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Minutes of Council meetings- list.:MONDAY 9th MARCH, 2009MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON MONDAY 9th MARCH, 2009 Presiding - Cllr. J. Mulvihill, Mayor. Present - Cllrs. P. Histon, Cllr S. Meade, S. O’Connor, P. Whitty, McCarthy, N. Doyle, D. Crowley Officials Present Ms. Mary Ryan Town Manager Ms. P. Lynch, Town Clerk Mr. Michael O’Sullivan Apologies: Cllr M. Keating, Mr. Robert O’Sullivan The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. 1. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES On the proposal of Cllr Whitty seconded by Cllr O’Connor the minutes of the following meetings were adopted. Monthly Council meeting – 9th February 2009. On the proposal of Cllr Meade seconded by Cllr McCarthy the minutes of the following meetings were adopted. Meetings in committee – 16th and 26th February. MATTERS ARISING DELEGATION FROM FRIENDS OF COBH HOSPITAL – Cllr O’Connor asked the Council to consider the hosting of a civic reception to celebrate its hundredth year. This was seconded by Cllr McCarthy. ST COLMAN’S CATHEDRAL – The Town Clerk stated that the submission had been received following which the Town Architect and the Conservation officer sent a letter to the trustees. The letter stated that they were satisfied with the submission subject to regular contact being maintained during the work. Cllr O’Connor stated that regular supervision would be important. LOWER HARBOUR SEWERAGE SCHEME – In response to a question from Cllr McCarthy the Town Clerk stated that he had been advised that construction work was due to commence in 2011. Cllr McCarthy stated that he understood that that commencement date was dependant on funding being available. Cllr Mulvihill referred to EU legislation and the increased funding that may be available as a result. Cllr Histon stated that there was an ongoing problem with one sewer pipe. Cllr McCarthy re-iterated that raw sewerage going into the sea was a serious problem. Cllr Meade stated that she wished to support those sentiments. Cllr O’Connor referred to claims that the engines of boats were being destroyed by raw sewerage. SLIPWAY MAINTENANCE – In response to a query from Cllr Whitty the Town Clerk stated that the quote of €48,000 from the Port of Cork still had to be clarified. PARKING AT RUSSELL HEIGHTS – No work commenced. PAY PARKING MACHINES – Cllr Crowley stated that instructions regarding the free hour of parking were needed on machines. Cllr Crowley also requested data regarding fines and tickets issued for 2008 from the Town Clerk. COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT SCHEME – The Town Clerk stated that he was preparing an application to FÁS and outlined some of the proposed projects. He stated however that Cork County Council had advised him that it would not possible due to recruitment restrictions to provide funding for a supervisor for such a scheme. Cllr McCarthy stated that a case needs to be made for a CE scheme solely to deal with the litter problem. Cllr Mulvihill referred to the numbers of people being made unemployed at present and the need for such a Community Employment Scheme. CROSS RIVER FERRY - In reply to letter on behalf of the Council the Ferry company stated that they did not receive a subvention and that they were not in a position to offer OAP foot passengers free travel. Cllr Whitty stated that he wished to support Cllr O’Connor. Cllr Mulvihill stated that the new contractors would be written to when the contract would soon be up for renewal. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT NEWTOWN ROAD – In a reply to Cllr McCarthy the Town Clerk stated that the Town Engineer was examining the matter. PROPOSED COMMUNITY & ENTERPRISE CENTRE AT BALLYNOE – In response to a query from Cllr Crowley the Town Clerk stated that the donation of 1 acre had been agreed in principle and the Council architects were drafting a design. 2. VOTES OF CONDOLENCE The Sympathy of the Council was extended to all those who had died since the previous meeting of the Council in particular the father of Gerard O’Hora. 3. MANAGERS ORDERS Cllrs noted Managers Orders copies of which had been circulated. Cllr Doyle expressed her concern at the number of applications for planning retention being made and the Cllr stated that it appeared that many people did not bother with obtaining planning permission but to instead seek retention. The town Clerk stated that there were many reasons why people would seek retention and that the same regulations apply. Fees had been increased for such applications but retention had been built into new legislation. Cllr O’Connor stated that the situation was being ignored and that rules were being bent and referred to the cases of Harbour row and Whitepoint. The Town Clerk asked that Cllrs bring specific cases to his attention. Cllr Crowley proposed their adoption and this was seconded by Cllr McCarthy. 