1.   Confirmation of Minutes
To consider the confirmation and signing of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 19^th September 2016.

Minutes 19.09.16 draft

Proposed and seconded.

To consider the confirmation and signing of the Minutes of the Special Meeting held on 19^th September 2016.

Cllr McGrath wonders should we endorse these minutes at the next Special Meeting rather than today?

Municipal District Officer (MDO) says that what was given out at the last Special Meeting was a presentation and the next one will be a presentation on what is going out for public consultation in November.

General confusion amongst the Members who thought that they were going to be consulted at another meeting before the Draft Local Area Plan was produced for circulation.

Cllr Forde: Why have we had two meetings so the officials can tell us what they are going to do? In effect, the officials decide what is in the plan.

MDO: No. The decisions are made after the public consultation process. That’s when the decision-making starts for Members. This time, the Planning Policy Unit (PPU) did consultation with Members over and above what is required under the Act.

Cllr Collins: All the submissions that came in are they being weeded out before it goes for public consultation?

MDO not clear on this.

Cllr D’Alton checked up her notes from the Special Meeting and confirmed that although it wasn’t the impression given, the PPU had said that the next meeting would indeed be the presentation of the Draft Plan.

Confirmed that the next Special Meeting will be on 25^th October at 10am – next special LAP meeting.

MDO: What will be presented at the next meeting is what is going to be published. If people want to put something in which wasn’t there at that stage, it is done under the public consultation process.

Cllrs Collins and Forde are worried that some submissions were late in, the PPU was under pressure to get the Plan out. They asked that these submissions would be left until after the public consultation has gone in and then they will be considered again.

Cllr McGrath: We are concerned that Members have no input into the Plan that is going out. I don’t feel like we have ownership of it.

All Members are in agreement.

Cllr Forde: I want to flag it that this matter of the late submissions will be cleared up on 25^th. I had a private meeting with the PPU and they asked me to defer. They said to come back to them after the pubic consultation. Now this appears to be wrong?

Cllr McGrath: When the Draft Plan is published, you can make amendments only.

Cllr Collins: If there were late submissions that might top up the availability of land for housing requirements, they will be narrowing it done to one in the Draft Plan?

Cllr Canty: They showed us 3 late submissions the last day and they said that they’d go out as well. There are 800 houses planned for Ballincollig already. Spoke of Murnane O’Shea development. Details for the main new area for housebuilding planned for Ballincollig are already in.

Cllr McGrath: Please tell PPU that the Members want this next meeting to be a 2-way meeting, not a one way meeting.

MDO: OK but to be fair, PPU made it clear that they had time constraints, that they were working under significant pressure and that the next meeting would be a presentation.

2.  Consideration of Reports and Recommendations

National Roads – Proposed Speed Limit Changes
Works programmes updates: – Surface Dressing, Restoration Improvement, Drainage, Footpaths, Public Lighting

 Area Engineer (AE): For information purposes, the TII is doing a speed limit review for national roads. RPS has been appointed to put the proposals together. The proposals as recommended by RPS are what are in these drawings today.

• The N40 to the Kinsale Road Roundabout.
• The N27 to the airport from the Kinsale Road.
• The N71 towards Ballinhassig.
• The N28 from the Bloomfield Interchange.

RPS is proposing some changes to speed limits. They will go to public consultation next month. These proposals were shown to the area engineers and the Area Engineer has recommended some changes. Thinks we should look at the proposals and will email us with whom we should send our recommendations to.

Restoration improvement programme: We came before the Municipal District Committee with a 3 year programme and we have done the 2016 items listed on that. Alta Terrace is still to be done; hopes to have it done before the end of the month. We had some money left over from savings from a competitive tendering point of view. We extended the areas we were working in rather than transfer the money to 2017. It was primarily this that completed the section in Coach Hill. Yet more savings mean that we will do some roads from the 2017 programme. We don’t like doing road work of this type at this time of year but so far it has been relatively favourable from a temperature point of view.

After the bad storm weather in December last year, we got funding from the Department to cover the damage done to roads. Three other roads being done with this funding. Ballea Road: extra drainage and resurfacing. Ballinrea Road: drainage works done and surface will be redone from from north of Ashgrove roundabout to the urban area. Old Carrigaline Road is in very poor condition and it got a bad battering because it didn’t have an adequate storm network.

Surface dressing programme: All done.

Public lighting programme: Church Road and R610 done. We hoped to do a Ballincollig scheme but the public lighting allocation wasn’t sufficient at the start of the year. This was a big project. But other budgets were made available subsequently and we can put a new section of footpath in this area (to be started in next few weeks) and will include an underground network for public lighting.

Also a larger scheme included an additional light on Bracken Court. We have since decided to put in a new section of footpath where we removed the ditch at Scart Cross and we will put new additional lights on this rather than the single light planned beforehand. All the other individual lights are being done.

 Footpath programme: Has started. Focusing on Carrigaline at present but a second crew will come on line soon in Douglas and they will work in tandem.

Drainage programme: Mostly done. Apart from the drainage programme, we have a drainage company on site every day of the year who twice a week clean out drains.

Cllr Collins: There is a public light in the middle of the footpath of Highbury Drive. The location is dangerous and the light is faulty. Is delighted with the drainage at the Portgate Industrial Estate. Sightlines out of Carrigmore are dangerous; one cannot see traffic coming up from Ashgrove.

Cllr McGrath: Will there be any layout changes with the resurfacing of the Old Carrigaline Road? Will the footpath at Scart be done in the coming weeks? What about the €800k from the new school campus in relation to the drainage and resurfacing on the Ballinrea Road.

AE: On the Ballinrea Road, most of the perceived works will be beyond where we will be resurfacing. The €800k will be used for resurfacing, Ballinrea Cross and on the main Cork Road, etc.

Cllr Jeffers: When it is raining, because of the camber of the road, rainwater is flowing down into Grange Heights.

AE: Water should be cut off before it reaches Grange Heights. There will not be any new drains installed here – this road has a concrete base. But if we can improve the shape and stop water coming in off the Grange Road, we will do that.

