Minutes of Council meetings- list.:

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON TUESDAY 10th APRIL, 2007

Presiding -   Cllr. N. Doyle, Mayor.

Present - Cllr’s. P. Whitty, S. Meade, 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

Apologies for their inability to attend was received from Cllr Michael Keating and Mr Gerard O’Hora

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

1. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

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

Monthly Meeting        12th March, 2007     Proposed – Cllr Meade 
       Seconded – Cllr Mulvihill

Committee Meeting        12th March, 2007   Proposed – Cllr Meade
       Seconded – Cllr Mulvihill

Matters arising from Minutes

Attendance by Mr David O’Keeffe
Town Engineer stated that he had received further report from Mr O’Keeffe in relation to issues outstanding from the pervious meeting.  He stated that in relation to the condition of the sewer in Lynch’s Quay further investigation due to take place on this matter.  He stated that in relation to the water supply in Plunkett Terrace the matter had now been listed for work and was due to be completed shortly.  Cllr Histon asked that Mr O’Keeffe report further in relation to the condition of manhole covers at West Beach.  Cllr Mulvihill asked for an update in relation to the development of lands of Ballynoe.  Town Clerk stated that work was due to start shortly in this regard he stated that his understanding was that it would take 9 months to construct the temporary waste water treatment plan on the lands.  He stated that the architect department were currently preparing a brief to engage architectural consultants that he would revise the members further of any progress in this regard. 

Cobh Landslide Program
The Manager stated that the Department of the Environment had replied to Cork County Council. She stated that the Department were looking for an expert to oversee a brief for an appointment of a consultant to carry out a review of the overall landslide program.  Cllr O’ Connor stated that he had received a response from the Minister to his letters to him. He stated that the Minister had advised that he was unable to meet the members but that officials from his department would meet officials from the Town Council.  Town Clerk stated that he had not received any contact from officials in the Department on this regard.  On the proposal of Cllr O’Connor seconded by Cllr Meade it was agreed that the Town Clerk would follow up on the Ministers email to Cllr O’ Connor looking for a meeting with the officials and that members would be notified in advance of any such meeting.

Pedestrian Crossing at Midleton Street
It was agreed that the Town Clerk would follow up on this matter with the Town Engineer.

Local Bus Service
The Mayor stated that she had spoke to ECAD in this regard she stated that they were looking at an East Cork plan which would include Cobh and Midleton together in an overall transport system.

Road Markings at exit from St Colman’s Square
The Town Engineer stated that this work was due to be carried out in the next week.

Exit from the Cathedral
The Town Clerk stated that this work was due to be carried out in the next week.

Proposed meeting with County Manager
Town Clerk stated that a letter had issued to the manager inviting him to meet with the members.

Fascias and Soffits at Sarsfield Hogan Place
It agreed that the Town Clerk would follow up this matter with the Town Engineer.

Parking at the junction of Thomas Kent Street and Bishops Street
The Town Clerk agreed to follow up this matter with the Town Engineer.

Road gully at Thomas Street
Town Clerk had reported that this matter had now been completed.

Issue of privacy in the office of the Rent Collector
Town Clerk stated that this work had been carried out.

Parking at the Heritage Centre
Town Clerk stated that this was listed for work within the next week.

Notices concerning control of dogs in the Five Foot Way
Town Clerk agreed to follow up on this matter.

Erection of a sign adjacent to the Sea Scouts Shed
Town Clerk agreed to follow up this matter.

Tourism Issues
It was agreed that the Town Clerk would write to Midleton Town Council and Youghal Town Council asking for the names of their representatives on East Cork Tourism and Cork Kerry Tourism with a view to a meeting.

Other matters arising at the minutes were dealt with as appropriate.

2. 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.

3. MANAGERS ORDERS

Cllr noted Manager’s orders copies of which had been circulated.

4. CORRESPONDENCE

A) Notice of Motion Naas Town Council - Motion marked as read. 
 
B) Letter from Fr Donal O Mahoney thanking the members for their recent civic reception on the eve of his departure from Cobh

C) Notice of Motion Portlaoise Town Council -  Motion was marked as read.

