COMHAIRLE BHAILE BÉAL ATHA NA SLUAIGH
BALLINASLOE TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on Tuesday, 14th November, 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. Jason Devlin.
Apologies: Cllr. Pat O'Sullivan.

In Attendance (Officials)
Mr. Kevin Kelly, Director of Services.
Mr. Alan Farrell, Acting Town Clerk
Mr. Alan Raleigh, Town Engineer.
Ms. Mary Carty, Assistant Staff Officer.

1. MINUTES - MONTHLY MEETING HELD ON THE 10TH OCTOBER, 2006, IN THE CIVIC OFFICES, BALLINASLOE, AT 7.00 P.M.

The minutes of the October Monthly Meeting held on the 10th October, 2006, which had been circulated, were adopted on the proposal of Cllr. J. Devlin, seconded by Cllr. S. Tully.

Matters arising:-

Decentralisation
It was proposed by Cllr. J. Walsh seconded by Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery and agreed that the Council write to Minister Brian Cowen, T.D. seeking an update regarding progress on the decentralisation programme in relation to Ballinasloe and to request that a deputation from the Council meet the Minister.

Health Service Executive
Mr. A. Farrell informed the members that the Council had recently written to the Health Service Executive as requested. The members re-inforced their view that a meeting take place with the Health Service Executive to discuss their proposals for St. Brigid's Hospital and the Health Service Executive owned lands in Ballinasloe given it's importance to the town.

In response to members concerns regarding the plans for the Health Service Executive land and property at St. Brigid's Hospital, Mr. K. Kelly indicated that there had been discussions with the Health Service Executive at official level, but understood that the members had a wider range of issues and that agreement on a schedule of meetings with the Health Service Executive on this issue might be appropriate.

Ballinasloe Advocates
Cllr. S. Tully referred to a letter received from Ballinasloe Advocates which has been circulated to members. The letter pointed out the shortfalls in services and Cllr. S. Tully said that they would welcome a visit from members so as to make them aware of services required.

2. TO FIX A DATE FOR THE 2007 BUDGET MEETING

It was proposed by Cllr. S. Tully, seconded by Cllr. J. Devlin and agreed that the Annual Budget Meeting take place on Tuesday 19th December, 2006 at 7.00 p.m. It was also provisionally agreed to re-convene on Thursday, 21st December, 2006 at 7.00 p.m. if the Budget had not been finalised at the first meeting.

Mr. K. Kelly said that if there were any issues which members wish to have considered in the Budget they should contact the Town Clerk immediately as work on the preparation of the Draft Budget is advanced.

3. MANAGER'S BUSINESS

Mr. K. Kelly informed the members that the Council are now in possession of the Convent and the lands to the rear of the Convent that it had purchased. It was agreed that the members would visit the recently purchased Convent premises on Wednesday, 22nd November, 2006 at 11.00 a.m.

4 MAYOR'S BUSINESS

The Mayor referred to a letter received from a Beechlawn resident regarding flooding, lighting, speeding and the lack of a footpath and the matter was discussed.

5. NOTICES OF MOTIONS - CLLR. J. DEVLIN.

(a) "That this Council will immediately put in place a plan to provide surface water drains for the Beechlawn area, and that the Council will immediately work to secure funding to carry out this work".

The Motion was proposed by Cllr. J. Devlin and seconded by Cllr. J. Walsh. Cllr. J. Devlin said that heavy rain in the Beechlawn area causes flooding and the Council should immediately put in place a plan for surface water in the area. After some discussion the members felt that the issue of surface water should be dealt with in the context of an overall plan for the Beechlawn area. They highlighted other problems such as the condition of the road surface, lack of footpaths and lighting.

It was proposed by Cllr. J. Walsh, seconded by Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery and agreed that the Council write to Dr. Barton and the Beechlawn Residents' Association to ascertain their concerns.

Mr. K. Kelly pointed out that much of the works discussed were of a capital nature and that there was an issue in relation to funding. He stated that it is within the control of the Town Council to agree the level of development contributions and he stated that the charges under the current scheme are the lowest in the county. He informed the members that if such infrastructural issues were to be addressed a revision of the Development Contributions Scheme would be required.

