Minutes of Council meetings- list.:

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON MONDAY 11^th FEBRUARY 2008

Presiding -                              Cllr. P. Whitty, Mayor.

Present -                                 Cllrs. N. Doyle, S. Meade, S. O’Connor, K. McCarthy, P. Histon, J. Mulvihill, M.Keating 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.

The Town Clerk informed the Members that the closing date for Expressions of Interest for the Cobh Urban Design Feasibility Study was now over. The opening of all Expressions of Interest took place prior to the meeting in the presence of the Members and signed by both the Town Clerk and the Mayor. These Expressions of Interest would now be referred to the Town Architect.

1.       CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

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

Monthly Meeting                         14^th January 2008

Proposed – Cllr Crowley - seconded – Cllr Doyle

Committee Meeting                   14^th January 2008

Proposed – Cllr Crowley - seconded – Cllr O’Connor

Committee Meeting                   21^st January 2008

Proposed – Cllr Crowley - seconded – Cllr O’Connor

Committee Meeting                   4^th February 2008

Proposed – Cllr Crowley - seconded – Cllr O’Connor

 Matters arising from Minutes

The Town Clerk commented that the Draft Bye Laws in relation to Pay Parking were currently with the Council’s Solicitor.

Rental Accommodation Scheme

The Town Clerk circulated correspondence received from Ms. Anne O’Donnell in relation the above scheme.

Cllr. Keating queried the rent payable to landlords under this scheme. The Town Clerk confirmed that there would be a maximum rent payable to landlords under the scheme. The Town Clerk confirmed that the information leaflets available on the Scheme would be circulated to all Members.

Cllr. Mulvihill commented that the number of 143 outlined by Ms. O’Donnell representative of rent supplement recipients for 18 months or more living in Cobh seemed low.

Cllr. Histon also queried people who were on the social housing list but did not qualify for rent supplement.

Cllr. Whitty reiterated his feelings again that he felt that this was a scheme to benefit landlords and that only one third of the housing waiting list for Cobh would qualify for this scheme.

Cllr. McCarthy commented that many of the RAS clients would be placed in good standard of accommodation in the private rented sector.

Cllr. O’Connor queried vacant houses that would arise in this scheme which the Town Clerk replied that it would be the scheme’s objective to ensure that the house is allocated again as speedily as possible.

Cllr. Crowley expressed his concerns in relation to the housing function of Town Councils with the advent of this latest housing scheme. He commented that housing responsibility is slowly reverting back to the County Councils. 

Local Bus Service

The Town Clerk announced that there was no update in this matter.

Parking at Assumption Place

The Members were previously informed that this issue was referred to Cork County Council. The Town Engineer announced that he had spoken with Derry O’Sullivan; Cork County Council who confirmed that this work was included in the proposed schedule of works. The crack in the road would also be concreted. It was also agreed that the proposed relocation of the Eircom pole will be paid for by Cork County Council.

Entrance to the Rock

The Town Clerk stated that a land registry search is to take place on this area and its surroundings. The results of that search were not received yet.

Miscellaneous

Members previously expressed concern over the condition of the Camber with sewerage and litter. The Town Clerk informed the Members that he had been invited to a meeting with the Port of Cork and the local fishermen and harbour board regarding this issue and would be accompanied by the Town Foreman.

In relation to the entrance to the Cathedral, the Town Clerk stated that this issue was still outstanding with no update from Professor Cathal O’Neill. Following a query from Cllr. O’Connor, the Town Clerk clarified that there has been no planning application received for this area by the Planning Department.

Cllr. Mulvihill spoke again of the discussions of a CCTV scheme between the Gardai and the Council recently and of the next meeting for this forum. Cllr. Whitty clarified that the Gardai are to revert with the date for the next meeting. The Town Clerk stated that there were no schemes in place for funding of CCTV around the Town following a query from Cllr. Meade.

The Town Clerk stated that the house that had been served an abandonment notice and taken back by the Council previously was in the process of having a schedule of works drawn up. The house in Belmont has a contractor currently working on it and would hopefully be ready for allocation over the coming weeks. Cllr. O’Connor expressed his disappointment over the length of time it has taken for this house to be renovated. The Town Clerk stated that he would follow up with the Architects Department in Cork County Council.

In relation to the one off sites in the Town owned by the Council and previously raised by Cllr. O’Connor, the Town Clerk verified that he had checked minutes from previous meetings and he clarified that it was the Councils intention to sell one site and develop the other two sites currently in their possession. Cllr. O’Connor raised the site in Bishop Roche Park and stated that it was the most lucrative from the Council’s point of view. The Town Clerk informed the Members that there might be a problem with vehicular access to this site. Cllr. Histon stated that there was a right of way down to the Strand from this building.

