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| Cobh Town Council, Town Hall, Cobh, Co. Cork. Phone: 021 481 1307 FAX: 021 481 1732 Contact Us |
Minutes of Council meetings- list.:Committee Meeting 12 May 2008MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON MONDAY 12th MAY 2008 Presiding - Cllr. P. Whitty, Mayor. Present - Cllrs. N. Doyle, D. Crowley, M. Keating, S. Meade, S. O’Connor, K. McCarthy, P. Histon and J. Mulvihill Officials Present Mr. L. Singleton, A/Town Manager Ms. R. Mullarkey, A/Town Clerk Mr G. O’Hora, Town Engineer The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. OPENING OF TENDERS All pre qualification questionnaires submitted for the Landslide Project (Westview) were opened and signed by the A/Town Manager, A/Town Clerk and the Mayor. The A/Town Clerk stated that the tenders would now be referred to JODA Engineering Consultants and a selection committee would be formed to select the companies who would be invited to tender. The following companies submitted pre qualification questionnaires for the above project. Trac Ltd. Cumnor Construction, Mc Ginty & O’Shea Ltd, Cain White Piling Foundations, Hegarty & Sons, Ward & Burke, Coffey Construction and Quantum GB. 1. DELEGATION BY SPRINGFIELD FOOTBALL CLUB. Unfortunately, the above Club could not attend on the night. It was agreed that this delegation would attend the June meeting. 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES The following minutes of Council Meetings held having being circulated were adopted as follows. Monthly meeting 14th April 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 regarding the provision of a sailing centre for Cobh and mentioned that Barra O’Brien CEO of Cork County VEC supported the provision of this Sailing Centre for the Town. 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. Cllr O’Connor also stated that in relation to the minutes of the April meeting, he wanted to amend the minutes to read as follows: Cllr O’Connor stated that under current planning legislation and regulations, any works carried out at St Colman’s Cathedral would require planning permission. Cllr McCarthy asked that the minutes of the meeting be amended to state “Cllr. McCarthy asked that the litter situation at the former Welcome Inn on O’Rahilly Street be looked at.” On the proposal of Cllr Doyle seconded by Cllr Meade the minutes of the monthly meeting of 14th April 2008 as amended were adopted. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES LANDSLIDE PROGRAMME Cllr O’Connor asked for an update in relation to the landslide programme. The A/Town Clerk stated that there was no update available to her at present but would follow up and revert to the Members regarding same. Cllr. O’Connor expressed his disappointment in relation to the fact that there appeared to be no update in this matter available to the Members that night. 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 which included remedial works was due to be carried out in the next few weeks. ENTRANCE TO THE ROCK It had been stated in previous meetings that the Land Registry search had been completed and that the land in question was not registered. This issue would be referred to the Council Solicitors. Cllr O’ Connor had also previously stated that the entrance was deteriorating and may be due to the proximity of a tree at that location. ST COLMAN’S CATHEDRAL The Town Clerk had previously stated that he had received a phone call from the Trustees in relation to the appointment of a new architect. It was agreed that the A/Town Clerk would follow up for an update. VISIT BY RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION INSITIUATE OF IRELAND TO COBH. In response to a query from Cllr Mulvihill, the A/Town Clerk stated that she would follow up with Mr David Fenton with a view to arranging a meeting. PLANNING PERMISSION AT WHITEPOINT The A/Town Clerk stated that correspondence had been received from the Developers tree specialist in response to a warning letter that had issued to the developer in relation to alleged non compliance with conditions attached to the Planning Permission and that the Town Architect was currently drafting a report in relation to this planning enforcement. Numerous Members expressed their disappointment over this current issue and Cllr. O’Connor asked that the Town Manager deal with the issue until the return of the Town Clerk. OPENING UP OF THROUGH ROAD IN COLLEGE MANOR The Town Engineer stated that the developer was working with Cork County Council to finalise the works with a view to the Council taking over the road. He stated that once the estate had been taken in charge the public road would be opened. Following a query from Cllr. Doyle, the Town Engineer stated that until the estate was taken in charge, all queries in relation to traffic calming measures should be directed to the Developer of the estate. MOUNT CROZIER TENNIS CLUB The A/Town Clerk stated correspondence had been received from