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| Cobh Town Council, Town Hall, Cobh, Co. Cork. Phone: 021 481 1307 FAX: 021 481 1732 Contact Us |
Minutes of Council meetings- list.:MONDAY 10th APRIL, 2010MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON MONDAY 10th APRIL, 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. Cllr O’Connor proposed the suspension of standing orders in order to express sympathy with the Polish community in Ireland following the tragic death of the president of Poland and the other Polish victims of the recent plane crash in Russia. This was seconded by Cllr O’Driscoll. It was agreed to convey this message to the Polish embassy. Cllr O’Connor raised the matter of having the Conservation officer attend the meeting regarding works at Cobh Cathedral. The Town Clerk replied that he would request her to attend the next meeting. Cllr O’Connor also asked what progress had been made in relation to the Industrial lands at Ballynoe. The Manager stated that plans were almost completed. Monthly Council Meeting 8th March – Adoption proposed by Cllr O’Connor and seconded by Cllr McCarthy. 2. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES Cllr O’Connor asked the Town Clerk for an update from Cork County Council engineer Ger O’Hora in relation to blocked sewers in Springfield Park. The Town Clerk stated that Cork County Council have stated that sewer pipes were the responsibility of individual house owners. He stated that County Council engineers were of the opinion that inappropriate waste material in sewer pipes were leading to the blockages. Cllr replied that it was an ongoing problem caused by a bend in the pipes. Cllr McCarthy stated that Ringmeen estate had similar problems owing to similar a design. Cllr O’Connor proposed writing to householders regarding the material being placed in sewers. Cllr Mulvihill asked if a reply had been received from Dept of Transport regarding the Fota Road. The Town replied that he would check recent correspondence. Cllr Mulvihill stated that he wished to re-iterate that the Fota road upgrade was a matter for government and not a local one. Cllr Martin replied that other regional roads had been given more money that the Fota road from Cork County Council. Cllr O’Connor raised the matter of traffic calming at the Newtown Road. The Town Engineer agreed to look into the matter. 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 i. Managers Orders were circulated to the Council and noted. Their adoption was proposed by Cllr Histon and seconded by McCarthy. 5. CORRESPONDENCE i. Dundalk Chamber of Commerce; conference on Business – marked as read. ii. Training Seminar for Councillors – marked as read. iii. Balbriggan Town Council; 150th Anniversary Celebrations – marked as read. iv. Notice of Motion; Castlebar Town Council – marked as read. v. Notice of Motion; Ballybriggan Town Council – marked as read. vi. Notice of Motion; Bandon Town Council – marked as read. vii. Notice of Motion; Clonmel Borough Council – marked as read. viii. Tarbert Community Care Ltd; conference– marked as read. ix. Naval Service Haulbowline; response to noise complaints – Cllr Martin stated that he would accept the invitation to visit the Naval Base provided the Commander in turn visit Rushbrooke which was the source of many complaints. Mayor Paddy Whitty stated that there was a difference between noise that breached nuisance levels and those of Health & Safety. x. Notice of Motion; Kilrush Town Council – marked as read. i. Notice of Motion; South Tipperary County Council – marked as read. ii. Youghal Town Council; Historic Towns Conference – marked as read. iii. TGR Seminars; Conference for Councillors – marked as read. 6. OFFICERS REPORT i. Conservation Officer Report; The Town Clerk circulated the conservation officers response to issues raised at the previous meeting and invited her to the May meeting. ii. Industrial lands at Ballynoe – the Town Clerk circulated maps to Councillors. He told the meeting that the roads department of Cork County Council suggested a roundabout and a number of other alterations. The location of the enterprise centre has moved due to both the slope of the site and to save costs. The layout of the road was still to be confirmed however. The Town Manager stated that it would be possible to sell sites which could fund the cost of the proposed site works. iii. Playground and Skateboard Park for 5ft –way – the Town Clerk stated that some funding had been set aside for this and a bank account needed to be set up for further fundraising. In order to do so a resolution of the Council was needed. This was proposed by Cllr McCarthy and seconded by Cllr Martin. iv. The Town Engineer gave a report to the council on the suggestions for a one-way system at the Top of the Hill. He stated that there were problems with the suggestion and that it would lead to the backing up of traffic. v. The Town Engineer also stated that the naming of the roundabout at the Velvet House cross was going ahead. 