COMHAIRLE BHAILE BÉAL ATHA NA SLUAIGH
BALLINASLOE TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on Tuesday, 10th April, 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. 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

Apologies:
Cllr. Johnny Walsh.
Cllr. John Molloy.

1. MINUTES – MONTHLY MEETING HELD ON THE 13TH MARCH 2007, IN THE CIVIC OFFICES, BALLINASLOE, AT 7.00 P.M.

The minutes of the March Monthly Meeting held on the 13th March, 2007, which had been circulated, were adopted on the proposal of Cllr. S. Tully, seconded by Cllr. P. O’ Sullivan.
       
Matters arising:-

Old Mill Road Housing Estate
In response to a request for an update from Cllr. S. Tully regarding the Old Mill Road Estate, the members were informed that the developer had responded to the Warning Letter issued and that some works had been carried out. The Senior Executive Engineer was to carry out further assessments of the works and the enforcement section of Galway County Council was pursuing the matter.

Notice of Motion.
Cllr. S. Tully referred to the Notice of Motion “That Ballinasloe Town Council request the Health Service Executive to retain the Alzheimer’s unit at St. Brigid’s Hospital” which was passed at the March meeting.  He requested that the minutes reflect that this motion was proposed by Cllr. S. Tully and seconded by Cllr. C. Grealy. This was agreed by the members.

2. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2001 – SECTION 183 NOTICE.  CONVERSION OF LEASEHOLD INTEREST TO FEE SIMPLE INTEREST SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS.

The Town Clerk referred to the Section 183 notice which had been circulated to the members in relation to the proposal to convert leasehold interest to fee simple interest in respect of the following properties:

      
It was proposed by Cllr. C. Grealy, seconded by Cllr. P. O’ Sullivan and agreed that the Section 183 Notice as circulated be approved.

3. REPORT UNDER PART 8 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001.  THE PROPOSAL INVOLVES THE INSTALLATION OF CCTV UNITS.

Mr. Kevin Kelly outlined the report which was circulated to the members in relation to the installation of the CCTV units at (1) Dunlo Sports Ground (2) Junction of Lower Brackernagh, Dunlo Hill and Harris Road (3) Society Street (4) Junction of Main Street and St. Michael’s Square (5) St. Michael’s Square and (6) Sli na h-Abhainn. He informed the members that the proposal was generally in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and is in compliance with the policies, aims and objectives of Ballinasloe Town Development Plan.

The report as circulated to the members was approved on the proposal of Cllr. P. O’ Sullivan, seconded by Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighery and agreed.

The members asked that the installation of the CCTV scheme be progressed as soon as possible. Mr. Alan Farrell informed the members that there was a shortfall in the level of funding required and that the RAPID Co-ordinator was seeking the additional funds necessary to complete the scheme.

4. DRAFT ROADWORKS PROGRAMME 2007.

Mr. Uinsinn Finn gave an overview of the Draft Programme which had been circulated to the members.  The members welcomed the draft programme and referred to the works at the Beechlawn Road and the culvert at Derrymullen requesting that these would be carried out as soon as possible. Reference was also made regarding the need to progress the pedestrian crossing in the town and the need for upgrading of the main streets in the town which are the responsibility of Galway County Council.

Following discussions in relation to the draft roadworks programme it was agreed on the proposal of Cllr. P. O’ Sullivan and seconded by Cllr. S. Tully to adopt the programme as presented.

5. TIDY TOWNS COMPETITION

Mr. Alan Farrell gave an overview in relation to progress relating to the Tidy Towns Competition 2007. He informed the members that a meeting of the Tidy Towns Partnership including the Town Council, Tidy Towns Committee, Chamber of Commerce and FÁS had met on the 22nd March 2007 to look at the works programme for the year. He informed the members that it was agreed that each of the organisations would sign up to actions that they would implement this year. He said that a 3-5 year Strategic Plan was going to be developed in association with the partnership and that the RAPID co-ordinator would facilitate the process.

Cllr. Carmel Grealy said that there had been a lot of work carried out to date and that partnership working is central to improving and enhancing Ballinasloe. She acknowledged the work carried out by the Tidy Towns Committee, Residents’ Associations, Volunteers, the Chamber of Commerce, FÁS and the indoor and outdoor staff of the Town Council. She said that she was delighted to see the improvements made in the Tidy Towns Competition in 2006 and that this would be built on through the current process as outlined by the Town Clerk.

Cllr. S. Tully complimented all the parties to the partnership and Cllr. C. Greally for the great work she was doing in her capacity as Chairperson of the Tidy Towns Committee. He welcomed the development of the 3-5 year plan. The members voiced their support for Cllr. S. Tully’s comments and the work of the partnership.

