Minutes of Council meetings- list.:

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

Presiding -  Cllr. Noirin Doyle, Mayor.

Present - Cllrs.P. Whitty, S. Meade, D. Crowley, S. O’Connor,
J. Mulvihill, K. McCarthy, , M. Keating.

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 Paddy Histon

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

1 SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

On the proposal of Cllr Crowley seconded by Cllr Whitty it was agreed to suspend Standing Orders to allow a delegation from Cobh General Hospital to address the meeting. It was also agreed to move to item 11 on the agenda.

The following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr Crowley seconded by Cllr Mulvihill was adopted.

“That Cobh Town Council calls on the Minister for Health and Children, Minister Harney, the CEO of the Health Service Executive Professor Drumm and the Health Service (South) to enter into serious and meaningful negotiations with the Management and Staff of Cobh General Hospital with a view to taking over management of the Hospital.

Cllr Crowley introduced Ms Patsy Doyle from the Irish Nurses Organisation, Ms Una Horgan and Ms Elaine McKeown, both staff Nurses at Cobh General Hospital. Ms Doyle stated that the Irish Nurses Organisation and the Staff at Cobh General Hospital were looking for the support from the Council to achieve the superannuation entitlements for the Hospital. She stated that the hospital was run by the Bon Secours sisters, and that there were no pension rights for the staff of the hospital. She stated that although the Hospital was funded by the HSE it was not run by the HSE even though other similar Hospitals in Cork had been taken over by the HSE. She stated there was a Labour Court recommendation in relation to the take over of the Hospital which called on the HSE to enter into discussions in this regard but that the HSE had quoted the embargo on hiring as a reason for not taking over the hospital. She stated that the matter had now been handed back over to the Labour Court. The Irish Nurses Organisation had fears that if the HSE did not take over the Hospital, most of the Nurses would look for alternative employment. In response to questions from Members of the Council, Ms Doyle stated that a transfer of the hospital to the control of the HSE would guarantee its future. She stated that previous transfers has enhanced other hospitals on the past. Ms Doyle agreed to provide the Town Clerk with a list of the board of Governors in the Hospital which could then be circulated to the Members of the Council. In response to a question in relation to the ambulance service, Ms Doyle stated that he INO’s view was that an expansion of the Hospital would lead to greater pressure to provide an ambulance service for Cobh. A number of Cllrs spoke in support of the needs of the hospital staff. The view of the members was that this was an important facility for the community of Cobh and that staff provided an excellent service for the community. The Mayor then thanked Ms Doyle, Ms Horgan and Ms McKeown who withdrew from the meeting.
 
2 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

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

Monthly meeting    9th October, 2006   Proposed – Cllr Meade        Seconded – Cllr Mulvihill

Committee meeting     16th October, 2006  Proposed  - Cllr Meade
Seconded - Cllr Mulvihill

Matters arising from Minutes

Cobh Landslide Programme

The Manager stated that she had been in further contact with the Department. She stated that the Department had accepted the seriousness of the situation. She advised that the County Council had asked the DOE to allow Cobh Town Council to carry out works immediately rather than to wait for a full review. She stated that she was currently awaiting a response to that request.

Derelict Sites

The Town Clerk advised that he had requested a valuation in relation to Derelict Sites and No 1 and No 2 Casement Square with a view to imposing a derelict sites levy on those two properties.

Progress on the Litter Action Plan 2006

The Town Clerk advised that the Litter leaflet had been forwarded to An Post and that it was due to be delivered in the next week. A number of Cllrs raised concerns in relation to the collection of refuse bags on Harbour Row by Wisers. The Manager stated that people in other parts of the town that did not appear to be customers of Wisers were using bags and dumping those on Harbour Row. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would investigate this matter. It was also agreed that the Town Clerk would write to Wisers asking them to consider collecting the bags on Harbour Row after 6p.m. In response to a question from Cllr Meade, the Manager stated that the County Council’s policy was to remove the large recycling bins in areas where kerbside recycling was in place. She stated that the recycling facility at Rossmore was due to remain open. She advised the Members that Cork Council were currently progressing they’re plans to locate a civic amenity site in Cobh on lands owned by Cobh Town Council in Ballynoe. She stated that other sites had been looked at but that the Ballynoe Site had been deemed to be the best option. She advised that no decision had been taken as to whether or not the Ballynoe Site would permit the domestic refuse or whether it would strictly be for recyclable goods only.

Cobh Pool and Leisure Centre

Cllr Whitty stated that he had been contacted by a member of the public who had stated that there had been a change in price for over 55s. Cllr Crowley stated that this had not been discussed at board level by Carrignafoy Leisure Ltd. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would follow up this matter with Aura. Cllr McCarthy stated that he had raised an issue at the previous meeting to differences in prices between the Aura Centre in Cobh and the Aura Centre in Youghal. He stated that he accepted that the prices in both centres were the same.

Parking at Whitepoint

The Town Engineer stated that he had examined double yellow lines but he felt that they would not be successful. He stated that he would be examining this matter further.

Pedestrian Crossing in Midleton Street.

The Town Engineer stated that work had started and was ongoing at this location.

Footpath at Westbeach

The Town Engineer stated work was due to start on this area within the next week.

Boat and trailer parked on Bishop Street

The Town Clerk stated that a notice had been served in relation to the boat and trailer and that it was hoped to follow up as soon as possible.

East Cork Tourism

The Town Clerk stated that he had been contacted by Ryan Howard with a view to meeting to discuss tourism matters. He stated that Ryan Howard was due to meet with the Mayor during the week. Cllr Whitty asked that all Members should have a right to attend the meeting

Local Bus Service

Cllr Keating raised the issue of a meeting with Barry’s Coaches Ltd in connection with the letter received from the Department of Transport. The Town Clerk stated that Mr Thomas Kavanagh was away until the end of November and that a meeting would be arranged at that stage.

