Minutes of Council meetings- list.:

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON MONDAY 8^th OCTOBER 2007

Presiding -Cllr. P. Whitty, Mayor.

Present -Cllrs. M. Keating, N. Doyle, S. Meade, S. O'Connor, K. McCarthy, P. Histon, J. Mulvihill and D. Crowley

Officials Present

Ms. M. Ryan, Town Manager

Mr. P.Lynch, Town Clerk

Mr G. O'Hora, Town Engineer

Ms. R. Mullarkey, Staff Officer

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 Meeting10^th September 2007

Proposed – Cllr Histon - seconded – Cllr McCarthy

Matters arising from Minutes

Cobh Landslide Programme

Cllr. O'Connor asked for an update on this programme. The Town Clerk advised the Members that there was no further update as Cork County Council's Engineer dealing with the Programme was unavailable until the following day.

Traffic Calming Measures at Eaton Heights.

The Town Engineer informed the Members that these works have been completed and that the proposed works at Russell Heights would now take place including the gates which would be undertaken in the next 2-3 weeks. Cllr. McCarthy asked that the height of the gates be looked at. After queries from Councillors, the Town Engineer also stated that traffic calming measures in the rest of Eaton Heights would be considered in 2008.

Children at Play Signs in Council Housing Estates

The Town Engineer stated that the signs in Hartlands Point would be erected over the coming week. The rest of the estates would be reviewed with a view to the erection of signs as funding allowed. Following a query from Cllr. Mulvihill in relation to planning conditions incorporating necessary signage, the Town Engineer stated that any planning conditions are in accordance with the Department of the Environment's guidelines.

Location of Bin at corner of Orelia Terrace and Bishops Street

Town Engineer stated that this work was listed.

Conditions of the Manhole covers at the rear of One Hour Photo Shop

Town Engineer stated that this work was listed. The delay was due to the completion of roadworks and the upgrading of the footpaths around the area.

Resurfacing of Norwood Park Road

Town Engineer advised the members that this work had been completed apart from road lining works. Concern was expressed by Cllr. Whitty in relation to the standard of works carried out by the contractor in certain areas. The Town Engineer stated that he is monitoring the condition of the footpaths and if necessary, the footpaths would be re-laid.

Local Bus Service

The Town Clerk advised the Members that the application for the licence was still with the Department of Transport. The Members were also advised that the previous operator of the service had applied for a seasonal licence only to operate the school routes. It was unsure what the proposed new operator might decide to do in this instance.

Fence at Philip O'Neill Place

Town Engineer stated this work was ongoing.

Damage at the back of Philip O'Neill Place and Belmont Place.

The Town Engineer informed Members that works were to be carried out to clear the alleyway. He also stated that he was considering the erection of a new timber fence.

Overgrowth at Leonards Corner

Town Engineer stated that this work was listed for the coming week.

Old Church Cemetery Lodge

The Town Engineer stated that he was compiling a report in relation to the above. Cllr. Whitty stated that this proposal was a joint effort between the Town Council and Cobh Tourism.

Cork County Council Planning Department Study of Cobh

The Town Clerk spoke of the Current Review of the County Development Plan undertaken by the Planning Policy Unit of Cork County Council due to go on display on the 14^th December 2007. The above unit were aware of the issues affecting Cobh and it was hoped that this review would address some of these issues. The County Plan needs to be in place before there can be any study of the Great Island. In addition, the Planning Policy Unit was also undertaking a review of the Housing Strategy.

Parking at Assumption Place

The Members were informed that this issue was referred to Cork County Council.

Sewer Blockage in Elton Estate

The Members were informed that this issue was referred to the Sanitary Engineer of Cork County Council.

Entrance to the Rock

The Town Engineer stated that the ownership of this area needs to be established. Cllr. O'Connor stated that he believed the area may be the property of the Diocese.

Spraying of Overgrowth in all areas.

The Town Clerk informed the Members that the spraying of any overgrowth had started in the Town during the week. The High Road overgrowth would be addressed as soon as possible.

