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 MARCH, 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.

Monthly Council Meeting 8^th February – Adoption proposed by Cllr O’Connor and seconded by Cllr O’Driscoll.

2.         Matters arising from Minutes

Cllr O’Connor stated that he had raised the matter of water pressure in Russell Heights and Springfield Park and the condition of a number of houses in Springfield Park.

Cllr McCarthy stated that he had difficulties contacting the Glashaboy Water Works.

Cllr O’Connor stated that Cork County Council was telling residents that blockages in sewers were a private matter for residents. Cllr Whitty proposed that Ger O’Hora from Glashaboy water works would be invited to attend the next meeting to discuss this matter.

Cllr O’Connor also stated that gates were being left open at the waterworks near the Boys N.S. and parties were taking place inside.

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’Driscoll and seconded by Cllr Whitty.

5.         CORRESPONDENCE

               i.        Conference; Co. Wexford 1916 Trust – marked as read.

             ii.        Conference; Conference for Councillors – marked as read.

           iii.        Notice of Motion; Tipperary Town Council – marked as read.

           iv.        Notice of Motion: Carrick on Suir Town Council – marked as read.

             v.        Greystones Town Council – Conference – marked as read.

           vi.        Notice of Motion; Tullamore Town Council – marked as read.

         vii.        Notice of Motion; Tipperary Town Council – marked as read

       viii.        St. Coleman’s Cathedral Restoration project – marked as read. On the proposal of Cllr O’Connor it was agreed to invite the Conservation Officer to the next meeting to discuss matters raised in the letter further.

6.         OFFICERS REPORT

The Town Clerk gave a report on the allocations of vacant houses in the Town and outlined the repairs being done to remaining houses. Cllr O’Connor thanked the Town Clerk on the allocations.

The Manager Mary Ryan gave a report on the development of Industry zoned land at Ballynoe. She stated that Cork County Council’s architects department had been decimated by lay-offs but she had now re-assigned another member of staff to finalize drawings, costings and then identify suitable sites for sale.

7.         COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mayor Paddy Whitty – Midleton Area Committee: The Mayor outlined the report given by Cork County Council on complaints relating to noise from Haulbowline. Cork County Council state however that there was just one complainant and gave a number to the committee for persons to ring when noise is occurring. Cllr Martin stated that this answer was unsatisfactory and the decision to take action on the matter should depend on actual noise levels not the number of complaints. Cllr McCarthy stated that he was not perturbed by it while Cllr Sheppard stated that the Council’s response to the matter was unsatisfactory.

CCTV Presentation – the Mayor stated that the company promoting the product was in a position to give a demonstration on Wednesday March 10^th. Local businesses and Gardai were to be invited.

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

“Cobh Town Council calls on Cork County Council to prioritise with immediate effect the upgrading of the Fota road, in line with the many other regional routes being upgraded with government funding”

This motion was seconded by Cllr Kieran McCarthy.

Cllr Martin stated that money was continuing to be made available nationwide and regionally on roads such as the R600 and R610 where €3.7m was allocated. He stated that as Cork County Council continued to make funding available for regional signposting they should make the Fota Road a priority.

Cllr O’Connor supported the motion in principle and stated that the Fota Road was a priority as regards Phase 1 but it was a question of funding from the government.

Cllr Whitty stated that there was a funding allocation for Cobh of €195,000 for Urban Roads.

The Town Engineer asked that areas of concern be brought to his attention.

Cllr O’Connor stated that work on the Fota road was dependent on the future development of the IFI site. Cllr McCarthy stated however that he was unhappy with the upgrade of the road being dependent on industry.

Cllr Mulvihill stated that Government funding was an issue as the initial allocation was withdrawn. He proposed an amendment to the motion which would include the Minister for Transport. It was agreed to write to both the Ministers for the Environment, Transport, the NRA, Cork County Council and local TD’s and Senators.

11.       Any other business proper to the meeting

Aon ghnó eile.

Cllr O’Driscoll – asked the Council that all should re-double efforts to get all interested parties to try and attract the Tall Ships festival to Cobh.

Cllr Sheppard raised the issue of the temporary closure of Harbour Hill. She stated that the closure had affected businesses nearby and that these businesses had not been notified.

The Town Engineer stated that Health & Safety had to be the top priority. Cllr Sheppard requested that businesses should be written to with the details concerning the closure. The Town Clerk stated that he had spoken with some of the businesses on Thursday and Friday and also met a delegation on Monday morning. He stated that he would be receiving a specific programme of works and businesses would be given as much information as possible.

Cllr O’Connor stated that he would like to see it dealt with in as quick a manner.

The Manager Mary Ryan stated that the contractor had been made aware of the Councillors concerns.

Cllr Martin stated that there were examples of countless other buildings dealt with elsewhere without this level of disruption and he said that could not see the reason why a walkway could not be constructed.

The Manager stated that she had to give Health & Safety the top priority.

Cllr Martin enquired of the taking-in-charge status of a housing estate in Cobh built by Fleming Construction which has gone into liquidation. The Town Engineer stated that he would look into the matter.

Cllr O’Connor stated that speeding continued to be a problem on the Newtown road and asked for the Town Engineer to investigate traffic calming alternatives to ramps.

Cllr Mulvihill requested updates in relation to the following matters

               i.        Policing Boards

             ii.        Litter Audit Committee meeting

           iii.        Reply from DOEH&LG in relation to the Baseline Health Study

Cllr Quinlan –

Schools ready to elect delegates. It was agreed to write to both convenors.

            Repair footpaths at

               i.        The entrance to the spires

             ii.        In Belmont place (going down the hill between the middle and bottom row).

Cllr Martin

               i.        Place name on roundabout at Velvet House cross – T.E. looking into matter.

             ii.        One way system to be implemented at the top of the Hill at Cathedral.

Cllr O’Driscoll

               i.        Repair manhole cover in Orelia terrace opposite the ‘Roaring Donkey’ which is in a very dangerous condition.

 This concluded the business of the meeting

___________________

Cathaoirleach

___________________

Town Clerk