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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.:MONTHLY MEETING MONDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER, 2009MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COBH TOWN COUNCIL, HELD AT CARRIG HOUSE, COBH, ON MONDAY 14th SEPTEMBER, 2009 Presiding - Cllr. P. Whitty, Mayor. Present - Cllrs. P. Histon, S. O’Connor, J. Mulvihill, M. Martin, S. Sheppard, J. Quinlan and K. McCarthy Officials Present Ms. M. Ryan, Town Manager Mr. P. Lynch, Town Clerk Mr. Robert O’Sullivan An apology for his inability to attend was received from Cllr. Finbarr O’Driscoll The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. 1. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES. Monthly Meeting of Council 13th July 2009 – Proposed Cllr. O’Connor; Seconded Cllr. Quinlan In-Committee meeting of Council 11th August, 2009 - Proposed Cllr. Martin, Seconded Cllr. McCarthy Special Meeting of Council 11th August, 2009 - Proposed Cllr. McCarthy, Seconded Cllr. Martin 2. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Cllr. Martin asked whether or not a copy of the scheme of letting priorities had been issued to each Housing applicant as decided at the July meeting. The Town Clerk stated that as members of staff had been on annual leave, it had not been possible to arrange for this work to be carried out. He stated that there were approximately 500 housing applicants registered with the Town Council and the work involved in copying the scheme of letting priorities 500 times as well as the costs involved had to be taken into account. Cllr. Martin suggested that rather than photocopying the scheme, the Town Clerk should engage a printer to print the documentation. Cllr. McCarthy asked for an update on the previous Council’s request to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to approve a points scheme for the assessment of housing applications. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would write to the Department looking for an update. Cllr. Sheppard asked for an update in relation to the issue of a Housing Officer. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would follow up this matter with the County Manager. Cllr. O’Connor asked for an update in relation to the issue of plastic signs in the Town Centre. The Town Engineer stated that the matter had been referred to the Town Planner and that he would follow up in this regard. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would follow up on progress in relation to the proposal to extend the Town Council boundary and report back to the members at the October meeting. Other matters arising from the meeting were dealt with as appropriate 3. VOTES OF CONDOLENCE The Sympathy of the Council was extended to all those who had died since the previous meeting of the Council. It was unanimously agreed to extend the sympathy of the Council to the family of the mother of former Cllr. Michael Keating. The votes were passed in silence all standing 4. CORRESPONDENCE – 1. Details of various conferences – Marked as read. 2. Notice of Motion – Tuam Town Council. On the proposal of Cllr. Histon, seconded by Cllr. Quinlan, the following motion was adopted: “That this Council proposes that the recommendations to abolish Town Councils, contained in the McCarthy Report, be withdrawn.” Cllr. Martin stated that he could not agree with the motion as he saw no point in a Town Council commenting on a report which had not been acted on. 3. Notice of Motion – Mullingar Town Council. – Marked as read. 4. See You In Cobh Committee – letter from Hendrick Verwey asking that the Council agree to switch on the Christmas Lights on Saturday 5th December. This proposal was accepted unanimously. 5. Great Island Business Association – membership of the Board of Carrignafoy Leisure Ltd. Cllr. Martin stated that the matter had been discussed at the July meeting and had been deferred pending details of the legal advice concerning the power of the members to nominate members to the Board of Directors. He stated that the legal advice received appeared to suggest that the members had no authority to instruct the manager in relation to areas of major policy. He also stated that the members had not seen the question which had been asked of the Council’s solicitors. The Town Clerk agreed to circulate a copy of the email looking for the legal advice to all members. 6. Letter from the Hurley family thanking the Council for the Civic Reception accorded to Barry Hurley following his rowing success. 7. Email from Rogerstone Band in South Wales requesting permission to perform in the Bandstand in August 2010. The members agreed to grant permission. 8. Cllr. McCarthy asked if the Town Clerk had received any correspondence from residents in Hartlands Point in relation to the erection of gates. The Town Clerk stated that he had received some correspondence, both in favour and against the erection of gates and that the matter would be looked at. 5. OFFICERS REPORTS - 1. Cobh Landslide Programme. – The Town Clerk stated that he had now received the completed report from Malachy Walsh & Partners and that he had written to every person who had received previous correspondence in connection with the study. He also stated that the consultants had updated the executive summary of the report to amalgamate the priority lists for walls and slopes. He stated that he would arrange for this summary to be circulated to the members and to local members of the County council and the Oireachtas as agreed at the August special meeting. Cllr. O’Connor raised the issue of Connolly Street and stated that this issue had been ongoing for over 10 years. He stated that he couldn’t accept that the consultants placed Connolly Street at No. 18 on the priority works list and asked that this be recorded in the minutes. 