Resurfacing works on Laundry Hill

The Town Engineer stated that these works has been completed apart from the road lining.

Miscellaneous

Members expressed concern over the condition of the Camber with sewerage and litter. Cllr. Meade requested that the sewerage issue on an area owned by the Port of Cork be addressed to the Sanitary Authority for investigation. Cllr. Histon spoke of implementing litter fines for the condition of the Eastern Camber; however, the issue of the ownership of the piers was raised by Cllr. McCarthy and Cllr. Whitty. Cllr. Crowley stated that Kennedy Pier was under the ownership of the Port of Cork.

It was agreed that the Town Clerk would arrange to meet with the Harbour Master as a matter of urgency in relation to this issue.

Cllr. O'Connor asked if there was any update on the entrance to the Cathedral. The Town Clerk stated that this issue was still outstanding with no update from Professor Cathal O'Neill.

Cllr. Whitty welcomed the new Town Manager, Mary Ryan to her first Cobh Town Council Meeting as Manager.

Cllr. Meade stated that comments she had made at the September meeting regarding the notification of adjoining estates adjacent to the proposed Multi Use Games Area was omitted from the minutes.

Other matters arising from 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

1.Aura Award – Cllr. Crowley congratulated Aura on their overall award but also mentioned the need for a Board Directors meeting regarding some issues in relation to the interior and exterior of the Cobh Leisure Centre. The Town Clerk mentioned that the Chairman of the Board, Cllr. John Mulvihill would be contacted regarding the meeting arrangement.

2.Robert Forde Memorial – Cllrs. Meade and Histon proposed and seconded the suggestion that once the memorial is erected, Cobh Town Council would assume the maintenance of the memorial in the future.

3.Notice of Motion – Portlaoise Town Council. Cllr Crowley proposed and Cllr. Keating seconded this Notice of Motion.

4.Junior Chamber Ireland – Civic Reception for the 12^th October proposed and seconded by Cllrs. O'Connor and Meade respectively.

5.Invitation by Liverpool City Council to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to the Mayor and Town Clerk of Cobh proposed and seconded by Cllrs. Crowley and Histon respectively.

6.Draft Scheme of Letting Priorities – Response from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government – proposed meeting of Sub Committee on 16^th October at 11am to discuss same.

7.Letter of thanks from Cobh Harbour and Chamber – noted by Members.

All correspondence acknowledged and marked as read.

5.OFFICER'SREPORTS

a.)Derelict Sites Report

The Town Clerk circulated a report on the current status of the Derelict Sites Register. It stated that correspondence was received on 1&2 Casement Square which the Town Engineer was currently reviewing. 4 Wolfe Tone Street had completed all works requested of them and a Managers Order was signed in order to remove this property from the Register in accordance with Section 8(4) of the Derelict Sites Act 1990. Valuations were also sought on a number of properties for levy purposes.

b.)Developer Bonds – Current Status.

The Town Clerk circulated a report on the current status of developer bonds and their planning reference. It was agreed to submit the report with the amounts outstanding before the next meeting.

c.)Signatories on Bank Accounts

Cllrs. Meade and O'Connor proposed and seconded the changing of the signatories on bank accounts held by Cobh Town Council to include Mary Ryan, Paraig Lynch and Rita Mullarkey.

d.)Proposed New Pedestrian Crossing at Bishop Street.

The Town Engineer circulated a report and submission on the above which the Members approved.

6.COMMITTEE REPORTS

A).Gardai Forum Meetings

Cllr Crowley advised the members that he wishes to be replaced with Cllr. Whitty on this committee. Closed Circuit Television was discussed at the first meeting of this forum held that day. It was agreed at that meeting that CCTV was needed in the town and that funds are available for this development.

7.TOWN TWINNING REQUEST – LAKE CHARLES.

The Town Clerk spoke of the request by the Mayor of Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States to enter into a twinning arrangement with Cobh. The Members spoke of the tourism boost that this twinning arrangement would have for the town of Cobh.

