Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Clones Town Council Held in the Town Council Chamber, Monaghan

Minutes of Clones Town Council monthly meeting which was held on Monday 31st January 2011 at 8.00 p.m. in Clones Town Council Chamber Monaghan Street, Clones.

MEMBERS PRESENT: The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Deirdre Kelly presided.

The following members were also present: - Cllrs. Pat Treanor, Yvonne Newell, Ross Mealiff, Aidan Sheerin, Peter Mulligan, Niall Quigley, and Peter McAleer.

Apology: Cllr. Anna Rooney.

IN ATTENDANCE: - John McKernan, Town Engineer Adge King, Town Manager. Geraldine Killen, Town Clerk.

At the outset Gerry Darby Clones Regeneration Partnership Co-ordinator showed the Members the new Clones Regeneration Partnership website.

1. SYMPATHY: The Members extended a Vote of Sympathy to the families on the death of the following:  John Donohoe Beechgrove.  Terence McNally Abbey Street,  Paddy Murphy 96 O’Neill Park, Clones.  Kathleen O’Flaherty, Fitzpatrick Square, Clones.  Rose Di-Giovine (sister of Anna Tracey)  Charlie Murray Roslea.  Dr Hunt.  Michaela McAreavey daughter of Mickey Harte  Rory O’Connor, brother of Jackie O’Connor.

GOOD WISHES AND CONGRATULATIONS:  The Members extended their good wishes and congratulation to the following:-  Clones Community Forum and Marcella Leonard on organising a very successful event at the workhouse. Members expressed disappointment that this building was demolished. It was noted the stone would be kept safe and a monument would be constructed. It was also noted that AIBP did carry out a full documentation / photo file on the building as it was demolished.

31st January 2011 - Monthly Meeting. 1 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES:

Minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on 20th December 2010. The Members asked that an amendment be made to the last page No 5. The amendment to state the building needing pest control inspection was “beside” Nial Nolans house in Cara Street and not “owned” by Nial Nolan. Having agreed this amendment the minutes were then proposed by Cllr. Treanor and seconded by Cllr. Mealiff.

Minutes of the Council meeting held on 31st December 2010 to discuss water problems in Clones. The Minutes were agreed on the proposal of Cllr. Treanor seconded by Cllr. Mealiff.

Minutes of the Budget Meeting held on 7th January 2011. The Minutes of the budget meeting were agreed on the proposal of Cllr. Quigley seconded by Cllr. Newell.

3. Arising from the monthly meeting minutes.

Cllr. Mealiff explained his motion from the December meeting should be re-worded to call on the Minister to bring responsibility for salt supplies back to the County Councils. Cllr. Mealiff agreed to discuss the issue further with the Engineer.

The Engineer reported on 2 suitable locations on the Diamond for Market traders .

The Members noted the planning officer would attend the February meeting to discuss reviewing the Development Contributions Scheme.

Cllr. Treanor asked that Webworks be contacted to discuss updating the clones.ie website .

Director agreed to place on the Agenda – Incremental Purchase Scheme when he received further information on same. The members noted this was a new scheme being introduced by the Dept for tenants wishing to purchase their Local Authority house.

The Members noted there was no law stipulating that landlords or tenants were required to have a domestic refuse bin.

The Director updated the Members on the progress made in relation to derelict sites in town.

It was agreed to ask Monaghan County Council to consider replacing the pumps in O’Neill Park as they appear to be out of order quite often. A suggestion also was to provide a water storage tower in town .

It was agreed to organise grit bins for the estates and to provide the first fill free.

31st January 2011 - Monthly Meeting. 2 At this point, Cllr. McAleer proposed that standing orders be suspended in order to discuss his Notice of Motion which he circulated at the meeting. This was seconded by Cllr. Mealiff and agreed.

Notice of Motion - “That we write to all the political party’s and candidates in Cavan/Monaghan in the General Election to ask them if elected and are part of the new Government, will they reverse the decision of the Fianna Fail / Green party government and put Monaghan General Hospital back on call?”

The motion was agreed on the proposed by Cllr. McAleer and seconded by Cllr. Mealiff.

4. CORRESPONDENCE.

Office of the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Innovation. Members noted the correspondence

ESB. The Members noted the contents. It was agreed the council should write the same letter to Eirtricity as was sent to ESB.

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Members noted acknowledgement of their letter.

Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform. Members noted acknowledgment from Minister regarding Intoxicating Liquor bye- laws.

North Tipperary County Council. Members noted contents calling on the amalgamation of the Town JPC’s in the County . This was marked read.

Wexford Borough Council. Notice of Motion calling on the Minister to urgently review Part 9 of the Planning Act. It was agreed to ask for clarification on this.

Castlebar Town Council. Notice of Motion – “That the Members of Castlebar Town Council condemn the recent increases in mortgage rates by our financial institutions.” This was supported .

Castlebar Town Council Notice of Motion - “that Castlebar Town council call on the Minister for Education to ensure that the following protocols are introduced in all primary and secondary schools: 1. a book rental scheme (including all examination papers) 2. A standard method of facilitating the use of Stick-on-crests on all school uniforms.

31st January 2011 - Monthly Meeting. 3 3. Provision of a confidential information Box as part of anti-bullying policy” It was agreed to forward No 2 to the VEC.

Monaghan Town Council. “That Monaghan Town Council implore the Competition Authority to implement measures that will enhance competition within the bulk LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) market. Restrictive licensing agreements have resulted in domination of this market by Calor Gas and Flogas. The Competition Authority have acknowledged since 2005 improvements are necessary but have failed to date to protect the consumer”. This was supported on the proposal of Cllr Treanor seconded by Cllr. Mealiff.

