Minutes of Council meetings- list.:

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

Mr. P. Crowley, A/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 Mayor, Cllr. Whitty, welcomed all present including the A/Town Manager, Mr. Pat Crowley.

All tenders submitted for the Cobh Landslide Study were opened, and both the Town Clerk and Mayor signed them, prior to the meeting. These Tenders would now be referred to Cork County Council’s Senior Engineer. The following companies submitted tenders for the above project.

1.      JODA Consulting Engineers

2.      Tobin Consulting Engineers

3.      RPS Consulting Engineers

4.      Malachy Walsh and Partners.

Cllr. O’Connor queried the timeframe and remit of the proposed appointment of Consultants for the above project. The Town Clerk replied that the remit of the Consultants would be to review the landslide areas and subsequently draw up Terms of Reference for the project.

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

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

Monthly Meeting                         11^th February 2008

Proposed – Cllr Meade - seconded – Cllr Crowley

Committee Meeting                   18^th February 2008

Proposed – Cllr Meade - seconded – Cllr Crowley

 Matters arising from Minutes

Pay Parking

Following a query from Cllr. Whitty regarding the draft Pay Parking Bye Laws, the Town Clerk replied that that the draft would be ready that week and would circulate to the Members with a further view to commencing the public consultation phase.

Cllr. Crowley raised the issue of the public being confused over the current pay parking situation and mentioned the recent meeting that took place between the business community of Cobh and Council Officials. He stated that any decisions made on that night should have been the responsibility of the Members.

Cllr. Histon stated that full enforcement should still take place within the Town.

The Town Clerk clarified that the business community requested that 1 hour free parking be implemented immediately to which the Town Manager replied that this was not possible and consequently disks were still required. However, she would request that the Traffic Warden place a greater emphasis on illegal parking.

Rental Accommodation Scheme

Cllr. Crowley again expressed his concerns in relation to the housing function of Town Councils with the advent of this latest housing scheme. Both Cllrs Meade and Crowley asked if the Department had clarified its position for 2009 and beyond after the A/Town Manager stated that the 2008 housing capital allocation is being distributed directly to the Town Councils and not to the County Councils as previously intended. 

Local Bus Service

Cllr. Whitty clarified that he had contacted the Department of Transport who had stated that this licence was up for review in October of this year and the current service would be monitored until then.

Parking at Assumption Place

This issue is ongoing with Cork County Council who confirmed that this work was included in the proposed schedule of works. Following a query from Cllr.McCarthy, the Town Engineer clarified that the crack in the road would be repaired and not resurfaced. The Town Engineer also stated that he was still waiting for a response from Eircom in relation to the relocation of the Eircom pole which will be paid for by Cork County Council. He stated that a reply should be imminent.

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. The Town Clerk stated that the Cork County Council official dealing with this matter was on holidays and would revert on their return.

Miscellaneous

Members previously expressed concern over the condition of the Camber with sewerage and litter. The Town Clerk informed the Members that he was to meet with an official of the Port of Cork in relation to this matter but as this official was unavailable up to now, the Town Clerk would follow up on their return.

 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. The Town Architect was to arrange meeting between Professor O’Neill and the Conservation Officer in Cork County Council regarding this matter.

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. He also stated that he would try to follow up with the Gardai on this matter.

The Town Clerk stated that the vacant house in Belmont was near completion and would be allocated shortly following a query from Cllr. O’Connor.

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 the Town Architect was currently devising a report in relation to the site located in Bishop Roche Park.

In relation to the previous Notice of Motion of a sliding scale of rates, the Town Clerk informed the Members that he hoped to submit a draft scheme to the Manager and the Council Solicitors over the next two weeks.

The Town Clerk also informed the Members that there was still no date set for the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to visit Cobh. He did clarify to Cllr. Mulvihill that David Fenton, a representative of the Institute had 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.

After the disappointment expressed by Cllr. Crowley in the last few meetings regarding the maintenance in the Old Church Cemetery, the Town Clerk spoke with the FAS office in relation to the Community Employment Scheme. Unfortunately, they confirmed that these schemes were currently full in the area but should a vacancy occur, they would be in contact with the Council.

In connection with the issue of a recent development at Whitepoint which Councillors raised at the previous meeting and was ongoing, the Town Clerk told the Members that the Council Solicitors had advised that there should be no comment made by the Council in relation to this case as it was currently the subject of legal proceedings by the parties involved. Both the Town Clerk and A/Town Manager confirmed following a query from Cllr. Mulvihill that a grant of planning is given on the land/property but does not involve itself in legal ownership issues relating to this land. This would have to be dealt with in the Courts by all relevant parties.

Cllrs. McCarthy and Mulvihill asked that the works be stopped to allow investigations. Cllr. McCarthy also asked why the development had not been supervised in relation to the conditions attached to the planning to which the Town Clerk replied that the Town Council do not have the resources to enable them to carry out this task in relation to all planning permissions and it was the developers obligation to adhere to all planning conditions.

