BALLINGARRY COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING, A.G.M.
Thursday 9th October 2003 Community Hall, Ballingarry

Present: Sr Patricia, Padraig Collins, Pat Walton, Tony Claydon, Bill Martin, Dick Vaughan

Apologies: Alice Goldsboro, Breda Quigley, Kathleen Brennan.
Note: This was advertised as a public meeting.
People at a local funeral impacted on the attendance at this meeting. Quorum achieved : 6 council members.

Diary Date : Next Regular Meeting : Wed 5th November , 8.00 – 9.30 p.m. Community Hall.

1. Introduction from the Chair
This is the AGM. Welcome to the meeting

2 Secretary’s Report
Community Council Members: Sr Patricia Wall , Chair . Tomas Fitzgerald, deputy, Padraig Collins , Treasurer. Tony Claydon, Secretary. Bill Martin PRO.Breda Quigley, Kathleen Brennan, Dick Vaughan, Alice Goldsboro, Pat Walton, Margaret Webster, Kathleen Kelly, Annie Heaphy , Sean Dunne, Nicolas Lannigan.
Eileen Fennelly. Mick Fitzgerald.
Meetings each month except for July & August
Minutes are sent as e-mail attachments or via An Post
Minutes are posted each month on the web site www.ballingarry.net

Key achievements :
We have raised the profile of Ballingarry .
We are part of the national organization of Community Councils , Muintir na Tire.
We have set up an official company, registered at Companies House in Dublin:
Ballingarry (Thurles) Community Development Ltd. This is the parent company for Sliveardagh CITE.

We have established communication channels with the County Council ; this is reflected in the meetings with Jonathan Cooney, County Engineer. New footpath has been completed on St Mary’s Road, Village signs have been erected, small 30 mph discs have been fitted along the road in Lower Ballingarry, two street lights have been approved for Upper Ballingarry ( the lamp posts have actually been delivered and we are awaiting installation , new road markings near the schools. Communication about the corner development in Ballingarry is continuing.

We have highlighted other projects which will be actioned in the future e.g the cross road improvement near to the secondary school , the road junction near to the shell house at The Commons. The sewage for The Rocky has been progressed and an option of 75% County Council funding + 25% local contribution is up for consideration ( the latter could be labour ). The Rocky residents need to form an association.

We have contributed to the County Development Plan.

A newsletter was issued at the end of 2002 and we want to repeat this exercise in the near future. We were part of the group who initiated the development of the portal web site http://www.sliveardagh.com .

It was our initiative to contact the chief superintendent in Thurles regarding excessive speeding in the area.

The sub groups have also generated a number of ideas – see later . Adopted : proposed Dick , seconded Bill

3.Treasurers Report
Padraig distributed spread sheet with all the finances detailed. Padraig went through the various items listed. Adopted : proposed Pat , seconded Sr Patricia.

SUB COMMITTEES
4. Sliveardagh CITE update. Official opening of the CITE office was set for October 16th , Minister Eamon O Cuiv. But this has now been postponed. Overall the computer training has gone well with 110 completed courses ( this number includes some double counting as some people have completed more than one course ) .
Several new courses on offer.
Childcare service has been slower to develop. All local childcare services are now networking. Have been using a room in Fr Morris’s old house for child minding.

5. Ballingarry Healthy Community Project Report
Has been a very successful year which has involved funding health projects ( snacks etc ) such as Community Games , fruit for schools , equipment for the taekwando club , bowls club and currently looking at helping the GAA gymnasium : Sr Patricia . Art Classes have recently been set up. The Health Awareness day ( end Sept ) was extremely successful

6. Tourism
Ideas generated from this group : Think broadly ( e.g. wider than just Ballingarry ), no parish/ county boundaries for tourists ! moved on to the Curam.

