Minutes of Council meetings- list.:

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON MONDAY 10^th MAY, 2010

Presiding -      Cllr. P. Whitty, Mayor.

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

                        Apologies: J. Mulvihill

Officials Present

Ms. M. Ryan – Town Manager

Mr. Paraig Lynch – Town Clerk

Mr Robert O’Sullivan – Town Engineer

Mr Michael O’Sullivan – Staff Officer

Ms. Mona Hallihan – Conservation Officer

Opening of Tenders for parking Meters

Tender documents were received from six companies and opened in the presence of the Council

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

1.         Report by Mona hallihan, Conservation officer, Cork County Council.

The Conservation officer gave a report to Cobh Town Council on ongoing remedial works at Cobh Cathedral. In response to a question from Cllr Sean O’Connor regarding the erection of netting, the Conservation Officer stated that due to sugaring of the Bath stone and its decaying the netting had to be erected as a health & safety measure. She stated that the stonework would have to be re-pointed due to damage from salt-water and all water had to be eliminated from the building both inside and outside. Cllr O’Connor in response expressed the view that the pointing works were responsible for the seepage of water into the joints and buttresses. Ms Hallihan stated that the stonework had been rectified but that it along with the lead flashings, pipes etc needed ongoing maintenance and a plan for such was being drawn up. She added that the Bath stone was difficult to maintain such was its composition.

2.         Confirmation of Minutes.

Monthly meeting of Cobh Town Council held on 12^th April, 2010.

Cllr Martin asked that the minutes be corrected in relation to a statement he made concerning funding from Cork County Council and funding for the Fota Road.

The adoption of the minutes was proposed by Cllr O’Connor and seconded by Cllr O’Driscoll. 

2.         Matters arising from Minutes

                i.        Industrial lands at Ballynoe – the Town Clerk stated that the Chamber of Commerce were to revert to the Town Architect and stated that the Manager would have an update for the next meeting.

              ii.        Blocked sewers – The Town Clerk stated that a sample letter was to be sent to households advising them on how to prevent blockages. Cllr O’Connor requested a report on the pipe blockage.

             iii.        Sarsfield Hogan Place – The Town Engineer stated that he had asked the Town Foreman to start the clean up and that he would follow up on examining the area for the purposes of wheelchair access.

            iv.        The Town Clerk stated that he was still awaiting a response from the Solicitor in relation to the sale of the site on Connolly Street. In response to a suggestion from Cllr O’Connor the Town Engineer stated that he could approach Cork County Council for a site for storage facilities currently in Bishop Roche Park.

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 Cllr Sheppard.

5.         CORRESPONDENCE

                                 i.        Cobh (Great Island) Community Centre Ltd Board of Directors – appointment of additional director proposed by Cllr Whitty and seconded by Cllr Histon.

                               ii.        Notice of Motion; Donegal County Council –marked as read.

                              iii.        Notice of Motion; Donegal County Council regarding Vat charges on Council services – it was agreed to write to the County Manager regarding possible increase in refuse charges.

                             iv.        Notice of Motion; Mullingar Town Council –marked as read.

                               v.        Maurice Manning, Cork County Council; appointment of SPC members – marked as read.

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

                            vii.        Cobh Parks Tennis; application for grant – marked as read.

                          viii.        East Cork Tourism; request for funding – marked as read.

                             ix.        Department of the Environment re R624 – marked as read.

                               x.        Department of the Transport re R624 – marked as read

                             xi.        Polish Embassy; letter of thanks – marked as read.

                            xii.        Road Opening College manor; traffic calming – The Town Engineer stated that he had examined the Cobh section but that it was not possible at present to assess speed etc. Cllr O’Connor stated that the developer has ramps for the purpose. The Town Engineer however stated that the issue would need to be discussed with the Estates Engineer. Cllr Martin stated that the residents should be supported in their objectives.

                          xiii.        Cobh & Harbour Chamber; Cork Swansea Ferries advertising – agreed to discuss at next committee meeting.