Cllr. Doyle commented that this issue had reflected badly on the Council and its Members.

The Town Clerk informed that Members that an official complaint had been received in the office the previous Friday regarding this development and that he had referred this complaint to the Town Architect to review the development in line with the planning conditions attached to the planning grant and outlined by Cllr. O’Connor at the meeting. When the Town Architects report is finalised, the Council would carry out its recommendations in full which would entail the development being halted and works made good if it is found that the planning conditions had been breached.

Cllr. Crowley 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.

Cllr. Whitty stated that he believed this way leave was paid to this person as it was a way leave for lands adjoining the land in question and that the Council were correct in doing so. This land was not the land at the subject of the legal proceedings.

The Members expressed their frustration that the issue of sewerage in Kidney Strand was not resolved by Cork County Council. The Town Engineer was to speak with the Senior Executive Engineer of Glashaboy during the week and would contact the Mayor in relation to this issue. The Town Clerk would also look for a detailed report from Cork County Council regarding this clean up.

The Town Engineer informed the Members that the 2008 Road Fund Grant allocation was notified to the Town Council and would be included in the April Agenda for discussion. All submissions would have to be made to the Town Clerk in writing.

The Pay Parking sign missing outside O’Donovan’s Off Licence was listed for work.

The Through Road in College Manor that would link Ticknock with Carrignafoy is proposed to be opened once the estate is taken in charge by Cork County Council. Derry O’Sullivan is to follow up with the Estates Department in Cork County Council in relation to the taking in charge of the estate.

Cllrs. Keating and Crowley stated that the volume of traffic should be looked at in this area as it was already experiencing problems and provision should be made for green areas, speed ramps and children facilities in the area.

1.      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.

2.      MANAGERS ORDERS

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

3.      CORRESPONDENCE

1.      Letter from Cobh & Harbour Chamber requesting funding of €5,000 towards the cost of the Cobh Tourist Information Guide. Cllrs. O’Connor and Doyle proposed and seconded the funding.

2.      Letter from Cobh & Harbour Chamber requesting funding of €500 towards the cost of the Summer Swings Concert. Cllrs. Crowley and Meade proposed and seconded the funding.

3.      Letter from Shannon Town Council regarding their resolution at their February Monthly Meeting. “that Shannon Town Council call on the HSE to provide accommodation for Cystic Fibrosis(CF) patients in single rooms in private hospitals as an interim solution to cater for CF patients until the planned opening of a new 120 bed unit at St. Vincent’s hospital in 2010, and that this resolution be circulated to all local authorities for their support”.

It was agreed unanimously to write to the HSE and convey Cobh Town Council’s support for this motion.

4.      Letter from Macroom Town Council regarding their motion at their January Monthly Meeting. Marked as read.

5.      Letter from Thurles Town Council regarding their resolution at their February Monthly Meeting.

“I propose that Thurles Town Council calls on the relevant Government Departments to provide defibrillators to all our schools and also in other areas and organisations namely shopping centres, nightclubs and our sports clubs including the newly built swimming pool and leisure centre.

I would also ask that if this proposal is unanimously supported by my colleagues; that it be forwarded to all other Councils in the country for their support.” Cllrs. Meade and Whitty proposed and seconded this resolution.

6.      Correspondence received from Eugene Crowley, Clerk to the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment to state that Cobh would be included in any future visit to the area by this Committee. Cllr. Crowley relayed his disappointment at the omission of Cobh from the itinerary of the previous delegation.

7.      Letter from Mr. Gus Tennant regarding funding for his visit to South Africa in 2008 to work as a volunteer on the Niall Mellon Township Trust. Cllrs. Crowley and Doyle proposed and seconded funding of €250 towards the visit.

8.      Letter from Mr. Patrick O’Reilly regarding funding for his visit to South Africa in 2008 to work as a volunteer on the Niall Mellon Township Trust. Cllrs. Crowley and Doyle proposed and seconded funding of €250 towards the visit.

9.      Invitation from the Mayor of Lake Charles to the Mayor, their spouse and a delegation from Cobh to visit Lake Charles in 2008 regarding possible twinning.

10.  Correspondence from An Bord Pleanala regarding a preliminary meeting for an oral hearing and the oral meeting itself relating to the proposed Port of Cork’s Container Terminal move. Cllr. Whitty stated that he would be able to attend the preliminary meeting the following morning but would be unable to make the oral hearing.

11.  Letter from Nenagh Town Council regarding their motion at their January Monthly Meeting. Marked as read.

12.  Letter from Mullingar Town Council regarding their motion at their February Monthly Meeting. Marked as read.

13.  Letter of thanks from Ms. Heather Bond, Cobh Museum, regarding recent funding received from Cobh Town Council.

14.  Letter received from Ms. Hilary Fitzgerald, Principal of Cobh Mixed National School, Bellevue regarding their serious concerns in relation to the condition of the rock at the side of their school. It was agreed to write to both this school and all other relevant parties in the Landslide Project of the recent events regarding this programme.