7. Curam Slieveardagh
Bill: This initiative was a spin off from the thought process from the sub committees.
Bill went through how things developed and the involvement of 4 members of the community council + others from SRD etc. There was meeting at Killenaule with several Government agencies present . Subsequently various projects were teased out , presented to the county development Board and these have been accepted for investigation / pilot projects. Des Burke is the mentor / advisor .

8. Community Alert
Bill : Ideally need regeneration of the management of this project. Payment of the monitoring fee for the alarms remains an issue. Can FAS be involved …this should be an agenda item at a regular meeting.

Extra Item ( not part of AGM ) : FAS Community employment scheme: Needs a company structure. Suggested that this comes under Ballingarry ( Thurles ) Community Development Ltd. This was agreed.
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MEETING, Thursday 12th June. 2003 Community Hall, Ballingarry

Present: Tony Claydon, Bill Martin , Sr Patricia, Padraig Collins, Kathleen Brennan, Dick Vaughan, Margaret Webster, Annie Heaphy, Padraig Collins
Apologies: Alice Goldsboro, Tomas Fitzgerald

Note: The meeting scheduled for 8th May was postponed. Therefore this meeting follows that on 10th April 2003.

Diary Date : Next Meeting : Thurs 11th Sept , 8.00 – 9.30 p.m. Community Hall.

1. Last Minutes
The last minutes were 10th April. Approved.

2 Treasurers report
Padraig : all bills have been paid. Euro 356 in the current a/c. euro 54 left in credit union. Cash Euro 118.

3.Fund raising.
Bill reported on latest position. No money in yet but we will get all in September. Stocks of cards were checked.
Church Gate collection will be 3rd weekend in August. Permit has been granted. Bill will organize the rota for collectors.

4.Curam Slieveardagh
Public Meeting Thursday 19th June, Glengoole Hall.Curam comprises Bill, Sr Patricia , Tony , Padraig + Slieveardagh RD et al.With the support of John Quinn who organized all the agencies ( tourism , development, farming , small businesses etc ) a presentation took place on 29th April . The day went very well ( 32 people were present ).
The public meeting on 19th will be open to all. Slieveardagh RD will be the lead. Everyone should then be aware of what is going on.

5. Slieveardagh Web Site
Portal web site is currently being built by Joe Kenny ( see last minutes ). No start date as yet. www.ballingarry.net had 30,000 hits in May !

6. Sliveardagh CITE update
IT courses are going well.
These are are open to men and women , however the ladies WRITE courses are currently subsidised. We should all act a marketers for this business. Sally Ivers is child care coordinator. In July & August she will pilot child minding using the facilities in Fr Morris’s old house. Adverts ( eg Parish newsletter ) will be out this week.

7. Plans for AGM
Sr Patricia has followed this up with Munitir na Tire. Basically , we should have had an AGM. Officers can rotate . Although public can attend AGM only Community Council members can vote on officers ( Dick suggested that we should NOT combine the vote with the public meeting … this was agreed ) . We need to either adopt the Munitir na Tire constitution or develop one for ourselves ( a version of the Munitir one ) . Bill will download a copy from the web site and circulate by e-mail
We will delay AGM until later in the year; this will be a presentation of officers reports but no election. September AGM , November 2004 will be new election for Community Council.
All Community Council members are asked to nominate ( person must agree ), ( from the existing Community Council members ) for Chairperson, Deputy Chair, PRO, Treasurer , Secretary. Send names to Tony, BY END OF JULY

8. Working Groups
No progress. Curam members will be a sub committee of the Community Council. Need to revitalise the other working groups . Will do after the AGM. Sub group for Tidy Towns – this fits in with September timing. Social housing is another idea. Instead of a broad approach the group will focus on one or two large projects. Community Alert / Community Care is also in need of new impetus. Action: Bill / John Walsh , September.

9. Road Safety
The speed checks have taken place. We are hoping that the checks will be repeated at regular intervals. Mohober school governors have been chasing up speed warning / school signs with County Council.

10.Help for the Elderly
See the comment in Item 8. We will carry on with the regular note in the Parish Newsletter about watching for your neighbour.