the Trustees in relation to the meeting with the Mayor and the Town Clerk. She also stated that the preliminary assessment and related pricing was complete and available for discussion at this meeting. GATES IN ALLEY TO REAR OF DONELAN TERRACE The Town Engineer stated that these works were subject to funding being available. PROVISION OF PLANTS AND CONTAINERS IN TOWN CENTRE. The Town Engineer stated that containers and plants for this purpose had been ordered and would be delivered the following week. Cllr. Histon stated that the plants near Rushbrooke Hotel and the skew bridge need to be maintained. Other matters raised were dealt with as appropriate 3. VOTES OF CONDOLANCE The Sympathy of the Council was extended to all those who had died since the previous meeting of the Council. The votes were passed in silence all standing. 4. CORRESPONDANCE (a) Notice of Motion, Passage West Town Council, marked as read. (b) Notice of Motion, Mullingar Town Council, marked as read. (c) Notice of Motion, Clonmel Borough Council, marked as read. (d) Notice of Motion, Killarney Town Council, marked as read. (e) Letter of acknowledgement from the Private Secretary to the Minister for Health in relation to a notice of motion regarding the provision of defibrillators to all schools and organisations. (f) Correspondence from National Adult Literacy Agency regarding conference on the 21st May 2008. (g) Correspondence regarding a Local Government Housing Service training seminar for Councillors from the 6th - 8th June in Co. Louth. (h) Correspondence regarding the 4th Annual Irish PPP Policy Forum on the 19th June 2008 in Dublin. (i) Letter of thanks from the Robert Forde Memorial Committee regarding recent funding and support from Cobh Town Council. (j) Correspondence from concerned Towns People regarding the current bus service operating in the Town. It was agreed that this submission signed by approximately 90 residents of the Town would be sent to the Department of Transport to register both the Council’s and residents concern in relation to this service. On the proposal of Cllr. Doyle, seconded by Cllr. Meade, an extension of time was proposed to allow the business of the meeting to continue. 5. MANAGERS ORDERS Cllrs noted Managers Orders copies of which had been circulated. 6. OFFICERS REPORT 1. Derelict Sites The A/Town Clerk gave a report outlining the up to date position in relation to the derelict sites. She stated that in relation to No.1 and No.2 Casement Square no payment had been received to date in relation to the invoices issued in respect of 2007 and 2008. Members stated that the Council couldn’t accept continued failure of the owner of these two sites to act. The A/Town Clerk agreed to contact the Council’s Solicitors in relation to the next step in the dereliction process for these 2 properties. The A/Town Clerk stated that Managers Orders had been drafted for signature for the following properties: 1 Church Street – for inclusion on the register. 30 Harbour Row – for its removal from the register. She also stated that 5 Cathedral Place had been removed from the Register and that a report had been drafted for 5 Albert Terrace for review by the Manager. In relation to the litter problem at the former Welcome Inn on O’Rahilly Street, on the proposal of Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Histon, it was agreed that should the situation remain, a litter fine would issue to the owner of this property. 2. Road fund Grant Town Engineer circulated proposals in relation to the Road Fund Grant which consisted of €108,000 of a block grant and €179,000 of a special block grant. 3. Multi-use games area The A/Town Manager stated that funding could be made available by Cork County Council for a games area subject to the identification of a suitable location. Cllr Doyle stated that a site had been identified for this purpose but certain restrictions on this site existed. The A/Town Manager clarified that these conditions on this site would not prevent this site from being used for the MUGA use. Cllr. Crowley also suggested the land at Ballynoe and the Mount Crozier site for the MUGA should the VEC site not be suitable. Cllr. Whitty spoke of the consideration of the extending the playground at Five Foot Way and categorising the playground into age related activities. The A/Town Manager stated that the existing capital balances of the Council would have to be taken into consideration of any development works. He also stated that there were existing grants of up to €40,000 for playgrounds available from Cork County Council to community bodies for this purpose. Cllr. Crowley also proposed the development of a skate park for the Town. The A/Town Manager spoke of the skate park recently developed in Ballincollig but advised that a site for this purpose should be chosen carefully as there have been complaints in relation to noise from the park. Cllr. Doyle spoke of the need for the MUGA to have adequate security and fencing. 