Cllr Jeffers: When will the Donnybrook Hill lights be turned on?

AE: Footpath will be in and as part of that the ducting will be in as will the bases for the columns. Airtricity is swamped at the moment so thinks it will be December before those lights are connected. There is no timeline for by Douglas Hall. A week ago, they said they would be submitting a road opening licence.

Cllr Forde: Good news. If you get the detail of the footpath programme, you might let us have it. Years ago we would get a detail every month of what was being done in the Municipal District. Would that be too much trouble?

AE: I can try but at times it will not be possible. Or the programme may change before we get it. Will try though.

Cllr D’Alton: When the Rochestown to Passage West walkway was being done, there was a commitment to putting low wattage lights that wouldn’t throw lights too far. This was to protect the SPA in Lough Mahon. At the beginning, some of the lights were repeatedly broken. Some of the heads have been replaced with heads that throw a sharp white light, nothing like the soft light which had been committed to. Would there be funding remaining after this lighting programme to put replacement low wattage heads on these lights that are too bright?

AE: No. But will follow this up with Airtricity. Get details of the poles that have those new lights and will get the public lighting section to liaise with Airtricity too. They might replace them free of charge if the timeline isn’t too long.

Cllr D’Alton: Also on lighting, the lights on the quayside at Passage West haven’t been working since the works in Fr. O’Flynn Park.

AE: We are aware of this and we have identified what is wrong. We’re waiting for the contractor who did the work on the park to come back and fix it. He broke the cable. Not sure if the park will be closed off for fixing this but will give us warning if it is.

Cllr D’Alton: And the new lights in Tom Fahy Park and those installed in the Centre Block by the Town Council before its dissolution are also not working. The Centre Block ones may be troublesome because they are installed in the ground so drainage may be an issue.

Also on drainage, when some of the roads were being resurfaced, manholes were covered over. In the case of Chapel Hill, for example, the ones at the top were re-exposed but the ones at the bottom were not. Also tar was left in the drains running down the side of the hill so that the rainwater can’t reach the gully.

AE: Yes, we’re aware of that. Believes that drain is on the list to be cleared.

Cllr Murphy: Light beyond Eurospar where there are trees growing around it. Public lighting guy couldn’t find it on his map. Also please clean gullies in Ardmore Estate.

AE: We’re aware the trees are blocking the light.

3.  Disposal of Property

To consider the disposal of freehold interest in house and plot at No. 8 Dan Desmond Terrace, Carrigaline, Co. Cork to Jason Orchard and Deirdre O’Callaghan for the consideration of €350.00 inclusive of administration charges.

No objections

To consider the Grant of Wayleave and Right-of-Way at Castletreasure, Douglas, Co Cork to Mr. Maurice Walsh, Clonmoyle, Coachford, Co Cork for the consideration of €1.00.

No objections.

To consider the disposal of property at Castletreasure, Co. Cork to College Corinthians A.F.C. by way of lease for the term of 35 years for the consideration of €200.00 per annum.

Cllr Forde: Raised questions about this at a previous meeting and didn’t get a satisfactory answer. Said that she was unhappy with disposal of that land and access/egress. The main access outlined in the planning was subsequently built over and the council then decided that the access would go through an estate and the residents objected. We all supported the residents. There was a parcel of land which was given to College Corinthians prior to this – that’s great – and this next parcel is great news for them but queries why some of the land could not be designated for another sporting organisation. There are many sporting organisations in Douglas which need to be facilitated, including Douglas Rugby and gymnastics. Has never been told what the cost of the 25 acres was. Who paid for it – housing or recreation/amenity? How much is left? Will the topography mean that it cannot be used for anything? Doesn’t want to hold College Corinthians up but feels the whole way this land has been bought, used and dispersed is open to question. Still wants to see sight of the email Cllr D’Alton saw when the South Cork Manager was circulating a map at a previous meeting. Would like to see this and the date on it. Hopes the Local Area Plan will designate land for other sporting organisations.

Cllr McGrath: This isn’t suitable land for recreation. Thinks we saw a figure before on its purchase cost but doesn’t have it to hand. There is a question mark over the land and why it was purchased. Is happy to propose this for College Corinthians. They are the only club who can benefit from this parcel of land because of the access issues.

Cllr Forde: But you do accept that the access issues have stymied other organisations getting use from that land?

MDO: The original access would have gone through the estate anyway. The new access is 100-200 metres away from the original one. You are saying houses were built over the original access.

Cllr Forde: The access that was proposed originally was a main spine road into the estate. It was the subject of many meetings between the councillors and officials. The officials said then that access could be via a small green. But the residents’ kids used to play on that green. Hopes the LAP will come up trumps so that sporting organisations won’t be forced into other areas.

MDO: Cost of the site would be have been available at the time. You said you were “never able to find out” what the price of it was. But this was publicly available information.

Cllr Forde: That was well over 12 years ago and was in the context of the land being used for recreation and amenity.

Cllr Desmond: Seconds Seamus’s proposal to accept it for College Corinthians.

4.  General Municipal Allocation/Town Development Fund

GMA and TDF

MDO: We agreed to set aside €36k for the skate park in Carrigaline if there was a call from Sports Capital. We did it last year because we knew there was a call but it was not successful. We agreed to hold the application and funding but there was no call. So there is €36k in the GMA that hasn’t been spent. It has been agreed that this money would be used for the skatepark and I am waiting for the finance department to come back to report on a Special Planning Contribution in Carrigaline. These two together should be enough to build a skate park. The good news for 2017 will mean that we will have more money available in the kitty for 2017. There is €8,200 left in the GMA. The AE wants €3k to do works on an open area in Frankfield. It was an issue last year. That would leave €5,200 in the GMA.

On the TDF, we allocated money to various schemes. The Street Painting Scheme will use only €5k. About €10k of the signage will be used. So there is €50,500 remaining in the TDF. The AE has suggested that there is a badly needed footpath on the Rochestown Road heading from the hotel into Douglas. The rest could then be used for works in Passage West, Ballincollig, Douglas, etc.