Proposed Marina

Town Clerk advised Members that the matter had been adjourned to the 23rd November.

Condition of Roadway in Assumption Place

Town Engineer stated that a report had been prepared and forwarded to Mr Derry Sullivan, Area Engineer.

Condition of sewer at Westbourne Place

The Town Manager stated that she and been advised by the Sanitary Engineer that there had been a specific problem in recent months that was being dealt with. On the proposal of Cllr Doyle seconded by Cllr Mulvihill it was agreed that Mr David O Keoffe, Senior Executive Engineer would be invited to a future meeting of the Council to discuss issues of interest to the Members.

Other matters arising were dealt with as appropriate.

3  VOTES OF CONDOLENCE

The sympathy of the Council was extended to the relatives of all of those who had died since the previous meeting of the Council. 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 Confederation of European Councillors

Letter from the Confederation of European Councillors in relation to seminar to be held on Friday the 8th December, 2006

b Commodore Male Voice Choir

Letter from Mr Tony Nolan, Chairman of the Commodore Male Voice Choir inviting the Members to attend a Christmas Concert on Thursday the 14th December in the Commodore Hotel

c Cobh Hospital

The Town Clerk circulated an email he had received from Ms Helen Baitson Care Attendant at Cobh General Hospital in relation to an article in the Evening Echo on the previous Friday concerning proposed industrial action at Cobh General Hospital.

d Cobh Ploermel Twinning Association

Letter from Mr Noel Cunningham Assistant Secretary of the Cobh Ploermel Twinning Association enclosing a copy of the financial work of the Association for the year ending 31st March, 2006. The letter stated that an invitation had been received from the Ploermel Committee to visit Ploermel in 2007. On the proposal of Cllr Crowley seconded by Cllr Mulvihill it was agreed that the Mayor of the day would accompany the group as a representative of the Council.

6. OFFICER’S  REPORTS

Nothing raised under this item.

7 REPORT OF THE HOUSING SUBCOMMITTEE

Cllr McCarthy stated that the Housing Subcommittee had been set up to look at the allocation system for Council houses in Cobh. He stated that the Committee had looked at systems in other Local Authorities and had advised a system which they felt best suited the needs of the people in Cobh. He stated that the Committee had met with Senior Officials of the County Council Housing Department. He stated that the Committee recommended that the members would favourably consider the Draft Scheme. Copy of the Draft Scheme was circulated to the Members. It was agreed that the matter would be placed on the agenda for the December meeting of the Council. Cllr McCarthy stated that the scheme should include an allowance for applicants to examine their own files.

8 COMMITTEE REPORTS

Nothing raised under this item.

9 DRAFT RECREATION AND AMENITY POLICY

The Manager stated that Cork County Council had adopted a recreation and amenity policy in July 2006. She stated that this was additional to the Development Contributions Scheme adopted by each Planning Authority. She stated that it was the view of the County Council that each Town Council would adopt the policy so that there would be a uniform policy throughout the entire County. A copy of the Draft Policy was circulated to the Members and it was agreed to place the matter on the agenda for the December Meeting of the Council.

                                                                               
10 FIXE DATE FOR THE 2007 BUDGET MEETING

On the Proposal of Cllr Doyle seconded by Cllr Crowley it was agreed to hold the Budget Meeting on Tuesday 19th December at 6pm. It was also agreed that a pre-Budget meeting in committee would be arranged as soon as possible.

11 DISPOSAL OF FREEHOLD

The disposal of the freehold of 48, Belmont Place, and 1, O’Sullivan 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. Mulvihill seconded by Cllr Whitty.

12 NOTICE OF MOTION

The following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr Mulvihill seconded by Cllr Crowley was adopted

“That money be made available for the purchase of a gum removing machine in the forthcoming Budget to improve the façade of our town”

Cllr Mulvihill stated that the estimated cost of such a machine was in the region of €25000. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would write to Youghal Town Council and Midleton Town Council to consider purchasing the machine on a joint basis. The Manager stated that the proposal would be considered as part of the Budget process.
                  
13 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

On the proposal of Cllr Doyle seconded by Cllr Meade it was agreed that the Christmas lights would be switched on at 4pm on Saturday the 2nd December. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would liaise with the Cobh and Harbour Chamber in this regard.

Cllr McCarthy asked for an update in relation to the proposed boundary extension. The Town Clerk stated that he was currently working on the report and would present a report to the Members as soon as it was completed.

Shore at Kirkwood Villas – the Town Engineer stated that the shore was being cleared on a regular basis but that he would follow up on the matter.

Need for pedestrian entrance close to Cluain Ard – The Town Engineer stated that Cork County Council was currently considering a Planning Application which related to this development. He stated that the matter was currently being examined as part of that application.

Abandoned boat at the Cross River ferry – The Town Engineer stated that it was a matter for Cork County Council and that he would raise the matter directly with the County Council Engineer.

On the proposal of Cllr Whitty seconded by Cllr Doyle it was agreed to invite the new Town Architect to the next meeting of the Council.

Provision of litter bin at black railings – The Town Clerk to raise with the Town Foreman.

Speeding at Five Foot Way car park – Cllr Mulvihill asked that the Council would consider putting speed ramps in the car park. The Town Engineer agreed to examine all the options.

This concluded the business of the meeting.  

____________
CATHAOIRLEACH

________________________
TOWN CLERK

________________________
DATE