Minutes of Council meetings- list.:

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON MONDAY 13^th FEBRUARY, 2006

Presiding -                  Cllr. Stella Meade, Mayor.

Present -                     Cllrs.   P. Whitty, N.Doyle, J.Mulvihill, D. Crowley,

 S. O’Connor, M. Keating, K. McCarthy and P. Histon.

OFFICIALS PRESENT  

Ms. M. O’Halloran, Town Manager

Mr. P. Lynch, Town Clerk.

Mr. G. O’Hora, Town Engineer

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

1.            ATTENDANCE BY REPRESENTATIVES OF COBH (GREAT ISLAND) COMMUNITY CENTRE LTD.

Directors of the Company as well as members of the committee, including Fr. Donal O’Mahony, Chairperson, Mr. Billy Ramsell, Treasurer and Ms. Breda O’Donovan, Secretary, attended the meeting. Cllr. Meade welcomed the group to the meeting and expressed her delight that the Council was in a position to honour its commitment to provide a grant of €76,000 to the community Centre project. She stated that the project was very important to the social life of Cobh. The project had received assistance from the Diocese of Cloyne, who provided the site free of charge, as well as from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Cobh Town Council, Cork County Council and the people of Cobh to ensure the success of the project.

Speaking on behalf of the Directors and the Committee members, Fr. O’Mahony thanked the Mayor and the members of the Council for their contribution. He advised that site work had commenced in June, 2005 after many years of effort – the committee had been working since 1994 to see this project through. He stated that Phase 1 was now complete and that they were now seeking funding to allow Phase 2 to be carried out.

Mr. Ramsell thanked the members for their generosity and stated that the Company were now looking for further support from the Council and the community to finish the project.

The Manager stated that she appreciated the difficulties faced by the Committee to move the project forward. She advised that Cork County Council had agreed to provide a further contribution of €16,800 to the project from funds collected under the Development contributions Scheme.

The Mayor thanked the delegation for their attendance. The delegation then withdrew from the meeting.

2.            CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

The following minutes of Council meetings held having been circulated, were adopted as follows:

a)      Monthly Meeting, 9^th January, 2006 - proposed Cllr. Crowley, seconded Cllr. Mulvihill

b)      Committee Meeting, 23^rd January, 2006- proposed Cllr. Crowley, seconded Cllr. Mulvihill

Matters arising from minutes:

Cllr. O’Connor advised that a number of issues which had been raised at the previous meeting were not referred to in the minutes. These included the ramps at Norwood Park, the landslide programme in relation to Connolly Street, the issue of the trees at the Rope Walk and the provision of a loading bay adjacent to An Poc Fada. Cllr. Mulvihill advised that the issue of a footpath adjacent to the Spar supermarket was also omitted.

Cllr. Keating asked for an update in relation to the local bus service. The Town Clerk advised that he was waiting for updated proposals from Barry’s Coaches in this regard. He also advised that the Town Engineer had met with the Gardaí in relation to the issue of bus stops.

Cllr. Mulvihill asked for an update in relation to the Housing Seminar. The Town Clerk advised that he had been in contact with the relevant official of Cork County Council and was waiting for confirmation of a date.

Cllr. Mulvihill asked for an update in relation to the proposed Civic Amenity Site. The Manager advised that Cork County Council had started the Part 8 procedure in relation to the temporary waste water treatment plant proposed for the Council lands at Ballynoe and that this would allow the Waste Management Section to move ahead with its proposals. In relation to kerbside collection of recyclable materials, the Manager advised that the County Council hoped to start delivering bins in the Douglas and Kinsale areas within the next week and that it was hoped to rollout to Cobh during April.

Cllr. Doyle asked for an update on the issue of the herring fleet. The Manager stated that she had discussed the issue with the Chief Executive of the Port of Cork Company. He had advised that while the trawlers were currently using the weighbridge facilities at Ringaskiddy, the Port of cork were not allowing the trawlers to berth there. The company had no objection to a suitable location being found in Cobh for the fishermen but they did have an objection to use of the Deep Water Quay as this was the location of the Cruise Terminal.

