Minutes of Council meetings- list.:

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON MONDAY 12th FEBRUARY, 2007

Presiding -  Cllr. N. Doyle, Mayor.

Present - Cllrs.P. Whitty, 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
Mr D O Keoffe, Senior Executive Engineer, Cork County Council

An Apology for his inability to attend was received from Cllr S Meade and J Mulvihill

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

1 ATTENDANCE BY MR DAVID O’KEEFFE SENIOR EXECUTIVE ENGINEER

Cllr Doyle welcomed David O’Keeffe to the meeting. The Town Clerk stated that four issues had been raised by the Members for discussion by David O’Keeffe. Mr O’Keeffe stated that he wished to report as follows in relation to the issues raised.

1 – Replacement of Water Main on Norwood Park Road – He stated that the work was ongoing. He stated that he hoped that within three or four weeks the main would have been re-layed. He estimated that a further three weeks would have been necessary to deal with individual water connections along the road.

2- Sewers at Westbourne Place. He stated that the difficulty was that they consisted of old culverts under buildings. He stated that there had been many connections to the main culvert in the past. He stated that he was hoping to carry out further investigations in this regard.

3-Manholes at the One Hour Photo Shop. He stated that he examined with the Town Engineer and that it was hoped to examine this matter further.

4-Sewer at Lynchs Quay – He stated that blockages occurred every few months and that the sewers were cleared out as necessary. He stated that he had examined the possibility of replacing the sewer in its entirety. Cllr O’Connor stated that an undertaking had been given to repair the sewer on Lynchs Quay once the development of the Custom House had been completed. He stated that there were major problems with owners in the East Beach area and that the matter needed to be dealt with as a priority. Cllr Histon stated that the sewer on Lynchs Quay had had to be cleared on five occasions during 2006.

Cllr O’Connor raised the issue of a problem with a water supply in Plunkett Tce. He stated that an elderly couple living in the terrace had no stopcock for a separate supply. The matter was being dealt with Barry O Brien but there had been no resolution to date. Mr O’Keeffe stated that he would examine the matter and report back to the Members. Cllr Whitty asked for an update in relation to the Lower Harbour Sewers Scheme and the water leak detection scheme. Mr O’Keeffe stated that contracts were being prepared in relation to the lower Harbour Scheme. He stated that he was not dealing with the matter directly but that he would try to get an answer for the Members. In relation to the Water Leak Detection Scheme he stated that leaks were being identified on an ongoing basis. He stated that the repair work was being done on a priority basis. Cllr McCarthy raised the condition of the road close to the Housing Development at Ballywilliam. He also raised the issue of the pipe on Kidney Strand, which he said was broken again. Mr O’Keeffe said that he would examine these matters and report back to the Members. Cllr Doyle stated that she wished to praise those who are carrying out the work on the Norwood Park road. She stated that they were minimising the inconvenience to residents and she wished to have this recorded. The Mayor thanked Mr O’Keeffe for his attendance. Mr O’Keeffe then withdrew.

2  CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

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

Monthly meeting     8th January, 2007  Proposed – Cllr O Connor
       Seconded – Cllr Crowley

The Town Clerk stated that the Minutes of the Committee on the 15th January 2007 had not been circulated previously, it was agreed to defer consideration until a future meeting.

Matters arising from Minutes

Cobh Landslide Programme
The Town Clerk stated that a report had been received from JODA Consulting Engineers in relation to Westview, he stated that this report was forwarded to the Department on the date it was received. He stated that the report stated that the estimated cost of the works was in the region of €900,000 to €1 million. He advised the Members that there had been no further response from the Minister in relation to the request for a meeting. He stated that he had met the Minister for State, Minister Michael Aherne to bring him up to date in relation to the issue. Cllr O Connor stated that he had contacted Minister Roches office on a number of occasions. He stated that the Council should send a delegation to the Ministers Clinic to meet if the Minister was not forthcoming in their request. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would write again to the Minister for the Environment in this regard.

Derelict sites
The Town Clerk advised that valuations had been received in respect of 1 and 2 Casement Square and had been entered on the register. The owner had been advised of the valuations and had four weeks to appeal the valuations. The Town Clerk stated that in the event that the valuation was not appealed to the valuation tribunal, the next step was to levy a charge of 3% of the market value in respect of both properties for the 1st January, 2007. He stated that an appeal would only deal with the valuation and not with a decision to levy the charge.

Litter Audit Committee
The Town Clerk stated that the first meeting of the committee had been held and that a further meeting was due to be held on the 21st February.

Parking at Whitepoint
The Town Engineer stated that the lining had now been completed.

Pedestrian Crossing at Midleton Street
The Town Engineer advised that construction work had been completed and that the lining had been done and that they were now waiting for the ESB to turn the electricity.