(b) "That this Council will introduce immediately an "Anti Social Behaviour Policy" for its local authority areas of responsibility".

The Motion was proposed by Cllr. J. Devlin and seconded by Cllr. J. Walsh. Cllr. J. Devlin said that there is a problem with anti-social behaviour in certain areas of the town and that it is not confined to Local Authority Housing Estates. He said that the Council should immediately implement an Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.

Mr. A. Farrell informed the members that the Executive of the Council have procedures in place to investigate incidents of Anti-Social behaviour in the Local Authority Housing Estates. He said that staff are assigned to deal with incidents brought to the Council's attention and that there is close co-operation with the Gardai. He informed the members that a number of incidents have been investigated during the year and action taken by the Council.

Mr. A. Farrell stated that there are certain actions that the Town Council can take but that a number of the issues raised by the members are a matter for the Gardai given the nature of the offences. He said he is confident that the Gardai are investigating matters brought to their attention and stated that the Gardai have been very co-operative with the Town Council in relation to incidents on Local Authority Housing Estates. He advised the members that it was proposed that a formal policy would be developed by the Town Council and that this would be included in the work programme for 2007. He said that the Joint Policing Committee (J.P.C) will play a key role in addressing issues such as anti-social behaviour and that the Joint Policing Committee will be involved in the policy development process.

Mr. A. Farrell said that the Council has applied for funding for a Tenant Liaison Officer and that part of the role of the Tenant Liaison Officer, if appointed will be to investigate and take appropriate action regarding Anti-Social behaviour. However, he said that it will take wider community participation to solve the problem. Cllr. J. Walsh requested that a copy of the tenancy agreement be circulated to members.

Cllr. S. Tully said that sporting organisations should be encouraged to become involved to help tackle the problem.

6. NOTICE OF MOTION - CLLR. J. WALSH.

"That this Council call on Galway County Council to immediately and as a matter of the utmost urgency carry out major repair works and put in place prominent and appropriate signage on the Deerpark to Killure Church road to ensure that this most dangerous stretch is made safer for use by the general public".

The Motion was proposed by Cllr. J. Walsh and seconded by Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery. Cllr. J. Walsh said that a letter should be sent to Galway County Council outlining the concerns regarding the Deerpark to Killure road.

Mr. A. Raleigh said that this road has been upgraded on a regular basis over the past number of years. He said that the matter would be discussed at the next Electoral Area Committee Meeting.

7. NOTICE OF MOTION - CLLR. L. LLOYD KEIGHERY.

"That this Council request Galway County Council to extend 50 km/hr speed limit to its junction with the Derrymullen road as a traffic calming measure. That this road be included in any future speed limit review within the County".

The Motion was proposed by Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery and seconded by Cllr. J. Molloy.

Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery clarified that her Motion referred to the Deerpark/Killure road's junction with the Derrymullen road. She requested that the speed limit sign be moved to make it more visible.

8. NOTICE OF MOTION - CLLR. HUGH DOLAN.

"That this Council requests that houses in Parkmore and the part of the Kilconnell road inside the town boundary be connected up to the public sewage scheme as soon as possible"

The Motion was proposed by Cllr. H. Dolan and seconded by Cllr. S. Tully.

It was proposed by Cllr. H. Dolan and seconded by Cllr. S. Tully that a copy of the Motion be circulated to all the Ballinasloe Electoral Area Councillors and the Executive of Galway County Council.

Cllr. J. Molloy requested that water and sewerage issues be put on the Agenda for a future meeting of the Council and that appropriate staff from the Water Services Section of the Council be invited to address the meeting and update the members.

9 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr. J. Walsh proposed that a letter of congratulations be issued to Ms. Elizabeth Warring formerly Deeley from Brackernagh on her selection as President of the Junior Chamber International in the city of Leeds. This was seconded by Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery.

Cllr. S. Tully said that he had attended the Shannon River Basin meeting and that he had information which he would share with the members. He said that the next meeting of this body will be held in Ballinasloe on the 11th January, 2007.

In response to queries from members, Mr. A. Raleigh said that when the Broadband contractors were finished, a survey would be done on all the trenches to ensure that the road is re-instated properly.

This concluded the business of the meeting.