Minutes of January Meeting of West Clare Municipal District held on 21st January, 2016 at 4.00p.m. at Kilfenora Heritage Centre Cathaoirleach sa Cathair: Cllr. C. Curtin, I Láthair: Cllr. R. Nagle, Cllr. I. Lynch, Cllr. B. Chambers, Cllr. G. Keating, Cllr. B. Slattery, Cllr. P.J.Kelly, Cllr. M. Hillery. Officials present: Ms. A. Haugh, Area Co-Ordinator & Director of Service, Mr. C. Feeney, A/Senior Executive Engineer ,West Clare Municipal District Mr. J. Corry, Administrative Officer & Meetings Administrator. 1. Minutes of Meeting of West Clare Municipal District held on 17th November 2015 The Minutes were proposed by Cllr.Chambers & seconded by Cllr. Nagle. Cllr. Lynch looked for an update on the provision of an indoor facility in Kilrush. J. Corry indicated that he was awaiting a further update from M. Meehan. 2. Minutes of Special Meeting of the West Clare Municipal District to consider the Budgetary Plan held on 6th November 2015 The Minutes were proposed by Cllr. Slattery & seconded by Cllr. Hillery. 3. Taking in Charge – Declaration of Roads in following estates to be Public Roads in accordance with S11 of the Roads Act 1993 Ard Donagh, Ennistymon proposed by Cllr. Slattery & seconded by Cllr. Nagle Beechlawn/The Sidings, Ennistymon rd, Lahinch proposed by Cllr. Slattery & seconded by Cllr. Nagle Westpark, Spanish Point proposed by Cllr. Hillery & seconded by Cllr. Lynch to defer making a decision pending the outcome of a judicial review 4. Update on Parking for Kilrush J. Corry updated the members with details of income for parking charges since the introduction of parking incentives in June 2015 to the end of Dec 2015. He advised that when compared with the same period in 2014 that there was a reduction of over 80%. A discussion then took place & it was pointed out by the members that sufficient enforcement wasn’t taking place. A. Haugh advised that this was a result of the Community Warden having to cover Environment duties in Clare Co Council. She advised that she would be seeking an update from HR as to when this situation could be regularized so that there could be greater enforcement in Kilrush. It was proposed by Cllr. Kelly & seconded by Cllr. Keating & agreed that they would defer reviewing parking fees for two hours in Kilrush until a report was recd advising on the impact of a greater level of enforcement of the two hour free parking & in the meantime that the status quo of two hour free parking would prevail in Kilrush. 5. Draft Parking Bye Laws for Doolin Pier It was proposed by Cllr.Slattery & seconded by Cllr. Lynch that they needed further time to consider the draft Bye Laws and that a Special meeting would be called to discuss. This meeting was set for 26th January in Aras Contae an Chlair, Ennis at 11am. 6. Draft Harbour Bye Laws for Doolin Pier It was proposed by Cllr.Slattery & seconded by Cllr. Lynch that they needed further time to consider the draft Bye Laws and that a Special meeting would be called to discuss. This meeting was set for 26th January in Aras Contae an Chlair, Ennis at 11am. 7. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Hillery “That Clare Co Council would give an update of the drainage system for Miltown Malbay & when will remedial works commence.” This Motion was seconded by Cllr. Curtin. Reply The drainage system which crosses Church Road has been surveyed as far as possible and a section at the intake has been identified which will require remedial works. The system on the Ennis road has not yet been surveyed. The programme for remedial works will be dependant on the level of funding provided in the Schedule of Municipal District works for the coming year coupled with the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport annual road grant allocation. Response Ends Cyril Feeney, A/SEE, West Clare Municipal District Cllr. Hillery complimented the Council for the work that they had done. He indicated that the maintenance of rivers was very important. 8. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Hillery “That Clare Co Council would install speed ramps, children at play & other signs at Luis na Si estate, Miltown Malbay in the interest of safety.” This Motion was seconded by Cllr. Curtin. Reply Further investigation would be required to establish the nature and extent of speeding problems, in the first place. Consideration will be given to installing road signs, such as caution children at play signs, within the estate, depending on priorities and resources available in the roads budget for the West Clare MD. The Lus na Si estate in Miltown Malbay comprises 34 social housing units, all owned by Clare County Council and maintained by Housing Services. However, the roads within the estate are public roads and are maintained by the West Clare MD. The issue of enforcement of speeding is a matter for An Garda Síochána. Those who have concerns about speeding within the estate are advised to contact the Gardaí. Response Ends Robert Burns, A/SEE, Housing Services. 9. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Hillery “That Clare Co Council would put safety measures in place along the N67 to protect the dwelling house of Mr. & Mrs. P.J. & Bridget Linnane, Annagh, Quilty.” This Motion was seconded by Cllr. Curtin. Reply We have forwarded this issue to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who are the funding authority for works to the national secondary road network and are awaiting their reply. We will look at the possibility to erecting additional warning signs eg chevron signs while we await a reply from TII. Response Ends Cyril Feeney, A/SEE, West Clare Municipal District Cllr. Hillery indicated that this wall had been knocked three times in the last five years and that it would be very important that anything which could be done would be done. 10. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Lynch “That this Municipal District ask the Minister for Finance to introduce an urban renewal scheme where reduced vat rates are applied to businesses within struggling town centres and villages. The scheme would apply to retail and services alike, ensuring job retention and encouraging businesses to occupy vacant commercial properties with possible additional owner occupier incentives to rehabilitate and revive our devastated towns and villages” This Motion was seconded by Cllr. Chambers & supported by the other members. Cllr. Lynch suggested that the Government needed to create jobs & needed to provide incentives to have people remaining in struggling towns and villages.He suggested that the reduction in VAT rates for smaller businesses in struggling towns and villages might help. 11. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Lynch “ That road safety measures by means of pedestrian crossings be installed at Fahys Road and at the sports complex on the Cooraclare road “ This Motion was seconded by Cllr. Curtin. Reply We are currently preparing a preliminary design for the proposed pedestrian crossing at Fahys road which will require consultation with Transport Infrastructure Ireland in due course. Any proposal for a pedestrian crossing at the sports complex on the Cooraclare road will require a survey to be carried out and currently resources are limited to complete such a survey. Response Ends Cyril Feeney, A/SEE, West Clare Municipal District Cllr. Lynch indicated that a risk had already been identified by putting up barriers outside the footpath at the entrance to the Astroturf pitch. 12. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Lynch “That this Municipal District invite the LEO to the Vandeleur Walled Gardens to further explore the possibilities of establishing a food hub within the facility, expanding the potential for indigenous business within the area “ This Motion was seconded by Cllr. Keating. Reply Head of Enterprise is supportive and willing to meet with representatives of Vandeleur Walled Gardens to explore options as outlined Response Ends Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, Clare Co. Council It was suggested that J. Corry would liaise with P. McElwee regarding arranging a meeting. It was agreed to take items 13 & 18 together. 13. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Chambers “That the Council request Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to provide the necessary funding to enable works to be carried out to improve the sight distance at the junction of the N68 with the L2138-0 (Cranny Cross) as there is currently a safety issue for road users” This Motion was seconded by Cllr. Kelly Reply We have forwarded this issue previously to Transport Infrastructure Ireland who are the funding authority for works to the national secondary road network and are awaiting their reply. Due to the probable extent of the works involved the scheme would not come under the road safety remedial measure RSRM programme and will require significant funding. Response Ends Cyril Feeney, A/SEE, West Clare Municipal District 18. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Kelly “That road no L 20845 be widened at its junction with N68 in order to provide safe access/exit space for long vehicles.” This Motion was seconded by Cllr. Chambers Reply We have forwarded this issue to Transport Infrastructure Ireland who are the funding authority for works to the national secondary road network and are awaiting their reply. Response Ends Cyril Feeney, A/SEE, West Clare Municipal District Cllr. Kelly indicated that the TII have an obligation to ensure safety at this junction. Cllr. Curtin indicated that they had repeatedly tried unsuccessfully to arrange a meeting of the TII with reps of the West Clare MD. 14. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Chambers “That Clare County Council provide funding in the Roadworks Programme to strengthen & seal the L6132 at Brisla, Cooraclare” This Motion was seconded by Cllr.