KILKENNY BOROUGH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDING OF MONTHLY MEETING HELD ON
14thMarch 2005, AT 7.30 PM
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Malcom Noonan Presiding
Present:
Councillors:J.Cody, P. Crotty, S. Ó hArgáin, B. Manning,
M. Lanigan, J. Reidy, P. Cuddihy, M. Fitzpatrick, A. McGuinness.
Apologies for inability to attend received from
J. Coonan, M. Brett.
Also Present:
Mr. T. Walsh, Director of Service, Mr. D. O’Brien, Town Clerk, Mr. K. Fitzgerald, Senior Engineer, Mr. Philip Traynor, Executive Engineer, Mr. Brian Tyrrell, Administrative Officer, Ms C. Cooney, Staff Officer.
Mayor’s Summons of Meeting:
Notice dated 7thMarch, 2005, convening a Monthly Meeting for this date was read.
1.Minutes:
Minutes for Monthly Meeting held on 14th February, 2005, having been circulated were tabled for confirmation, it was
Proposed by Cllr. J. Reidy
Seconded by Cllr. A. McGuinness
And Agreed
“That the minutes as presented to this meeting be adopted”.
Matters Arising from Minutes
Flood Relief Scheme
In response to Notice of Motion No. 19 in the name of Cllr. A. McGuinness, Mr. K. Fitzgerald informed the meeting that a extensive snagging list has been prepared and he has met with the Resident Engineer employed by the OPW who has given a commitment to attend to same. ( Need to get further details from Kieran on Monday about this).
Housing Assessment
Queries were raised by Cllr. B. Manning and Cllr. S. Ó hArgáin regarding changes in procedures with regarding to housing assessment and the completion of the new housing assessment form.
In response it was decided to discuss these matter along with other issues at a separate meeting to be held on 29th March, 2005.
Planning Policy
Cllr. P. Crotty requested that John Lanigan & Nolan, Solicitors, be issued the adopted minutes of monthly meeting held on 14th February, 2005.
Mr. D. O’Brien indicated that this has been done. (Check with Town Clerk regarding the legal advice sought by the CountyManager and issued to the Members in writing. How this should be worded.)
Pollution of River Nore
Cllr. M. Lanigan requested that members be circulated with Cllr. Coonan’s reply given to Cllr. J. Coonan at a recent County Council Meeting on foot of a Notice of Motion re Purcells Inch Treatment Works. He also raised the issue of untreated waste polluting the river and appropriate action should be taken to prevent this.
Cllr. S. Ó hArgáin requested that members be given a tour of the Water Treatment Plant.
Inner Relief Road
Cllr. S. Ó hArgáin raised the issue of the Development Levy applied in planning conditions for a contribution to the Inner Relief Road. Mr. D. O’Brien stated that in addition to the general Development Contribution Scheme adopted by the members, the Planning Authority can impose a special contribution under the Planning & Development Act, 2000.
Mr. T. Walsh suggested that this matter be discussed at separate meeting arranged for 29th March, 2005.
Item No 2 – Matters brought forward by direction of the Deputy Mayor
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The members have been invited to attend St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebrations.
Kilkenny Mini Marathon
The Deputy Mayor brought to the attention correspondence received from The Carers Association regarding the proposed Kilkenny Mini Marathon in aid of the Carers Association due to take place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2nd 2005.
Condolences
The sympathy of the Borough Council was extended to the families of the following who were recently deceased:-
Joe Lacey, Keatingstown, Granges Road, Kilkenny.
Michael Andrews, 11, New Road, Kilkenny
Richard Broderick, New Building Lane, Kilkenny
Nora Lanigan, St. Francis Terrace, Kilkenny.
The resolution was then put to the meeting and respectfully passed in silence, all present standing.
Congratulations
The Deputy Mayor congratulated St. Kieran’s College on their recent success in winning the Leinster Senior Schools Hurling Final and wished best of luck to James Stephen’s GAA club in the upcoming All-Ireland Club Finals.
Cllr. S. Ó hArgáin wished to express his congratulations to the Presentation Convent Choir and St. Canice’s National School Orchestra on their recent achievements in the Arklow Feis.
Cllr. P. Cuddihy extended St. Patrick’s Day greetings to the people of Kilkenny, Minnesota, U.S.A..