6. MANAGERS BUSINESS.

October Fair
Mr. K. Kelly informed the meeting that an invitation had been extended to the Fair & Festival Committee, the Show Society and the Chamber of Commerce to discuss issues relating to the running of the October Fair. He stated that both he and the Town Clerk had met with representatives of the Fair & Festival and the Show Society and that a number of pertinent issues were discussed. He said that parking was one of the main issues outlined and that this will have to be looked at by all parties to the Fair & Festival. He confirmed that Ballinasloe Town Council will continue to play their role in the running of the Fair and working with the other parties but that the Council are only part of the solution and that other parties must come on board and work together to solve many of the issues.

Proposed Library Development
Mr. K. Kelly outlined the situation with regard to developing a Library at the convent building. He said that the application for approval in principle for a new Library was sent to the Department. He informed the members that he had visited Birr with Alan Farrell and Uinsinn Finn to look at a similar type development and that the visit was useful.

Lands at the rear of Society Street
Mr. K. Kelly said they are still in discussion with the Landowners in relation to the land at the rear of Society Street and that the Town Council would play a lead role in relation to the development of the area. He informed the members that he has asked Galway County Council to progress a design for the road to facilitate the development of the lands and that the Council would consider progressing the Part 8 procedure for this road.

Update by Senior Executive Engineer
Mr. K. Kelly informed the members that it was intended that Mr. U. Finn would give a regular update to the members in relation to the ongoing works programme. He stated that he hoped that this would provide for better communications and deal with queries that the members may otherwise raise under Any Other Business.

Mr. U. Finn outlined the works that had taken place in the last month and informed the members of proposed works for the coming month. He stated that he was currently reviewing the footpaths programme and would update the members in relation to further proposals. He stated that he would progress the preparation of the tenders for the roads programme.

Water Quality in Ballinasloe
Cllr. P. O’ Sullivan enquired as to the position regarding Cryptosporidium in the public water supply in the Ballinasloe area and asked that the public be re-assured. Mr. K. Kelly stated that Galway County Council were now the Water Services Authority for Ballinasloe. He confirmed having spoken to
Mr. Jim. Cullen, Director of Service in relation to the position and stated that the Ballinasloe water is being monitored and is safe to drink.

7. MAYOR’S BUSINESS

The Mayor, Cllr. L. Lloyd Keighrey informed the meeting that she had received a letter from Stephen O’Connor and Amy Doherty who were doing volunteer work abroad and requested that the Council provide some financial support. This was supported by Cllr. S. Tully. Concern was expressed regarding the capacity of the Council to provide assistance to all the individuals and groups that seek funding from the Council and discussions took place regarding this. The Town Clerk stated that there was a limited fund to provide contributions to other bodies or those undertaking volunteer work. He said that he understood that there were a number of organisations that traditionally receive a contribution from the Town Council and that the members should be aware of this when passing resolutions at the Council meetings regarding the allocation of funding. 

8. NOTICE OF MOTION – CLLR. M. KELLY.

“That this Council reviews the current Market Square By-Laws, in order to permit a Farmers Market to trade on a Friday”.

Cllr. M. Kelly stated that he proposed the motion in response to the letter which he, along with the other members of the Council and the executive received. He stated that if the Council review the Casual Trading Bye-Laws that this would be done in association with the Chamber of Commerce and other appropriate organisations and that there would be a public consultation process. Cllr. M. Kelly expressed the view that if the Farmers Market traded in the Square on Fridays, it could provide a focal point in the town and that it may attract people who would spend money at the market and other areas/shops in the town. He requested that the Council consider the matter.

Cllr. S. Tully said that a sub group of the Council were to examine how the Saturday Market may be improved and that it was previously suggested that the traders from the Farmers Market may avail of stalls on the Saturday. He stated that in examining the matter that there are many issues including parking that the Council will have to consider along with the implications of operating a market on a Friday and Saturday.

Cllr. J. Devlin stated that while he agreed with examining the matter, careful consideration would have to be given to traffic management and other issues.

Cllr. C. Grealy referred to the previous adoption of the Bye-Laws and stated that there were a number of difficulties at the time and a lot of issues that the Council had to take into consideration. She stated that any review that may take place must be approached cautiously. She referred to the possible displacement effect on the Saturday Market and that the Council must consider the impact of this.

The notice of motion was proposed by Cllr. M. Kelly and seconded by Cllr. H. Dolan.

9. CORRESPONDENCE

The correspondence from Fermoy Town Council dated 21st March 2007 was noted as read.

The correspondence from Naas Town Council dated 20th March 2007 was noted as read.

In relation to the correspondence from Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurance Ltd. for the  “Appointment of Nominee” it was agreed that the Mayor Cllr. L. Lucy Lloyd-Keighery be the Council’s nominee.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr. S. Tully referred to Ms. Ciara Farrell’s swimming achievements, and also to the achievements of the Ard Scoil Mhuire debating team.  The members agreed that a letter should be sent to Ms. Ciara Farrell to congratulate her.

This concluded the business of the meeting.