Ballyshannon Town Council - Minutes June 2010
MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING 1st JUNE 2010 –MEMBERS CHAMBER, BALLYSHANNON TOWN COUNCIL, BALLYSHANNON AT 6.30 P.M
In attendance: Cllr. Eugene Dolan (Cathaoirleach), Cllr. John Meehan, Cllr. Brendan Travers, Cllr. Rosaleen Branley, Cllr. Phonsie Travers, Cllr. Pat O’Malley, Cllr. Billy Grimes, Cllr. Brendan Gallagher, Cllr. Val Murray, Mr. Liam Ward (Town Manager) and Ms. Mary Daly (Town Clerk).
Officials: Mr. Peadar Thomas, Area Manager, Roads Section, Donegal County Council and Mr. Paul Lyons, Engineer, WEE Section, Donegal County Council.
Press: Mr. Michael Daly (Donegal Democrat), Ms. Elaine McGee (Ocean Fm)
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The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Eugene Dolan welcomed all present and officially opened the meeting.
1.
Minutes of previous meeting – Tuesday, 4th May 2010:
The minutes of the previous meeting held Tuesday 4th May were adopted on the proposal of Cllr. Phonsie Travers and seconded by Cllr. Billy Grimes.
2.
Matters arising from Minutes:
The Town Clerk circulated a follow-up report from the last meeting (Appendix 1).
It was agreed to discuss all roads and sewerage issues with the relevant officials as outlined on the agenda.
Cllr. Phonsie Travers enquired where had the Dog Fouling signs been erected. The Town Clerk stated that one was erected at the Mall Park and one at the Fair Green. The Town Clerk stated that more signs were on order. The Town Clerk stated that she had spoken with Leixlip Town Council who recently purchased bio-degradable ‘dog doo bags’ as a means of educating dog owners as to their responsibility for the environment and suggested that this is an area that this Council could explore. It was agreed that the PR committee would meet to discuss the possibility of holding an open day, whereby, the public could collect some of these bags from the Town Council and in doing so, raise awareness in people’s mindset about the issue of dog fouling.
3.
Ballyshannon Sewerage Scheme:
Mr. Paul Lyons, Executive Engineer, Donegal County Council outlined an up-to-date report on the Ballyshannon Sewerage Scheme, explaining that the scheme was nearing completion and that applications for connections were now being processed. The Council’s connection fee would be €285.00. Mr. Lyons also outlined the proposed permanent road reinstatement plans.
Questions from members were answered after Mr. Lyons had finished his report.
Cllr. Dolan and Cllr. Phonsie Travers thanked Mr. Lyons for attending the meeting and for his very detailed report.
4.
Roads Issues:
Mr. Peadar Thomas, Area Manager, Roads Section, Donegal County Council outlined his expenditure budget for Ballyshannon Streets for 2010, totalling €80,000 for resurfacing and €66,000 (ex-Town Commissioner Towns Grant) for footpaths. Mr. Thomas explained that the number of outdoor roads workers for the area had decreased from 17 (3 years ago) to 11 at present and that this had a very real knock-on effect on the amount of work done.
Mr. Thomas stated that extra street cleaning would be carried out this weekend for the Rory Gallagher Festival with 2 extra men and a street cleaner on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Mr. Thomas stated that the extra revenues collected through Pay and Display allowed for this extra expenditure and that the same would be in effect for the Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Festival.
Cllr. Brendan Gallagher called for signs to be erected indicating the ‘Gael Scoil’.
Cllr. Phonsie Travers requested that Portnason area in particular be treated with weed killer, as it was an approach road into the town. Cllr. Rosaleen Branley stated that the Regeneration Group were in the process of tiding up these weeds. Cllr. Branley requested an extra bin for Saimer Drive and speed ramps for Saimer Drive.
Cllr. Phonsie Travers requested that a bin be placed in Allingham Park.
Cllr. Meehan called for a bin down at the footbridge, opposite Sweeny’s.
Cllr. O’Malley requested that extra bollards and a chain be erected outside of Ferguson Jewellers on the Diamond. Cllr. O’Malley also requested information in relation to the junction at St. Benildus/Knather Road and about the proposed parking bays for the two residents at this junction. It was agreed to invite the NRDO to the next meeting for an update.
