Minutes: May 2005
May 9th, 2005MINUTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF MONTHLY MEETING OF LETTERKENNY TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES ON MONDAY 9TH MAY, 2005 AT 7.00 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Cllr. D. Larkin, Town Mayor, Cllr. D. Blake, Cllr. C. Brogan, Cllr. J. Lynch, Cllr. J. Harte, Cllr. N. Clarke, Cllr. J. Crossan, Cllr. V. Fisher and Cllr. G. Mc Monagle
OFFICIALS PRESENT: M. Mc Loone, County Manager
P. Doherty, Town Clerk
F. Friel, Asst. Town Clerk
M. Mc Fadden, Town Engineer
F. Sweeney, Area Manager Planning
R. Diver, Planning
VOTE OF SYMPATHY
The Town Mayor, Cllr. D. Larkin, expressed a vote of sympathy to the family of the late Gaye Moynihan and to the huge loss to the Council. The Members in turn paid their tributes with the County Manager, M. Mc Loone stating that Gaye was a real friend and colleague and would be sadly missed by all.
The Town Mayor also expressed a vote of sympathy to Cllr. C. Brogan on the recent death of his Grandmother, Maggie Brogan, to the Curran Family on the death of Sean Curran, to Harry & Teddy Blaney on the death of their Sister Nancy, to Tom Curran on the death of his mother Nora and to the family of the late Kathleen Mc Daid.
A minutes silence was observed.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
On the proposal of Cllr. N. Clarke seconded by Cllr. C. Brogan the Minutes of adjourned Monthly Meeting held on 11th April, 2005 were adopted by the Members.
On the proposal of Cllr. N. Clarke seconded by Cllr. C. Brogan the Minutes of reconvened monthly meeting held on 12th April, 2005 were adopted by the Members with amendment made as requested by Cllr. J. Lynch to include the names of those who opposed material contraventions in relation to planning application L180/04.
PRESENTATION – ONE TOUCH IRELAND
The Town Mayor, Cllr. D. Larkin welcomed Declan & Adrian Brennan of One Touch Ireland. Adrian Brennan gave a presentation of their product outlining the benefits to tourists which included list of hotels, B & B’s, restaurants, tourists activities etc. A brief discussion followed with the Members welcoming this system stating that same was user friendly and vital for the North West Region.
MANAGER’S ORDERS
Orders made by the County Manager since the date of the last were noted by the Members. Cllr. N. Clarke queries the no. of taxi licences being issued with P. Doherty, Town Clerk advising the Members that a reply had been received from the Department and that same would be circulated to the Members.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Town Clerk, P. Doherty advised the Members of correspondence received from Mr. Pat Harvey conveying his thanks for the Civic Reception hosted on 4th April, 2005.
The Town Clerk, P. Doherty advised the Members of correspondence received from Mr. Louis Reilly, Secretary, Letterkenny Lawn Bowling Club thanking the Council for their generous support to the Club during the recent visit of the Springside Bowling Club from Ayr in Scotland.
The Town Clerk advised the Members of a Conference entitled “Media Skills Seminar for Councillors� to be held in Arklow Bay Hotel, Arklow, Co. Wicklow on Saturday 21st May, 2005. The Members having been advised of the cost of attending agreed that 2 Members should attend and that the names be drawn by lot. The names drawn on this occasion were Cllr. D. Larkin and Cllr. G. Mc Monagle.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Frank Sweeney, Area Planner introduced Ms. Ruth Diver as Town Planner for Letterkenny. The Members welcomed Ruth and wished her well in her new post.
Planning applications received since the date of the last meeting were noted by the Members.
MAYOR’S BUSINESS
The Town Mayor, Cllr. D. Larkin congratulated Joanne Sweeney on her new post as C.E.O. of Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce and it was agreed that a letter be sent to Joanne in this regard.
The Town Mayor, Cllr. D. Larkin asked that the current situation with Travellers at Letterkenny Business Park be rectified as a matter of urgency. The Town Clerk.