5. OFFICER’S  REPORTS

 A)    Update on Derelict Sites

The Town Clerk advised the members of the current position in relation of the Derelict sites register. He stated that five properties have been placed on the register namely No.1 Casement Square, No.2 Casement Square, 5 Pearse Square, 5 Albert Terrace and 5 Cathedral Place.  He stated that derelict sites levy had been placed on the two sites in Casement Square.  He stated that work was currently ongoing at 5 Pearse Square which would render the site non-derelict.  He advised the members that there were issues in relation to ownership at 5 Albert Terrace and No. 5 Cathedral Place.  He has requested a report from the Town Engineer in relation to both of these sites.

The Town Clerk advised that preliminary notices had been placed on 15 other sites in the town.  He stated that in relation to these planning applications had been lodged in relation to two sites and two further sites had been developed and were no longer derelict.  A report had been received in relation to one site namely 1. Church Street.  A Manager’s Order was being prepared with a view to placing this site on the derelict site register.  Town Clerk advised the members that there was 10 remaining sites, 4 in Harbour Row and 2 in Wolfe Tone Street as well as sites in Thomas Street, Sandymount and Wilmount. He stated that he had requested reports in relation to the sites on Harbour Row and Wolfe Tone Street and that he would keep the members informed in this regard.

 B)    Development potential of Town Council owned land

Town Clerk circulated a report which had been prepared by the Town Architect in relation to 5 sites in the ownership of the Council.  On the proposal of Cllr O’ Connor Seconded by Cllr Whitty it was agreed to accept the recommendations of the town architect in relation to these sites the recommendations were to develop the Council lands at Lower Cottrell’s Row, at Russell Heights, and Bishop Roche Park Upper.  The recommendation in relation to Connolly Street was that the property be sold to clear a debt outstanding in the property.  In relation to the lower site of Bishop Roche Park the recommendation was that the site be retained for recreation and amenity proposes.  On the proposal of Cllr Doyle, seconded by Cllr O’Connor it was agreed that the Town Clerk would arrange for independent valuations to be sought in relation to the site at Connolly Street and also to a site adjacent to the Lower Bishop Park site.

 C) Aura Leisure Centre

Town Clerk circulated a report in relation to progress at the Aura Leisure Centre.  The report outlined the number of memberships as of the 12th of March 2007 as well as the current prices and the usage figures from the date of opening to the end of January 2007.  Cllr Whitty stated that he had raised queries with the manager of the leisure centre and had been advised to refer those questions to the Board of Carrignafoy Leisure Ltd.  The Town Clerk stated that if Cllr Whitty forwarded the queries to him that he would arrange for answer to be provided.  Cllr Crowley asked for an update for an official opening of the pool. The Town Clerk stated that the Minister had advised that he would be available to open the pool on the 2nd of May. The Town Clerk stated that he had been advised by the Mayor that she was not available on that date.  On the proposal of Cllr Crowley Seconded by Cllr Whitty it was agreed that the Town Clerk would write to the Minister for Arts Sports and Tourism advising that the Council intended officially opening the pool on the 18th May at 12 noon.  It was agreed that the Town Clerk would arrange for invitations to issue to appropriate parties in this regard.

D) Parking Bye-Laws
Town Clerk circulated the copy of the press statement which had issued by the mayor in relation to this issue.  It was agreed that the Town Clerk would arrange for draft Bye-Laws to be prepared and put on public display as soon as possible. 

6. COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Cobh Tourism
Cllr Whitty stated that the painting of the bollards and poles in the town centre was ongoing and that volunteers working on behalf of Cobh Tourism were working to get this done as quickly as possible. 

2. Cobh Clean Up
Cllr Whitty stated that Mary Stack from Cork County Council as well as Birgit O Driscoll An Taisce and members of Cobh Town Council were working together to organise a clean up.  He advised the members that Sonia O Sullivan was due in Cobh on Friday the 20th of April to meet with children in primary schools.  A waste electrical and electronic equipment collection was organised for that Saturday in the Five Foot Way and a full clean up was organised for Sunday afternoon throughout the town.  The manager stated that Cork County Council was organising a clean up on the Fota Road to coincide with the Town Councils clean up. She advised the members that the County Council had agreed to collect all of the materials collected over the weekend of the clean up on Monday the 23rd.

