Minutes of Ennis Municipal District Annual General Meeting June 2024

Minutes of Ennis Municipal District AGM June 2024

Present:

Councillors attending:

Councillor C. Colleran-Molloy (Cathaoirleach)

Councillor M. Howard (Leas-Cathaoirleach)

Councillor P. Murphy

Councillor P. Daly

Councillor T. O’Callaghan

Councillor T. Guilfoyle

Councillor A. Baker Bashua

 

Officials attending in person:

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive

Carmel Kirby, Director of Service

Sean Lenihan, Senior Engineer

Paddy Tiernan, Acting Senior Executive Engineer

Niamh O’Connor, Administrative Officer and Meetings Administrator,

Lily McInerney, Staff Officer (minutes).

 

Apologies:

None.

 

Presiding:

The outgoing Mayor of Ennis, Cllr. P. Daly presided.

Cllr Daly addressed the meeting and welcomed everyone to the AGM for the Municipal District of Ennis. He congratulated his fellow Elected Members on the recent local election results and welcomed Cllrs Tommy Guilfoyle and Antoinette Baker Bashua.

 

Cllr. Daly highlighted some achievements during his Mayoral term, which included significant progress with the public realm upgrade and the much-anticipated public bus service. He hailed the success of the Twinning trip to Langenfeld in Germany and the return visit in March which has strengthened the over 10-year relationship. He highlighted Ennis’ success at the international Communities in Bloom competition and wished Trim, Co Meath every success in the competition this year. Cllr. Daly recalled the Christmas ‘switching on lights’ event which featured the great hurling star Shane O’Donnell, and he highlighted a highly successful St. Patrick’s Day which featured Ennis’ musical legend Maura O’Connell. He added the positive news that Ennis had just seen an elevation in ranking (from 12^th to 5^th place in Ireland) in the Irish Business Against Litter ratings.

 

Cllr. Daly made reference to the Ennis 2040 strategy and hoped that now the Election is over, that the Executive, Save Ennis Town Group and the Ennis 2040 board will agree to further dialogue so that meaningful progress can be made. He stated that projects like the Post Office field will clearly benefit the town but that there is a need to listen to all stakeholders to ensure the best possible choices are made for Ennis so that it can compete with towns like Killarney, a town that future generations can embrace.

 

Carmel Kirby, Director of Service, thanked Cllr Daly for his term of office, stating that Cllr. Daly had been instrumental in ensuring the Local Enterprise Office helped businesses throughout the public realm works. He had also contributed to progress with the new library and newly emerging housing schemes. She added that Cllr. Daly had always been there when needed and that he had managed very well in what was a tricky year.

 

All Members congratulated Cllr. Daly on his successful year as Mayor adding he had ensured Ennis could punch above its weight in a challenging year, he had been fair and measured to everybody in allowing equal airtime, he had been a marvellous ambassador and town representative especially during the twinning trip to Langenfeld.

Reference was made to the wealth of experience he bought through 25 years of public service, his popularity with the public, a representative who had worked hard for the benefit of the electorate and a great problem solver.

 

Chair Cllr. P. Daly thanked the staff of Ennis Municipal District for the support and hard work over the last 12 months.

 

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive, addressed the Meeting, adding to the words of appreciation for outgoing Mayor Pat Daly. He stated that having worked with Cllr. Daly for 8 years, he found him instrumental in his ability to bring two opposing sides together, which he did effortlessly. He thanked and congratulated incoming Mayor of Ennis, Cllr. Clare Colleran Molloy. He expressed appreciation for earlier comments in relation to new beginnings adding that a new phase for Clare County Council and a new chapter for Ennis is now progressing. The CE stated that there may be parts of the plan which are not suitable for everybody, and that that is ok and is part of the work before us. He added that this is the start of a new chapter, and we want to ensure that when we reach the end of the five-year period we can look back and know we have done the best for Ennis, a place to live, visit, stay, socialise, work etc. He highlighted that at the moment, Ennis is a tiny bit behind in terms of retail, business, education and employment. He referenced time spent discussing car parking and while we must provide for it, we must not lose sight of the bigger picture and we must never put cars before people or before jobs. This is a great opportunity now to deliver hugely for Ennis and for Clare. A mid-west retail centre which would be the envy of other towns will bring huge and lasting benefit for the county. He added that the vision is there, and we need to get on and implement it.  The CE wished Clare well in her term of office and wished all members and in particular the two new Members, great success in the year ahead. He also acknowledged the staff of Ennis M.D., and he looked forward to the next term working with all concerned.

 

Item 1: Election of Mayor / Cathaoirleach

 

 

Ar moladh Councillor A. Baker Bashua Cuidithe ag Councillor T. O’Callaghan agus glacadh leis

“That Cllr. Clare Colleran Molloy is Mayor of the Municipal District of Ennis for the next 12 months”.

 

As there were no other nominations for the position of Mayor, following Cllr. C. Colleran Molloy’s acceptance of the position, Cllr. P. Daly declared Cllr. C. Colleran-Molloy Mayor of the Municipal District of Ennis for the next year. The Mayoral Chain of Office was presented to Cllr. C. Colleran-Molloy by Cllr. P. Daly.