P. Doherty advised the Members that he accompanied 2 Gardai last week to serve Notice on the family in question to move to site available for them in Buncrana. However, the family have still not moved and the Council were therefore now proceeding with Court Injunction.
The Town Mayor, Cllr. D. Larkin outlined his concerns in relation to the current state of Letterkenny Mart Site and asked that a formal response be issued to the Mart Committee with regard to their correspondence.
FIXING OF DATE FOR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
On the proposal of Cllr. C. Brogan seconded by Cllr. D. Larkin it was agreed that the Annual General Meeting of Letterkenny Town Council be held on 30th June, 2005.
APPROVAL OF OVERDRAFT ACCOMMODATION
On the proposal of Cllr. C. Brogan seconded by Cllr. G. Mc Monagle the Members approved overdraft accommodation in the sum of €2.5m to 31st December, 2005.
AUDITORS REPORT – YEAR ENDING 31.12.03
The Members considered the Auditors Report for Letterkenny Town Council for financial year ending 31st December, 2003. The Members also paid tribute to Thomas O’Callaghan, Local Government Auditor and wished him well in his new post in Ennis. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Mr. O’Callaghan in this regard.
TOURISM FLAGSHIP PROJECT
In answer to his question Cllr. D. Larkin was advised that the Council have not yet received a reply to correspondence of 3rd March, 2005 which requested an update on our application for funding. Cllr. D. Larkin asked that the Council write again in this regard.
ROUNDABOUT BALLYRAINE/GORTLEE
In answer to his question Cllr. D. Larkin was advised that the expected completion date for the Roundabout at Ballyraine/Gortlee is August 2005.
FOOTPATHS
In answer to their questions Cllr. D. Larkin and Cllr. J. Crossan were advised that Donegal County Council have advised that works are due to commence in three weeks on the new footpaths from Fairway houses to incorporate the County Council works for the Tara Court Road.
HOUSES AT BALLYBOE
In answer to his question Cllr. G. Mc Monagle was advised that the contracts in respect of these works are currently being signed with a view to having works commenced within 2 weeks.
PADDY HARTE LOOP ROAD AND PEARSE ROAD
In answer to his question Cllr. G. Mc Monagle was advised that the kerbing works in respect of the Paddy Harte Road footpath are currently ongoing. Improvement works to the Rosemount/Pearse Road junction will commence following completion of these footpaths.
MART COMMITTEE
In answer to his question Cllr. G. Mc Monagle was advised that the Council have contacted the Mart Committee requesting them to secure and make safe the premises.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING – PADDY HARTE ROAD
In answer to his question Cllr. J. Harte was advised that a pelican crossing will be installed by the Developer adjacent to Argos as part of a new entrance from Atlantic Homecare to Paddy Harte Road. A second pelican crossing will be installed by Donegal County Council to facilitate the Cinema following these works.
TOWN PARK – OPPORTUNITY SITE
In answer to his question Cllr. J. Harte was advised that the Council were presented with 4 no. Masterplans at the December 2004 Monthly Meeting as required by the zoning contained in the Letterkenny & Environs Development Plan 2003-2009. At the said meeting the Council approved Masterplan No. 4 which would be the basis submission of a formal planning application.
FOOTPATHS – HIGH ROAD
In answer to his question Cllr. J. Harte was advised that following the recent footpath audit carried out by the Council, the Council are currently investigating funding options to carry out the required works.
BALLYRAINE JUNCTION
In answer to her question Cllr. J. Crossan was advised that there have been no claims against this Council arising from accidents at the Ballyraine junction.
PORT ROUNDABOUT – CENTRE ISLAND
In answer to her question, Cllr. J. Crossan was advised that the commission for centrepiece has been awarded and it is expected that works would commence before the end of this month.
LETTERKENNY REUNION
In answer to his question Cllr. N. Clarke was advised that there was no budgetary provision included as part of the 2005 Budget.