Cllr. Billy Grimes asked if there could be overall review of the bins in the town, as some areas need larger bins where some of the smaller bins could be moved to other locations, also some were in need of repair and ‘facelifts’.
Cllr. Gallagher asked Mr. Thomas if the footpath at Coolcholly could be extended up to the roundabout. Mr. Thomas stated that this area could be included in the next grant allocation for footpaths if the members wished.
Cllr. Murray requested a new zebra crossing between the Bus Stop and the Swimming Pool as large numbers of children crossed in this area going down to the pool.
Cllr. Phonsie Travers asked for an update on the Traffic Management Plan for the Town. It was agreed to seek an update from Road Design in Lifford for the next meeting.
5. Managers Orders:
The Town Clerk presented the following Order for noting by members:
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Payment of the Scheme of Arts Grants 2010
The payment of the Scheme of Arts Grants 2010, as agreed by the sub-committee, was proposed by Cllr. Phonsie Travers and seconded by Cllr. Billy Grimes.
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Abbey Centre Report – March to May 2010
The report from the Abbey Centre for the period March to May 2010, as circulated to members, was noted.
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Date for A.G.M.:
On the proposal of Cllr. Phonsie Travers and seconded by Cllr. Eugene Dolan it was agreed to hold the Annual General Meeting of Ballyshannon Town Council on Tuesday 22nd June 2010 at 6.30 p.m.
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Motions:
‘That this Council demand that An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, T.D., Brian Lenihan, T.D., Minister for Finance and the Government provide a financial aid package or relief’s for residential mortgage holders and S.M.E.’s (small and medium enterprises) who find themselves through no fault of their own, having great difficulty meeting their financial commitments at this time’ – submitted by Castleblayney Town Council
Noted
‘That this Council calls on Brian Lenihan, T.D., Minister for Finance to explore the possibility of re-examining the basis on which rates are levied by Local Authorities on commercial properties throughout the country’ – submitted by Monaghan Town Council
Noted
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Correspondence:
The following correspondence was noted:
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Ann McGowan, Secretary, Lower Erne Dale Residents Association.
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Rehab Donegal Person of the Year Awards 2010
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Ballyshannon North West Hospice Support Group
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John Rooney, Chairman Aodh Ruadh Juvenile Hurling Committee
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Saimer Community Childcare
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‘See Change’ – Ireland’s new national programme, to reduce the stigma associated with mental health problems. Cllr. Meehan called on all members to do the A.S.S.I.S.T. course in September.
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Jim Kane, Painting Contractor – Northern Ireland Contractors. Mr. Liam Ward, A/Director of Housing agreed to report back to the next meeting in this regard.
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Letters from Second Year Students Colaiste Chomcille, Ballyshannon in relation to recent comments made by Cllrs. Dolan and O’Malley.
After much debate in relation to this issue it was proposed by Cllr. Billy Grimes to send an invitation to the students or representatives of the students along with their teacher and principal to meet the members and to discuss the issues raised. Cllr. Phonsie Travers seconded this proposal.
That concluded the business of the meeting.
Appendix One:
Ballyshannon Town Council Follow Up Report – June 2010
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Date
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Issue
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Follow Up Response
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May 2010
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Ballyshannon Sewerage Scheme
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Paul Lyons, Engineer will be in attendance to answer members questions
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May 2010
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Roads Issues
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Mr. Peadar Thomas, Area Manager, Roads Section will attend at 6pm for workshop with members and will attend meeting
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May 2010
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Dog Fouling Signs
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Signs have been erected in the Mall Park and Fair Green
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May 2010
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Public Toilets cleaning
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Toilets have now been intensively cleaned
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May 2010
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Road Safety Presentation
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Requested Mr. Eamonn Browne, Road Safety Officer to make contact with the school
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May 2010
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Arts Grants
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Manager’s Order to follow for allocations
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Ongoing
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Sign for Tirconnaill Street
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Sign has now been agreed and is on order
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May 2010
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Lights at Zebra Crossing (Maggies)
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Lights are now working
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