The Town Clerk agreed to look into the matter further and revert.

The Town Clerk informed the Members that he had been in contact with David Fenton of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and stated that as soon as their works schedule was finalised for the coming year, they would revert and would arrange to meet with the Members regarding a public meeting etc.

Cllr. Mulvihill thanked the Town Clerk for the work on this issue.

Cllr. Crowley reiterated his view that more full time workers were needed for the clean up of the Old Church Cemetery. Cllr. Whitty stated that a clean up had been done of late by a civilian who informed the Council of their work and requested that the bags of rubbish be collected by the latter. Both Cllrs. Meade and Histon commented that at least 4 workers were needed for this ongoing work.

In connection with the same issue, Cllr. Whitty informed the Members that Cobh Tourism has made an application to ECAD for funding for an Interpretative Centre. It was agreed to hold any funding until a decision had been reached by ECAD in connection with the above. The Town Clerk agreed to contact Hendrick Verwey to discuss further. 

In relation to the Draft Boundary Alteration Proposal, Cllrs. Whitty, Doyle, Mulvihill and the Town Clerk are to agree a date in which to meet to discuss same.

In connection with the issue of a recent development at Whitepoint which Councillors raised at the previous meeting and was ongoing, some Members advised the Council that they had been approached in relation to it and felt that they were in some way, being blamed for this issue.

Cllr. Crowley stated that the issue at hand goes beyond a planning issue.

Cllr. O’Connor also expressed his dissatisfaction at this issue as did Cllr. Meade.

Cllr. Mulvihill stated that every grant of planning assumes legal ownership of the lands the proposed development will reside on.  

The Town Clerk also reiterated as did the Mayor, that this was a legal issue and that at the time of granting the planning, the developer had produced satisfactory evidence to suggest they were the legal owner of the lands in question. An Bord Pleanala subsequently granted planning after an appeal was made. He said he had also responded to correspondence from the Residents Association in the same area to clarify the Town Council’s position in this issue. 

The Members queried the fact that a Way leave had been paid by the Council some years ago to the person who was questioning the developer’s right to the lands.

The Town Clerk agreed to contact the Council Solicitors in clarify the Council’s position.

The Town Clerk informed the Members that he had been contacted by Cork County Council regarding the issue of sewerage in Kidney Strand. This was now being dealt with by John Slattery of Glashaboy, Glanmire, Cork County Council.

He also stated that some works had been carried out by Cobh Town Council in relation to the same issue.

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

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

4.      CORRESPONDENCE

1.      Letter requesting funding from Deirdre Pearson, Junior Chamber Ireland, Cobh, regarding St. Patricks Day Parade. Cllrs. Crowley and Meade proposed and seconded funding of €700 to be issued.

2.      Letter received from Ms. Anne O’Donnell of the Rental Accommodation Scheme, Cork County Council – already discussed.

3.      Letter sent to Deputy Willie Penrose, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment to express the Councils disappointment of their omission of Cobh from their itinerary on their recent visit to East Cork.

4.      Letter of support from Cobh Harbour and Chamber in relation to the Notice of Motion on the meetings agenda from Cllr. Mulvihill.

5.      Letter from the AMAI regarding the location of the Annual Conference in 2009. Members stated that as Cobh did not have adequate conference facilities, it would not be possible to hold the conference in Cobh.

6.      Letter from Rehab Recycling inviting Members and the Town Clerk to visit their facilities on Monaghan Road. It was agreed that a date would be arranged first and then inform the Members to see who would be available for inclusion in the delegation.

7.      Letter from the Minister for Finance regarding the landslide programme.

8.      Letter from Cobh Harbour and Chamber in relation to including extra provisions in the Draft Bye Laws on Pay Parking and to consider increasing the commission for the sale of parking disks by businesses in the Town. It was agreed that inclusion would be made in the Draft Bye Laws of allowing an alteration in the regulations at certain times of the year.

9.      Letter from Third Sector Forum regarding their upcoming seminar in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

10.  Letter from John Slattery, Cork County Council, Glashaboy stating that he was investigating the Kidney Strand matter on behalf of David O’Keeffe.

All correspondence acknowledged and marked as read.

5.      OFFICER’S  REPORTS

a.)    Landslide Programme:

The Town Clerk informed the Members that a Managers Order had been signed permitting the appointment of an engineering consultant for the works at Westview.

The offer of funding from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government was discussed and accepted at the recent special meeting held the previous week.

b.)    Derelict Sites

The Town Clerk stated that a meeting with the Town Manager, Town Architect and the representatives of the owner of 1&2 Casement Square was imminent.