3. Cobh Tourism
Cllr Whitty stated that Saturday the 14th of April was the 95th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  He stated that Cobh Tourism had organised a commemoration event.  He stated that Cobh Heritage Centre were also organising an event to coincide with the weekend and were providing free admission and a concert on the date. He stated that Cobh Museum and the Titanic Trail were also arranging for free admission on that date.  Cllr Doyle stated that Southampton City Council were hosting a Titanic Cities Website and that she was visiting Southampton on the Weekend of the 13th 14th and 15th at the invitation of the mayor at Southampton in this regard.

7. NOTICE OF MOTION

The following notice of motion standing in the name of Cllr McCarthy seconded by Cllr Whitty was adopted.

 “That this Council agrees to ensure that every dwelling within its housing stock that becomes available in the future is immediately addressed with the necessary repairs if required and in reallocated within 6 weeks of it becoming vacant.”

The Town Clerk stated that 4 houses in Cobh were empty at present.  He stated that work was ongoing on some at present and work on the remainder would start once the other houses had been repaired and were ready for allocation. 

8. NOTICE OF MOTION

The following notice of motion standing in the name of Cllr McCarthy seconded by Cllr Whitty was adopted.

“That this Council agrees to follow up on its earlier commitment to apply to Cork County Council for an extension for its Town Borders and that it does this indeed as well as in words.”

Town Clerk stated that he was currently working on a draft proposal in this regard and that he hoped to place the draft proposal before the members at the main meeting of the Council.

9. NOTICE OF MOTION

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

“That Cobh Town Council invites the Management of Wiser Bins to a meeting to explain the current unsatisfactory system of Tag a Bag in Cobh due to the litter issues it is causing and ask them to investigate the introduction of a system of traceability in relation to their Tag system.”

The Town Clerk stated that he had been in correspondence with Wiser in relation to difficulties being experienced in Harbour Row and Harbour Hill and that Wiser’s had written to their customers advising them of the Councils requirements in this regard.  Cllr Whitty stated that he had investigated complaints in relation to the availability of stickers for the Tag a Bag system and that it appeared that the retailers selling the stickers were doing what they could to ensure the system was not being abused.
 
10.  NOTICE OF MOTION

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

“That Cobh Town Council introduce a sliding scale in relation to the rates that new business’s are subject to.”

On the proposal of Cllr Mulvihill seconded by Cllr Crowley the motion was amended and the following motion was adopted by the members.

“That Cobh Town Council would write to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government asking them to introduce legislation allowing for a sliding scale in relation for rates that new business’s are subject to.”

On the proposal of Cllr O’ Connor seconded by Cllr McCarthy It was agreed that the motion would be forwarded to other local authorities in the state for there support and would also would be forwarded to the AMAI as a motion.

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Update on Newtown pump - Town Clerk to refer to Town Engineer.

Traffic Calming measures between the water tower and the main road at Cahill’s shop at Carrignafoy - Town Clerk to refer to Town Engineer.

Disabled parking space on Glavin Terrace to meet chronic medical need - Town Clerk to refer to Town Engineer.

Pot Holes adjacent to the Grotto at the entrance to Bay View - matter to be referred to Cork County Council.

Dumping of domestic rubbish in litter bin on Lake Road - Town Clerk to refer to Town Foreman.

Dumping on waste ground below Look Out - Town Clerk to refer to Town Foreman.

Children at Play signs in Council Housing Estates - Town Clerk to refer to Town Foreman.

Cllr Whitty asked for a report on Traffic calming measures to be presented to the next meeting of the Council. The Town Clerk agreed to raise the matter with the Town Engineer.

Double Yellow Lines at Beechmount - Town Clerk to refer to Town Engineer.

Cllr Doyle advised the members that the 2007 Community Awards would be held on Friday 20th April in the Commodore Hotel. She advised the members that Sonia O’Sullivan was to receive the Mayors award for 2007.

This concluded the business of the meeting.  

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CATHAOIRLEACH

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TOWN CLERK

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