Cllr O’Donnabhain: There is one remaining stretch of footpath in Ballincollig that needs to be addressed. On the way down to the Regional Park. People are stepping off the footpath because it is too narrow and the road is very busy. Urgent health and safety issue.

Cllr Desmond: Welcomes the report and thinks we will have to be tougher. Delighted for the footpaths to be done on the Rochestown Road. Asks for more detail on the Frankfield situation.

Cllr McGrath: Agrees with the skateboard funding proposal. The Minister did say there would be a Sports Capital Grant coming up next year. There is huge potential for the community park in Carrigaline. Was hoping for a running track. Thinks it would get fantastic use. It is off-road and the space is there.

AE: The section of footpath is that opposite the hotel on the Rochestown Road. Not sure if the funding will stretch to the section that has no footpath. The existing footpath is level with the road and is flat and unsafe.

Cllr McGrath: That would be good. Has a motion today about two estates. Would appreciate if their footpath requirements could be considered.

MDO: The width of the road where Cllr O’Donnabhain is talking about is the issue. There isn’t much can be done there. But will look.

In Frankfield, there is a disputed area of green at the rear of Dunvale. There was an attempt to incorporate it into private gardens. It got contentious but has all been resolved. In our efforts to assist, we are proposing to cut the grass.

The running track will be looked at.

Cllr Collins: Twinning – will funding for this be out of the TDF? The County Manager is now saying twinning will be with Municipal Districts rather than with a town. How will this affect it? What about signage? Why is the spending less than allocated?

MDO: Doesn’t know about Municipal Districts and twinning. Carrigaline Community and Ballincollig are the only twinnings which have been funded this year. Is not yet aware of the CE’s proposals.

On signage, Douglas Tidy Towns were going to put up new signs on a lot of the streets. We said we would work with them but when they went to property owners, the proposal wasn’t as well received as was expected. We might have over-provided for signage.

5.  To consider the following Notices of Motion in the name of:

 Cllr. D Forde
1.  “That the Area Engineer and MD manager clarify if Monfield estate has been taken in charge and what progress is being made to address the infrastructural deficiencies.”

 Cllr Forde: This has been dealt with.

2.  “That a safe crossing be installed at or adjacent to St Lukes National School or a Traffic Warden be appointed to the school in the interests of the pupils’ safety.”

Cllr Forde: For many years the residents in the vicinity of Douglas Lawn and in the school have been asking for traffic calming. It is very narrow under the BowWow bridge and footpaths are very narrow. The principal of St. Luke’s School is asking for a pedestrian crossing between the school and the church. It is dangerous. Would like to incorporate one from the church to the other side of the road also. And to incorporate assistance for people trying to exit Douglas Lawn. That whole area needs some alternative way of crossing.

AE: There are no real speed or traffic volumes on Churchyard Lane. Is willing to speak to the principal to understand where she is coming from. Whereas there is much more traffic on Church Road, there isn’t a suitable location to serve the school with a pedestrian crossing. You have a tabletop ramp outside the church and you run out of footpath on the southern side of the road. A school warden is out of my control. It has come up many times but it is clear that we are not employing any more school wardens.

Cllr McGrath: Believes the decision on the LPT is facilitating a new school warden scheme. Thinks this will be brought forward as a proposal soon.

AE: Thinks there is no satisfactory answer for Church Road.

 Cllr. S McGrath
1.  “To seek a written report outlining who is responsible for the removal of abandoned vehicles in a public place.”

Response to McGrath’s motion on abandoned vehicles

Cllr McGrath: Thanks for the report. Clears the issue up in general. Abandoned vehicles are a huge problem. What about estates not taken in charge.

MDO: We will not clear from estates not taken in charge. The Road Traffic Act deals with abandoned vehicles on a public road or in a car park. But if someone abandons one in a field, etc. it is a waste management issue. It becomes litter. So perhaps take it up with the Environment Department.

Cllr McGrath: Gardai acknowledge a road in an estate not taken in charge to be a public place. You have to have insurance to drive on it. But taking away abandoned vehicles is a significant draw on Council resources. It isn’t ok that people can leave vehicles lying around.

Cllr D’Alton: Could you tell us what cost is involved in moving a vehicle? It might be illustrative for the public.

MDO/AE: The biggest cost is that it is a significant drain on time. An engineer has to go out to check the vehicle, come back and do paperwork, then go back out to check that it has been removed. Will find out the cost of getting the vehicle lifted.

Cllr O’Donnabhain: Designated spaces per house in a housing estate coupled with a transient population – this makes vehicle dumping a real problem. Echoes comments seeking stronger regulation. Every vehicle has a registration and the registered owner is liable for fines, etc. when other aspects of the Road Traffic Act is not complied with. There can be a health and safety issue too. Could perhaps be referred to the JPC? Gardai have a role here too. Local gardai in Ballincollig are helpful.

Cllr Canty: This has arisen many times over the years. We don’t seem to have a comprehensive attitude towards it at all. Selling cars on the side of the road is now happening again. Within estates too. You’ll still see signs on the side of the road. We have to enforce our rules and regulations. Recommends that perhaps we could refer it to the SPC.

2.  “To request that Mount Rivers & Newton Court be included in a future Footpath Work Programme.”

Cllr McGrath: Have already spoken about this. Mount Rivers is a 40 year old estate. Many of the residents are elderly. Some have taken tumbles. Cllr Jeffers supports the request for Newton Court. The volume of footfall through the estate increases year on years. The school is now Munster’s largest primary school.

AE: These will be looked at in 2017.

3.  “To seek a written update on the proposed road realignment at the front of the Maryborough Ridge development.”

MDO: We have no report on this. Will circulate the report and we will talk about it at the next meeting. 