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS 8. LOCAL GOVERNMENT STATUTORY AUDIT REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2008 (COPY ENCLOSED) i. Auditors Report for Cobh Town Council was circulated to members. Adoption proposed by Cllr O’Connor and seconded by Cllr O’Driscoll. 9. To consider the disposal pursuant to Section 90 of the Housing Act, 1966 and Section 26 of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents)(No 2) Act 1978 of the freehold of 14, Philip O’Neill Place, Cobh. This was proposed by Cllr O’Connor and seconded by Cllr McCarthy. 10. To consider the following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. Finbarr O’Driscoll “In view of the fact that the Tall Ships event is again visiting Waterford City in 2011, having previously been there in 2005 that Cobh Town Council seek, as a matter of urgency, a meeting with the Port of Cork officials so as to address and resolve any possible impediments to the Tall Ships event taking place in Cork Harbour and so redress the fact that this last happened in 1991” This motion was seconded by Cllr Mulvihill. Cllr O’Driscoll speaking to his motion stated that there was a need to push on from the aspirational nature of previous discussions. It was agreed to contact the port of Cork in this regard. 11. To consider the following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. Kieran McCarthy “That this Council supports that ‘Justice for Robert Delaney Campaign’ and the recently established website www.innocentvictimsofviolence.ie which was set up by the Delaney Family as a forum of support and information for the campaign and furthermore calls on any citizen with information on the callous crime which resulted in Robert’s hospitalisation to inform the Gardaí of any such information” This motion was circulated by Cllr O’Driscoll. Cllr O’Driscoll stated that there was a wider issue of the culture of violence and an inadequate system of witness support. Cllr McCarthy asked that the motion be circulated to other Councils. It was also agreed to write to the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform. 12. To consider the following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. Kieran McCarthy “That this Council has a policy of total opposition to the concept of ‘Head Shops’ opening in Cobh, but at present recognises that national legislation is too weak to technically prevent one being set up. Therefore we will write as a matter of urgency to all ratepayers in the town, as well as auctioneers and other property agents asking them to be aware that there may be an attempt to set up a head shop in a rented property in the town. The letter will point out the Council’s policy in relation to head shops, and ask them to be acutely aware of this fact when they are approached by potential tenants of vacant commercial properties. We will also recommend that they refuse to rent out to anyone who intends to use the premises for the purpose of establishing a head shop in Cobh.” This motion was seconded by Cllr Sheppard. Cllr McCarthy speaking to his motion stated that ‘Head Shops’ were not a solution to illegal drugs. Cllr Sheppard stated that it was necessary to act straight away. Cllr O’Driscoll asked if planning law could be used to prevent head shops opening. The Town Clerk replied that such shops were able to seek planning permission as ‘Retail use’. He cited the an example of one Local Authorities Development Plan where it was found not possible to ban a business as opposed to restricting one. It was agreed to write to Estate Agents and ratepayers in Cobh regarding this matter. 13. To consider the following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. Jim Quinlan “That Cobh Town Council make an official approach to the St. Patrick's Festival and the National Lottery to request that their annual "SkyFest" be held in Cork Harbour in 2012 given the historical significance of 2012 for Cobh” This was seconded by Cllr Mulvihill. Cllr Quinlan stated that 2012 being the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic would be a very appropriate date for such a festival. It was acknowledged that application was already being made by Cobh Tourism. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would write to ‘Skyfest’ and copy this letter to Cobh Tourism and the County Manager. 