Council Meeting 4th May 2010

Minutes

 MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING OF CLONAKILTY TOWN COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 4th MAY 2010 AT 10.30 A.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, OLD MILL, KENT ST, CLONAKILTY.
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Members Present: Cllr. Anthony McDermott (Mayor), Cllr. Aidan Pendlebury, Cllr. Phil O’Regan, Cllr. Kevin O’Regan, Cllr. Michael O’Regan, Cllr. John Loughnan, Cllr. Humphrey Deegan,
 Cllr.  Cionnáith Ó Súilleabháin, Cllr. Anne Cullinane.

Officers Present: Moira Murrell, Town Manager, John Conroy, Town Engineer, Justin England, Town Clerk, Gerard Harte, Staff Officer.

Apologies:   
          
 

1.          CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

a) Minutes of April Monthly Meeting

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

2.       MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
 
a) Minutes of April Monthly Meeting

Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin referred to item that was discussed at the April monthly meeting– Sewage Treatment Plant. He requested that it would appear on the agenda going forward.

Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin enquired about the audit of shop signage. The Town Clerk informed him that a draft brochure would be ready later this week.

Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin enquired about the Web-site Committee. The Town Clerk informed him that he had met the Web-site Co-ordinator. He hopes to up-date meetings etc on to the site.

Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin referred to the Footpath/Hoarding bordering Scally's Supermarket. The Town Engineer said that he has spoken to the developer about this.

Cllr. Loughnan referred to his motion regarding a submission to the White Paper on the Funding of Local Government. He said that he wished to withdraw it.

Cllr. Loughnan referred to the discussion between IDA and Cork County Council. The Town Manager said that discussions were taking place and they should take their course.

Cllr. Phil O’Regan enquired about the programme of works for Flood Relief. The Town Engineer informed her that a design team will be involved for this work. The Renewal of Walls at Kent Street and the Credit Union Park will require a Part 8 planning application. The Council will discuss with the Dept of Fisheries about the Weirs.

Cllr. O’Suilleabháin enquired about an update on 31, Assumption Place. The Town Clerk informed him that he hoped that a contract would be signed this week.

 3. VOTES OF SYMPATHY
    To: -
• Dorothy Jennings, Desert on the death of her husband John.
• Ryan Family, Clontarf, Dublin on the death of their husband and father, Gerard (Gerry)
• Vida Bateman, Beechmount, Fernhill Rd. on the death of her sister, Evelyn Kingston
• Donal Lucey, Park View, on the death of his brother Michael
• John Lane, Park View, on the death of his father John
• Beamish Family, Park Road, Dunmanway, on the death of their mother.

VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS
  To:-
• Cllr. Anne Cullinane on her marriage to Leslie Clague. 
• Eugene Scally, SuperValu, Faxbridge, Clonakilty on winning the 2010 SuperValu Store of the Year.
• Clonakilty GAA club on the official opening of their new Sports Complex at Ahamilla, Clonakilty.
• St Joseph’s Girls’ National School on the establishment of the Walking Bus programme.
• Mary Finn, Clonakilty Ladies Football Club on been chosen as the Tesco Munster Club Person of the Year.
• Mrs Eileen Kingston and organisers of the Window Box Awards at the Quality Hotel Clonakilty.
• Clonakilty Community College senior footballers on winning the All-Ireland senior A Vocational Schools football final.

4. STATUTORY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL
(a) Election of Chair and Vice-Chair of the Clonakilty Town Joint Policing    
     Committee

Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin proposed himself and Mayor McDermott seconded Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin for the position.

Cllr. Kevin O’Regan proposed Cllr. Deegan. Cllr. Michael O’Regan seconded Cllr. Deegan for the position.

A vote was taken as follows:
 
Mayor McDermott voted for Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin
Cllr. ó Suilleabháin voted for Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin
Cllr. Pendlebury abstained
Cllr. Kevin O’Regan voted for Cllr. Deegan
Cllr. Deegan voted for Cllr. Deegan  
Cllr. Cullinane voted for Cllr. Deegan
Cllr. Loughnan voted for Cllr. Deegan
Cllr. Phil O’Regan voted for Cllr. Deegan
Cllr. Michael O’Regan voted for Cllr. Deegan

Cllr. Deegan was elected by 6 votes to two votes.

Cllr. Kevin O’Regan proposed Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin and Cllr. Phil O’Regan seconded Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin for the position of vice-chairperson of the Joint Policing Committee.

Cllr. Deegan proposed Cllr. Michael O’Regan. The Mayor seconded Cllr. Michael O’Regan.

Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin said that he did not wish to contest the position. Cllr. Michael O’Regan was elected vice chair of the committee.

5. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF COMMITTEES OF THE    COUNCIL

a) LAMA Conference
 Mayor McDermott gave Members an update of the LAMA Conference.
 
 b) Public order Sub-Committee
 A brief report was given on the meeting held on  13th April.

 c) Employment Task Force Sub-Committee
 Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin informed the Members of the group would meet in the coming week.
 
 d) VEC Sub-Committee
 Cllr. Deegan gave Members an update on the special VEC meeting.

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

c)  Nomination of a Member to the board of West Cork Development Partnership
Mayor McDermott proposed Cllr. Kevin O’Regan. Cllr. Michael O’Regan seconded this proposal.

Cllr. Cullinane proposed Cllr Loughnan. Cllr. Deegan seconded this proposal.