 

Newly elected Mayor Colleran Molloy thanked and acknowledged Chief Executive for his comments, noting how the 6 years since her last Mayorship had flown by. Now 6 years later she voiced her optimism that we now have a County Development Plan and much to look forward to.

 

Clare addressed her fellow Councillors, Director Kirby, Senior Engineer Sean Lenihan, Senior Executive Engineers Paddy Tiernan and Eamon O’Dea, Administrative Officer Niamh O’Connor and Staff Officer Lily McInerney. She acknowledged and thanked all the attendees in the public gallery stating that it is her intention to serve them well.

 

Clare continued to speak about the incredible privilege for her to be elected Mayor of Ennis for the 3^rd time in 15 years and she said it was in no small part due to the people in the gallery that she was in this position today. She thanked her husband in particular and all members of her family present and not present for their immeasurable support. She also acknowledged many other attendees for their support, organisation skills etc in helping her run a successful campaign.

 

She added that it was positive to have retained 3 female Councillors for Ennis and she extended a warm welcome to the two newly elected Members Tony Guilfoyle and Antoinette Baker Bashua. She congratulated Cllr T O Callaghan on election after being previously co-opted for Cllr. Mark Nestor. She congratulated Cllr Pat Daly on his 25 years of public service and his Chairmanship of the Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee.

Clare spoke of her canvassing campaign and how much she had learned from those she spoke to and made reference to the “fragility of democracy” and that it is therefore all the more appreciated and that her aim would be never to have to look back and wish she had done better. She advised that it was incumbent on female representatives to foster change and that the whole process of Irish democracy starts at the lowest level, here in local government. She strongly voiced her belief that consensus does not mean that everybody agrees but is willing to work through their differences for the mutual benefit of Ennis. Finally, she acknowledged the incredible work done in background by staff of Ennis M.D.

 

Clare briefly touched on the positive developments in Ennis, the upgrade works in Barrack St/Cathedral Plaza, the new bus service, the new library, Ennis Local transport plan and local area plan, and key active travel projects like Tulla Road and Clare Road cycle schemes.

She concluded, thanking all and highlighting that all present share a love of Ennis and that it was important that we all respect our mandate to strive to have Ennis thrive into the future.

 

Members congratulated Cllr. Colleran Molloy on becoming Mayor of Ennis wished her every success for the coming year.

 

 

Item 2: Election of Deputy Mayor/Leas Cathaoirleach

Ar moladh Cllr. P. Daly Cuidithe ag Cllr. P. Murphy agus glacadh leis

“That Cllr. Antoinette Baker Bashua is Deputy Mayor of the Municipal District of Ennis for the next 12 months”.

 

As there were no other nominations for the position of Deputy Mayor and following Cllr. Antoinette Baker Bashua’s acceptance of the position, Cllr. C. Colleran Molloy declared Cllr. Antoinette Baker Bashua, Deputy Mayor of the Municipal District of Ennis for the next 12 months.

 

Mayor Colleran Molloy and all members present wished Cllr. Antoinette Baker Bashua every success for her year as Deputy Mayor of Ennis.

 

 

Item 3: Approve Allowance for Mayor

Ar moladh Cllr. P. Daly Cuidithe ag Cllr. A. Baker Bashua agus glacadh leis

 “that the allowance of €12,000 for the role of Mayor was approved.”

              

Item 4: Consideration of Standing Orders

Ar moladh Cllr. M. Howard Cuidithe ag Cllr. P. Daly agus glacadh leis

“that the monthly Meeting of Ennis Municipal District would move to the second Tuesday of the month, and the Meeting time would change to 3:00pm.”

 

Sean Lenihan, Senior Engineer briefed that the Annual General Meeting presents an opportunity to Members to review and amend the Standing Orders.  Following discussion, it was agreed that the monthly Meeting of Ennis Municipal District would move to the second Tuesday of the month, and the Meeting time would change to 3:00pm.

 

Cllr Howard took the opportunity to remind Members that, during Ennis M.D. Meetings, the preference is that the Proposer takes no more than 3 minutes and the Seconder no more than 2 minutes.

 

 

Item 5: Diary Future Meeting Dates

2024/2025

 

September 10^th, 2024

October 8^th, 2024

November 12th, 2024

December 10^th, 2024

Jan 14^th, 2025

Feb 11^th, 2025

March 11^th, 2025

April 8^th, 2025

May 13^th, 2025

 

Item 6: Nominations to Various Organisations / Bodies

Ar moladh Cllr. C. Colleran Molloy Cuidithe ag Cllr. T. Guilfoyle agus glacadh leis

Ennis Tidy Towns:

1. Cllr M Howard
2. Cllr A. Baker Bashua

Purple Flag: 

1. Cllr. T. Guilfoyle

Ar moladh Cllr. C. Colleran Molloy Cuidithe ag Cllr. A. Baker Bashua agus glacadh leis

  2. Cllr. P. Daly

Ar moladh Cllr. C. Colleran Molloy Cuidithe ag Cllr. M. Howard agus glacadh leis

 

Conclusion

The meeting ended at 3:15 hrs.

Signed: ____________________________ Riarthóir Cruinnithe

Signed: _____________________________ Cathaoirleach

Date:                  _____________________________

Page last reviewed: 10/09/24

Content managed by: Ennis Municipal District

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