He also stated that 30 Harbour Row had completed all works required of it and would shortly be removed from the Register. 5 Pearse Square was also recently removed from the Register. Valuations were sought for a number of properties recently with a view to imposing the derelict sites levy for the following financial year.

6.                  COMMITTEE REPORTS - None

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

“That Cobh Town Council introduces a sliding scale in relation to the rates that new businesses are subject to under Section 2 of the Local Government Rates Act 1970.”

Cllr. Mulvihill spoke of the issues in Cobh presently which included pay parking and the feasibility study. This motion was previously proposed and would be similar to the Urban Renewal Scheme operated by the Department. He proposed rates payable on the first year would be 25% of normal level with an increase of 25% each year for 3 years.

Cllr. Doyle seconded this Notice of Motion as extra business should always be encouraged.

Cllr. Keating agreed with the Motion but queried why Cobh Harbour and Chamber were aware of the Motion before the Members had a chance to discuss it. He also spoke of the current rent that is demanded from businesses in the Town from landlords. This should also be looked at.

Cllrs. McCarthy, Whitty, O’Connor, Meade, Crowley and Histon all supported the Motion but also expressed concern over the current price of rents.

Cllr. Crowley also expressed his annoyance over the proposal by Cobh Harbour and Chamber to increase the percentage commission on the sales of parking disks and would not support the proposed increase.

Cllr. Whitty spoke of his support for this motion but raised the concern that this scheme could encourage high turnover of business openings and closures. The idea of ring fencing monies for this scheme by the Council as suggested by Cllr. Mulvihill was also not practical as there was no income available in the budget.

The Town Clerk clarified that any scheme made under Section 2 of the Local Government Rates Act 1970 by the Members was also subject to the approval by the Minister. He also went on to say that the following considerations should be taken into account.

: The type of businesses that the scheme would be applicable to.

: A time limit would be applied after the closure of the business before the rates reduction for any new business in the same building would become applicable.

: Also the Council could be perceived to giving some businesses a competitive advantage over existing businesses through the operation of this scheme.

The Town Manager also voiced her concerns in relation to the above considerations. She stated that it was important that the Town attract the right type of business to the area.

Cllrs. Histon and McCarthy proposed and seconded an extension of time in order for the business of the meeting to continue.

8.                  AOB

1. Cllr. Doyle spoke of the proposed funding of the visit to Ancona by St. Mary’s Primary School in Cobh. It was agreed that the visit will be postponed until 2009 as funding was not available until the Twinning arrangements were in place. It was agreed that the Mayor, Town Clerk and Councillor Doyle would meet to proceed with the next step in the twinning process.
2. Cllr. O’Connor spoke of the local bus service and the fact that the existing service was still not sufficient. Cllr. Whitty stated that he would contact the original person he had been dealing with in the Department of Transport for an update. Cllr. O’Connor also asked if the feasibility study could look at traffic in Lower Midleton Street and Connolly Street. The Town Clerk stated that this area was outside scope of study but it was agreed that the Town Engineer would examine this area of Town. Should there be any change in the system after the examination, there would have to be a public consultation process in order to inform the public and invite submissions from same in relation to this proposed change.
3. Cllr. McCarthy queried why work has not started on the green area in Russell Heights. Cllr. Whitty replied by stating that the Residents Association needs to be in agreement before work can start. These works were discussed by the Town Engineer and Town Foreman and the materials necessary for the renovation of the compound are on order. The Town Engineer also stated that the 2008 Road Fund Grant was not received yet to fund any of this work. Cllr. Whitty also clarified following discussions with David O’Keeffe, the pump in Newtown will remain for decorative effect only and will not be operational.
4. Cllr. Histon mentioned that a pay parking sign was missing outside the premises of O’Donovan’s Off Licence in the Town. The Town Clerk to refer this matter to the Town Foreman.
5. Cllr. Meade raised the issue of a proposed through road through College Manor that would link Ticknock to Carrignafoy and bypass the Top of the Hill area. The Town Clerk agreed to speak with Cork County Council as this was in their area of responsibility.

She also thanked the Town Foreman for the works done at Fort Villas recently

6. Cllr. Whitty proposed the contribution of €7000 for East Cork Tourism for 2008 for its inclusion in their development programme for 2008/2009. He also stated that the 2007 monies which were held last year from payment were actually paid by Youghal and Midleton Town Councils in the end. It was agreed that a list of proposals for these monies would be circulated and a decision made at a special meeting held on the 18^th February 2008.

This concluded the business of the meeting.  

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CATHAOIRLEACH

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TOWN CLERK

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