Macroom Town Council. “That any monies collected for N.P.P.R. Charges be collected by the Local Authority involved, be it Borough, Town, County or City Council and be re-enforced within that Council” It was agreed to write for confirmation.

Leixlip Town Council “Leixlip Town Council expressed deep concern at the proposal to cut the minimum wage. As there are only 4% of workers on the minimum wage this measure would add nothing to the national exchequer and targeted the lowest paid workers.” This was marked read.

Donegal County Council. Notice of Moiton from Donegal regarding An Post and the postal services was supported.

Donegal County Council. “That Donegal County Council contact all relevant authorities and raise the need for addressing the serious issues facing the undocumented Irish in America including many Donegal people taking into account the following:- 1. The problems encountered in obtaining visas. 2. The need to reinstate the 245 (i), which would benefit a large majority of the undocumented Irish. 3. Necessity of reducing detention times for Irish Citizens detained on an overstay of their waiver, together with the assurance that there would be no associated criminal conviction.” This was supported on the proposal of Cllr Treanor seconded by Cllr. McAleer.

Ballinasloe Town Council. The Members noted the contents of a letter sent from Ballinasloe Town Council to the Minister for Housing expressing their opposition to any plans to transfer Housing functions from Town Councils to proposed Regional Housing Authorities. This was supported on the proposal of Cllr. Mulligan seconded by Cllr. Quigley.

Tuam Town Council. Notice of Motion – “I propose that each private vehicle that is owned or driven by any person under the age of 25 years old or within at least having 10 years driving experience, become mandatorily fitted with a speed inhibitor that will allow the states maximum speed limit only. I support that this proposal for the mandatory installation

31st January 2011 - Monthly Meeting. 4 of speed inhibitors will allow for young drivers to become conditioned to a safer way of driving when they become accustomed to a governing speed that cannot be exceeded by the installation of a speed inhibitor”. This was supported by the members but with the suggestion to have the age limit deleted.

5. REGULATIONS AND CONTROL OF THE CONSUMPTION AND POSSESSION OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR IN PUBLIC PLACES. The Members noted that public notice had been given of the intention to adopt these bye-laws and of the right to make a submission within a specified time. The draft Bye-law was displayed and the members also noted that no formal submissions were received. However it was noted that the Council solicitor advised a change to condition No 7 in order to allow dispensation from the bye-laws for the day in which the GAA football matches take place. It was agreed that the following wording be changed from 7 below

7. Nothing in these Bye Laws shall prevent the Council, from, in response to a written application received at least four weeks before the event, and having first consulted with the Gardai, a dispensation from these Bye-Laws for a specific event where the council considers such dispensation to be in the interest of the common good of the people of Clones.

To read as 7a and b. as follows:-

7a. Nothing in these Bye Laws shall prevent the Council, in response to a written application received at least four weeks before the event, and having first consulted with the Gardai, from granting a dispensation from these Bye-Laws for a specific event where the council considers such dispensation to be in the interest of the common good of the people of Clones.

b. The provisions of Regulation 4 hereof shall not apply on any day on which there is taking place in St. Tiernach’s GAA Park, a Senior Intercounty GAA football championship match.

With this amendment the Members agreed the Adoption of the “Bye-Laws for the control and regulation of the consumption and possession of intoxicating liquor in public places 2010” on the proposal of Cllr. Kelly seconded by Cllr. McAleer.

North East Framework Action Plan on Homeless. The Members noted the contents of the draft plan and on the proposal of Cllr. Treanor seconded by Cllr. McAleer the contents on the North East Framework Action Plan for homeless was agreed.

Draft Litter Management Plan 2010 – 2012. The Members noted the contents and adopted the plan on the proposal of Cllr. Treanor seconded by Cllr. Mealiff.

Cllr Treanor stated that he had been lobbying for additional bring banks to facilitate extra recyclable items in clones and that Environment Section had indicated their intention to try this at the new bring bank facility at the rear of Applegreen in Clones.

31st January 2011 - Monthly Meeting. 5 Reports from Delegates attending Conferences / Meetings. The Members noted the AMAI spring conference was on in February 2011 and the delegates were Cllrs. Ross Mealiff and Peter Mulligan.

Cllr. Treanor reported on the Clones Erne East Partnership meeting and notified Members the next meeting was due to take place on 1st March 2011 in Newtownbutler.

The Cathaoirleach informed the Members of the JPC sub-committee was due to take place on 1st February 2011 and the full meeting would be the week after on 7th February 2011.

9. MANAGERS BUSINESS.

The Engineer circulated his report dated 31/1/11 and updated the Members on the following:- Pedestrian Crossing on the Diamond Fermanagh Street realignment to the carpark entrance. 98 Avenue Bus stop Newtownbutler Road traffic calming Maintenance work – storm drainage. Barry mcguigan park.

The Cathaoirleach asked for a copy of the report on the sewerage problems at Carn Dun - it was agreed to write to Environment asking for a copy.

IN COMMITTEE Cllr Mulligan then proposed that the meeting go “into committee” this was seconded by Cllr. Newell and agreed. Cllr. Mulligan asked the Director to look at the planning application submitted by Monaghan County Council for renovations to house at Monaghan Street. He said the neighbour next to this house was very concerned about the extension. The Director explained that this was necessary work and that it was going through the planning procedure and the neighbour had the right to make a submission to the Council within the appropriate time.

This concluded the business of the meeting.

Signed: ______Date: ______

31st January 2011 - Monthly Meeting. 6