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NAAS TOWN COUNCILMinutes of the Naas Town Council Monthly Meeting held on 20th January 2009 in the Town Hall, Naas, Co Kildare at 7.00 pm

Attendance:   Cllr. S. Moore, (in the Chair),
   Cllr. W. Callaghan,
   Cllr. P. Behan,
   Cllr. A. Creevey,
   Cllr. P. Clear
   Cllr. D. Scully,
   Cllr. P. McCarthy,  
   Cllr. M. Glennon,
   Cllr. J. J. Power.
    
In attendance:  Mr. E. O Sullivan, Town Manager,
Mr. K. Kavanagh, Town Clerk   
Mr. C. Flynn, Town Engineer,
Ms. M. Mc Carthy, Administrative Officer.

1. To consider Manager’s Orders and Planning Applications received since last Monthly Meeting (7:00 – 7:30pm in committee).

The Members discussed the increase in Town Hall fees. The Town Clerk advised that it was important that the cost for the Town Hall should reflect the realistic running costs of the venue including the availability of the caretaker, lighting and heating costs. It was also necessary to review users of the venue in order to make the most efficient use of the Town Hall. Mr. Kavanagh also noted that every effort would be made to try minimise disruption when the universal access to the Town Hall  got underway. The Town Engineer noted that the Part 8 should be brought before the Members at the March monthly meeting.

Cllr. Clear advised the meeting that there had been a serious accident on the Dublin Road at the racecourse junction and that action needed to be taken as a matter of priority. The Town Engineer advised that it had been planned to improve the junction as part of the Ring Road scheme however there may be other options available in the meantime.

The Mayor and Members extended their sympathy to Cllr. Willie Callaghan and the Callaghan family on the death of Cllr. Callaghan’s mother Aileen Callaghan.

Cllr. Callaghan thanked the Members for all their best wishes on behalf of himself and his family. Mr. Callaghan also paid his respects to the Doyle family on the passing of Tommy Doyle, a former staff member of Naas Town Council.

The Members agreed to take the deputation from the Mercy Convent Parent’s Council at this stage of the meeting

5. To receive a Deputation from the Parents Council, Mercy Convent Primary School.
 
 The Mayor welcomed the deputation from the Mercy Convent Primary school comprising of Sheila Hannon, Ber Gielnik and William O Donovan. The deputation expressed their concerns for the safety of the 800 children going to the school. The deputation requested that Naas Town Council call for Kildare County Council to progress safety plans for the area immediately. The deputation asked that adequate signage alerting motorists of “school ahead” be erected immediately, reduced speed limits at school times should be implemented immediately, safe parking should be made available for buses, safer drop off zones should be created.

 The Mayor thanked the deputation for the presentation and advised that the Members would discuss the issues at a later meeting. Cllr. Mc Carthy thanked the deputation for the clear presentation and noted that their submission to the traffic management plan had suggested a one way system for the area.

Cllr. Callaghan acknowledged that the Members were supportive of deputation’s presentation and would work with the official to address the problem. Cllr. Callaghan also noted that parents of children attending the school also had an onus to act responsibly when dropping their children to school. Cllr. Callaghan considered that a staggered bus drop schedule would be of assistance. Cllr. Callaghan also considered that €80 per month per child to pay for the bus was an extraordinary price to pay. 

Cllr. Clear thanked the deputation for making the presentation to the Members and considered that a clearway was a good idea and could be implemented easily. Cllr. Scully considered that the Naas Town Council would support the installation of a pelican crossing but noted that funding would be difficult to come by in the current economic climate.

Cllr. Power noted that there was a bus bay outside Mc Donalds and enquired whether that would be near enough to drop school children. Cllr. Power also noted the multi car park was available for free for fifteen minutes for parents to drop off children. Cllr Glennon considered that the entire area needed to be reviewed and noted that the driving habits of people in the area was unpredictable. Cllr Creevey was supportive of the proposals that would enhance child safety and considered that there were a number of practical thing that could be done to improve safety.

Cllr. Behan thanked the deputation for making the presentation available to members in advance and enquired whether any further thought could be given to staggered school opening times? 

The Town Manager considered that the Road Safety Officer of Kildare County Council would have some options for the schools including educating children and parents, promoting safety and creating awareness of the difficulties in the area. The Mayor considered that the Members of Naas Town Council should also get reports from the Gardai, the Safety Officer and the Audit from Kildare Council.

2. To consider minutes of

(i)  December Monthly Meeting held on 16th December 2008 

The minutes were proposed by Cllr. Callaghan and seconded by Cllr. Behan and agreed by the meeting.

(ii)  Statutory Budget Meeting held on 18th December 2008.