MANHOLE COVERS
In answer to his question Cllr. N. Clarke was advised that the repair of manholes is part of the current programme and will be attended to in due course.
PLACE NAMES – NAMING OF ESTATES
In answer to his question Cllr. N. Clarke was advised that new housing development applicants are being conditioned that prior to occupation of any houses in a scheme that the developer shall agree the name of the Estate with the Donegal Placenames Committee. Heretofore, the Developer had sole responsibility for naming of schemes.
COMMUNITY/LIAISON OFFICER
Cllr. D. Larkin proposed that this Council employ a Community/Liaison Officer to work with our Tenants and Community Groups in Letterkenny. On proposing the motion Cllr. D. Larkin outlined that a Community Officer could liaise with the Letterkenny CDP and with the Gardai and bring a community spirit back. This motion was seconded by Cllr. J. Harte.
The Town Clerk P. Doherty, advised the Members that as part of the 2005 Budget approval was given to the funding of an economic development of €20,000 in co-funding with Donegal County Council and it would be hoped that same would commence by the end of the Summer.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING – POST OFFICE
Cllr. D Larkin proposed that we now, once and for all identify and put in place a pedestrian crossing on Letterkenny Main Street. On proposing the motion Cllr. D. Larkin outlined that in light of previous motions passes that we must identify the Post Office area as a pedestrian crossing point especially for the elderly and disabled. This motion was seconded by Cllr. J. Harte. M. Mc Fadden, Town Engineer advised the Members that a report had previously be given in relation to pedestrian crossing, however that he would look into the matter and report back. Cllr. D. Larkin asked that the matter remain on the Agenda until resolved.
MART SITE
Cllr. J. Harte proposed that this Council keep the zoning of the Old Mart site as an Opportunity Site as outlined in the Letterkenny & Environs Development Plan 2003-2009. On proposing the motion Cllr. J. Harte outlined the concerns of residence in the area and asked that the site be developed sensitively and an opportunity to acquire an area for parking and tourism. This motion was seconded by Cllr. G. Mc Monagle. A brief discussion followed with Members outlining their concerns re the safety and unsightly state of the site. M. Mc Loone, County Manager advised the Members that the zoning of the site is protected by the Development Plan and that it is a reserved function of the Councillors to change. He further outlined to the Members that he would talk to the Town Clerk re the various issues surrounding this site and revert back to the Members.
GORTLEE JUNCTION
On the proposal of Cllr. J. Crossan seconded by Cllr. J. Harte, it was agreed that the Council re-visit the junction at Gortlee with a view to erecting another set of traffic lights similar to those positioned at the bottom of Ashlawn. On proposing the motion Cllr. J. Crossan asked that consideration be given to the positioning of lights opposite Gortlee Road. A brief discussion followed with the Town Engineer, M. Mc Fadden advising the Members that he would look into the matter and revert back.
BALLYMACOOL TERRACE – PARKING BAYS
On the proposal of Cllr. N. Clarke seconded by Cllr. J. Lynch it was agreed that the Council repairing the parking bays along Ballymacool Terrace.
FLEADH CHEOIL
Cllr. N. Clarke proposed that we make the town’s hosting of the Fleadh Cheoil by installing 3 musicians chairs in an appropriate place in the Town. On proposing the motion Cllr. N. Clarke outlined that these chairs would be a memorial of the Fleadh and that same could be position at An Grianan or Courthouse. The motion was seconded by Cllr. D. Blake who also proposed that a plaque in memory of the Fleadh be erected.
BUDGET FOR CONFERENCES
Cllr. N. Clarke proposed that we reduce the budget for conferences overseas, travel etc (by 10%) and add the money to the Members fund for community development.
A brief discussion followed with the Town Mayor, Cllr. D. Larkin asking that the Members Development Fund be increased in the 2006 Budget by €500.
This concluded the business of the Meeting.