Council Meeting 3rd May 2011

Minutes

 MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING OF CLONAKILTY TOWN COUNCIL

HELD ON TUESDAY 3^rd MAY 2011 AT 6.30 PM IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, OLD MILL, KENT ST, CLONAKILTY.

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Members Present:    Cllr. Kevin O’Regan (Mayor), Cllr. Aidan Pendlebury, Cllr. Cionnáith Ó Súilleabháin, Cllr. Anthony McDermott, Cllr. Humphrey Deegan, Cllr. Anne Cullinane, Cllr. John Loughnan, Cllr. Phil O’Regan.

The Mayor began the meeting by proposing a suspension of standing orders to facilitate a presentation from residents of McCurtain Hill, Clonakilty. This proposal was seconded by Cllr. Phil O’Regan.

Following the presentation standing orders resumed.

1.          CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

a) Minutes of April 2011 Monthly Meeting

On the proposal of Cllr. Phil O’Regan and seconded by Cllr. Pendlebury, the minutes of the April monthly meeting were adopted.

b) Minutes of Special Meeting held on 18^th April 2011.

            On the proposal of Cllr. Phil O’Regan and seconded by Cllr. McDermott, the minutes of Special meeting held on 18^th April 2011 were adopted.

2.         MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES

a)      Monthly Meeting April 2011

Cllr. O’Súilleabháin referred to item-Minutes of Bye-Laws Sub-Committee. The Town Clerk informed him that the amendments made to the Bye-Laws were now enforceable.

The Town Clerk referred to item- Motion from Cllr. Phil O’Regan (regarding Development Contributions). He informed the Members that the correct way in dealing with this motion was through a review of the Development Contribution Scheme.

Cllr. McDermott referred to item- Taking over Estates. The Town Engineer provided an update to the Members regarding the estates in the Town Council Area.  

The Town Clerk referred to item- Joint Policing Committee. He informed the Members that the next meeting would take place on Friday 13^th May 2011.

Cllr. Loughnan referred to item- Closure of West Cork Railways. He said that a plaque had not been erected yet near the former railway station.

Cllr. Deegan referred to item- Footpath at Scallys. The Town Clerk informed him the footpath met with planning requirements.

The Town Clerk referred to item- Fingal County Council-Reduction in Rates. He said that the Valuation Office had carried out a revision of rates in the Fingal Area. This resulted in a reduction in the rates for hotels etc in the area.

The Town Clerk referred to item- New Fire Station. He informed the Members that both he and the Town Manager met Louis Duffy, Director of Emergency Services. The County Council identified a site in their ownership where the new Fire Station could be built. As there would be no site acquisition costs, this would be an advantage in seeking funding for the project from DOE&LG. On The site is currently zoned residential. The Town Clerk was bringing to the Members’ attention that when a planning application is submitted for this project it will require a variation of the Town Development Plan.  The Members gave their support for the project.

 3.        VOTES OF SYMPATHY

• The Lombard and Mullen Families, c/o 44 McCurtain Hill, Clonakilty  

   on the death of their sister, Bridget (Biddy) Lombard.

• The O’Mahony Family, c/o Park View, Clonakilty, on the death of their  

   sister, Irene O’Mahony.

• Convent of Mercy, Aras Muire, Clonakilty on the death of Sister Agnes  

    Herlihy.

• Denis Daly, St Vincent’s Place, Clonakilty on the death of his brother, 

    Charles Daly.

• Tony O’Driscoll, Clona Dairies, Clonakilty on the death of his mother 

    Mary O’Driscoll.

VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS

  To:-

•Mayor Kevin O’Regan and Eimear on the birth of their baby daughter.

 •Sean O’Donovan on his retirement from Clonakilty Town Council.

            •Clonakilty Community College orienteering team who are taking part   

               in the International Schools Sports orienteering competition in Italy.

•Clonakilty AFC on winning the Under 12 West Cork Cup.

•Clonakilty Town AFC on winning the Under 14 West Cork Cup.

•Grace Centre on hosting their monthly breakfast on first Saturday of each month.

•Adi Roche and all involved in the Chernobyl Children’s Fund on their 25^th Anniversary.

4.         STATUTORY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL

5.         REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF COMMITTEES OF THE       COUNCIL

6.         REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF OFFICERS OF THE      COUNCIL

a)   Planning Applications

Planning applications that had been received since the previous meeting were laid before the meeting.

b)     Managers Orders

Manager’s Orders signed since the previous meeting were laid before the meeting.

The Town Clerk informed the members that Manager’s Order 13/11 was a request for further information for Planning Reference 50001/11 and not a grant of permission as stated.

c)      Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Town Engineer informed the Members that works had been carried out on the lines and the pumping stations.

d)     Community Funding Grants

The Town Clerk informed Members that two applications were received after the closing date- one from Clonakilty Youth Café and one from Clonakilty Waterfront Festival.