14. To consider the following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. Jim Quinlan “That appropriate traffic calming measures be put in place on the approach to St. Mary's National School (Orelia Terrace entrance) as a matter of urgency” This motion was seconded by Cllr O’Driscoll. Cllr Quinlan acknowledged the difficulties associated with traffic calming but stated that that the speed of motorists approaching from Ticknock was dangerous and Teachers at the adjacent school were concerned. Cllr O’Driscoll agreed and stated that it was an accident waiting to happen. Cllr Martin asked if speed limits could be put in place while Cllr Histon suggested moving the Zebra crossing. The Town Engineer stated that the Area Engineer for Cork County Council was awaiting the opening of the College Manor relief road. Cllr Quinlan replied that the relief road may only reduce the volume. The Mayor Paddy Whitty agreed to raise the issue with the next Area roads meeting and get a date for the opening of this relief road from the Area Engineer. 15. To consider the following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. Sean O’Connor “That Cobh Town Council would accord a civil reception to Cobh man Michael Jones on his outstanding achievement of rowing the Atlantic from Morocco to Barbados, 3,500 miles”. This motion was seconded by Cllr Martin. 16. To consider the following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. Michael Martin “That Cobh Town Council contact Volkach Town Council in Germany to ascertain the operation of the proposed Canine DNA database which can be utilised in our attempts to maintain cleaner footpaths and streets in Cobh.” This motion was seconded by Cllr McCarthy Cllr Martin speaking to the motion stated that the establishment of the database led to a huge increase in fines in Germany as there have been historical problems in linking foul to particular dogs. 17. To consider the following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. Michael Martin “That owners of properties that constitute a ‘gap’ in the streetscape or an interruption in the architectural integrity of the surrounding buildings be instructed to erect a boarded frontage painted in the period style of the adjacent structures.” This motion was seconded by Cllr O’Connor. Cllr Martin stated that there were some awful gaps in the streetscape and that there were useful examples of how they could be remedied. Cllr McCarthy stated that he was concerned with the safety of the hoardings that were erected to cover such ‘gaps’ in the streetscape. 18. Any other business proper to the meeting Aon ghnó eile. Mayor Paddy Whitty proposed holding civic receptions to mark the retirements of both Garda Superintendent Pat Sheehan and Commandment Lynch from the Naval Service. This was seconded by Cllr Histon. Cllr Sheppard i. Litter at 38 Springfield Park – the Town Clerk stated that action was taken recently by the Litter Warden in relation to this matter and 18 properties were issued with letters. ii. Harbour Hill – the Town Clerk stated that the temporary works have been completed. iii. Colman’s Square – the Town Engineer stated that works were to start in June. Cllr Quinlan i. Transfer request Russell Heights – the Town Clerk stated that he would examine the issue. ii. Request for shower Pat O’Brien Close – the Town Clerk stated that it was on the list of works. Cllr O’Driscoll i. Request that Cobh Town Council supplement the efforts of the residents of East Hill and Connolly Street by landscaping the area. Cllr Mulvihill i. Erection of mast interfering with TV reception in some areas – the Town Clerk replied that the Planner was examining the structure at present. ii. Speeding at Deepwater Quay – T.E. to examine. Cllr O’Connor i. Sale of site at Connolly Street – the Town Clerk stated that an offer on the site had been approved. ii. Bishop Roche Park; sale of site – Town Clerk to examine. iii. Camber at Titanic Park damaged by dredger – T.E. to examine. iv. Housing Allocation for year – the Town Clerk replied that the allocation for 2010 was €555,000. Cllr Martin i. Rogue Taxis – the Town Clerk replied that a meeting had been held with the port of Cork. The outcome of the meeting was that stewards on the liners would direct people to the five-foot way to legitimate taxis. Cllr McCarthy i. House Allocations – The Town Clerk gave a report to the Council stating that 7 houses had been allocated since January. There were a further six currently awaiting repair. ii. Sarsfield Hogan Place; residents need help with cleaning the footpath and require wheelchair access – T.E. to examine. iii. Re-instate the waste bin at the entrance to Eaton Heights. Cllr Histon i. Vandalism at Marinegate – the Town Clerk replied that the houses were to be sold on the open market. This concluded the business of the meeting ___________________ Cathaoirleach
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