Minutes of Council meetings- list.:

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF BUDGET MEETING 2008 OF COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON MONDAY 17^th DECEMBER 2007.

Presiding -Cllr. P.Whitty

Present -Cllrs. N. Doyle, S. Meade, P. Histon, J. Mulvihill, D. Crowley and K. McCarthy.

Officials Present

Ms. M. Ryan, Town Manager

Mr. P.Lynch, Town Clerk

Ms. R. Mullarkey, Staff Officer

An apology for their inability to attend was received from Cllrs. Keating and O'Connor.

The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Lord's Prayer in silence.

Cllr. Whitty informed the Members of a public meeting regarding the Port of Cork's proposed move which was being held in the Rushbrooke Hotel that same night. Unfortunately, the meeting could not be rescheduled and apologies were conveyed to the Chairman of that meeting for the Mayor and Councillors. This issue will be detailed on the January agenda and the objection to An Bord Pleanala would also be discussed at this meeting.

The Town Manager extended invitations to all the Councillors, Ex-Councillors, Officials and Media for Christmas drinks after the meeting.

1.Budget 2008

The Town Manager spoke at length of the proposed budget for 2008 which included the increase in the County Charge and Water Services.

The 2008 budget is based on the assumption of a 4% increase in the local government fund. This would result in an allocation of €1,380,972 and would therefore necessitate an increase in the rates valuation to 69.79 for 2008.

Cllrs. McCarthy, Doyle, Mulvihill and Meade queried the Public Conveniences proposed expenditure and the Town Clerk replied that the expenditure was mainly on wages for the maintenance of the toilets. It was agreed that the Town Engineer would look at the possibility of moving the automated public convenience to the Five Foot Way where it would be utilised more frequently. Cllr. Histon expressed his disappointment on the condition of the old toilets. Cllr. Whitty commented that if the budget was passed, that it would be on the condition that this work is carried out over the coming months. The proposed budget for the Automatic Public Convenience was discussed and the Town Clerk clarified that this lease was signed for a 20 year period by a former Town Clerk which entailed a maintenance contract to be put in place. The installation of these toilets was as a result of anti social behaviour on the existing facilities.

Cllr. McCarthy also spoke of the issues of lack of central heating in certain homes. The Town Clerk said that he would request the Town Foreman to review these houses and revert as soon as possible with a schedule of works in order to include them in the 2008 central heating allocation application. The Town Clerk also spoke of his hope that a new scheme would replace the current central heating programme after 2008 in order to continue with these necessary works. He also stated that the insulation of these houses could be looked at in conjunction with the installation of central heating.

Cllr. McCarthy queried whether monies from development contributions could be used in order to develop the extension of the playground. The Town Manager said that it could be looked at if the approval of all of the Members was forthcoming.

After a query from Cllr. Meade in relation to the proposed income from Pay Parking, it was clarified that the suspension of pay parking for the three months leading up to Christmas was only temporary and that the old system would revert back in the New Year, as set out in the Bye Laws enacted by the Council. Should the Members wish for this system to continue, then they can undergo the same process again in 2008. The Town Manager and Town Clerk outlined the impact on the Councils services, however, of this reduction in income should this process be undertaken again. There would be a projected loss of €49,500 for the nine months of 2008. (The first three months would be for public consultation). The Town Clerk stated that the income for pay parking in 2007 was €82,000 following a query from one of the Members.

Cllr. Crowley also commented that he was never in favour of the suspension of pay parking and that the issue of pay parking was not the cause of businesses moving out of the Town. He also stated that the income from Pay Parking was being used to pay for the Five Foot Way development and that while it might appear to be successful at present, it was introduced in an off peak time and this might have added to its success.

Cllrs. Meade, Doyle, McCarthy, Mulvihill and Whitty commented that the feedback was favourable from businesses around the Town in relation to the suspension of the pay parking laws.

Some Councillors raised the issue of increased enforcement of parking after the two hour limit. Cllr. Doyle mentioned about some shops refusing to sell parking disks and she also proposed that one hour free parking should be introduced. She suggested that more income could be found from litter fines and derelict sites to supplement the shortfall in pay parking. The Town Clerk clarified that it is difficult for the Traffic Warden to issues fines in certain circumstances and that resources were extremely limited in this area.

Following a query from Cllr.Whitty, it was clarified that 2008 income for litter fines was in under the heading of "Other Income".

Following a query from Cllr.Mulvihill, the Town Clerk clarified that Pay Parking fines which proceed to Court does not result in any income for the Council as the costs awarded to the Council will only serve to pay the Solicitor engaged for this service. He also mentioned that there are generally 12-15 of these fines monthly which will proceed to Court and this would be in line with other Councils.

The Town Manager outlined that should income fall from the suspension of pay parking, the only other way of supplementing this income would be through an increase in rates which would impact on the businesses in the Town. She also spoke of the importance of concentrating efforts in the development of the Marina and the Master Plan which would also contribute to extra car parking spaces.

She had recently spoken to the owner of 1&2 Casement Square and their development should take place shortly.

It was agreed that the possibility of a student to be employed during the summer to undertake a survey for the pay parking could be looked at.

Cllr. Whitty suggested requesting the Cobh & Harbour Chamber's feedback in relation to the suspension of the pay parking laws.

The Town Manager continued to speak in relation to budget 2008 by Programme Group and to answer questions in relation to same:

Programme Group 1: Housing:

After a query from Cllr. Whitty, the Town Clerk stated that a report on housing for the Elderly would be completed in the New Year. Cllrs. Whitty and Crowley both spoke of the interest of both Cluid and Respond of getting involved in housing developments in Cobh. Cllr.Whitty spoke of the recent housing SPC meeting and invited any Members interested, to view a development in Cork City currently being run by Respond.