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS Cllr. Whitty spoke of the Cork Harbour Integrated Management Strategy 2008. 8. TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING NOTICE OF MOTION STANDING IN THE NAME OF CLLR. KIERAN MCCARTHY. "In view of the recent act of political maturity and reconciliation which invited the North’s First Minister Ian Paisley to our Town Hall, that this council now undertakes to issue an ‘Posthumous Apology’ on behalf of the people of Cobh to the late Republican Socialist and Trade Union Leader James Connolly, who was physically chased out of our town in March 1911, by a violent mob in the company of the then Town Chairman." Cllr. Keating seconded this motion and spoke of his interest in the history as outlined by Cllr. McCarthy. Cllrs. Mulvihill and Crowley also spoke of their support for this motion. It was agreed to draft an apology on foot of receipt of the historical details from Cllr. McCarthy. 9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS. Cllr. Histon asked that the toilets on the promenade be looked at as their condition was not satisfactory especially in the recent occasions of Liner visits. The Town Engineer stated that the previous complaint of litter on Bishops Street by Cllr. Meade would be dealt with by contacting residents of Thomas St. and Midleton St. Cllr Mulvihill had previously stated that a drain at 85 French’s Avenue had flooded. Town Engineer informed the Members that this issue was ongoing. Cllr O’Connor had previously referred to damage to a flowerbed on West Beach to facilitate the development on the street. It was agreed that this work would be carried out by Town Council staff. On the proposal of Cllr McCarthy seconded by Cllr Whitty it was previously agreed to write to the local Garda Superintendent requesting garda foot patrols in Russell Heights to combat vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the area. The A/Town Clerk informed the Members that this correspondence had been sent but to date, no reply had been received. Cllr McCarthy asked for an update in relation to the gated lane-ways in Russell Heights, Town Clerk stated that the matter was listed for work and would be carried out as soon as possible. He also stated that quotations were currently being received for this work. Cllr Histon previously asked if the Town Engineer could examine fire damage to the rear of the former Titanic Bar in relation to the derelict sites acts. The Town Engineer was currently drafting a report in relation to same. In relation to the issue of a disabled parking space at West View, the Town Engineer stated that he believed there were enough bays to cater for the area. Cllr. Whitty requested that the Town Engineer examine the possibility of relocating existing bays. Cllr Whitty had previously stated that works carried out at Eaton Heights had caused damage to a fence in the area and asked if the Council could repair the damaged fence. Town Engineer and Mayor to meet to discuss exact location of this damage. Cllr. Crowley asked for an update in relation to the social and affordable housing in Marinegate. The A/Town Clerk stated that the two social houses were not currently allocated yet and the 6 affordable houses were in the process of being allocated to eligible applicants. Cllr. O’Connor queried the sale of the site on Connolly St. The A/Town Clerk stated that this site was currently under offer at €132,000 and there were still interested bidders. Cllr. Whitty also stated that the bedding area near Carrigaloe entrance to the ferry was under the responsibility of Cobh Town Council according to Cork County Council. Following a query from Cllr. Mulvihill, it was agreed to write to Wiser Bins to request early collection in the Town Centre and the front of the town. Following a query from Cllr. Meade, the Town Engineer agreed to examine the current number of ESB generators current locations around the estates Cllr. Doyle asked for an update on the deadline for the Cobh Urban Design Feasibility Study. The A/Town Clerk said she was not aware of the deadline of the 30th June being extended. Cllr. Mulvihill queried the Community Awards date. Cllr. Whitty clarified and stated that it was either the 6th or the 13th June. The AGM for Cobh Town Council was set for the 16th June. Cllr. O’Connor asked that the steps down to the Council workshop be looked at by the Town Foreman. On the proposal of Cllr. Keating, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy, it was agreed that Cllr. O’Connor would attend the AGM of the AMAI in September in Sligo. Following a query from Cllr. McCarthy regarding Cobh Ramblers signposts, it was agreed that Cobh Ramblers would be requested to submit their proposed locations for their sign posts to the Town Engineer. This concluded the business of the meeting. __________________ CATHAOIRLEACH ________________________ TOWN CLERK ________________________ DATE
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