Cllr. M D’Alton
1.  “That, cognisant of the damaging noise and air pollution associated with heavily trafficked motorways, the National Roads Design Office/Transport Infrastructure Ireland would consider an entirely alternative route for the new M28 which would avoid its being led through built up residential areas.”

Response to D’Alton’s motion on M28

Cllr D’Alton: We’re all aware that the new motorway to lead from Ringaskiddy is being designed and the EIS and planning application is in preparation. Cognisant that the Port of Cork predicts the volume of freight traffic on this road to increase by almost 3,500 vehicles per year. At present, the route that is being considered is down that of the existing N28. Residents along this route already have huge issues with noise. Even if the residents are to be provided with noise protection, there is only physically so much mitigation noise barriers can give. It is very difficult to engineer the noise issue out. It is virtually impossible to engineer out the issue with air pollution from what will be largely diesel engines. There is increasing awareness of health-related concerns associated with air pollution from busy roads such as this. For example one recent study in the Netherlands indicated that for every increase of 5 µg/m³ in annual exposure to PM_2.5, the risk of death for men rises by 7%. And PM­_2.5 is a relatively large particulate; there are others which are much smaller. Notes the report that has been issued by Bob O’Shea and thanks for it. We are all aware that the Ringaskiddy traffic must connect with the N40 but I disagree that the only way it can connect to the N40 is through residential areas.

Cllr Desmond: Is concerned in particular about the noise issue. The biggest concern is the standard which TII applies to this. The answer you always get is that the noise experienced is to an acceptable standard. The acceptable is at 60 dB for a greenfield site but all they have to do in relation to this development is not to exceed current exposure which is already far in excess of what anybody should have to endure in their homes.

Cllr Forde: We are all currently involved with residents who have a strong objection to the proposed route for the N28 Ringaskiddy Motorway scheme. These residents have mobilised significant public opinion. I live smack bang in the middle of this area. I can confirm that congestion of traffic has increased significantly in last few weeks. Cannot imagine what it will be like when the proposals are implemented. Also concerned that the long-promised Demand Management Study still hasn’t been given to us. The Douglas LUTS study confirms that noise is way beyond norms. When we raise this issue and ask for noise barriers, the officials tell us it is not the NRA’s problem. So noise and air pollution will cause this to run and run. The reply from Bob O’Shea doesn’t cut it.

Cllr McGrath: The reply doesn’t tell us anything new. Residents attended a meeting here with many of the councillors and at the time, it was confirmed that the EIS would look at alternatives. The response here doesn’t show that those alternatives are being considered. There are indeed existing pollution issues. Asks for some feedback arising from the August meeting.

Cllr D’Alton: I have significant concerns with regard to the EIS. Have been involved with the preparation and analysis of EIS’s long enough to know that it is far too easy to appear to address issues in EIS’s so that they look ok, but they are not really when the project gets implemented. At that meeting in County Hall with the Roads Design Office, I asked the engineers to be aware that there are noise and air pollution issues that are simply beyond their control. And the impacts of those cannot be engineered out. The reality is that if the noise levels experienced by some residents increase yet further, I think they would have a genuine case to bring to the European Courts.

MDO: I will revert to Bob O’Shea and ask for feedback on the August meeting, particularly in relation to noise and air pollution.

All agreed that this would be good.

2.  “That the road surface in Maryborough Court would be addressed as soon as possible.”

Cllr D’Alton: Residents contacted me about the road surface in Maryborough Court. Pleased to hear the AE talk about savings in the implementing of the resurfacing programme. Hopeful that perhaps some of those savings could be used to do this surface. The residents maintain the estate well but the roads are narrow, there is a lot of on-street parking and the surface is disintegrating extensively in places. Had hoped the annual programme of surface dressing could possibly be used but understand that this is now no longer permitted within estates. Perhaps the AE could expand on this?

Cllr McGrath: A number of us were contacted about this. Have been talking about this with the AE for some time. Knows she can’t commit at this stage to the resurfacing.

AE: Any savings we have made have been used. We will be lucky to get to the end of the year unscathed. Won’t be doing anything in Maryborough Court this year. It is true that other councillors have mentioned Maryborough Court to me. The roads that were on the programmes this year were in a worse condition than Maryborough Court. Have to prioritise based on the need. It is not suitable for surface dressing. We don’t use surface dressing as a finish in estates because it is loose. Up to this year just gone, a certain proportion of it could be used inside in housing estates. It would be a bitumen surface. But this year we were not allowed to do this any more. Will look to see if something can be done next year but will prioritise relative to other estates.

Cllr. E Jeffers

1.  “To implement road markings exiting Glenside into Grangevale in Pinecroft to stop traffic and give way to traffic in Glenside.”

AE: We are still doing road markings although the weather is trying to turn. Will link up with Cllr Jeffers and identify exact area.

2.  “To reduce the height of footpaths or allow a gully to access the culvert at Greenwood estate, Togher Road to help with flooding.”

AE: The footpath is right next to a pedestrian crossing. We did flooding protection works and put in a lot of extra gullies. So if the capacity is in the river, that problem is solved. What happened on 29^th December is that the river at that point has a concrete beam over the top of it. The full bore was taken up, the volume of water was so great in the river. A resident of Greenwood told me this. A flash flood came down.   In most situations except the extreme, what is there will more than adequately cater for it. No properties were affected.

The residents got an awful battering in 2012, so understands why they are nervous but there is little more we can do. Will talk to the Flood Relief people and make sure there is nothing more can be done. Although we have spoken to them before.

2.  “To redevelop and improve the surrounding areas at the mass rock on the airport road to enhance its potential for tourism and theological purposes.”

Cllr Jeffers: The Council did work to this before. It is a gorgeous area off the airport road. People use it to pray. Mass Rocks are historic. This one is very hard to get into now. People did stop using it because there was trouble – horses, litter, etc. Would be something that could make it make it more accessible. There appears to have been some work done on it recently?

AE: The Mass Rock is on private property. We’re limited in what we can do.

Cllr Forde: Didn’t a committee come before us to ask us about this?

MDO: That was about 20 years ago. But there was only so much they could do themselves because it is on private land.

