Minutes of Clones Town Council monthly meeting which was held on Monday 24th October 2011 at 8.00 p.m. in Clones Town Council Chamber Monaghan Street, Clones.
MEMBERS PRESENT: The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Yvonne Newell presided.
The following members were also present: -
Cllrs. Pat Treanor, Deirdre Kelly, Aidan Sheerin, Peter McAleer, Ross Mealiff and Peter Mulligan.
Apologies:-
Cllrs:- Nial Quigley and Anna Rooney.
IN ATTENDANCE: - Geraldine Killen, Town Clerk.
Apologies:-
Adge King, Town Manager,
John McKernan Town Engineer.
1. SYMPATHY:
The Members extended a Vote of Sympathy to the families on the death of the following:
· Lorcan Kelly McCurtain Street, Clones
· Barney McBride, Corraghy, Clones
· Kathleen Heffernan formerly from Clones
· Eamon Kelly, Clonkeenlucas, Clones.
· John O’Brien McCurtain Street.
· Edith Irwin, Magheraveely mother of Albert Irwin
GOOD WISHES AND CONGRATULATIONS:
The Members congratulated the following :-
· Canal Capers Festival Committee on a very successful Festival.
Good Wishes extended to:-
· Good luck to the Forum on the Pride of Place awards.
· Owen Bannigan who is ill at present.
· Sheila McKenna who is in hospital.
· Mick Duffy’s son who was injured in a car accident.
Arising from the Minutes:-
Members noted the website was currently being updated. Cllr Treanor asked if there would be a link into the Monaghan County Council website. He also asked that the Irish language be included.
Members noted a letter from Director of Corporate Affairs stating that he would put the Members request to include funds for the renovation of the Old Library Building in Clones to the Corporate Policy Committee for consideration for the budget in 2012.
The members noted the dividend due to the Council in 2011 would be discussed with them.
2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on 26th September 2011.
The Members agreed the Minutes on the proposal of Cllr. Kelly seconded by Cllr. Treanor.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Minister for Finance. Letter acknowledging receipt of Councils letter regarding the tenant purchase Schemes. The Members noted that time was short for tenants on the schemes and asked that a reminder issue asking for a reply as a matter of urgency and asking them to extend the scheme while looking at the difficulties involved for tenants on Social Welfare.
Minister for Health. Members noted contents of letter dated 6th October 2011. Discussion took place on it and on the meeting recently held with the HSE representatives. It was agreed to write to Bridget Clarke asking where the savings where made and how much was due to management savings.
It was also agreed to write to Sean Conlon TD asking if he had met with the Minister for Health.
Kilkee Town Council. Notice of Motion dated 29th September read as follows:-
“That Kilkee Town Council calls on the Minister for Education to Review the dates that primary and secondary schools reopen at the end of summer to begin the new school year”
This was marked read on the proposal of Cllr Mulligan seconded by Cllr. Mealiff.
Ballybay Town Council. Notice of Motion dated 3rd October 2011 read as follows:-
“At the September meeting of Ballybay Town Council the members requested that I write to the Minster for Transport regarding the retention of the driver licensing section in Monaghan and to write to the other councils in the county for their support. Please see a copy of the letter to the minister attached for your attention” This was supported on the proposal of Cllr. Treanor seconded by Cllr. Newell.
Castlebar Town Council. Notice of Motion dated 14th October 2011 read as follows:-
"That Castlebar Town Council supports the naming of the new National Children's Hospital as the 'Kathleen Lynn National Children's Hospital" It was agreed to mark this “read” on the proposal of Cllr Newell seconded by Cllr. Kelly.
Tipperary Town Council. Notice of Motion dated 14th October 2011 read as follows:- “That this Council call on the Oireachtas Members and our fellow County Councillors to take whatever action is necessary to save our Town Councils. If the Motion is adopted it is to be circulated to all Local Authorities for support.” This was supported on the proposal of Cllr Treanor seconded by Cllr. McAleer.
Castlebar Town Council Notice of Motion which read as follows:- “that this Council calls on the Government to carry out a total review of the Rates system in view of the substantial amount of money struck off by local authorities for 2010 and taking into consideration the very difficult financial circumstances many businesses now find themselves in. If this motion is adopted I request that it be circulated to all the Mayo TDs and to all other local authorities”. This was supported on the proposal of Cllr. Treanor seconded by Cllr. Mulligan.
The Members noted the difficulty for rate payers and Cllr Mealiff highlighted the fact that the ESB, Energia, and other energy providers were now quoting the same price and that there would be an 18% increase in 2012.
Donegal County Council.
This was supported on the proposal of Cllr. Treanor seconded by Cllr. Mealiff.
Killarney Town Council – Notice of Motion dated 15th September 2011 read as follows:-
“That we Killarney Town Council would write to An Taoiseach and appropriate Ministers expressing our concerns regarding the proposed series of cuts to fuel and household allowances relating to pensioners, carers and the unemployed which were recently announced. The €65m saved will come at a price, and that price is going to be paid by some of the most vulnerable in our society who will be left struggling and at risk during the winter months. Meanwhile at the other end of the scale fuel costs have increased dramatically, i.e. gas, ESB, coal and oil.” This was supported on the proposal of Cllr. Kelly seconded by Cllr. Newell.
AMAI. The Members were circulated with the newsletter.
Cllr Mealiff asked that a meeting be organised to discuss Local Government. The meeting to take place in Clones on a day that suits the Oireachtas Members and Tom Ryan from the AMAI. It was agreed that Cllr. Mealiff and Newell would coordinate the date with the Oireachtas members and Tom Ryan and letters would issue to the 5 Chairs of each Local Authority plus their 2 delegates.
The suggested date was 7th November 2011 at 4.00 p.m.
Approval to Overdraft for 12 month period ending 30th November 2012 for an amount of up to €1,000,000 (one million euro).
This was agreed on the proposal of Cllr Mealiff seconded by Cllr Kelly subject to the bank not charging for the facility while we were not overdrawn.
JPC Agenda.
Cllr Mealiff stated that a number of Gardai were greatly reduced in the Clones Station and this was something that should be addressed at the JPC meeting. He suggested that this be placed on the Agenda and that the Chief Superintendant be invited to attend. This was agreed.
NOTICE OF MOTION.
Cllr Kelly proposed that Standing Orders be suspended in order to discuss her Notice of Motion. This was seconded by Cllr. Newell and agreed.
The Motion read as follows:-
“That Clones Town Council call on the Minister for Justice /Garda Commissioner to reinstate the unmarked Garda car to Clones and to put in place legislation to address the anomaly that exists regarding the access by Garda to Drummully.”
This was seconded by Cllr. Treanor and agreed.
The Members also asked that this item be placed on the agenda for the JPC meeting also. “Return of unmarked car to Clones”
Other business.
The Cathaoirleach circulated a draft letter she intended issuing to all households in Clones regarding litter and keeping Clones Tidy. It was agreed that this would be
e-mailed to the Councillors first and any changes they wish to make they could do so with final draft going to the next meeting.
The Cathaoirleach explained she intended asking the youth involved in the John Paul Awards to distribute same.
Minutes of Meeting held with the Oireachtas Members to discuss the reduced hours at Minor Injuries unit in Monaghan Hospital.
The Minutes were agreed and signed on the proposal of Cllr. McAleer seconded by Cllr. Newell.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Signed: ______Date: ______
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24th October 2011 - Monthly Meeting.