreed that Standing Orders be suspended.

In response to queries, from members, Mr. A. Raleigh said that, it is his understanding, the amenity works at Creagh Junction would commence in the near future. He stated that he would remain in contact with John Yates & Associates who are the consultants on this project.

Cllr. S. Tully requested that a copy of a letter received from Ballinasloe
Advocates be circulated to members for discussion at the November meeting of
the Council.

Cllr. P. O'Sullivan proposed a vote of congratulations to Mr. Bobby Finn on his Moycarn development. This was seconded by Cllr. S. Tully.

In response to a query regarding the provision of pedestrian crossing in the town centre Mr. A. Raleigh confirmed that he is progressing this matter.

This concluded the business of the meeting.