2. Sale of Sites. – The Town Clerk stated that a decision had been made at a previous Council meeting to dispose of 2 sites – one at Connolly Street and one at Bishop Roche Park. He stated that the Council had approved the disposal of Connolly Street but that a legal issue had arisen in relation to the freehold of the site. He advised that the solicitors acting for the prospective purchaser were aware of the issue and the steps being taken by the Council’s solicitors to resolve the issue. He stated that the Town Engineer and Town Foreman had been asked to look at identifying a suitable location for storage of the materials currently being kept in the Council site at Bishop Roche Park and that he would revert to the members when this issue had been resolved. Cllr O’Connor raised the issue of the Council’s land at Lower Cottrell’s Row. Following a discussion, it was agreed that the Council would seek to construct 2 small houses for elderly people on this site. 3. Casual Trading Bye Laws. – The Town Clerk stated that a number of issues had arisen in relation to the operation of the Bye Laws. These included whether or not additional trading spaces could be provided, whether or not parking would be allowed in the trading spaces on days when no trading was taking place as well as issues concerning the periods of time covered by licences and the charges which apply for casual trading licences. On the proposal of Cllr. Whitty, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy, it was agreed to commence a public consultation process in relation to the possibility of amending the Bye Laws. 4. Town Engineer’s Report. – The Town Engineer reported on a number of issues which had arisen at the July meeting of the Council. (i) The disabled parking bay adjacent to the Centra on West Beach had been completed and that the existing bay close to 5 West Beach had been extended. (ii) He hoped to carry out further examination of the slipway at Whitepoint in the near future. (iii) Cork County Council had examined the foul outlet pipe at Whitepoint and ere due to deal with the matter. (iv) He had been informed by the ESB that they would be carrying out some works close to Assumption Place in 2010 and that the location of the poles in this area would be examined. (v) A new bin is due to be installed at Cathedral Place close to the steps in coming weeks. (vi) He would raise the issue of a Concealed Entrance sign close to Leonard’s Lodge but the Council would not be installing mirrors at this location. (vii) He felt that it would not be possible to carry out any works which would deal with the concerns raised in relation to the private entrance at the top of Lake Road/Bishop’s Road. (viii) The roundabout at Velvet House Cross had been constructed in accordance with road works specifications and didn’t require any further works. (ix) The fence between Russell Heights and Norwood Grove had now been completed. Cllr. McCarthy stated that the fence did nothing to alleviate the problems for the residents of Russell Heights. He stated that a resident in Russell Heights proposed using this area as an amenity area for the residents of the estate which would be maintained by the children in the estate. It was agreed that Cllr. McCarthy would contact the resident to arrange a meeting with the Town Clerk and Town Engineer. (x) The lights at the zebra crossing had now been repaired. (xi) Cllr. McCarthy asked if there had been any further proposals in relation to dealing with speeding along Newtown Road. The Town Engineer agreed to look at the issue of a roundabout at the junction of the Newtown Road with O’Sullivan’s Place. (xii) Cllr. Histon stated that the crossing from Elmwood Grove to the Londis was very dangerous. The Town Engineer agreed to look at the issue of traffic calming measures at this location. 6. COMMITTEE REPORTS - Multiple Use Games Area: Cllr. Whitty stated that in 2008, Cork County Council had agreed to provide a grant of €40,000 to install a MUGA in Cobh. He stated that following long discussions, the Trustees of Mount Crozier Tennis Club and Cobh Youth Services had made a proposal to redevelop the tennis club. This redevelopment would include the restoration of 2 tennis courts and the installation of a MUGA on the site. Cllr. Martin asked if the neighbouring residents had been consulted and if they had any objections to the proposal. Cllr. Whitty stated that both organisations were in discussions with residents. Cllr. Quinlan stated that the views of the residents should be known before any funding was provided for this project. On the proposal of Cllr. Whitty, seconded by Cllr. Histon, it was agreed that the €40,000 grant for Cork County Council be used for this development. The Manager thanked the members of the Council who had been involved in identifying a suitable location for this development. Cllr. Martin asked that where members of the Council, particularly those newly elected, were being asked to make decision on issues such as this, they should be provided with an executive summary of the issues prior to the meeting to allow them to familiarise themselves with the issues. Munster Motorhome Club: Cllr. Whitty stated that following discussion of the letter received by the Club at the July meeting, he had arranged for the Chairman of the club to meet himself, the Deputy Mayor and the Town Clerk at the Five Foot Way. As a result of the meeting, he felt that there should be no problems in allowing the club to hold a one-off event at the Five Foot Way in April or May, 2010. He stated that the club were looking for the Council to provide a permanent location to facilitate the parking of motorhomes. It was agreed to defer consideration of this matter until after the 2010 event. 