COMHAIRLE BHAILE BÉAL ATHA NA SLUAIGH
BALLINASLOE TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on Tuesday, 13th March, 2007,
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.
Cllr. Pat O’Sullivan.

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

1. MINUTES – MONTHLY MEETING HELD ON THE 8TH FEBRUARY, 2007, IN THE CIVIC OFFICES, BALLINASLOE, AT 7.00 P.M.

The minutes of the February Monthly Meeting held on the 8th February, 2007, which had been circulated, were adopted on the proposal of Cllr. J. Devlin, seconded by Cllr. S. Tully.  
       
Matters arising:-

Old Mill Road Housing Estate.
The members welcomed the fact that work has been started by the contractor to carry out the works outstanding on the Old Mill Road Estate.

A number of the members requested that they would be given monthly updates regarding the position.   It was also requested that the level of enforcement and monitoring of estates as they are being developed would be increased by the Council.

In response to the members Mr. K. Kelly stated that it was important that the members were aware that there are certain powers available to Ballinasloe Town Council and Galway County Council under the Planning & Development Legislation/Regulations, and the Building Control Legislation/Regulations. He stated that the Building Control Authority staff call unannounced to sites to carry out inspections but that there are only certain powers available to them and this did not include the power to close a site as suggested by the members. He informed the elected members that the resources within the Building Control Unit of Galway County Council was being increased in April. In relation to Old Mill Road, Mr. K. Kelly confirmed that the Council would follow up the matter as appropriate and use the powers available to it to do so.

In response to members queries, Mr. K. Kelly confirmed that he understood that the resurfacing of the N6 at Brackernagh is included in the County Council Road Programme and should be carried out in 2007.

He said that the footpath programme would continue subject to the available resources. He invited further proposals from members with regard to the footpath programme.

Ballinasloe Active Retirement.
Mr. A. Farrell confirmed that a contribution of €250.00 had been made to Ballinasloe Active Retirement.

Pedestrian Crossing
It was proposed by Cllr. C. Grealy, seconded by Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery and agreed that the Council write a letter to the National Roads Authority requesting them to attend the next monthly meeting of the Council to discuss pedestrian crossings in Ballinasloe.

Convent Building.
Mr. K. Kelly said that an application for approval in principle for a new library had been submitted to the Department by Galway County Council.

It was agreed that those who had not seen the convent building could do so and that Cllr. S. Tully would convey a suitable time and date to the Town Clerk.

Mr. K. Kelly said that there is much work to be done before a recommendation can be made to the Council members on the type and nature of the development for the Council lands. He said that the Council was actively engaged with other interested parties with a view to developing the lands.

2. UPDATE ON DUNLO RECREATIONAL AND KILGARVE/PORTNICK AMENITY AREA.

Mr. A. Farrell said that tenders had been received in the latter half of last year and had been assessed by consultants. He said that a recommendation had been received in the last number of days and it is hoped to appoint a contractor shortly.

Mr. A. Farrell said that it is estimated to cost approximately €1.4m and the Council have secured about 50% of this funding. He said an application has been made for Sports Capital Funding and that he would expect to get a Rapid Top up Grant. Other sources of funding are being looked at with the assistance of the Rapid Co-Ordinator.

Mr. A. Farrell said that it is proposed to carry out the development in three phases. He said Phase 1 would be the park area near Hymany/Curragh Park as agreed with the residents. He said that Phase 2 would be the development of a community pitch adjoining the G.A.A. lands and that the Portnick/Kilgarve development would be run alone side this. He said Phase 3 would be the running track. He said that the phases would depend on funding being available.

The members requested that the Kilgarve development be completed as part of Phase 1. It was confirmed that discussions had to take place with the developer and discussions would proceed on the basis of the members wishes.

3. MANAGER’S BUSINESS.

There was no Manager’s Business.

4. MAYOR’S BUSINESS.

The Mayor, Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery, said that she had communications with the residents of Jubilee Street and asked that the Engineer and the Town Clerk meet with the residents to discuss their concerns regarding cars and big trucks parking on Jubilee Street. It was agreed that Mayor, Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery would arrange a meeting. Mr. K. Kelly said that any changes would have to be done when the parking Bye-Laws are being reviewed.

Cllr. C. Grealy said that at a public meeting of one of the organisations involved in the October Fair a number of criticisms had been voiced about the Town Council. She said these criticisms were unfair and she requested that the representatives of the Council involved in the organisation would make known that the Council were not satisfied that this had taken place.

Mr. A. Farrell said that he had attended a review of the October Fair and no criticisms had been raised.   He said that it is the Councils intention to meet the various groups in the coming weeks and the process of planning for the October Fair 2007 will commence shortly.

The members agreed that the out-going Co-ordinator of the October Fair, Mr. Colm Croffy, was a big loss. They agreed that a letter of appreciation should be sent to him thanking him for the capable manner in which he carried out his duties.

5. NOTICE OF MOTION – CLLR. S. TULLY

“That Ballinasloe Town Council request the Health Service Executive to retain the Alzheimer’s unit at St. Brigid’s Hospital”.

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

Cllr. J. Walsh said that over the past ten years the Alzheimer’s Unit has done great work and been a great support to family members. He said that the Council has met with the Hospital Service Executive over the past few years and there was never any indication that the Alzheimer’s Unit would close. He said that the unit should be left open until a replacement is provided.

The members agreed that the one consolation from the various meetings with the Hospital Service Executive was that the Alzheimer’s Unit would remain open.

It was agreed by the members that a strongly worded letter be sent to the Hospital Service Executive expressing the unanimous disapproval of the Council to the closure of the Alzheimer’s Unit without any consultation. It was further agreed that a copy of the letter should be sent to the Minister of Health.

6. CORRESPONDENCE.

Mr. A. Farrell said that a letter had been received from Professor Drumm of the Health Service Executive informing the Council that the request for a meeting had been referred to Mr. Brian Gilroy, Health Service Executive. Mr. A. Farrell said that he had written to Mr. Gilroy as a follow up to this correspondence.

Cllr. P. O’Sullivan said that the LAMA Conference is on in Killarney on the 12th and 13th April, 2007.   He proposed that Cllr. H. Dolan represent the Council at this Conference. This was seconded by Cllr. M. Kelly.

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

In response to queries from members, Mr. A. Farrell said that a multi-prong approach is being taken to litter including CCTV cameras. He said that the Community Wardens and Litter Wardens check houses in the town to ensure that they have adequate means of disposal of domestic waste. He said that any issues brought to the attention of the Council are investigated.

In response to a query about the Community Wardens, Mr. K. Kelly said that the Community Wardens work with the Town Council on a case by case basis. He said that the Senior Executive Engineer in each area discuss and agree a workload and method of operation with the Community Wardens.

Cllr. J. Walsh requested that the Council write to Mr. B. Cowen, Minister for Finance and Minister Tom Parlon to enquire what the situation is regarding the decentralisation of the Railway Safety Commission, a new organisation, to Ballinasloe

The members agreed that a letter of congratulations be sent to Dr. P. Gullane on his achievements in the field of Otolaryngology.

Cllr. C. Grealy requested that the issue of Tidy Towns be put on the Agenda for next meeting.

Mr. A. Farrell informed the members that an invitation has been received from the Ballinasloe Twinning Committee, Mental Health European Link to attend the launch of an exchange visit to Chalonnes Sur Loire on Monday 26th March, 2007, at 7.30 p.m.

This concluded the business of the meeting.