Fair Trade Fortnight
The Deputy Mayor informed the members that Fair Trade Fortnight takes place from the 1st March, 2005 to 13th March, 2005, and fair trade tea and coffee was made available at the meeting courtesy of the Fair Trade Committee.
Item No. 18 Notice of Motion in the name of Councillor M. Noonan
Notice having been given, it was
Proposed by Cllr M. Noonan, seconded by Cllr. S. Ó hArgáin
And Agreed:
“That Kilkenny Borough Council welcomes the Fair Trade Campaign in Kilkenny and thereby resolves:
To promote awareness of fair trade issues, and make publicity and educational information available to local people concerning the worldwide impact of unfair trade and the opportunities that fair-trade provides to promote sustainable development.
To investigate the council’s own purchasing policies such as those of it’s suppliers and contractors and implement fair trade where possible.
To promote issues and practices amongst local businesses, commercial and other organisations.
To develop a strategy to make the council a fair trade council.
To support the Kilkenny Fairtrade City Campaign.”
Kilkenny Arts Festival
The Deputy Mayor raised the issue of the departure of the Director of the Kilkenny Arts Festival committee and questioned the impact on the holding of the festival in 2005. Cllr. P. Cuddihy expressed the wish that the current standard of the Arts Festival be upheld and that funding will be put to good use.
Litter and Pollution
Cllr. M. Fitzpatrick raised the issue of litter problems at the bottle banks stating that this should be monitored and measures taken to prevent same.
Cllr. M. Lanigan commented on the indiscriminate dumping in the laneways and the problem with graffiti.
(Check with Kieran on reply to these issues).
Item No 3 – Planning Policy & Enforcement
Scaffolding and Skips
Cllr. P. Cuddihy raised the possibility of preparing bye-laws for the parking of skips, construction of scaffolding and unsocial working hours by construction crews.
Mr. K. Fitzgerald informed the members that the erection of scaffolding is subject to licence and stated that he would investigate the queries raised regarding the location of skips.
On-Street Parking for Residents
Cllr. S. Ó hArgáin raised the issue of on-street parking for residents in James Green and Rioch Street area.
The Deputy Mayor suggested that this matter be brought up at the next Traffic Management Committee meeting.
Mr. D. O’Brien stated that amended bye-laws were prepared but not adopted and suggested that these bye-laws be circulated again for the consideration of the members.
Item No 4 – Fix date for presentation of draft L.A.P.
It was agreed to consider the presentation of the draft Local Area Plan on 14th April, 2005 and to hold the April monthly meeting on this date also.
Item No. 5 – Phase 3 of Sustaining Progress (2% increase from 1.12.2004).
Proposed by Cllr. P. Cuddihy
Seconded by Cllr. J. Cody
And Agreed.
“That Phase 3 of Sustaining Progress be implemented with effect from 1/12/2004.”
Item No. 6 – Report on Parade Toilets
Following consideration of Report prepared by Mr. K. Fitzgerald under Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 which was originally considered by the Elected Members in December 2004, it was
Proposed by Cllr. J. Cody
Seconded by Cllr. S. Ó hArgáin
And Agreed.
“That Borough Council proceed with the proposed development as outlined in Mr. Fitzgerald’s report.”
Item No. 7 – Road Works Programme 2005
Following a discussion it was
Proposed by Cllr. S. Ó hArgáin
Seconded by Cllr. J. Reidy
And Agreed.
“That the Road Works Scheme 2005 as prepared be implemented accordingly.”
Item No. 8 – Right-of-Way at Fair Green
Numerous issues were raised by the Members regarding this matter and it was felt that it should be made clear to the Health Service Executive that Kilkenny Borough Council were not willing to extinguish the Right-of-Way in this case without confirming that the Health Service Executive are prepared to come forward with a plan in consultation with the residents and all costs in relation to same will be borne by the Health Service Executive.
Mr. D. O’Brien stated that discussions have taken place with the Health Service Executive and it is his view that they are prepared to accommodate the needs of the residents and they are also clear that the extinguishing of the right-of-way will not occur unless the wishes of all the parties involved are satisfied.
Item No. 10 – Notice of Motion in the name of Cllr. A. McGuinness
Notice having been given, it was
Proposed by Cllr A. McGuinness, seconded by Cllr. S. Ó hArgáin
And Agreed:
“That Kilkenny Borough Council put in place a planned phased and structured Cycle Lane System together with a properly planned City Bus Transport System.”
