COMHAIRLE BHAILE BÉAL ATHA NA SLUAIGH
BALLINASLOE TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on Tuesday, 12th June, 2007, in the Civic Offices, Ballinasloe, at 7.00 p.m.

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

In Attendance (Officials)
Mr. Kevin Kelly, Director of Services.
Mr. Brian Murphy, Senior Staff Officer
Mr. Uinsinn Finn, Senior Executive Engineer
Ms. Mary Carty, Assistant Staff Office

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

The minutes of the May Monthly Meeting held on the 8th May, 2007, which had been circulated, were adopted on the proposal of Cllr. S. Tully, seconded by Cllr. L. Lloyd-Keighery.

Matters arising:-

CCTV
In response to a query Mr. K. Kelly confirmed that the Council will proceed with the provision of CCTV cameras even if there is a shortfall in funding.

October Fair.
Mr. K. Kelly confirmed that an October Fair Co-ordinator had been appointed and that, as in previous years, the Council would be providing funding for this position.

2.ANNUAL REPORT ON THE JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 36 (5) OF THE GARDA SIOCHANA ACT 2005.

Mr. Kelly updated members on the activities of the Joint Policing Committee over the past year. He said that the committee had identified the following areas of concern:

Activities for young people to be involved in

• Neighbourhood watch
• Drinking in public places
• Closure/elimination of alleyways
• Problems in particular estates including the need to enclose private space around some dwellings.

He said that it was agreed that the Joint Policing Committee would:

• Involve and work with the community
• Seek further Rapid funding for initiatives
• Consider an audit of the current position
• Involve social and health services

He said that Ballinasloe Town Council would be taking action on the following issues:

• recruit Estate Management Officer
• Map all lanes and alleyways in town and identify those which can be closed (may require ROW to be extinguished)
• Discuss all issues with Gardai.

He said that an Action Plan will be prepared for the next meeting of the Joint Policing Committee which will be held in the first week in September.

A discussion took place among the members on anti-social behaviour.  Some members felt that the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour policy should be implemented and those involved in anti-social behaviour evicted if necessary. He said that any policy implemented by the Council must be based on legislation. He said that the issue should be dealt with by using a combination of approaches such as remedial works, appointment of a Housing Liaison Officer to work with the tenants and legal remedies if necessary. He said that the Council would take action in relation to securing evictions and he asked members to liaise with the Town Clerk on this matter.

3.ALZHEIMERS UNIT BALLINASLOE.

A discussion took place on the closure of the Alzheimers Unit in Ballinasloe.

It was proposed by Cllr. J. Walsh, seconded by Cllr. S. Tully and agreed that the Council write to the Minister for Health requesting an urgent meeting. It was further agreed that the members of the Council would meet prior to this meeting and agree a draft policy.

4.REQUEST FOR MOTIONS FOR AMAI ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2007.

The members said that a Motion had already been submitted.

5.MANAGER’S BUSINESS.

Mr. U. Finn gave details to the meeting of planned works that are expected to be carried out over the next month.  These include:

• General maintenance of local authority housing, parks and open spaces
• Clean up of river channels next to Ballinasloe Bridge
• Tenders received for resurfacing works in Ballinasloe Town and resurfacing works in Beechlawn and Old Pollboy to commence in the next two weeks
• Footpaths in Jubilee St. and St. Michaels Place completed and works to commence on footpath replacement in St. Josephs Place
• Long store has been cleaned and painted and gutters replaced
• Littering of housing estates and back lanes being tackled by Litter Warden and Community Wardens
• Additional signage to highlight 1.5 hour parking limit, disabled parking bays re-painted and remedial work carried out to parking signs

Mr. K. Kelly informed the members that the contract for Dunlo Recreation Park was signed earlier in the day. He said that issues had to be resolved before the contract for Kilgarve Amenity Park could be signed.

It was agreed that the Engineer would investigate if more rubbish bins were required for the Marina area. The members also, requested that the Waterways Ireland be contacted regarding the maintenance of the flower bed, and provision of cigarette bins at the Marina.

6. MAYOR’S BUSINESS

The Mayor congratulated all who took part in the Community Games and wished the competitors well in the Community Games Finals in Mosney.

He also, congratulated the Ballinasloe Soccer Club on a very successful year, and he wished Ballinasloe Rugby Club every success in the future.  He also, wished to acknowledge the huge amount of work done by Ballinasloe G.A.A. Club in developing their grounds.

It was agreed that a letter of congratulations be sent to Peter Mulryan on winning the All Ireland Seniors Handball Final.

7. CORRESPONDENCE

The Notice of Motion from Skibereen Town Council was read.

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

In response to a query, Mr. K. Kelly said that he did not have any information on a composting facility at the Landfill.

In response to a query regarding stray dogs, Mr. K. Kelly said that an initiative had been undertaken in the last two weeks in the town and surrounding areas.

Mr. U. Finn agreed to investigate the provision of signs for Parkmore and for new estates in the town. Mr. K. Kelly said that this could be an issue for the new development plan.

This concluded the business of the meeting.