Minutes of Council meetings- list.:

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE OF COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON WEDNESDAY 4th APRIL, 2007.

Presiding - Cllr. N. Doyle

Present - Councillors S. Meade, P. Whitty, J. Mulvihill, S O’Connor, K. McCarthy, and P. Histon.

OFFICIALS PRESENT 
Ms. M. O’Halloran – Town Manager
Mr. P. Lynch – Town Clerk

An apology for their inability to attend was received from Cllrs. Danny Crowley and Michael Keating

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

1. TRAFFIC & PARKING ISSUES

The Town Clerk circulated copies of correspondence received in relation to this matter from the Cobh & Harbour Chamber and Mr. Hendrick Verwey as well as previous correspondence received from Mr. Declan Moynihan and Ms. Therese Wilson.

A number of councillors stated that the town Council, and in particular its decision to introduce pay parking was being blamed for the economic downturn in the town. However, they felt that a number of factors were responsible for the current position. Members felt that the Council had to act, and be seen to act, in the interests of the town in this regard. A full discussion on the issue of pay parking followed to which all members contributed.

The Manager stated that she was not happy with the financial implications for the Council of any proposal to suspend or get rid of pay parking in Cobh. She also stated that as Pay Parking had been introduced by way of Bye Law, any change would need a change to these Bye Laws. This would involve a public consultation period of not less than 2 months, as well as a delay of a minimum of 30 days after any decision taken by the members to change the Bye Laws.

On the proposal of Cllr. O’Connor, seconded by Cllr. Whitty, the following was agreed unanimously:

“That the time limit on the following streets – West View Carpark, Bishop’s Road and Harbour Row from the Preacher House Steps to The Bench be set at 4 hours.
That a 2 hour time limit, without pay parking, be introduced in the town for a trial period of 3 months, and this position to be reviewed at the end of the 3 month period”

It was agreed that the Town Clerk would ask the Council’s solicitors to examine whether or not this proposal would require an amendment to the Bye Laws. It was also agreed that once the position had been determined, a single statement would be issued by the Mayor on behalf of the elected members of the Council.

2.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS

On the proposal of Cllr. Whitty, seconded by Cllr. Histon, it was agreed that all poles and bollards in the town centre would be painted black and gold. Cllr. Whitty stated that Junior Chamber had agreed to do the work if the Council paid for the paint. The Manager agreed that the Council would cover the cost of the materials in this regard.

This concluded the business of the meeting.

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CATHAOIRLEACH

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TOWN CLERK

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