Item No. 12 – Notice of Motion in the name of Cllr. J. Cody
Notice having been given, it was
Proposed by Cllr J. Cody, Seconded by Cllr. S. Ó hArgáin
And Agreed:
“That the Kilkenny Borough Council calls on the Minister for Health to introduce checks for all men over 50 to prevent prostate cancer.”
Item No. 13 – Notice of Motion in the name of Cllr. S. Ó hArgáin
Notice having been given, it was
Proposed by Cllr S. Ó hArgáin, Seconded by Cllr. J. Reidy
And Agreed:
“That the Council notes with concern, the continuing problems of extremely heavy traffic in the Old Callan Road, Kilkenny and the unacceptable speed of many of these vehicles. It further notes the considerable problems caused for residents by the parking of commercial vehicles at the junction with the main Old Callan Road. The Council will consider the placing of speed ramps in the area to restrict the speed of vehicles, particularly in the part of the road off the main road. The council will also support the placing of double yellow lines at the aforementioned junction to ensure safe access to and egress from the estate.”
It was decided to refer this issue to the Traffic Management Committee for their consideration. Cllr. J. Reidy suggested that a report be prepared on traffic calming measures in the estates in the city. Mr. K. Fitzgerald informed the Members that a design solution will be prepared and circulated to the Members.
Item No. 15 – Notice of Motion in the name of Cllr. M. Noonan
Notice having been given, it was
Proposed by Cllr. M. Noonan, Seconded by Cllr. P. Cuddihy
And Agreed
“That Kilkenny Borough Council become a signatory of the Aalborg Charter for SustainableTowns and Cities and in doing so become the first City or Town Council in Ireland to make a meaningful commitment to the principles of sustainable development.”
Item No. 16 – Notice of Motion in the name of Cllr. B. Manning
Notice having been given, it was
Proposed by Cllr. B. Manning, Seconded by Cllr. P. Cuddihy
And Agreed:
“That Kilkenny Borough Council request the executive to issue an up-to-date report on the progress made in implementing the recommendations in the Cunnane Strattan Reynolds Recreational Report in respect of 2003 – 2005.”
The Members were informed that a report will be prepared and circulated.
Item No. 17 – Notice of Motion in the name of Cllr. S. Ó hArgáin
Notice having been given, it was
Proposed by Cllr. Ó hArgáin, Seconded by Cllr. P. Cuddihy
And Agreed:
“That Kilkenny Borough Council notes the continuing high rate of violence against women in our community, and recent reports of continuing rises in both reported and unreported sexual and physical attacks on women.
This Council commends the work being done by Kilkenny Rape Crisis Centre and the Amber Womens Refuge. The Council condemns the ongoing failure of central Government to provide adequate funding to maintain these services and demands that an ongoing plan for such funding be initiated by Government immediately.”
Item No. 20 – Notice of Motion in the name of Cllr. J. Cody
Notice having been given, it was
Proposed by Cllr. J. Cody, Seconded by Cllr. A. McGuinness
And Agreed:
“That Kilkenny Borough council fully accepts the signed statement provided by Councillor John Brennan, Seamus Pattison, T.D., Phil Hogan, T.D., John McGuinness, T.D., Liam Aylward, M.E.P., Senator Fergal Brown, Former Councillor Martin Carroll and other who were also in attendance, that at a meeting on 12th December, 2002, Ms. Mary Harney, T.D., then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, made a clear and unambiguous commitment to the workforce of Comerama, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, regarding their entitlements under new redundancy payments legislation.
Kilkenny Borough Council notes that on the basis of Ms. Harney’s assurance the Comerama workforce agreed terms and dates for their redundancy which caused them to lose approximately €900,000 because Ms. Harney’s commitment were not honoured.
The Borough Council calls upon the current Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D., to enter into immediate negotiations with ex-Comerama worker’s representatives with a view to agreeing a mechanism to address their loss.”
Conferences
It was agreed that Cllr. M. Fitzpatrick would attend the Breaking Through 6th Annual conference in the Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin on 11th and 12th April, 2005. (Brian thinks that Cllr. J. Cody is going to this conference also).
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Signed:______
MAYOR
Date:______