11. Update from BHCP ( Bowls , Sli na Slainte )
Bowls club now established. ( actually on in the hall at the same time as this meeting ) Every Thursday night , later in the year could also be on during the day.
Sli na Slainte progressing slowly but will be set up in the next couple of months.
Taekwando being supported. Community Games were also supported.
BHCP will have another Health Day, display and AGM.

12. Feedback from Muintir na Tire AGM
Sr Patricia and Bill attended in Gort. Good report from Galway West . Learning points for us. It was noted that we need a public liability insurance. Dick said that some Groups have an all cover general insurance. Action : Padraig
Presentation Sisters will donate some money which will cover the insurance; this comes from funds designated for use for the good of the community.

13. Revision of Roads / lighting ‘wish list’ from last year
Sr Patricia has spoken to Jonathan Cooney . We need an update .He is prepared to meet with a small group of us ( locally ) during the day. Suggested dates are any day next week, 11.00 am start. Bill, Annie , Tony , Dick , Sr Patricia, Padraig.

14. Next issue of Community Council Newsletter
Bill suggests prep in July so we can issue before the AGM in September Action: Bill / Tony

NEXT MEETING : Thursday 11th September , Community Hall , 8.00 p.m.
Members will be contacted by phone if actions ( e.g. Church gate collection ) are needed before September

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Meeting
Thursday 30th Jan. 2003 Community Hall , Ballingarry

Present: Sr Patricia Wall, Tony Claydon, Dick Vaughan , Padraig Collins, Alice Goldsboro, Kathleen Brennan , Kathleen Kelly , Bill Martin , Pat Walton, Nicolas Lannigan. Thomas Fitzgerald, Annie Heaphy, Margaret Webster

Guest : Phil Ryan
Apologies: Eileen Fennelly
Diary Date : Next Meeting : Thurs 27th Feb , 8.00 p.m., Community Hall
This was a very full meeting and some agenda items were postponed until the next meeting.

1. Phil Ryan – South Tipp. Voluntary & Community Group Forum
Presentation by Phil. Explained the role of South Tipp Voluntary & Community Forum. Latest newsletter circulated. Community Skills Courses. Information Office – Clonmel ( Wilderness Housing Est. Youth Centre ) .Advice on Tidy Towns.
Involved in Ring a link. No take up around Ballingarry yet. 1890 42 41 41 lo-cost call. Need some local promotion of this service.
Action : Alice to arrange info to Senior Citizens ( Mary Merrick )
Other ideas for senior Citizens – Phil will send details to Alice.
Advice on development plan ( see Item 3 below )
Heritage contact will be Bill Martin
Facilities data base & voluntary & sports groups database. Development levy grant scheme – we can apply for some of this money. Open meeting in February ( Cahir ) on how the money will be distributed. Sr Patricia will send Phil a copy of the Ballingarry Journal
Heritage Forum meeting : Phil will send details ( Carrick & Fethard )

2. Last Minutes
Minutes adopted. Note item 13 County Council acted very quickly to fix this problem.

3. South Tipp Co Co Draft Plan
Bill & Padraig have put together a very professional submission to this Plan . Both talked about the meeting they attended on 09/01. Main subject was housing.
The submission needs to be in by 13th Feb.
Bill went briefly through the submission. Some are similar to the points listed by the Community Council last year :Corner development , footpaths , village limits, etc Economic development balanced with environmental sustainability – list of areas. It was agreed by all that Bill and Padraig had completed a very comprehensive review. If anyone wants a copy contact Tony/ Bill

4 Tidy Towns
Tony circulated information from 1999 and 2000 as per Item 6 last minutes ( 6th Jan 2003 ).

No reply received from Muintir na Tire regarding the insurance question – action : Tony to resend.
Discussion postponed to next meeting.
.
5. Working Groups.
Tony has received some of the forms back. Postponed to next meeting.

