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 APRIL, 2006

Presiding -                  Cllr. Stella Meade, Mayor.

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

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

OFFICIALS PRESENT  

Ms. M. O’Halloran, Town Manager

Mr. P. Lynch, Town Clerk.

Mr. G. O’Hora, Town Engineer

An apology for his inability to attend was received from Cllr M Keating.

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

1.            PRESENTATION TO BALLYMORE COBH CYCLING AND TOURING CLUB

Cllr Meade welcomed a delegation from Ballymore Cobh Cycling and Touring Club led by their Chairman Mr Edward O’Riordan to the Town Hall. She stated that she was delighted that the FBD Insurance RÁS for 2006 was coming to Cobh in May and she thanked the club for their work in achieving the stage end in Cobh. Cllr Meade presented Mr O Riordan with a cheque for €2000 being the grant contribution agreed in the 2006 Budget in respect of the RÁS. Mr O Riordan stated that it was 20 years since the RAS had last visited Cobh. He stated that the club was delighted with the contribution from the Council and with the assistance provided by the Council in other areas. He advised the Members that two Cobh riders were involved in the RÁS this year. A number of the Councillors wished the club well in relation to the RÁS. The delegation then withdrew.

2.                  CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

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

Monthly meeting           13^th March 2006          Proposed – Cllr Mulvihill

                                                                        Seconded – Cllr Doyle

Matters arising from Minutes.

Cllr O Connor asked for an update in relation to the speed ramps on Norwood Park road. The Town Engineer stated that he had been advised by the County Council that investigation work was ongoing along the road in relation to identifying the location of services on the road.

Cllr O Connor asked for an update in relation to the landslide programme. The Town Manager stated that she had spoken to Departmental officials who had advised her that they were currently waiting for a report from the National Roads Authority in relation to technical assessment of proposals submitted by the Council.

Cllr O Connor asked for an update in relation to flooding at Whitepoint. The Town Engineer stated that the work was listed to be carried out by Town Council staff and would be done as soon as possible.

Cllr O Connor asked for an update in relation to traffic lights at Ballymore Cross. The Town Engineer stated that traffic lights were not suitable for this location but that he was looking at the options available in relation to traffic calming measures at this location.

Cllr McCarthy raised the issue of the Cobh Local Bus service. The Town Clerk stated that he had received a letter from the Gardaí in relation to this matter and that he was hoping to arrange a meeting with representatives of Barry’s Bus Ltd within the next week or so.

Cllr McCarthy asked for an update in relation to the pedestrian crossing at Midleton street. The Town Engineer stated that he was currently considering the matter and that he would come back to the Members with a report as soon as possible.

Cllr Mulvihill asked for an update in relation to the proposed Housing seminar. The Town Clerk stated that he was in discussions with County Council Officials in this regard and that he hoped that a seminar could be arranged before the end of April.

Cllr Doyle asked for an update in relation to the Herring Fleet. The Town Clerk circulated a copy of a letter issued to the Fisherman’s Organisation in relation to this matter.

Cllr Crowley asked whether or not any funding was being provided for a skate park in Cobh. The Manager stated that no indication had been received from the Department so far that further funding would be made available for the provision of skate parks.

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

3.                  VOTES OF CONDOLENCE

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

Elizabeth Donovan

The Votes were passed in silence, all standing.

4                    MANAGERS ORDERS

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

5.         CORRESPONDENCE

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

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

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

D)              Notice of Motion – Passage West Town Council – marked as read

E)               Notice of Motion –Clonakilty Town Council – marked as read

6.         OFFICER’S  REPORTS

A)                Taxi Regulator

The Town Clerk circulated a leaflet prepared by the Taxi Regulator outlining the new changes in taxi Policies. The Town Clerk stated that the Taxi Regulator had now taken up his duties and that all decisions in relation to Taxi Licences were being dealt with by the Taxi Regulator rather than by Local Authorities. A number of Cllrs expressed their concern that further powers were being taken from local Authorities. On the proposal of Cllr Whitty seconded by Cllr Doyle it was agreed that the Town Clerk would write to the Minister for the Environment outlining the concerns of the Members in this regard. It was also agreed that the Town Clerk would look at the possibility of billing the Regulator for further works carried out by the local authorities in relation to Taxis and Hackneys in the Town

B)                Fixed Charge Parking Offence System

The Town Clerk circulated details in relation to the new fixed charge parking offence system, which had been introduced from the 3^rd April. He stated that under the new system the charge payable in respect of parking offences had increased from €19 in most cases to €40. He stated that if the amount was not paid in 28 days the charge automatically increased by 50% and that after 56 days no further payment could be accepted and the matter was referred to the courts. On the proposal of Cllr Meade seconded by Cllr Mulvihill it was agreed that the Town Clerk would follow up on the motion adopted previously that fines levied by the district court in respect of parking offences would be paid directly to local authorities rather than into the Department of Justice.