Local Bus Service
The Town Clerk stated that he had held a meeting with the Mayor and Mr Thomas Kavanagh in relation to the bus service. The Mayor stated that Mr Kavanagh had maintained that he had been told by Minister Cullen that funding would be made available to Cobh Town Council if an application for funding was submitted by the Council. The Mayor stated that in view of the Departments refusal, Mr Kavanagh had stated that he could not maintain the service beyond the end of June 2007. A number of Cllrs. expressed their extreme disappointment at the decision of Mr Kavanagh. They stated that they had been assured by Mr Kavanagh that funding was available from the Department of Transport. The Manager stated that it may be possible to seek funding under the rural transport initiative. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would examine this matter.

Pedestrian Crossing at Cluain Ard
The Town Engineer stated that he had carried out a traffic survey. He stated that there was not sufficient usage to warrant a pedestrian crossing at this location. He advised the Members that he would look at road marking and signage to make the area safer. A number of Cllrs stated that the issue of traffic Calming measures at this location needed to be seriously considered.

Housing Subcommittee
On the proposal of Cllr Doyle seconded by Cllr Whitty it was agreed that the Council would meet in committee at 6pm on Monday the 19th, February to discuss the report of the housing subcommittee. It was agreed that the issue of tourism funding would also be discussed at the meeting.

Road Markings at exit from St Colemans Square
The Town Engineer stated that this work was partially done and was due to be completed shortly.

Yellow box at junction of Lake Road and Laundry Hill
The Town Engineer stated that this work be done as part of the Road Fund Grant.

Loading Bay at Puc Fada
The Town Engineer stated that this work was partially done and was due to be completed shortly.

Height Restriction Sign at the Top of Westview
The Town Engineer stated that the sign had now been erected.

Exit from the Cathedral
The Town Engineer stated that a concealed entrance sign was due to be erected within the week.

Condition of Roads at Belmont Place and Ballywilliam
Cllr Histon stated that Ballywilliam road had been closed as far as the golf club entrance and that this was causing severe inconvenience. Cllr Crowley stated that the road at Belmont was only being cleaned once a day and that the condition of the road before cleaning every day was dangerous.

Insulation of housing Stock
The Town Manager stated that Sustainable Energy Ireland provide some grant aid. She stated that they don’t fund local Authorities directly. She stated that she had been advised that a company was operating in Cork City and she was investigating whether or not this company would be able to carry out work in Cobh.

Upgrade of R624
Cllr Whitty stated that the County Manager had announced to the Chamber in February 06 that drawings for the upgrade of the R624 would be ready in one week. He stated that 12 months later there had been no progress in this regard. The Town Manager stated that the project had been delayed due to Environmental concerns and that the County Council were now working on this matter.

Cobh Tourism
Cllr Doyle stated that she wished to express her disappointment at the turn out of the AGM of Cobh Tourism by Product Providers in the Town. On the proposal of Cllr Crowley seconded of Cllr Whitty it was agreed to extend a vote of congratulations to Henrick Verway on his appointment as Chair of Cobh Tourism.

Development Potential of Council Sites
The Town Clerk stated that a number of sites had been identified, he stated that the Town Architect had been on sick leave and that it had not been possible to discuss the matter with him. He stated that he hoped to have a report for the next meeting of the Council.

Condition of shores at Kirkwood Villas at Newtown
The Town Engineer stated that the gullies had been cleaned out and that further investigations were ongoing.

Public Right of Way at Ringacoltig
The Town Clerk stated that the right of way had now been reopened. Cllr Whitty stated that the right of way was open but it was in poor condition.

Other matters arising from Meeting were dealt with as appropriate.

3  VOTES OF CONDOLENCE & CONGRATULATIONS

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.

A Vote of Condolence was passed in relation to two previous employees of the council Mr Finbarr Allison and Mr Bobby Donnachie who had died since the previous meeting of the Council. The Manager and the Town Clerk stated that they wished to be associated with the votes of condolence.

4 MANAGERS ORDERS

Cllr noted managers orders copies of which had been circulated.

5 CORRESPONDENCE

Spike Island Heritage Committee Letter from Mr Michael Martin, Chairman of the Spike Island Heritage Committee asking that the Town Council would make a submission to Cork County Council in respect of the review of the County Development Plan. The Committee asked that the Council would seek Heritage status for Spike Island.

Letter from Mr Declan Moynihan, Rings Shop East Beach in relation to Pay Parking. Cllr O Connor stated that he wished to support Mr Moynihan. He asked that consideration would be given to providing free parking every morning for three months in the town. Cllr Keating stated that businesses were closing in Cobh for reasons other than the cost of parking. He stated that 50 cent per hour was not excessive. Cllr McCarthy stated that the problem in Cobh was that there was insufficient parking spaces in the town centre. He stated that one of the reasons that people were going to other towns was that the prices in other towns were cheap. Cllr Histon stated that if pre parking was introduced spaces would be taken up by people working in the town and would not provide extra spaces for people shopping in the town. He stated that Pay Parking was not the source of the problem in Cobh and that businees’ would have to look at all the other reasons of their problems. He stated that if people wanted Cobh to thrive they would have to shop within the town.