6.         OFFICERS REPORT

                i.        Draft Development Contributions scheme – the Town Clerk gave a report to the members on the draft scheme as drawn up by Cork County Council. He outlined a number of items of interest to the members such as

§         Domestic garages which would be excluded from the scheme.

§         Part V of Planning & Development Act

§         Extensions and retention.

§         Change of layout.

§         ‘Granny’ flats.

The Mayor Cllr Whitty stated that it was necessary to examine historic conditions for the purposes of the scheme. It was agreed to examine the scheme further at the June meeting and to circulate the original scheme.

       ii.   Canine DNA database – the Town Clerk gave a report to the council on some of the estimated costs of setting up such a database.

       iii.  The Town Engineer outlined his proposals to place Double Yellow Lines on John O’Connell Street and College Manor. He stated that the works were being done with the intention of allowing emergency vehicles to pass both areas during busy periods. A number of councillors however wanted consideration to be given to giving residents in estates nearby the school Double Yellow Lines also. The Town Engineer stated that the entrances to these estates had been done already but they could not put lines further into the estate.

It was agreed to defer the proposed lining works for John O’Connell Street but that the works outside College manor should proceed.

7.         COMMITTEE REPORTS

      i.          Cllr O’Driscoll gave a report to the members on the new VEC Youthreach programme that had commenced work and on proposals to upgrade science laboratories in some schools.

     ii.          The Town Clerk gave a report on the Titanic Cities meetings and the details of the E-towns projects being prepared such as fundraising and the joint website. He stated that Cobh Town Council had purchased the website name www.Titaniccobh.ie. He also stated that Belfast City Council had proposed developing a Titanic Cities homepage at an estimated cost of €15,000, part of which would have to be paid by Cobh Town Council. This was adopted on the proposal of Cllr O’Connor and seconded by Cllr Whitty.

   iii.          Haulbowline Firing range visit – The Mayor, Cllr Whitty stated that the delegation carried out a tour of the base followed by a meeting and discussion with the Naval Service. He stated that they were given specifications & reports relating to the firing ranges. The officers at the firing range were also asked to visit Cobh to listen to the noise. Cllr Whitty stated that the noise level being quoted by the Naval Service was that which would be damaging to health whereas all the complaints were about noise nuisance which is of a lower decibel level.

8.       draft taking in charge policy

The adoption of the Taking in Charge Policy was proposed by Cllr O’Connor and seconded by Cllr Whitty.

18.       Any other business proper to the meeting

Aon ghnó eile.

Cllr O’Connor

                  i.        Planning permission granted in Whitepoint and the matter of access point. The Town Clerk reported that the issue was a legal matter for persons who dispute access.

                ii.        Cllr O’Connor also raised concerns by residents of a repeat of last years bonfires on bonfire night – the Town Clerk stated that he would ask the Town Foreman to keep an eye on the matter.

Cllr Martin

                i.        Proposed issuing congratulation to Cobh Pirates on winning the J2 Munster cup. This was seconded by Cllr McCarthy.

              ii.        Examine bad potholes on the road surface at Joe Reid’s place and Bayview.

Cllr McCarthy

                  i.        Requested permission for a board to be erected advertising the existence of a fundraising committee for a playground extension and skate park – the Town Engineer agreed to examine the matter.

                ii.        Cllr McCarthy again raised the matter of the sunken road/pothole at Rushbrooke cross outside Murphy’s cross which continues to deteriorate.

Cllr Sheppard

                i.        asked the Town Clerk about the scheme of letting priorities – The Town Clerk stated that the scheme was with the Department of the Environment & Local Government.

              ii.        Shores in the top of the Hill blocked at the Barbers & pizza shop and the area across the road from the barbers.

Cllr Quinlan raised the matter of the footpath at College Manor – it was agreed to refer the matter to the Area Engineer.

Cllr O’Driscoll stated that the manhole covers outside the ‘Roaring Donkey’ bar on Orelia Terrace were still in a dangerous condition.

 This concluded the business of the meeting

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Cathaoirleach