The Town Manager commented that Ballynoe and any single sites owned by the Council could be looked at in the context of setting up local voluntary housing groups and developing these sites in conjunction with these newly formed groups.

Cllr. Whitty commented on the housing list numbers for Cobh published in the recent Joint Housing Strategy between Cork City and County Councils, including the nine Town Councils. Based on these figures, Cobh Town Council appear to have at least 200 more applicants on their housing list than any other local authority in this Strategy and that there should be more effort to reduce this number. Cllr. Meade expressed her shock at this figure. The Town Clerk clarified that the capital housing allocation for 2007 was fully expended and that an additional funding application had been refused by the Department. He also stated that the old system of rent allowance applicants was changing and this should alleviate these figures somewhat.

Cllr. Mulvihill made the point that in 2007; only 10 houses were allocated out to applicants. He also remarked on applicants who refused offers of allocation based on non genuine reasons.

Cllr. McCarthy commented on the level of funding for Residents Associations and asked if it could be increased.

Programme Group 3: Water and Sewerage:

It was agreed to contact the Water Services Department regarding the metering of non commercial ventures such as the Sea Scouts as discussed at previous monthly meetings to look for an update. This would be discussed at the January meeting.

The water and sewerage contribution to Cork County Council will also be increased by approximately €32,000. The Local Government Fund paid to Cobh Town Council did not separate out the water and sewerage function and thus this payment had to be made separately to Cork County Council.

Programme Group 4: Development Incentives and Controls:

Cllr. Crowley mentioned the Sirius Arts Centre in relation to its funding from the local groups allocation and spoke of the importance of continuing this funding in the future.

Cllr. McCarthy and Whitty spoke of the proposed contribution to the Red Cross in Cobh and it was agreed that both the Mayor and the Town Clerk would meet with the Red Cross to discuss ways by which this help would be most beneficial.

The Town Manager also stated that the Architect was nearly finished the brief for the Master Plan for the Town and that this would be available in the New Year.

Cllr. Whitty stated that the funding application from the Robert Forde Memorial Committee should be accompanied by a detailed submission from the Committee before any funding is agreed.

Programme Group 5: Environmental Protection:

The Town Clerk stated that the proposed budget for waste disposal was for wages and landfill charges levied since January 2007 by Cork County Council. Following discussions amongst the Members, it was agreed to write to the Waste Management Department in Cork County Council with the proposal of the installation of skips to take the rubbish for Cork County Council from the Town Council's trucks directly.

Cllr. Crowley queried if a scheme similar to the Community Employment Scheme operated previously could be looked at in the context of employing maintenance staff for the burial grounds all year round. Cllr. Histon asked why there were only three people allocated to the maintenance of the burial grounds. The Town Clerk agreed to investigate and revert. The Town Clerk also stated that any additional workers would have to be seasonal/part time workers to avoid any impact on the staffing levels as these levels were set by the Department and could not be increased under any circumstances. Cllrs. Doyle and Meade stressed the importance of these burial grounds and their future maintenance.

Programme Group 6: Recreation and Amenity:

Cllr. Meade thanked Cllr. Doyle for her input into the VEC lease negotiations.

Cllr. Whitty stated that the extension of the flowerbed in Five Foot Way was not completed yet and some of the works already done by the voluntary organisations should be reviewed.

Cllr. Whitty also informed the Members that it was still not clear who was responsible in Cork County Council for the Recoupment of expenditure incurred by Cobh Museum.

The Town Clerk stated that any monies received by Aura for the running of the Leisure Centre will be handed over to Carrignafoy Leisure Limited in order to maintain the Leisure Centre should there be any developments/maintenance required in the future following a query from Cllr. Doyle.

Programme Group 8: Miscellaneous:

The Town Clerk clarified that the monies for miscellaneous income of €4,500 was for the sub letting of an office of Carrig House to Cork County Council following a query from Cllr. Mulvihill. Cllr. Mulvihill also remarked on the exclusion of his previous Notice of Motion regarding rates.

The Mayor thanked the Town Manager and Town Clerk for the budget.

On the proposal of Cllr. Doyle, seconded by Cllr. Whitty the following resolutions were adopted unanimously:

Resolved:"That estimated expenditure of €645,067 and estimated income of €598,205, for Programme Group 1 - Housing & Building, be adopted"

Resolved:"That estimated expenditure of €754,430, and estimated income of €428,000, for Programme Group 2 – Road Transportation & Safety, be adopted."

Resolved:"That estimated expenditure of €90,673 and estimated income of €3,500, for Programme Group 3 - Water Supply & Sewerage, be adopted.

Resolved:"That estimated expenditure of €200,130, and estimated income of €13,500, for Programme Group 4 – Development Incentives & Controls be adopted.

Resolved:"That estimated expenditure of €185,230, and estimated income of €50,100, for Programme Group 5 – Environmental Protection, be adopted.

Resolved:"That estimated expenditure of €215,459, and estimated income of €18,500, for Programme Group 6 - Recreation and Amenity be adopted.

Resolved:"That estimated expenditure of €404,948, and estimated income of €36,000, for Programme Group 8 - Miscellaneous Services be adopted.

RATEABLE VALUATION MULTIPLIER.

Resolved:"That the Draft Local Authority Budget setting out the amounts which will be required for the local financial year ending 31st December, 2007, to provide for the liabilities and requirements of the Council, and for the sums to be supplied to the Public Bodies, whom the Council are bound to supply with monies, as set out on the attached Tables A and B, be adopted.

In accordance with the said Budget, the rate set out in Table B (69.79), be determined to be the Rateable Valuation Multiplier to be levied for the several purposes specified in the said Budget, for the local financial year ending 31st December, 2007."

This concluded the business of the meeting.

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CATHAOIRLEACH

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TOWN CLERK

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