Cllr. O’Connor asked for an update on the flooding at Whitepoint Drive. The Town Engineer advised that he was examining whether or not the proposed works for this area conflicted with the proposed Cobh Main Drainage Scheme.

Cllr. Crowley raised the issue of the lease on the Swimming Pool Site. The Town Clerk advised that he had raised the matter with the Council’s Solicitors to see if any action could be taken in this regard.

Cllr. Crowley raised the issue of a meeting with the Town Architect. The Town Clerk stated that the Town Architect had sent his apologies but had indicated his willingness to meet the Council. He stated that the Town Architect had asked that the issues to be raised would be notified to him in advance to allow him to have responses prepared. The Manager stated that the Town Architect would not be in a position to discuss any specific planning applications at a public meeting of the Council.

Cllr. O’Connor asked for an update in relation to the proposed ramps at Norwood Park Road. The Town Engineer stated that he was waiting for a response from the County Council Sanitary Engineer in this regard.

Cllr. O’Connor raised the issue of a barrier at the Four Cross Roads. The Town Engineer advised that due to changes in the road layout at this location the issue of barriers did not arise at the moment. He stated that there was only one record of a crash at the Lower Road side of this junction.

Cllr. Whitty asked that the issue of a footpath at Newtown Corner be considered by Cork County Council.

Cllr. Whitty asked for an update on the Cork County Council proposals in connection with the Water Leak Detection Project. The Manager undertook to check the position and advise the members accordingly.

Cllr. Crowley asked for an update in relation to the proposed Sale of the old Town Hall building. The Town Clerk stated that he was in discussions with an auctioneer and would advise the members as soon as possible.

Other matters arising from the meeting were dealt with as appropriate.

2            VOTES OF CONDOLENCE

The sympathy of the Council was extended to the relatives of the following:

Phil Brierly       

Peg Brierly

Mary Finn

Mary Ryan

Frank Taft

Val Frennett

The Votes were passed in silence, all standing.

3            MANAGERS ORDERS

Cllr’s noted Managers Orders, copies of which have been circulated.

4            CORRESPONDENCE

A)                Notice of Motion – Boyle Town Council – marked as read.

B)                Notice of Motion – Shannon Town Council – marked as read

C)                Notice of Motion – Balbriggan Town Council – marked as read

D)                John Reilly – Letter from Mr. Reilly in relation to the provision of a Loading Bay at O’Rahilly Street. The Town Clerk stated that the matter was being considered.

5.            OFFICER’S  REPORTS

A.                 Road Fund Grant Allocation

The Town Clerk advised that the Council had been notified that the allocation for 2006 was to be €279,000, an increase of €19,000 on 2005. He stated that the Town Engineer would present proposals in this regard to the next meeting of the Council and asked that if any member had any projects which they wished to have considered they should contact the Engineer directly.

B.                 Traffic Calming at West View

The Town Engineer stated that he had considered the issue of traffic calming measures at West View with the Garda Siochána. He stated that the provision of speed ramps was not a suitable solution for this location and that he was recommending the provision of “build-outs” whereby the width of the road would be narrowed at specific locations along the route by widening the footpath. It was agreed that the Town Engineer would arrange for this work to be included as part of the Road Fund Grant projects.

C.                 Traffic Calming Measures – Cork County Council Report.

The Town Engineer advised that Cork County Council had prepared a Draft Report in this regard and he circulated copies of the report to the members of the Council.

6.            COBH DRAFT LITTER MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Manager advised that the submissions received in connection with the Draft Plan had been circulated previously to the members. She stated that she felt that the Plan needed to be totally revamped to set out targets for the Council. She recommended that a sub-committee of the Council be set up to consider the issue. Following a discussion on the issue, it was agreed that all members of the Council would be part of the committee. It was agreed that the Council would meet in committee on Monday 27 February at 6.00 p.m. to consider the issue. The Manager undertook to have a document prepared for the members prior to the meeting.