4. CORRESPONDENCE – i. Cobh & Harbour Chamber of Commerce – on the proposal of Cllr O’Connor seconded by Cllr Meade it was agreed allocate €200 towards the summer festival programme. ii. All Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities Forum – marked as read. iii. Cobh-Ploermel Twinning Association – marked as read. iv. An Bórd Pleanála; Waste to energy Facility – marked as read. v. Junior Chamber International Cobh – Cllr Mulvihill stated that the Junior Chamber had been involved in preparing for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and may need a little financial assistance. vi. Association of County and City Councils – marked as read. vii. Mitchelstown Forum – marked as read. viii. Notice of Motion: Comhairle Baile Mhuineacháin – marked as read. ix. Superior Training; Environmental management – marked as read. x. Cobh Sailing – Cllr Doyle read out a letter from Cobh sailing thanking Cobh Town Council for their support. xi. Cobh Tourism; proposals for a busking festival – support for this was proposed by Cllr Crowley and seconded by Cllr O’Connor. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would examine whether there was any legal issues in this regard. 5. OFFICERS REPORTS i. Planning – The Town Clerk outlined the proposals to change the role of the Town Architect and to instead introduce a Senior Executive Planner from Cork County Council. It was also proposed to decrease the frequency of pre-planning meetings. Cllr Crowley welcomed some aspects of the review and stated that there was a need to advertise clinics. 6. COMMITTEE REPORTS: i. AMAI Report – Cllr Mulvihill reported on his recent attendance at this conference where he outlined details of a new scheme for councils to buy new empty houses. Cllr Mulvihill also relayed details of a letter from Tom Ryan of AMAI to Cobh Town Council to mark 150 years of the council. ii. Aura Leisure – Cllr Crowley updated the members on the position of Aura Leisure. The Cllr stated that the Board of Carrignafoy Leisure had many difficulties with the management of Aura over the past twelve months with regard to arranging meetings and monies owed. Cllr Crowley stated that Aura had breached confidence in announcing its closure to staff despite and agreement to delay this announcement. Cllr Crowley stated that an advertisement was placed immediately for other operators and that he and the Chair of the Board Cllr John Mulvihill Senior met with staff to outline the Council’s case. Cllr Crowley criticised Aura’s behaviour but stated that it would not result in the closure of Aura. In reply to a query from Cllr Meade regarding membership fees paid the Town clerk stated that members had a legal contract with Aura and they would be refunded. In reply to a query from Cllr McCarthy regarding existing equipment Cllr Crowley stated that Aura Leisure had an obligation to hand over the facility in an orderly manner. Cllr Whitty queried how much was owed to Carrignafoy Leisure to which the Town Clerk replied that the figure owed amounted to €45,000 + VAT. Cllr Whitty also stated that he had not been presented with the accounts at the AGM and these should have been given to the board. Cllr McCarthy queried whether existing management and staff could apply if they were interested. The Town Clerk stated that they would have to respond as per the recent advertisement. Cllr Doyle stated that she was unhappy that Aura were left to operate without paying the money they owed. 7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS - i. Cllr O’Connor; Pedestrian crossing at Edmund Rice Place adjacent to the school – The Town Clerk stated that this was a Cork County Council road but that the Engineer could investigate this. ii. Cllr McCarthy; Traffic calming at Ahern Place and Colman’s Square – T. Engineer to investigate. Cllr Histon also stated that the hedge at this junction was a problem and needed to be cut back. iii. Application for Disabled parking bay at 83 Belmont & 17 West view. Proposed by Cllr Whitty and seconded by Cllr Histon – To be investigated by Town Engineer. iv. Cllr Meade; Litter fines signs needed for dog fouling – Town Clerk to examine. Cllr Doyle stated that dog foul was being tackled in Midleton by wardens actively warning dog owners while out walking and that the same action was needed in Cobh. v. Cobh Landslide Programme – The Town Clerk advised members that a report in relation to Wolfe Tone Street was currently being prepared by the Consulting Engineers and that members would be advised of the contents of this report when it had been completed. This concluded the business of the meeting ___________________ Cathaoirleach ___________________ Town Clerk
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