15.  Invitation from Cobh Tourism to their Lusitania Commemoration Ceremony in May 2008.

16.  Invitation from Cobh Tourism to their Titanic Commemoration Ceremony in April 2008.

17.  Letter of thanks from Mr. Ryan Howard, East Cork Tourism, regarding recent funding received from Cobh Town Council.

18.  Invitation from Rev. Michael Leamy to celebrate Mass in St. Colman’s Cathedral on 15^th March 2008 for St. Patricks Day.

19.  Invitation from Junior Chamber Ireland regarding their St. Patricks Day celebrations.

20.  Letter from Ms. Anne Moroney of Cobh Community College Parents Association requesting funding. Cllrs. Whitty and Doyle proposed and seconded funding of €500 to be given.

All correspondence acknowledged and marked as read.

4.      OFFICER’S  REPORTS

a.)    Derelict Sites

The Town Clerk stated that the owner of 1&2 Casement Square had now been invoiced for the 2007 and 2008 derelict sites levy.

The removal of 5 Pearse Square had taken place from the Register.

There was a valuation sought on 1 Church Street as the owner had still not carried out all the works necessary.

30 Harbour Row had been reviewed by the Town Engineer who stated that it was no longer a derelict site. Proceedings are now in place to remove this property from the Register.

The owner of 14 Harbour Row will be notified of the Councils intention to place the recently received valuation on the Register.

There were still searches being carried out on 16 Harbour Row as to who should be contacted regarding the site’s dereliction status.

b.)    Mount Crozier Tennis Club.

The Town Clerk informed the Members that he had met with the Trustees of the above club who were looking for Council support. They were currently drawing up a list of works and would revert.

The Members agreed that the Council were supportive of any amenity developments in the area.

5.                  COMMITTEE REPORTS

a.)    Cllrs. Whitty and Doyle had researched a possible site for the Multi Games Arena (MUGA) and had reported back that a possible site might be a VEC site in Carrignafoy. The Town Clerk advised that the Town Manager had secured funding for one MUGA from Cork County Council subject to agreement on a location. It was agreed that the Mayor would liaise with the community college in this regard.

b.)    The proposed visits to Rehab Recycling, Respond etc. took place on the 28^th February by Members of the Council and were deemed a success and highly informative. The Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre was mentioned in the context of developing a similar Centre in Cobh.

c.)    Cllr. Meade spoke about the opening of the Community Centre in Cobh the previous Saturday. She expressed her delight at the standard of the development including the multi purpose hall which would accommodate substantial numbers of clubs which in turn would generate income for the centre. She also spoke of the generous donation received by the Centre from the Cobh Information Age Town Committee.

d.)    Cllr. Doyle gave a report on the current proposal by Barra O’Brian of the VEC, regarding a sailing centre for Cobh which would be similar in facilities and size as the sailing centre in Schull. Cllr. Doyle had met with the Mayor and the Port of Cork in relation to this proposal.   

Cllrs. Doyle and Meade proposed and seconded an extension of time to allow the business of the meeting to carry on.

6. TO CONSIDER THE NOTICE OF MOTION STANDING IN THE NAME OF CLLRS. WHITTY AND DOYLE.

“That Cobh Town Council take immediate steps to develop Bishop Roche Park, Cobh, as a municipal outdoor activities centre, to include water based and land based facilities such as sailing & navigational training, abseiling, archery, clay pigeon shooting etc..while preserving the historical architecture of the area”.

Cllrs. Doyle and Whitty had recently visited the Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre and spoke of the merits of developing a similar centre in Cobh. It was passed in principle that the feasibility study which would be conducted in Cobh in the near future would encompass this proposal. Cllr. Doyle mentioned the potential that Bishop Roche Park would have for this type of Centre.

All Members agreed unanimously that this proposal would be beneficial for the Town.

7.                  Any Other Business

1. Cllrs. Whitty and Doyle proposed and seconded a civic reception for the Reverend Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party on the 18^th April on his planned visit to Cobh with the involvement of Cobh & Harbour Chamber. This would be subject to confirmation.
2. Cllrs. McCarthy and Histon proposed and seconded funding of €800 from Tourism funding to Feabhas, the local youth group who were representing Ireland in Los Angeles in 2008. The Town Clerk also clarified that the vacant house in Russell Heights would be made secure following a query from Cllr.McCarthy.
3. Cllr. Whitty confirmed that the Town Councils Awards nights were being held on the 6^th June 2008 following a query from Cllr. Crowley. Cllr. Crowley also mentioned that there were gates also required in the lane behind Donnellan Terrace due to anti social behaviour.  The residents of this area would however, have to request these gates to be installed as this was the procedure in the installation of any structure in a residential area.
4. Following a query from Cllr. Meade, the Town Clerk clarified that if a tenant vacated a property for any longer then 6 weeks, then the tenancy could be terminated.

This concluded the business of the meeting.  

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CATHAOIRLEACH

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TOWN CLERK

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