AE: We haven’t done anything on the rock in the last 5 years.

Cllr Jeffers: It is open to the public and it is used.

MDO: It isn’t ours, so it is not our responsibility either. Would be slow for us to take on something like this on private ground. It is very steep. Regulations for slopes, etc. – this wouldn’t do now.

6.  Votes of Congratulations

Cllr Desmond: Congratulations to Ballincollig on winning the County Final. They beat NEMO on the way!

7.  Any Other Business

Cllr Murphy: Dock Cottages, Passage West – the residents have their bins with Greenstar. But Greenstar won’t come up the road. That means the bins would be sitting on Church Hill. Greenstar says Wiser has narrower trucks than Greenstar does so this why Wiser can go up the road but Greenstar can’t.

AE: Bin collections are a private service between individuals.

Cllr Murphy: Mariners Quay, Passage West – can we write to the property owner?

Cllr D’Alton: There is no overall property owner in this instance. There are a whole lot of individual property owners, all of whom are supposed to pay into a management fee. The property is then managed by a property management company. I have spoken to them several times, most recently about two months ago. Many of the owners bought during the boom and have gone bust themselves since. So they are not paying their annual charge which funds the property management. As it stands, the fund is not adequate to clean the building. On a positive note, the property management company says that in these improving financial times, many of the properties are being moved on. So they hope that the current situation will change. Absolutely write to the property management company, but just be aware that they are as fully cognisant of the need to clean the building as we are.

Cllr Forde: Douglas traffic management alleviation works. Suggests relocating the bus stop outside St. Columba’s School back towards Shamrock Lawn. Has received an email from a resident to make a case for this. He suggests that the footpath would be cut into the tree border. It would enable buses to pull off the roadway and allow traffic freeflow down the hill. It makes sense.

AE: This is an issue for Bus Eireann. But Eireann is very much against bus stops off line because it takes so long for the bus to get back on line. Maybe they would be willing to move the bus stop back without creating the layby.

MDO asks that Cllr Forde would forward the email to him.

Cllr Jeffers: Palmbury, Togher – the residents say the green is going to be taken away to accommodate parking. Is this the case?

AE: Cllr O’Laoghaire asked about this. County Hall hasn’t committed to it. Grangeway residents also requested. Some of this is planning related because it is taking away from green space. There are a lot of steps involved and there are financial steps as well.

MDO: Nicola Radley was to send us 2016 projects that didn’t get funded. We are now wondering whether there would be a call from the GMA for 2017 to fund these projects. There is one for our area – Carrigaline Tidy Towns for the Dermot Lynch Memorial Plaque. They want to put a plaque on the bridge to commemorate him. They were looking for €2k.

Cllr Desmond: Concerned because doesn’t think that the 1916 committee has finished its discussion on where these additional projects might be funded from. Believes they had not yet concluded that they should go back out to Municipal Districts to be funded from the GMA. Believes we should hold off until this is confirmed.

Cllr D’Alton: Very much in support of Carrigaline Tidy Towns. The work they do is excellent. But concerned because they got significant funding from the GMA to do the 1916 garden already. There is a big draw on our GMA and just wants its distribution to be equitable.

MDO: Much of the funding for the garden was from a separate source, not from the GMA. So it shouldn’t affect the equitable distribution issue.

Agreed we will put it on the agenda for next month.

Cllr Jeffers: Believe Carrigaline Tidy Towns opened a Garden of Remembrance. Just wondering why only some councillors got invitations to it?

MDO: The invitations were not issued by Cork County Council.

1.  Election of Cathaoirleach/Election of Leas Cathaoirleach

Cllr Canty proposed for Cathaoirleach by Cllr Forde, seconded by Cllr D’Alton.

Cllr Jeffers proposed for Leas-Cathaoirleach by Cllr Murphy and seconded as vice-Chair by Cllr D’Alton.

2.  Deimhniú Miontuairiscí/Confirmation of Minutes
To consider the confirmation and signing of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 20^th June 2016.

Minutes of meeting were proposed and seconded.

Cllr McGrath: Ferney Road – didn’t get a report arising from the last meeting? Also Marmullane bend on Church Hill – is there feedback on that?

Area Engineer (AE): Doesn’t have a written report in relation to Ferney Road; will send one out tomorrow. This time of the year is very busy and resources are thin on the ground. The Marmullane bend will be done just not immediately. Ferney Road is being done along with a few other schemes. The design is being revised – decided to take a different route that would have lesser impact on landowners. Landowners have all been consulted and networks are being examined to ensure the revised design is something that can be fitted with existing networks. Will be brought to the members once finalised and agreed in principle with the affected landowners. There is no dedicated stream of funding. Hopes the scheme will be funded in 2017.

Cllr McGrath: There is no need to come back in writing. There will be an additional school opening in September now.

AE: Yes, there is some funding coming from the second school but there will be a lot more funding required.

Cllr Desmond: Had raised the issue of the upkeep of the Chetwynd graveyard before. Any update?

AE: These complaints came in in early June. There are resident caretakers but they were probably catching up with grasscutting then. There has been an incredible amount of growth to the extent that in Chetwynd, we have had to bring in extra bodies to deal with it. Isn’t aware of any complaints since so hopes the issue sorted. Trees in Ravenscourt – can’t see that anything will be done in the short term because they are not a danger to property and not a risk to the adjacent road. Leylandii don’t lend themselves to cutting back; they die if you do.

Cllr D’Alton: For information – had proposed a motion at the last meeting about installing a handrail on the steps from the Sandquay, Monkstown to the water. Realised since that the area office is unlikely to install the handrail because the steps themselves are so dangerous. Have brought it to the Coastal Management meeting since and we will apply through them for a grant from the Department of Agriculture to do both steps and handrail in the next round of funding.

