Minutes of Council meetings- list.:

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON MONDAY 8^th FEBRUARY, 2010

Presiding -      Cllr. P. Whitty, Mayor.

Present -         Cllrs. P. Histon, S. O’Connor, M. Martin, K. McCarthy J. Mulvihill, J. Quinlan, and F. O’Driscoll. S. Sheppard

Officials Present

Ms. M. Ryan, Town Manager

Mr. Paraig Lynch, Town Clerk

Mr Robert O’Sullivan – Town Engineer

Mr Michael O’Sullivan – Staff Officer

The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer.

1.         Confirmation of Minutes.

Council Meeting (In committee) 10^th December, 2009 – Adoption proposed by Cllr O’Connor and seconded by Cllr Histon

Council Meeting (In committee) 21^st December, 2009 – Adoption proposed by Cllr Sheppard and seconded by Cllr McCarthy

Council Meeting (In committee) 5^th January, 2010 – Adoption proposed by Cllr O’Driscoll and seconded by Cllr Whitty

Budget Meeting, 14^th January – Adoption proposed by Cllr O’Driscoll and seconded by Cllr Histon.

Monthly Council Meeting 14^th January – Adoption proposed by Cllr O’Connor and seconded by Cllr Whitty.

Special Meeting 23^rd January – Adoption proposed by Cllr O’Connor and seconded by Cllr Histon.

2.         Matters arising from Minutes

Cllr O’Connor asked if a letter had been to the Diocese of Cloyne. The Town Clerk stated that a letter had issued the previous week and that no reply had been received. He also proposed that the Conservation Officer be asked to attend the next meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Kieran McCarthy.

Cllr O’Connor also asked about the condition of the water tanks at the rear of the Boys National School – the Town Engineer stated that he had referred to matter to Glashaboy Water Works.

3.         VOTES OF CONDOLENCE.

The Sympathy of the Council was extended to all those who had died since the previous meeting of the Council.

4.         MANAGER’S ORDERS

Managers Orders were circulated to the Council and noted. Their adoption was proposed by Cllr O’Connor and seconded by Cllr Whitty.

5.         CORRESPONDENCE

               i.        County Development Board – marked as read.

             ii.        Notice of Motion; Monaghan Town Council regarding a proposed reduction in housing rents – Adoption of this motion was proposed by Cllr O’Connor and seconded by Cllr McCarthy.

           iii.        Professional Telecommunications Consultants; CCTV for Town Centres – The Mayor is to ask them to give a presentation.

           iv.        Sirius Arts Centre; request for funding – Town Clerk is to write to them regarding funding allocations shortly.

             v.        Notice of Motion; Killarney Town Council – marked as read.

6.         OFFICERS REPORT

               i.        The Town Clerk outlined the draft Taking in Charge Policy which he stated was in line with that of Cork County Council. Its adoption was proposed by Cllr Quinlan and seconded by Cllr O’Connor.

             ii.        The Town Engineer gave reports on the following matters

§  Bond Street – works are about to begin.

§  Request for loading bay at Harbour Row – A bay already exists nearby.

§  Flooding at Whitepoint – T.E. inspected area and found that ponding was not an issue.

§  Potholes – referred to Cork County Council.

7.         DRAFT HOUSING REFUSALS POLICY

            The Mayor Paddy Whitty proposed that there be a means of appealing any decision in relation to housing refusals. Cllr O’Connor stated that any policy should provide for a letter to be sent to the housing applicant stating that the Council was bound by law to inform the HSE of any refusal of an offer of housing.

Cllr Martin disagreed with the idea of an appeal to the Manager as he stated it was the Manager who made the decision on whether the refusal was valid or not. The Manager stated the Town Clerk dealt with this issue and that therefore it would be appropriate that she dealt with any appeals. Cllr Martin stated that there was an assumption that the housing units were adequate in the first place. He stated that there should be a minimum standard or a check list that could be ticked off as they were completed.

In response to a question for clarification from Cllr McCarthy the Town Clerk stated that the policy only applied to refusals on grounds not deemed valid. Cllr Histon stated that all work should be completed on the houses before being let out.

Cllr Martin proposed an amendment to the policy containing a provision for an inventory to be completed before houses are let out. This was seconded by Cllr McCarthy.

Cllr Mulvihill put forward a counter proposal to this amendment that the present system remain in place. This was seconded by Cllr Histon.

A majority voted in favour of Cllr Mulvihill’s motion.

8.         COMMITTEE REPORTS

               i.        VEC – Cllr O’Driscoll stated that there was a discussion at the recent meeting about the Schools Completion Programme and the comparison of monies expended in different areas. There was also a proposal to merge the VEC’s countrywide.

9.         To consider the following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. Michael Martin

“That this Council demand equality for Cobh from the National Roads Authority in placing improved pictorial roadsigns on the N25 for the town”

This motion was seconded by Cllr O’Connor.

Cllr Martin compared the inadequate signage for Cobh to the signage for other Heritage Towns such as Cashel and Youghal and stated that there should be extra signs on the N25 for Cobh.

It was agreed to send a letter to the NRA, Department of Roads & Transport & Bord Fáilte regarding this.

10.       To consider the following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

“That this Council calls on the government of the United States of America to withdraw their extradition proceedings against 76 year old Sean Garland on compassionate grounds because of his age and poor health”

This Motion was seconded by Cllr O’Driscoll.

Cllrs O’Driscoll and Quinlan spoke in favour of the motion while Cllr Martin stated that he would support the motion on compassionate grounds.

11.       Any other business proper to the meeting

Aon ghnó eile.

Cllr Sheppard

               i.        Request for update on complaints over firing range at Haulbowline.

             ii.        Kerb at front edge of St. Coleman’s Square is broken from bin lorries.

           iii.        Flooding occurring in St. Colemen’s Square as shores were blocked.

Cllr Martin

               i.        Request for one-way traffic to be implemented between Cathedral entrance of Thomas Kent Street and the corner of Midleton Street.

             ii.        Fill potholes carry out minor re-surfacing in Joe Reid Place.

           iii.        Request for clarification regarding planning & fast-food outlets with regard to unused licences.

Cllr McCarthy

               i.        Request for a report on all vacant houses, especially Russell Heights and the costs to renovate and re-allocate to the public again.

Cllr Quinlan

               i.        Response if any to letter to HSE regarding Ambulance Criteria.

             ii.        Correction of Minutes of Jan 21^st regarding his reasons for supporting Budget.

Cllr O’Driscoll

               i.        Flower planting at Connolly Street.

             ii.        Replacement of chute, fascia and soffit urgently required for 31 Springfield Park.

           iii.        Gateway/Arch at the side of 31 Springfield Park be secured so as to prevent anti-social behaviour and provide security for houses in the immediate area.

 This concluded the business of the meeting

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Cathaoirleach

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Town Clerk