7.            LOCAL GOVERNMENT STATUTORY AUDIT REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2004

The Manager referred to the Annual Financial Statement. She highlighted the balances at the start and end of 2004 and advised that the Revenue Balance Deficit had been reduced over the year. She stated that there was an overall debit balance on the Capital Account and this was due mainly to the Five Foot Way and the Promenade.

On the proposal of Cllr. Whitty, seconded by Cllr. Mulvihill, the Local Government Auditor’s report for 2004 was adopted.

8.            COMMITTEE  REPORTS

a)         Cobh Tourism. Cllr. Whitty advised the members of recent work undertaken by Cobh Tourism

b)            Strategic Policy Committee.  Cllr. Whitty advised that the SPC was currently considering a Points System for considering Housing Applications in the South Cork area.

9.            DISPOSAL OF FREEHOLD

The disposal of the freehold of 47 Stack Terrace and 28 Philip O’Neill Place, Cobh pursuant to Section 90 of the Housing Act, 1966 and Section 26 of the Landlord & Tenant (Ground Rents) (No. 2) Act, 1978 was approved on the proposal of Cllr. Keating, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy

10.            NOTICE OF MOTION 

The following notice of motion standing in the name of Cllr McCarthy seconded by Cllr O’Connor was adopted -

“That this Council agrees to start the process of extending the Town boundaries of Cobh with immediate effect. And that contact is made with Cork County Council to work out these new boundaries to the maximum benefit of the people of Cobh.”

The Town Clerk circulated a report which set out the procedure for extending the boundaries. The Manager advised that any proposal to extend boundaries must be financially neutral for the authorities involved. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would produce a map at the Committee meeting to be held on 27 February to allow consideration of the proposed boundary.

11.            NOTICE OF MOTION 

The following notice of motion standing in the name of Cllr McCarthy seconded by Cllr Mulvihill was adopted -

“That this Council provided safe pedestrian crossing from the corner of Clifton Place/West of Midleton Street to the East of Midleton Street in front of the Harbour Cabs office.”

It was agreed that the Town Engineer would arrange for surveys and a traffic count to be carried out at this location and report back to a future meeting of the Council.

12.            NOTICE OF MOTION 

The following notice of motion standing in the name of Cllr Mulvihill seconded by Cllr Crowley was adopted -

“That this Council call on the Department of Health and the Department of Education to set up a pilot scheme to train students in the life saving skill of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in our local second level schools”

It was agreed to write to both Ministers and to circulate the motion to each Local Authority in the State.

13.       ANY  OTHER BUSINESS 

Ongoing dumping at Kidney Strand – Town Engineer to examine with Town Foreman

Town Centre sign to be erected at entrance to Carrig House – Town Clerk to raise with Town Foreman

Illegal parking on footpath adjacent to Rushbrooke Station – Town Clerk to raise with Traffic Warden

Pothole at Joe Reid Place – Town Engineer to examine

Meeting re Scoping Studies – Town Clerk to raise with Mr. Sean Connolly.

Damage to private house at Thomas Kent Street – Town Clerk to raise with Town Foreman

Provision of footpath at Newtown Corner – Town Engineer to examine

Potholes at Five Foot Way – Town Engineer to examine

Ramps to front of Whitepoint Moorings – Town Clerk to follow up

Damage to footpath at Orelia Terrace caused by Gas Company – Town Engineer to examine

Partially cut tree at Swimming Pool Site – Town Clerk to raise with Town Architect

Loading Bay at An Poc Fada – Town Engineer to examine

Proposed works at Bishop Roche Park – Town Clerk to discuss with Town Foreman

Parking Tickets issued to people on approach road to Norwood School – Town Clerk to examine

This concluded the business of the meeting.  

__________________

CATHAOIRLEACH

________________________

TOWN CLERK

________________________

DATE