7. NOMINEE DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNITY CENTRE The Town Clerk stated that Stella Meade had been the Council’s nominee as Director for Cobh (Great Island) Community Centre Ltd, and that due to her resignation, the Company had written to the Council looking for a new director. Cllr. McCarthy proposed Cllr. Martin, Cllr, O’Connor seconding. Cllr. Histon proposed Cllr. Whitty, Cllr. Quinlan seconding. Cllr. Martin asked if any decision taken by the members in this regard complied with the requirements of Paragraph 18 (2) (b) of schedule 10 attached to the Local Government Act, 2001. Following a discussion, it was agreed to defer consideration of this matter until the Town Clerk had received the legal opinion of the Council’s solicitors in relation to the question as to whether or not the Town Council could appoint any member of the Council to more than 1 committee or body, given the requirements of Paragraph 18 (2) (b). 8. FINANCE & INCOME GENERATION. The Town Clerk advised that following the Committee meeting in August, he had met with the Town Engineer and Town Foreman to look at where savings could be achieved which would minimise disruption to services. Housing repairs and street cleaning had been identified at the Committee meeting as areas for investigation. The Manager had indicated that she was unwilling to reduce expenditure on street cleaning. Accordingly, the Town Clerk stated that he was recommending to the members that savings could be achieved in the area of house repairs by concentrating on emergency repairs as well as putting more resources into restoring a number of vacant houses in need of repair as this work would be funded from Housing Capital receipts. Cllr. McCarthy stated that the Family Resource Centre had indicated that a number of unemployed persons in the town were willing to provide their services free of charge to assist in restoring these houses. The Manager stated that there may be implications in relation to health & safety, insurances or union issues. On the proposal of Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Martin, it was agreed that the Town Clerk and Town Engineer would look at these issues. In the event that there were no difficulties in these areas, the Council would proceed to allow a work scheme to commence. Cllr. Martin circulated a draft proposal in relation to pay parking. The document proposed amending the existing Pay Parking Bye Laws to allow for 4 parking zones in the town. Payment for parking in Zone A which would cover the town centre would be set at a higher level than other areas. Zone B would cover streets away from the Town Centre which were currently covered by the existing Bye Laws; a lower charge would apply in those areas. Zone C would be the Five Foot Way carpark, and Cllr. Martin stated that a flat fee for all day parking could apply here. The final Zone would include all other areas of the town and would not attract a pay parking fee. A percentage of any additional income generated as a result of this proposal would be used to increase street cleaning and litter control resources. It would be possible under the scheme to purchase an annual permit at a charge of €104 which would allow certain concessions in each of the 3 pay parking zones. It would also be possible to purchase an annual permit at a cost of €250 for the Five Foot Way Carpark or a monthly permit for visitors to the town. Cllr. Martin stated that while his proposal included certain figures, these were not finalised and could be agreed. The Manager stated that she welcomed Cllr. Martin’s proposals as she had asked for proposals from the members in relation to income generation. She stated that the proposals appeared to meet a number of requirements in relation to traffic management and income generation. It was agreed on the proposal of Cllr. Whitty, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy, to advertise for submissions in relation to amending the Pay Parking Bye Laws. It was agreed that in addition to press notices, the Town Clerk would specifically seek submissions from the Cobh & Harbour Chamber, Great Island Business Association, Cobh Taxi Association and Cobh Tourism. 9. DISPOSAL OF FREEHOLD The disposal of the freehold of 23 Glavins Terrace, pursuant to Section 90 of the Housing Act, 1966 and Section 26 of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents)(No 2) Act 1978 was approved on the proposal of Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Sheppard 10. NOTICES OF MOTION 1. The following notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. Histon, seconded by Cllr. Whitty, was adopted: “With regard to the development at Atlantic Quay – granted under Planning Reference 22/1997. That the developers – Dentvale Ltd. – are written to advising that the security held (€25,518) by Cobh Town Council be used to re-establish the Public Right of Way that existed from Harbour row to Kidney Strand prior to the development of the multi-storey complex at Atlantic Quay, and making good outstanding works” It was agreed that the Town Engineer would prepare a report in this regard outlining the works to be carried out by the developer. 