Review of County Development Plan Cllr Crowley stated that the document submitted made no reference to Cobh. He stated that it was disappointing that the County Development Plan was not available for inspection in the largest town in the county.

Road Fund Grant Allocation 2007 The Town Clerk stated that the Road Fund Grant Allocation for 2007 had now been notified. He stated that as in previous years the Town Engineer would be preparing a report for the March meeting of the Council and he asked that if any Members had any areas of the town that they wished to be included in this report to bring that information to the attention of the Town Clerk or the Town Engineer as soon as possible.

6. OFFICER’S  REPORTS

1 Litter Action Plan 2007 

The Town Clerk circulated the draft Litter Action Plan 2007. Cllr Crowley asked that more work be given on concentrating on enforcing the Litter Pollution Act. He stated that dog fouling was a problem in the Town and he asked that the dog warden be invited to visit the town. Cllr McCarthy raised the issue of dumping on Harbour Row. He asked that CCTV form the Credit Union be used to identify those who are dumping illegally. On the proposal of Cllr Crowley seconded by Cllr McCarthy the 2007 Litter Action Plan was adopted.

2 Allowances for expenses incurred by Member

The Town Clerk referred to the circular, which he had circulated with the Minutes of the Meeting. He stated that he was in the process of preparing forms for use by the Members.

3 Draft Scheme of Letting Priorities

The Town Clerk stated a copy of the Draft Scheme of Letting Priorities as proposed by the housing subcommittee

7 COMMITTEE REPORTS

No issues were raised under this item
 
8 DISPOSAL OF FREEHOLD

The disposal of the freehold of 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. Keating seconded by Cllr O Connor

9 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Whitty stated that a resident of Sarsfield Hogan Place had broken her leg recently bringing her bin to the street. He stated that the condition of the estate was very poor. He asked that Cork County Council would be asked to get their refuse workers to bring bins up and down for the elderly residents of the estate.

Cllr O Connor stated that fascias and soffits needed to be replaced in the estate. He stated that a motion had been adopted by the Council during 2006 to ensure that this was done. The Town Clerk agreed to follow up in this regard.

Cllr O Connor raised concern in relation to anti social behaviour in a Council estate. He stated that a former tenant who had bought their house was now trying to sell their house but was having a difficulty due to the condition of the Council House next door. He stated in addition, that a house in another estate was in very poor condition and that repairs were not being done due to serious arrears. The Town Clerk stated that an inspection had been carried out on the first house referred to by Cllr O Connor recently and that there had been no rubbish in the garden at the time of the inspection. He stated however that he would follow up. In relation to the second house he stated that the policy had been for a number of years that only emergency repairs were being carried out to houses where there were serious arrears. He agreed however to examine the matter further.

The issue of illegal parking at the junction of Thomas Kent Street and Bishop Street was raised. It was agreed that the Town Engineer would examine the possibility of extending the double yellow lines.

Cllr O Connor asked the mayor whether she had a request to meet or was participating in talks with diocesan authorities in relation to redevelopment of the Cathedral. The Mayor stated that she had no comment to make in this regard. Cllr Whitty asked whether any meetings or any request had been in her role as Mayor or as a citizen. The Mayor stated that she had not had any correspondence with anybody in relation to the Cathedral in her role as Mayor of Cobh. Cllr O Connor asked if the Town Clerk or other Council officials had been invited to or were participating in talks with in relation to the Cathedral. The Town Clerk stated that a request had been made for a meeting with the Church Authorities in this regard. The stated that the meeting had not taken place and that he was not aware of any plans to hold any meetings in the future.

Cllr Whitty stated that he had a query in relation to the pricing structure of the pool. He asked that a report would be prepared for the next meeting on how the pool was operating and the pricing structure. He asked who decided on the prices for the pool. Cllr Crowley stated that he wished to confirm that the prices had increased. He stated that as a member of the board of directors he had been advised that the operators were running at a loss for the first four months of operation. It was agreed that a full report in this regard would be prepared for the next meeting of the Council.

Cllr Histon raised the issue of a road gully in Thomas Street which he stated was in a dangerous condition. The Town Engineer agreed to examine.

Cllr Whitty stated that he had received a complaint in relation to lack of privacy in the office of the rent collector in the Town Hall. He asked that the office be redesigned to allow privacy. The Town Clerk agreed to examine this matter.

This concluded the business of the meeting.  

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CATHAOIRLEACH

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TOWN CLERK

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