3.  Consideration of Reports and Recommendations

Corinthians Park, Castletreasure

Cllr Forde: Has grave concerns in relation to the Castletreasure lands and must leave for a doctor’s appointment so would like to bring these concerns up now. The land was bought many years ago for housing. Topography made it unsuitable and it was given over for recreation and amenity. The access was to have been through Green Valley estate. Subsequently the Council gave permission for two houses over the access road. This was appalling. Then the Council suggested the amenity lands would be accessed around the estate’s green. The residents weren’t happy and all the councillors backed their concerns. We gave some land to College Corinthians who are a fantastic soccer club. Current concern is that the Douglas Rugby Club also needs land or help to source some. They approached College Corinthians to see if they could access the County Council’s ground through the College Corinthians premises but there are insurance issues. The Green Valley access was readdressed. Thought this would reopen a can of worms. There is also land a farmer is leasing for some time. Is not against College Corinthians having a parcel of land but thinks this report is premature until we have maps and all the issues on the table so we can have complete transparency before we take a decision. Douglas has very little available land. Requested a meeting on behalf of the Douglas Rugby Club but was told that there is no point because there is nothing to be offered to them. Regrets that has to leave now because has an appointment but asks that it would be deferred until we have all the information available to us.

South Cork Manager (SCM): There is no decision being taken today. There is no formal proposal. There is no formal disposal notice before the Members. We just wanted to bring before the Members that we have been approached by College Corinthians for enough land to give one extra pitch. It is not all the land. This piece of land is adjoining their existing facility and we are proposing to extend a lease to them to facilitate the pitch. The Douglas Rugby Club issue is a separate one. So today was really only an information day. But if there is agreement that the land is to be leased, that would come by a formal disposal notice.   Is concerned that work on preparation of the disposal notice would not be deferred for two months. College Corinthians is anxious to move.

Cllr O’Donnabháin: Supports the proposal. Is familiar with the land.   They’re a worthy club and a worthy cause.

Cllr McGrath: Confirming that it is not intended to bring it before the July full Council meeting. Do details have to be drawn up?

SCM confirmed.

Cllr McGrath: Thinks Cllr Forde had different issues.

SCM circulated a location map he had of the lands proposed for leasing to College Corinthians.

Cllr D’Alton: Understanding is that Cllr Forde is very supportive of College Corinthians but was worried about the access issue to the lands behind. An email attached to the back of this map states that a planning permission subsequently granted has resolved the issue of accessing the remaining lands. If this is the case then Cllr Forde’s concerns are eliminated.

SCM: The email on the back was not meant for circulation.

Cllr D’Alton: But if it solves the access issue, then isn’t it important?

Municipal District Officer (MDO): The planning permission referenced will not solve the access problem.

Cllr Harris: The insurance issue that prohibits the Rugby Club from accessing the lands through College Corinthians is a joke. Would it not be possible to get a path through the Corinthian’s land?

Cllr McGrath: Understands that the land further back is not suitable for playing pitches. It is too sloping and would cost a fortune to develop. Spoke to Douglas Rugby Club this morning. Is not speaking on their behalf but they said they don’t have an issue with this land being given to College Corinthians. We don’t need to hold this up.

Cllr Jeffers: This mightn’t be the resolution for Douglas Rugby Club but if access to the land behind is only through College Corinthians, they more or less control the land. Has a small issue with that.

SCM: There is an issue with this land that has been unresolved for some time. If we’re to wait till the issue with this land is sorted, that will not be in our best interest nor in that of College Corinthians. The accessibility of this land cannot be solved through this process.

Cllr Canty: Proposes that we go ahead with this. If the pitches had been there and the houses came after, we would have had no problems. This is not a formal disposal.

Cllr O’Donnabháin proposes and Cllr McGrath seconds.

 Glenbrook to Raffeen Greenway

Clare Cronin (CCC): A Part 8 application has been published for extension of the existing greenway from the ferry at Glenbrook to Raffeen. We’ll be coming back to discuss it as a report and recommendation. We hope to develop a greenway network all the way from Blackrock Castle to Crosshaven. This section is the first of two phases; the second will be developed in the coming months and will take us into Carrigaline itself. We are inviting submissions until the 2^nd September. Part 8 proposals often attract only the negative comments but a project like this is very positive. It will bring real vibrancy and tourism opportunity as it has done in Mayo. Passage and Monkstown could become key stop-off points along the way. We will revert in late September/October with a full report. We will seek funding in autumn or year end when the Department of Transport makes a call for funding for greenways.

Users issues arising from the popularity of the existing greenway between Rochestowwn and Passage West were raised at the last meeting. The comments referred to cyclist behaviour, particularly those cycling at speed. Cyclists not ringing bells is an issue. We did bring in a new signage system last year and it is timely that we look at this again and review how well it is working. We came from a system of partial segregation on that path. It didn’t work. Cyclists travel faster when the path is segregated. Segregation also leads to territorial behaviour. Segregation needs a much wider path than we currently have so both user groups have a clear space. We would need double the width we have at present. Will monitor what is there over the coming weeks and months. There is fault on both sides – pedestrians and cyclists. Spoke of headphones and dog leads used improperly by pedestrians. So it is about learning to share the space.

Cllr D’Alton: Is delighted with this Part 8 application and appreciates that whilst there may be operational issues, it is a hugely positive project. It was I who raised user issues on the existing line at the last meeting and is very glad to hear the system will be monitored over the coming months. There is also an issue with signage in the noticeboard at the entrance points to the line. This was to have been changed to reflect the keep left pass right system that is in use at present but knows the County Council was waiting for a standard sign to be issued nationally. However, the signage has never been changed. Knows it is not part of the Part 8 but would also like the Council to bear in mind that whilst Passage West might benefit from bike stop-overs, the town is narrow and bringing a bike through it is not easy. Nor is it helped by the topography. Know we have spoken about how to do this in the past – opening the tunnel which has health and safety concerns or a boardwalk which is now not possible because the County Council doesn’t own the waterfront. But wants the Council to keep in mind how bringing bikes safely through Passage might be done into the future.