2. The following notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Martin, was adopted: “That this Council accepts a deputation from the “Cobh Community Allotment Scheme” to address the Council about its proposals to acquire land at Newtown at our October meeting” The Town Clerk stated that he had requested a report from the Town Architect in relation to an allotment scheme and that he hoped to have this report for the October meeting of the Council. 3. The following notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. McCarthy, seconded by Cllr. Martin, was adopted: “That this Council agreed a Supplementary Budget to deal in a serious and progressive way with the litter, under age open drinking, anti-social behaviour and general safety of the Burma Steps” Cllr. McCarthy congratulated the outdoor staff for their efforts in maintaining this area but stated that this work was being undermined by anti-social behaviour in this area. He stated that there was an urgent need for CCTV on the steps to curb underage drinking, and other anti-social behaviour. Cllr. Martin stated that many people were afraid to use this area due to the problems highlighted by Cllr. McCarthy. It was agreed that the Town Engineer would get costings in relation to a CCTV scheme for this area. The Manager stated that this was a matter to be discussed by the Joint Policing Committee. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would write to the Gardaí to arrange for a meeting of the JPC at the earliest possible date. 4. The following notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. Martin, seconded by Cllr. McCarthy, was considered: “That New Councillors receive computers in accordance with previous policy of the Council” Cllr. Histon stated that if new computers were being purchased, all members of the Council should receive one. Some members of the Council had received computers previously but these were now 5 years old and many were in need of replacement. The Manager stated that there was no provision in the 2009 Budget for this proposal. It was agreed that this matter would be discussed as part of the 2010 Budget proposals. 11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS (i) Cllr. McCarthy Funding for a skate park at the Five Foot Way. It had been agreed previously that the Council would work towards enlarging the playground at this location and a skate park should form part of any proposals in this regard. Town Engineer to examine the matter. Safety at the entrance to St. Joseph’s school. This had been raised previously and a child had been hit by a car at this location recently. Town Engineer to look at proposals to make this area safer and report back to the members. Sightlines at the entrance to Rushbrooke Manor. Town Engineer agreed to examine. Green area at Ringmeen. Town Engineer to refer matter to Cork County Council. (ii) Cllr. Martin Littering adjacent to the Black Railings on Lake Road. Town Engineer to refer to Town Foreman Overgrowth on roadside along Harbour View. Residents there have agreed that if this is dealt with, and paint is supplied to them, they will paint and maintain the railings. Town Engineer to examine (iii) Cllr. Sheppard Condition of shores at Top of the Hill. Town Engineer to examine Wheelie Bins left on footpath at laneway to rear of Midleton Street. Town Engineer to refer to Town Foreman for action. Condition of public lighting in Marinegate. Town Clerk stated that this estate had not been taken in charge and that the issue of public lighting was a matter between the developer and the ESB. He stated that he was writing to a resident in the estate to that effect. (iv) Cllr. Quinlan. Speeding in front of Whitepoint moorings. Town Engineer to examine. It was also agreed that this matter could be considered by the Joint Policing Committee. Condition of steps between The Mall and Meehan’s Terrace. Town Engineer to examine Rates being paid by the Prayer & Pastoral Centre. Town Clerk asked that the centre write to him so that he could examine this issue. Water Leak at bottom of East Hill. Town Engineer stated that Cork County Council aware of the problem and the matter was listed for work. Condition of footpath close to the entrance to The Spires. Town Engineer to examine. (v) Cllr. Histon Overgrowth on Harbour Row. Town Engineer to examine Vandalism on Five Foot Way. A number of lifebuoys and bins have been stolen. Town Engineer stated that this matter was being dealt with. Overgrowth between Carrigaloe and the Skew Bridge. Cllr. Histon stated that this had been cut but left on the road. Town Engineer to refer to Cork County Council. (vi) Cllr. Whitty. Visit of HMS Bounty to Cobh. Cllr. Whitty stated that the HMS Bounty would be in Cobh between Thursday and Sunday and would be open to members of the public on Saturday and Sunday. This concluded the business of the meeting ___________________ Cathaoirleach ___________________ Town Clerk
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