The minutes were proposed by Cllr. Clear and seconded by Cllr. Power and agreed by the meeting.

Cllr. Mc Carthy queried why one of his motions had appeared on a supplementary agenda and considered that it was not for the Mayor to decide what motions were on or off the agenda. The Mayor considered that the Members were mistaken in thinking that the Mayor had a role in the motion not appearing on the original agenda. The Town Manager advised the Members that it was his responsibility that the item had not appeared on the initial agenda as he had some concerns regarding the motion and that the Mayor had only been involved as a matter of courtesy. The Manager apologised for any offence caused to Mr. Mc Carthy.

3. Request from Commissioner for Taxi Regulation seeking views on temporary taxi ranks.

The Town Clerk advised the Members that the Taxi Regulator was looking for views on allowing loading bays to be used as temporary taxi ranks. Cllr. Callaghan considered that the concept was a good one but had reservations of the initiative working in Naas. Cllr. Callaghan considered that the taxi drivers were displaying a lack of respect for the public and noted that from Thursday to Sunday drivers were parking two abreast in the bays at Market Square.

Cllr. Scully considered that it was a good opportunity for the Town Council to write to the Taxi regulator about the Naas experience. Cllr. Scully considered that too many licenses were being handed out for Naas . Cllr. Glennon considered the entire area needed to be regulated including the number of cars at Market Square and the aggressive bahaviour of the drivers. 

Cllr. Mc Carthy considered that the parking bays and spaces in the Town were needed and considered that there were too many taxis in Naas. Cllr. Clear considered that the Poplar Square area of the town also needed to be looked at and noted that taxis were parking around the corner onto the Sallins Road . Cllr. Power considered that we should let the market decide how many taxis were needed. Cllr. Power also considered that the Gardai should deal with any parking irregularities.  Cllr. Moore noted that taxis were parking on the Hazelmere Road and the Crossings garage waiting for calls to pick up passengers. Cllr. Moore considered that the Regulator should be asked to contact the Gardai. Cllr. Moore also asked the Town Clerk to look at the use of loading bays at night.

Cllr. Glennon noted that the Town Council had agreed to encourage other users to use the loading bays once the loading bay times had expired. The Town Engineer noted of the three ranks in the town, there were problems with two, Poplar Square and Market Square. The Town Engineer expressed concerns at how a queue system would work if the bays were also used, who would carry enforcement after 6.30pm and considered more thought was needed on the issue. 

4. To consider Meetings Calendar 2009.

Cllr. Moore suggested that the Members could use the progress meeting at the end of April to give a progress report on the Sub Committees that they were Members of. The Members agreed to discuss the matter further at the next Protocol meeting. The Town Clerk advised Members that he had removed the Signage and Skateboard meetings from June onwards as the work of the sub committee should be completed at that stage. The Town Clerk also advised that he had included a slot for the Joint Policing Committee. Cllr. Clear advised that the Twinning meetings were held on the last Monday of each month.

6. To note Progress Report (circulated).

The progress report was noted by the Members

7. To consider Housing Progress Report for quarter ended 31st December 2008 (to be circulated).

Cllr. Clear noted that an apartment accepted in the previous report was being offered again and requested an update. Cllr. Behan commented on the level of single male applicants on the list and considered that something needed to be done. Cllr. Moore enquired about whether Part V was working. The Manager noted that there were challenging decisions to be made and advised the Members that he would get back to them.

8. To note reports from Conferences.

There no reports on conferences.

9. To note reports from Sub-Committees  

Allotments
Cllr. Power noted that he and the Town Engineer had to discuss the matter further.

Anti Litter
Cllr Moore noted that the IBAL report had cited that the approach roads into the town required attention and Naas Town Council required the assistance of the County Council to improve this area. Cllr. Moore also thanked the Resident’s Associations for all their help during the year in the clean ups.

Festival
There was no report from the Festivals committee

Signage
Cllr. Behan noted that some of the signs that needed to be changed had been corrected. Cllr. Behan also noted that work had started on the Town Trails project.

Skateboard
The Town Engineer advised the there were three tenders shortlisted for the project. The Town Engineer also noted that the matching funding from Kildare County Council had yet to be confirmed. Mr, Flynn considered that the Part 8 could be progressed by March/April  with the sod being turned in May/June as soon as the funding matter was clarified.

Intercultural Forum
Cllr. Moore advised the members that the Town Manager was working on getting the Intercultural Forum joined with an existing equality group.

The Town Manager advised that the Equality Team for Kildare Local Authorities were working on an equality project and there were opportunities to link both the project and the forum.

10. To consider Notice of Motion.

Submitted by Cllr. W. Callaghan.