6. Sliveardagh CITE update
The business has now relocated from the main street to the new enterprise units. Paul Brett will be advertising courses within the next few weeks.
There are still some issues to be sorted out in the offices and the outside security / lighting needs resolving.

7. Whist Drive ( 10th Feb ) – Planning
The Community Council funds will benefit from the whist drive booked for 10th Feb.
Alice listed the items required. Annie & Margaret will organize sandwiches . Pat Walton
Bread buns . Apple tarts Bill & Annie .Whiskey & wine OK.
Alice will be the co-ordinator.
Advert in the parish newsletter - Tony
All members should encourage attendance.

8.Funds from Cards
Bill update. Full details at the next meeting. Need sponsorship money to cover Joe Kenny’s costs.

9. Help for the elderly
Postponed to next meeting

10.Water Failure
Postponed to next meeting.

11. Company Accounts etc
Discussion of the company . Advice from Nicolas. Need to get a cheque book – action : Padraig. He will decide which bank.

NEXT MEETING : Thurs , 27 TH ,February , 8.00 – 9.30 P.M., COMMUNITY HALL ( Sr Patricia to book )

Present: Sr Patricia Wall, Tony Claydon, Dick Vaughan , Padraig Collins, Eileen Fennelly.

Apologies: Alice Goldsboro, Annie Heaphy , Margaret Webster , Mick Fitzgerald, Kathleen Brennan

Diary Date : Next Meeting : Thursday 30th Jan, 8.00p.m., Community Hall

1. Last minutes
The last minutes were approved.

2. Working Groups
Note asking for Comm Co members to indicate their interest area was sent out with the last minutes.
Four have expressed an interest in The Commons School ( Annie , Margaret, Mick and Kathleen Kelly )
Tony will send the note out again as there were so few at this meeting.

3. South Tipp Co Co Draft Plan
Meeting on Thursday 9th , Mullinahone.
Bill Martin & Padraig Collins will attend .

4 Water Supply Failure
Tony is following this up. Letter is via the Ballingarry Healthy Community Project.
The response from the County Council has been poor and in no way addresses the risks involved when no mains water is available
.
5. No reply from County Council on action areas.
Tony has sent a reminder to Jonathan Cooney. We need another meeting with him here in Ballingarry.

6. Tidy Towns
Annie not at the meeting so no Commons info available.
Sr Patricia showed the 1999 work plan. Jimmy Meagher will be involved
Insurance needs resolving if we enter ; The Commons and Ballingarry .
Tony will contact Muintir na Tire to see if we are covered via their insurance. Also ask for a rep to visit one of our meetings during 2003 Action : Tony
Tony will circulate Sr Patricia notes ( from 1999 & 2000 ).

7. Help for the Elderly
Still waiting for info from Bill .( see last minutes ) . Action : Bill

8.Company Certification
We now have a full Certificate of Incorporation ( after 4 attempts ! ).
Action : Sr Patricia will discuss with Nicolas Lannigan

9. Slieveardagh C.I.T.E. update
The plan is that the company will move to the new premises on Monday 20th Jan 03. Paul Brett will then be issuing a new programme of computer courses. Target by end 2003 is that 200 people will have completed some form of IT training. Some will be progressing from basic to more advanced courses.
Paul will start the marketing later this month.

10.Funding for the Ballingarry web site
Request from Tony that some funding be available via the Community Council. Need Bill to explain more at the next meeting

11. Phil Ryan ( South Tipp Voluntary & Community Group Forum )
To be invited to next meeting . Action : Tony

12 Whist Drive Fund Raising
Agreed 10th Feb. Need sponsors for prizes. Sr Patricia will be coordinator . Details will be finalised at next meeting 30/01.

13. Water going across the road Lower Ballingarry , near the village sign , crossing to Mc Graths farm . Tony to write Matt O’Callaghan, Tipp Co Co .

NEXT MEETING : THURSDAY 30TH JANUARY, 8.00 – 9.30 P.M., COMMUNITY HALL ( Sr Patricia to book )