Cllr McGrath: Compliments Clare on the negotiations in particular with landowners at Raffeen. Has also raised issues with regard to shared spaces on existing walkways. Thinks we haven’t addressed these properly as a Council. There is only a tight space for the new greenway and thinks we need to carefully consider introducing bikes into that space, especially when there are ongoing issues with the existing. Thinks the stretch from Murphs pub to Raffeen Bridge will be particularly positive.

CC: Yes, we did intend to bring in new signage last year – revised Code of Conduct. That hasn’t happened because of national strategy delays. But thinks we should address it now ourselves on an interim basis. Thinks we as a Council should look at signage throughout all public spaces on a consistent basis. We need a consistent message around rules of operation, codes of conduct, etc. to reinforce user behaviour.

Passage West is particularly problematic for bringing bikes through. The difficulty is that we’re dealing with an existing environment. The initial feasibility report on this project said Passage West would never accommodate a greenway proper because of the topography and layout. So we are possibly looking at speed reductions, public realm enhancements and other such measures to make the journey through Passage West more comfortable for cyclists.

In an ideal world there is no objection to developing a wider path for the greenway than that which is proposed. But the difficulty is here is that we are retrofitting. We’re trying to achieve the best possible solution balancing all the issues.

Will try to get us copies electronically of the files associated with the Part 8 but the size of the files is an issue.

4.  General Municipal Allocation/Town Development Fund

MDO: The balance remaining on allocations is €8,200. We can look in September at what we want to do with this.

Cllr McGrath: Residents in Dan Desmond Villas have said they are not so much looking for funding but for a plaque to mark the 50 year anniversary.

AE: We will have to agree some form of wording that would go on the plaque if we are going ahead with this.

5.  Chun na Ruin so leanas ón gComhairleoir a mheas:
To consider the following Notices of Motion in the name of:

 Cllr. McGrath:
1.  “To request a report from the Engineer on the actions of Council in this Municipal District to address the widespread issue of Japanese Knotweed.”

Cllr McGrath: is looking for the Area Engineer to give us an update on this. Its presence is widespread in the Municipal District. Knows certain areas have been sprayed. We need to take this seriously. The plant has potential to do damage to structures and properties.

SCM: This issue has come up at full Council. It was referred to the Environment SPC and they were to come up with a separate working group on the issue. Not sure whether they have met yet or not.

Cllr O’Donnabháin: Echoes the sentiment in the motion. We have a number of signs and plaques up around our own area. Even without the signs, people are aware of it and are concerned. It is beside the riverbank at Carrigrohane. There is a fear that it will be carried by the river. There is also a fear that it will spread from Council property to private property.

AE: It is geat news that the SPC is coming up with a procedure going forward. We are dealing with it on an ad-hoc basis when it is reported to us. We will continue to deal with it as we have dealt with it to date, through our gardening section. We continue to get reports of its presence and it is unlikely that we can get to it all.

Cllr D’Alton: Is particularly heartened that since I brought it up at full Council over a year ago, the plant has become so well know. There is hardly a person who does not recognise it now. That is very positive. Confirms that a working group out of the Environment SPC has been formed to work on the issue. They will be meeting for the first time next Tuesday. Not yet sure what their remit is but believes it is to develop policy for full Council. Where the area office has sprayed, there has been good die-back. Wants to know whether those sprayed areas will be resprayed each September over three years as is recommended?

AE: Yes, believes so.

Cllr McGrath: Hopefully you can get to all the areas that are reported. It is disappointing that the working group has taken so long to get established. It is nearly 18 months since the issue was first brought to full Council by Cllr D’Alton. Is glad the Area Office has picked up the slack.

2.  “To ask the Engineer to investigate a request for traffic calming measures in Fort Hill estate.”

AE: Will see what we can do.

3.  “To seek an update on the provision of a Controlled Crossing near the entrance to Maryborough Woods on the Carrigaline road.”  

Cllr McGrath: Poles are erected but nothing else. This is badly needed. Has become frustrated at this stage that the issue hasn’t been addressed. Was last told it was with the design office.

AE: It is still with the design office. Is equally hopeful that something will wing its way to me shortly but the design office is under real pressure. However, the bones of this scheme are there so hopes it can be advanced in late this year/early next year when the pressure of the current priority work is off.

Cllr. O’Donnabháin:
1.  “That this Municipal District would be furnished with a Report and update on the progress of road improvement works for Lehenaghmore & Lehenaghbeg.  In particular this MD seeks an update on the Report being prepared by the Consultants engaged. If this Report is not completed then that this meeting would be furnished with the date on which it will be available.”

Report provided: Response to O’Donnabhain – Lehenaghbeg

Cllr O’Donnabháin: Thanks for the report. The residents will be very concerned if this scheme is not advanced before the winter months.

AE: This is one of the schemes that is being prioritised by the design office and they are concentrating their resources on this. A consultant has been applied but the resources both are financial and physical. Also wants to flag that as far as she is aware, the resources will bring it as far as Part 8 but resources will additionally have to be found to build it.

Cllr O’Donnabháin: There is additional building continuing in Coolkellure. Could special contributions from that be diverted towards the road upgrade?

AE: Is sure they can but is not sure how much can be provided nor what proportion of the overall cost they will make up. Will not know what the cost of the scheme will be until the consultant has presented a draft report.

Cllr. Jeffers:
1.  “To ask the engineer of the possibility of cutting down trees at the entrance to Clifton on the Grange Road as to help with visibility of cars exiting the estate.”

Cllr Jeffers: Visibility is the issue here. The trees are on the left hand side when cars are pulling out. The issue is visibility only.

AE: We can look at the junction on the left. Has never looked at that with that in mind. It has been brought up in a slightly different context before. Would also say that those trees are loved by a lot of people along there.

Cllr McGrath: Wants to support Cllr Jeffers. Has raised issues about the entrance here before and has also spoken of a yellow box. Perhaps prune lower part of the trees?

AE agrees that this is what she would be proposing to do. Will look at it and re-evaluate.

2.  “To repaint the yellow box outside Amberly estate on the Grange Road.”