He informed the Members that €10,000.00 was granted to Clonakilty Tidy Towns Committee. Cllr. Phil O’Regan proposed that €1,000.00 be granted to the Youth Café. This was seconded by Cllr. McDermott. The Members then agreed not to fund the grant application of the Waterfront festival and to use the balance of funds to grant aid the remaining applications in proportion to the grant claims submitted.

(e)    Scheme of Letting Priorities

The Town Clerk circulated a copy of this scheme for the Members’ information. He informed them that the Scheme has to be adopted by June 13^th and therefore would be on the agenda for the June monthly meeting.

(f)     West Cork Development Partnership

Cllr. Loughnan gave an update to the Members about a recent meeting of the West Cork Development Partnership.

         (g)  Social and Community Affairs  SPC

Cllr. Pendlebury gave an update on a recent meeting of the Social and Community Affairs SPC.

Cllr. McDermott proposed an extension of time which was seconded by the Mayor.

7.                  NOTICES OF MOTION

8       CORRESPONDENCE FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

The Town Clerk referred to a letter the Town Council received from the   

Japanese Embassy regarding the recent earthquake in Japan.

9.            CORRESPONDENCE FROM OTHER LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND          

PUBLIC BODIES

a)      Motion from  Thurles Town Council

“Thurles Town Council adopts a resolution expressing our revulsion at the callous and cowardly murder of Ronan Kerr, a young catholic police officer from Omagh Co Tyrone on Saturday 2^nd. April 2011.

The growing tendency by a very misguided minority towards reigniting terrorist activity on this island must be confronted by every means possible to ensure that other families do not have to live with total devastation which has been inflicted on Constable Kerr’s mother and family.  Mrs Kerr’s courageous and dignified comments in the immediate aftermath of such a horrific incident should act as an inspiration to all right minded people in this country. 

That copy of this resolution be forwarded to all other councils throughout Ireland both North and South”

On the proposal of Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin and seconded by Cllr. Loughnan the motion was adopted by the Members.

b)     Motion from Bandon Town Council

“That this Council recognizes that:

·          The Universal Social Charge is an unjust and regressive tax, bearing down most heavily on those least able to afford it;

·         The Universal Social Charge affects people earning as little as €77 per week;

·         The Universal Social Charge is indiscriminate and affects someone earning €100,000 at the same rate as someone earning €16,016;

·         Low income workers, including medical card holders, working lone parents and working widows, who were exempt from the health and income levies which the Universal Social Charge replaced, are no longer exempt;

·         Coupled with the changes to tax credits and bands introduced in Budget 2011, the Universal Social Charge has increased the burden of taxation on the working poor;

And Calls on the Government to abolish the Universal Social Charge.”

The motion was marked as read.

(c) Motion from Ardee Town Council

“That Ardee Town Council in light of the catastrophic danger to public health posed by Nuclear power plants in Japan 

(a)    Renew its opposition to Westminster’s plans to build 5 new nuclear power stations along the Irish sea coast in Britain.

(b)    Calls on the Irish Government to voice these concerns to the English Government in the strongest possible terms.

(c)     Calls on the Dáil to ensure that legal measures are put in place to prevent the building of nuclear power stations in Ireland.”

On the proposal of Cllr. O’Súilleabháin and seconded by Mayor O’Regan the motion was adopted by the Members.

10.        ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a)      Slí na Sláinte

On an enquiry from the Mayor, the Town Clerk confirmed that the order for the signage was placed and that he was awaiting a draft of the brochure.

b)     Feagle River – Fish Kill

On an enquiry from the Mayor, the Town Engineer informed the Members that the Fisheries board were investigating the matter and would deal with the matter.

c)      Community Response Group

The Mayor said that he wished to get the above group in place as quickly as possible. The Town Clerk said that he would contact the relevant officials regarding health and safety, training and insurance.

d)       Petition from residents of Maulnaskehy

Cllr. McDermott referred to the above petition which was circulated at the meeting. The Town Engineer advised the Members that the proposal would need to be costed but that “Children at Play” signage had previously being erected on the estate.

e)31 Assumption Place

Cllr. McDermott enquired about the above. The Town Clerk informed him that he was awaiting new designs and costings from the Architects Department.

f)         By-Pass Road

Cllr. Deegan referred to the state of repairs on the above road. The Town Engineer informed the Members that the road was in the charge of the NRA and presently they are prioritising works outside urban speed limits.

g)        Maintenance of St Marys and Darrara Cemeteries

Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin referred to grass cutting and maintenance at the above cemeteries. The Town Manager said that she would request a response form the Environment Department – West and on receipt would circulate to the Members.

h)     Food Market

Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin referred to progress on the above. The Town Clerk informed the Members that a consultant archivist was currently carrying out research on market rights and that the Council was waiting results of same.

i)        Deasy’s Car Park

Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin referred to the above and previous related motions relating to the matter. The Town Clerk advised the Members that he would look at minutes of previous monthly meetings and sub-committee meetings to clarify the issue in relation to signage.

This concluded the official business of the meeting

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