Cllr Crowley asked for an update in relation to Bye-Laws for the control of skips. The Town Clerk stated that a draft set of Bye Laws had been prepared and that these would be referred to the Council Solicitors for their consideration.

C)                Update on the Housing List

The Manager circulated a report to the Members which outlined the numbers currently on the Town Council housing list.

D)                Litter Action Plan

The Manager circulated information to the Members in relation to the proposed Tidy Districts Competition. The Town Clerk circulated a list of the clean up areas currently being operated by the Town Council Staff to the Members. The Manager advised the Members that Cork County Council had carried out a clean-up of the R624 from Belvelly to the Cross River Ferry over the previous weekend.

7.         COMMITTEE REPORT

There were no committee reports for the meeting.

8.         TITANIC CENTENARY 2012

The Town Clerk circulated details provided by Southampton City Council in relation to proposals for the Centenary of Titanic in 2012. The Town Clerk stated that he had been in discussions with officials of Southampton City Council with a view to setting up an alliance between all the cities and towns associated with the Titanic story. On the proposal of Cllr Crowley seconded by Cllr Mulvihill the Town Clerk was authorised to proceed with the proposals.

9.                  PROPOSED BOUNDARY EXTENSION

The Town Clerk advised the Members that he had spoken to officials in Midleton Town Council and Kinsale Town Council with a view to their respective applications for boundary extension to Cork County Council. He stated that Town Council staff had established the rateable valuation of all commercial properties to be included within the area proposed for the boundary extension. He stated that it was hoped to move the process on as quickly as possible.

 10       ANY OTHER BUSINESS 

Condition of landscaping and lighting at front of Carrig House – Town Clerk to write to the owner of the building.

Display space for Cobh Museum – On the proposal of Cllr Whitty seconded by Cllr Mulvihill it was agreed that Town Council items currently held by Cobh Museum would be put on display in Carrig House.

Upgrading of Cuskinny Marsh – On the proposal of Cllr Whitty seconded by Cllr Doyle it was agreed to invite Mr James Wilson to the next meeting of the Council to discuss proposals in this regard.

Alleged unauthorised taxi base at Smalls Well – The Town Clerk stated that the matter was currently being examined.

Cllr Whitty advised the Members that a number of Rugby teams from Pontarddulais were due to visit Cobh at the end of April at the invitation of Cobh Pirates RFC.

On the proposal of Cllr O Connor seconded by Cllr McCarthy it was agreed that lands owned by the Council at Lower Cottrell’s Row, Connolly Street and Bishop Roche Park would be placed on the open market. It was agreed that any funding from the sale of those properties would be retained for Capital projects. It was agreed to authorise the Auctioneers dealing with the proposed sale of the old Town Hall to deal with these issues.

Signage and Fencing at Velvet House Cross roundabout - Town Engineer to examine.

CCTV at the Cathedral Car Park – the Town Clerk stated that he proposed to get them repaired as quickly as possible.

Town Centre sign at bottom of Bishops Road – Town Clerk to discuss with the Town foreman.

On the Proposal of Cllr Mulvihill seconded by Cllr Crowley it was agreed that the Town Council crest would be erected at the entrance to Carrig House.

Leaking Sewage at Rushbrooke Village – Cllr Histon stated that the matter had been raised with the Cork County Council but that they appeared to be of the opinion that they were not responsible. The Manager stated that she had been advised by the relevant officials that the pipe had been in private ownership following a request from Cllr Histon she agreed to follow up on the matter.

Closing of the public right of way between the Archways – Town Clerk to follow up with Town Architect.

Provision of replacement railings at Promenade – Town Clerk to follow up with Town Architect.

Need for disabled parking facilities at Victoria Estate – Town Engineer to examine.

Footpaths at Maurice Moore Place – Town Engineer stated that the upgrading of the footpaths was on the 2006 programme of work for Cork County Council.

This concluded the business of the meeting.  

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CATHAOIRLEACH

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TOWN CLERK

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