(a) “That Naas Town Council agree to implement a one way system in St. Michael’s Terrace”.

The motion was proposed by Cllr. Callaghan and seconded by Cllr. Behan.
The members considered the report by the Town Clerk whereby the Town Engineer advised that there were no engineering reasons why the proposal wouldn’t work but that the various options should be modelled.

Cllr requested welcomed the response from the Town Clerk and enquired how soon the project could proceed. The Town Engineer advised that a public consultation process would have to be undertaken first and a decision made on the optimum direction that the traffic should travel. Cllr. Behan considered that the project should proceed but appreciated that there were difficulties involved. Cllr. Power requested that all residents be contacted to asses their preference. Cllr. Glennon noted that traffic were using the outside lane to travel down the Kilcullen Road and then whip across in front of traffic to go down St. Michael’s Terrace. Cllr. Creevey supported the motion and agreed that all the residents should be contacted first. Cllr. Mc Carthy asked whether a cul de sac the road at Rathasker could be also looked at.

It was agreed to take Cllr. Mc Carthy’s motion from the supplementary agenda at this stage of the meeting.

Submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy.

(a) “That we write to the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland to express our dismay over the recent attacks by Israeli forces on innocent civilians in Gaza”.
 
The motion was proposed by Cllr. Mc Carthy and seconded by Cllr. Glennon.

Cllr. Mc Carthy considered that the Israeli forces had taken a disproportionate response to the Hamas rockets being fired into Israel. Cllr. Glennon noted that many Israeli residents also condemned the action by the Israeli forces and that it was important to add the voice of the Town Council. Cllr. Scully considered that it was a difficult situation and that there were two sides to the conflict and considered that the Members should deal with local issues.

Cllr. Behan considered that the conflict had been ongoing for years and expressed concern at the influence that Naas Town Council could assert into the debate. Cllr. Creevey considered that the Members had a democratic mandate from the citizens of Naas and that thinking people should be discussing the issue. Cllr. Callaghan considered the merit of sending a letter congratulating both sides on the ceasefire. Cllr. Mc Carthy advised the Members that he condemned the actions of the Israeli forces and considered that it would be shame if the Town Council voted down the motion.

A vote was taken on the motion.
For: Cllr. Mc Carthy, Cllr. Glennon, Cllr. Power
Against: Cllr. Moore

The motion was carried by three votes in favour to one vote against with the remainder of the Members abstaining from the vote.

12. Submitted by Cllr. D. Scully

(a) “That this Council clean out all the storm drains around the harbour area, especially outside the health centre”.
 
The motion was proposed by Cllr. Scully and seconded by Cllr. Callaghan.

The Members considered the report by the Town Clerk who advised that the Town Foreman organised for regular clean-ups of all of the drains around the Town as they become problematic.  The Town Clerk also noted that the Town Council had checked the drains around the Health Centre in the past few days and have not detected any problem with these drains.

Cllr. Scully advised that he was happy with the report.

11. Submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy

(a) “That the public lighting in the vicinity of the apartments at The Harbour be brought up to modern standards”.

The motion was proposed by Cllr. Mc Carthy and seconded by Cllr. Callaghan.

The Members considered the report by the Town Clerk. Cllr. Mc Carthy noted that improvements had been made to the Harbour area but considered the area around Griffin House was still very dark and that the area could be improved with one or two more lights. Cllr. Moore noted that the Town Engineer had a meeting with one of the residents in the area about positioning a light on their premises and that the Engineer was waiting for the ESB to come back to the Town Council.

11. Submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy

(b) “That Tipper Road will be re-surfaced as a matter of urgency”.

The motion was proposed by Cllr. Mc Carthy and seconded by Cllr. Glennon.
 The Members considered the report by the Town Clerk who advised that the road would be prioritised for re-surfacing as soon as funding becomes available possibly via the Annual Block Grants.

Cllr. Scully proposed and Cllr. Power seconded an extension of ten minutes to the meeting

13. To consider Questions.

There were no questions submitted.

14. To consider motions and correspondence received.
The Members noted the motion from Killarney Town Council.
The Town Clerk advised that the Members were invited to the Fairtrade meeting on the 26th February 2009. Cllr. Mc Carthy noted that he was involved in the committee and it would be a worthwhile event to attend and welcomed all Members to attend.

The Town Clerk advised the Members that the Vincent de Paul had sent a receipt to the Town Council for the contribution made at Christmas.

This concluded the business of the meeting.

                          _____________________________
                            Cllr. S. Moore
                             Mayor

                           _____________________________
                            K. Kavanagh
                            Town Clerk

                          ____________________________
                                                Date