Cllrs Keating and Meade proposed and seconded for the Town Clerk to make contact with the delegation from Lake Charles to research it in more depth.

8.TO CONSIDER THE NOTICE OF MOTION STANDING IN THE NAME OF CLLR. MICHAEL KEATING.

Cllr. Keating proposed that "Cobh Town Council addresses the traffic management problems of Harbour Row" and Cllr. McCarthy seconded this proposal. Cllr. Keating stated this was an ongoing problem since 1999 and wanted traffic calming measusres installed. The Town Engineer stated that he was not in favour of speed ramps as this only served to frustrate drivers. The Town Engineer also clarified that this road was the responsibility of Cork County Council. Cllr. O'Connor mentioned that since the roadworks were completed on this road, they had only made the situation worse as the footpaths were now wider and thus reduced the size of the road. CCTV was also suggested by some Councillors as was the suggestion to reduce the size of the footpaths. CCTV footage could then be used to enforce the law by the Gardai in Cobh. Cllr. Crowley suggested a One Way system for traffic in Harbour Row. The Town Engineer stated that he would investigate and revert. Cllrs. Histon and Keating proposed and seconded respectively that the Mayor, Town Clerk, Town Engineer and Derry Sullivan, Cork County Council would examine and revert.

9.TO CONSIDER THE NOTICE OF MOTION STANDING IN THE NAME OF CLLR. JOHN MULVIHILL JNR.

Cllr. Mulvihill proposed that "Cobh Town Council call on the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to organise a public information seminar in the Town of Cobh in relation to the high percentage of homes on the island and East Cork whose exposure to Radon gas is in excess of 200 Bq/m3" and Cllr. Crowley seconded this proposal. The Town Clerk agreed to write to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland requesting a public meeting and to inquire as to why there was no action taken since Cobh was highlighted as having a high level of exposure.

10.TO CONSIDER THE NOTICE OF MOTION STANDING IN THE NAME OF CLLR. JOHN MULVIHILL JNR.

Cllr. Mulvihill proposed that "Cobh Town Council call on the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamonn Ryan T.D. to appoint a native of Cobh to the Board of Directors of the Port of Cork" and Cllr. Crowley seconded this proposal. Cllr. Crowley spoke of the importance of this motion and spoke of his disappointment that apart from the Liner traffic, there was no other activity in the Lower Harbour. Cllrs. Meade, McCarthy, Keating and O'Connor all supported the motion. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would write to the Minister regarding the Board of Appointees and to request that a representative of Cobh would be appointed to the Board.

11.ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1. Cllr. Crowley mentioned about the water charges for non-commercial ventures such as the Cobh Sea Scouts. Cllrs Crowley and Whitty proposed and seconded that Cork County Council would be contacted over the possible waivering of fees for voluntary organisations.
2. Cllr. O'Connor spoke of the waste ground beside 80 Russell Heights and queried whether this area could be laid with tarmac. The Town Engineer stated that he would investigate and revert. On the proposal of Cllr Whitty, seconded by Cllr Keating, it was agreed to suspend Standing Orders to allow the Business of the Meeting to carry on.
3. Cllr. Keating proposed that the Town Clerk write to the owners of Cork Dockyard to inquire as to their future plans for its use. It was reported the inhabitants of the Dockyard had been given 12 months notice to quit.
4. Cllr. McCarthy stated that original gates on Frenches Ave and other areas to be reinstated. Cllr. McCarthy also requested that the speeding on the Newtown Road be investigated by the Town Engineer.

e.Cllr. Whitty expressed his disappointment at the decision on the Marina planning application by an Bord Pleanala the previous week as did all the Members. The impact on employment opportunities and the Towns inhabitants were devastating. Cllr. Mulvihill, Crowley, and Meade all expressed their disappointment on the news of Marina decision.

f.Cllrs Crowley and Whitty proposed and seconded the payment of €600 to Cobh Community College for the visit of Apensen to the college.

This concluded the business of the meeting.

____________

CATHAOIRLEACH

________________________

TOWN CLERK

________________________

DATE