Cllr Jeffers: People are pulling into the yellow box. Maybe repainting would help.

AE: It is on the list.

3.  “To paint the speed bumps that have not been done in Dun Eoin in Carrigaline.”

(Apologies – Missed the response to this.)

Cllr. D’Alton:
1.  “That the Members of the Municipal District would be given an update on progression of the design for the upgrade of Coach Hill.”

Report provided: Response to D’Alton – Coach Hill

Cllr D’Alton: Thanks for the report. Also had the opportunity of raising this at the Southern Committee meeting this morning. Very conscious that Coach Hill appears to be the poor relation relative to Clarke’s Hill. Yet critical connection between Upper Rochestown and Lower Rochestown. Is almost always used by cars travelling from the Passage West/Monkstown direction in favour of Clarke’s Hill. Surface of the road at the pinch point is all broken – indicative of the volume of traffic the road is taking. Appreciates that no funding to put the upgrade in place but asks that even if this remains the case, the area office would be conscious of measures that could be implemented to improve safety. The pinch point can accommodate only one lane of traffic yet pedestrians living downstream of the pinch point have no footpath. If there isn’t money for the upgrade, it would seem to make sense to put a footpath along the pinch point so that at least children could walk to school safely and confirm that only one lane of traffic at a time can use the pinch point. Thanks area office for having agreed to resurface the Coach Hill pinch point when Clarke’s Hill is being resurfaced.

2.  “That this Municipal District would fund the production of a map of Passage West Historic Town similar to that which Cork County Council has produced for Kinsale and is currently producing for several other towns in the county.”

Cllr D’Alton: The Historic Monuments committee is conscious that there are many items of archaeological heritage, particularly in our towns, that are uninterpreted and uncelebrated. To increase awareness, it has produced a very attractive map of these features for Kinsale, it is working on Skibbereen and is going to do Blarney and Mitchelstown next. The maps are very good quality. €800 to produce. They are left in shops in the town for visitors to take and use. Proposals to do them are coming through the Municipal District committees. Asks that this Municipal District committee would agree to request that a map for Passage West would be the next to be put on the list.

All agreed.

3.  “That this Council would investigate or report on any recent investigations of what appears to be leachate flowing from the former Raffeen Landfill Site (now the Raffeen Civic Amenity Site) into the Cork Harbour SPA at Monkstown Creek.”

Report provided: Response to D’Alton – Raffeen leachate

Cllr D’Alton thanks Enda Kiernan for the excellent report. Notes that he offers a copy of the closure report when it is finalised. Would appreciate that.

6.  Votes of Congratulations

Cllr Desmond congratulates Cllr McGrath on being elected as County Mayor. Thanks Cllr O’Donnabháin for his year as Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District.

Cllr Harris echoes these sentiments and congratulates Cllr Canty on his election. This is well deserved after his 25 year service to the Council.

Cllr O’Donnabháin echoes the sentiments expressed to the Ballincollig Tidy Towns after they won the national award – the largest urban area in the 32 counties. This is a significant achievement.

Cllr Canty also congratulates Cllr McGrath. It is nice to have the County Mayor in the Chamber here at Municipal District level. Congratulates Cllr O’Donnabháin on his year as Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District. We have got fantastic awards in Ballincollig over the years. We have to thank the Council an awful lot for the support they have given us. Every town in the county is getting some financial support towards the workings of their Tidy Towns groups. Ballincollig has set a new benchmark but others are catching up. Looks better for us as tourism in the county. Was even in Passage West this morning at 8.15am and cyclists who were clearly not from the town were walking in the town.

7.  Aon Ghnó Eile/Any Other Business

AE: Distributed a drawing of a pedestrian enhancement project that is going ahead for Donnybrook Hill from Bracken Court to Grange Cross.  Like all the other schemes, it will be put together and brought before the members but the Traffic and Transportation section has some funding that is being dedicated to this scheme and we will go ahead with a section of it this year at Hillcourt. There are 3 properties uphill of the junction. The owners have been approached. They are very much in favour of conceding land to Cork County Council so a missing section of footpath can be built. Accommodation works and the building of the footpath will be funded this year. A pedestrian crossing and raised ramp at Hillcourt will help to slow traffic down. We hope to go ahead later in the year and are delighted that the landowners are so positive. We’re dealing with solicitors acting on their behalf at present.

Dwg – General arrangement at Hillcourt: 

SCM: The Council is acting as the agent of the Department of Agriculture to oversee the East Tip remediation on Haulbowline Island. It is expected that the work is going to tender over the next couple of months. A planning application will be prepared to obtain soil for remediation of the site. Discussions have been had with the IDA and it has been agreed that the soil will be taken from an area in Ringaskiddy. A planning application will be made by the Department of Agriculture and will be lodged in the coming weeks.

Cllr D’Alton: Not happy with this but appreciates that this is not the forum for expressing concerns. Will address them in a submission to the planning application.

Cllr O’Donnabháin: Curraheen Road – any update?

AE: No update. A Section 85 agreement is being finalised between ourselves and the City. Believes the scheme is earmarked for September.

Cllr Jeffers: Trees coming Matthew Hill. Can these be cut back?

AE: Any taking in charge is initiated by the developer. We haven’t heard from the developer in this regard and so cannot cut back the trees.

Cllr Jeffers: Council houses haven’t been painted in a particular estate whereas other houses in the estate have. Is there an update? A management company did painting for properties that aren’t owned by the Council.

MDO: This is a housing issue. But if the Council is paying into the management company, the Council’s houses should be painted like all the others.

Cllr D’Alton: Had asked before about replacing the litterbins in Passage West which have doors swinging open. Also the construction of an uncontrolled crossing/ramped footpaths at Pembroke Wood.

MDO: The Planning Policy Unit wants special meetings with the Municipal District committee in relation to the preparation of the Local Area Plan in September/October.   Wants to have these meetings after the Municipal District meetings. They will be held in committee. Will forward the email from the PPU.

This concluded the meeting.