Minutes of Council meetings- list.:

Presiding -                              Cllr. P. Whitty, Mayor.

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

            Officials Present

Ms. M. Ryan, Town Manager

Mr. P.Lynch, Town Clerk

                                                Mr G. O’Hora, Town Engineer

An apology for their inability to attend was received from Cllrs D. Crowley and M. Keating

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

1.                  Attendance by Mr Ryan Howard, East Cork Tourism

Cllr Whitty welcomed Mr. Howard to the meeting.  Mr Howard stated that East Cork Tourism was focusing on promoting Tourism products, which would benefit East Cork.  He highlighted the importance of partnership with all of the Local Authorities and the other bodies in this region.  He stated that at present East Cork Tourism had 17 members in Cobh and that they were hoping to add to that number.  Mr Howard stated that East Cork Tourism currently raises between €50, 000 and €60,000 per annum. This funding comes from membership fees, grants from Local Authorities and Sponsorship.  He stated that in order to guarantee success of East Cork that this income figure needed to be doubled.  Mr Howard stated that East Cork Tourism received strong support from East Cork Area Development.  Mr Howard referred to recent development by East Cork Tourism in improving there website.  He stated that they were currently trying to introduce commercial features into the website and to raise finances by these means.  He stated that ECAD was now covering the Cork Harbour Area, which included Passage West, Carrigaline etc.  He stated that at present East Cork Tourism did not cover this area but this was a matter that may receive further consideration.  Mr Howard referred to the annual showcase event, which was held recently in Garryvoe to bring members together with Fáilte Ireland and other groups and reported that this showcase had been a success.  He stated that the plan of East Cork Tourism was to grow and to develop sustainable products over the next few years.  Mr Howard answered all questions raised by members of the Council.  Cllr Whitty thanked Mr Howard for his attendance.  Mr Howard then withdrew.

2. OPENING OF TENDERS

All tenders submitted for the Cobh Urban Design Feasibility Study were opened and signed by the Town Clerk and the Mayor.  The Town Clerk stated that the tenders would now be referred to the County Councils Architect for consideration.  The following companies submitted tenders for the above project.  Murray O’Laoire Architects, Scott Tallon Walker Architects, Scott Wilson Scotland Ltd, Urban Initiatives, Urban Strategies Inc, Wain Morehead Architects.

3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

The following minutes of Council Meetings held having being circulated were adopted as follows.

Monthly meeting 10^th March 2008.  On the proposal of Cllr Doyle seconded by Cllr McCarthy the Minutes of the meeting were amended as follows.  The reference in the monthly meeting under committee reports to the report prepared by Cllr Doyle in relation to the Sailing Centre for Cobh was amended to read as follows.  Cllr Doyle gave a report on a commitment given by Barra O’Brien CEO of Cork County VEC regarding the provision of a sailing centre for Cobh.  Cllr Doyle had meet with the CEO and education officer of the VEC along with the Mayor, a meeting had also taking place with representatives of the Port of Cork regarding the provision of necessary facilities.

On the proposal of Cllr O’Connor seconded by Cllr Meade the minutes of the monthly meeting of 10^th March 2008 were adopted. 

MATTERS ARAISING FROM MINUTES

LANDSLLIDE PROGRAMME      Cllr O’Connor asked for an update in relation to the landslide programme. The Town Clerk stated that the County Council Senior Engineer was due to make a recommendation shortly on the Tenders for the study.  He stated that it was anticipated that Tenders for the West View project would be opened at the May meeting of the Council. 

PARKING IN ASSUMPTION PLACE       In response to a query from Cllr McCarthy the Town Engineer stated that the removal of the Eircom pole was listed for work and that the resurfacing was due to be carried out in the next few weeks. 

ENTRANCE TO THE ROCK          Town Clerk stated that the Land Registry search had been completed and that the land in question was not registered.  Cllr O’ Connor stated that the entrance was deteriorating and may be due to the proximity of a tree at that location.  It was agreed that the Town Engineer would examine the matter further. 

ST COLMAN’S CATHEDRAL       The Town Clerk stated that he had received a phone call from the Trustees in relation to the appointment of  a new architect.  Cllr O’Connor stated that in his view any works carried out at St Colman’s Cathedral would require planning permission. 

VISIT BY RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION INSITIUATE OF IRELAND