Then Cllr. Kevin O’Regan said that he would withdraw his nomination. Cllr. Loughnan was subsequently nominated to the board of West Cork Development Partnership.
 
d) Application for Community Funding from Clonakilty Tidy Towns Committee  
On the proposal of Cllr. Michael O’Regan and seconded by Mayor McDermott, it was agreed to allocate a grant of €10,000.00           
e)  Windows and doors replacement programme 
The Town Clerk informed the Members that the Town Council intended to advertise in the near future.

f)  Sewage Plant   
The Town Engineer informed the Members that work had commenced on desludging, one of the oxidation ditches having being cleaned with the intention of cleaning the other ditch in the coming weeks. In addition a new inlet screen has been installed.

It was agreed to place this matter as a recurring agenda item for the coming months to allow updates be given to Members.

7. NOTICES OF MOTION

(a) Motion from Cllr. Phil O’Regan
“That in the present difficult Economic climate this Council amends its Development Contributions Scheme to proactively encourage property owners to undertake developments beneficial to the Town by fixing the Development Contributions for Commercial and Residential Developments at the level applicable on 1st March 2008, eliminating the additional 8% annual factor contained in the standard Planning condition template for the period to 30th June 2012 when the Contributions Scheme amounts can be re-examined.
 
In relation to Planning Permissions granted on or before 4th May 2010 where no development has yet taken place, the Manager is requested to exercise such discretion as she has to waive any inflation factors inbuilt into the relevant Planning Conditions.”

This motion was proposed by Cllr. Phil O’Regan and seconded by Cllr. Deegan.

Cllr. Phil O’Regan said that the motion if passed would be a first step in encouraging people to apply for planning permission or consider going ahead with their projects. It would get redevelopment started.

Cllr Michael O’Regan enquired whether the Members could adjust the Development Contribution Scheme. The Town Manager informed him that they could in relation to indexation (first part of the motion).
 
The Manager reminded the Members that the second part of the motion was a function of the Manager.

Following contributions from the Members, the motion was agreed.

8.    CORRESPONDENCE FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

9. CORRESPONDENCE FROM OTHER LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND          
PUBLIC BODIES

(a) Letter from Cork County Council re appointments to SPCs.

(b) Motion from Mullingar Town Council
"That Mullingar Town Council calls on the Minister for Family and Social Affairs, Mary Hannifin. T.D. to amend the eligibility criteria for the Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme (M.I.S.) having regard to the existing anomalies contained in this Scheme”.

 The motion was marked as read. 

10.     ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) Satellite Dishes
Cllr. Loughnan raised the issue of satellite dishes on Strand Road. The Town Clerk said that he would look into the matter and take action where necessary.

b) Right turn from Long Quay to Croppy Quay
Cllr. Loughnan enquired whether a no right turn could be put at this junction. The Town Engineer said he would look into the matter. 

c) Ballinhassig Signage to West Cork
Cllr. Loughnan enquired about signage at the slip road on to the main Cork to Innishannon road after Ballinhassig village. The Town Clerk said he would contact the Cork County Council regarding this matter. 

d) Taking in Charge of Estates
Cllr. Cullinane enquired about progress on the above. The Town Manager said that work was ongoing in relation to this matter and that she would keep the Members updated on the progress.

e) Food Market
Cllr. Cullinane enquired about progress on this matter. The Town Manager said that the Town Council was still pursuing legal advice on this matter.

f) McCurtain Hill
Cllr. Cullinane enquired about placing yellow lines at the bottom of McCurtain Hill at the junction with Pearse Street. The Town Engineer said that this was included on the programme of works for the coming year.

g) Patrick’s Hill
Cllr. Pendlebury enquired about placing yellow lines at the bottom of Patrick’s Hill and repair works to the footpaths in the same vicinity at the junction with Pearse Street. The Town Engineer said that the placing of yellow lines was included on the programme of works for the coming year and would look at what repairs were required to the footpath.
 
 h)  Street Furniture
 Cllr. Pendlebury mentioned the placing of street furniture outside premises at Strand Road and Clarke Street. The Town Clerk said that he would investigate the matter.

i) Yellow Box at junction of Strand Road and Clarke Street
Cllr. Pendlebury enquired about yellow box at the junction between Wolfe Tone Street and Clarke Street. The Town Engineer said that this was included on the programme of works for the coming year.

 j)   Future Council Meeting Times
 Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin enquired about the times for future monthly meetings. It was resolved that the June monthly meeting would be held on the 1st June at 10.30am.

k) Wall at Tawnies Crescent
 Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin enquired about the demolition of the wall on Tawnies Crescent and the reasoning behind the works. The Town Engineer stated that the intention was to open up the area, include planting and that bollards would replace the wall thus preventing the entry of traffic.

l) Headshops
 Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin sought clarification about a motion that he brought to the March 2010 meeting regarding Headshops. The Town Manager advised that as she was not aware at how the motion was dealt with at other Town Council meetings that she was not in a position to comment.

m) Sunday Street Cleaning
Cllr. Ó Suilleabháin enquired regarding the Town Council stopping street cleaning on Sunday mornings. The Town Clerk outlined that the overtime wages had being reduced over the last two budgets that a programme of street cleaning was in place for the year which would maximise the budget available. It was the intention that Sunday Street cleaning would be activated for the summer months which was the busiest period in the year from a tourist and tidy town’s perspective.

n)  Signage and Footpath at Lady’s Cross
Cllr. Deegan enquired about signage being damaged and when the footpath would be constructed in the area of Lady’s Cross. The Town Engineer said that he would look into the problem with the signage and that he was aware of the need for the footpath and would, funds permitting, look at including it in the works programme for 2010.

 o) Flood Sub-Committee
Cllr. Deegan requested that a meeting of the above sub-committee be called. The Mayor confirmed that this would be arranged.

        This concluded the official business of the meeting

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