(This was a very long and detailed meeting.  I did my best to record it as accurately as I could but consider it as being a flavour of the sentiment of the meeting rather than an accurate recording of figures!)

1.  Confirmation of Minutes

(a)  Minutes of Special Meeting of the Council held on the 25^th of July 2014
(b)  Minutes of Meeting of the Council held on 8^th September, 2014.

Both minutes were proposed and seconded.

2.  Votes of Sympathy (if any) to the relatives of:
(i)             members or employees of the Council,
(ii)            dignitaries of Church or State, or
(iii)           members of old I.R.A. and Cumann na mBan.

Cllrs Derry Canty (FG), Mary Linehan-Foley, Mary Hegarty, Mallow (FF) all requested votes of sympathy.

3.  Appointment of Members to the Avondhu Blackwater Partnership.

Proposals for appointment:
Cllr Kay Dawson– FG
Cllr June Murphy – SF
Cllr Kevin Conway – Ind
Cllr Dan Jo Fitzgerald – FF

There are 2 positions available.

Two votes were taken.  Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald and Cllr Kevin Conway were elected.

4.  On the recommendation of the Corporate Policy Group and in accordance with Section 51 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 the Chief Executive shall deliver Management Reports to the Council through the following structure and frequency:

Divisional Level

Management Report to issue on the following services quarterly:

• Housing
• Roads and Transportation
• Water Services/Flood Relief and Coastal Management/Piers and Harbours
• Environmental Services
• Operation/progress of the Local Community and Development Committee (LCDC)

  Full Council Level

  Management Reports to issue quarterly to be considered at meetings of full Council.

• Financial Report
• Economic Development Report
• Corporate Services Report including Fire and Emergency and Library Services

 

 In accordance with section 51, the Council resolves that the aforementioned Management Reports shall issue not less than 3 days before the Divisional or Council meeting.

In addition to the above, the provision of access to the Executive Orders of the Chief Executive and Officers with delegated functions will continue to be made available to Members for their information. The executive functions of the Chief Executive are exercised through such Orders, thus providing for oversight of the discharge of executive functions.

Agreed that this was to be done.

5.  Consideration of report on the financial impact of the LPT variation under section 20 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, as amended by Section 5 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2013.

Liz Barry – Director of Finance introduced.

LPT declared for Cork County for 2015 = €41.8m
Agreed at national level that 80% retention = €33.4m
Of that, includes LGF (3m last year) so in effect, €30m this year.
20% discretionary can be retained = €8m

€418,000 is the effect of 1% reduction of rate of LPT on CCC
€6.2m is the effect of 15% reduction of rate of LPT on CCC

The relief to households of reducing LPT by 15% varies from 25c/week – €1.15/week depending on the band they are on.

58 submissions received to consultation.  All asked for a reduction.  Some specified the full 15% reduction or abolition of the tax.

CE: Report sent out with the agenda is extensive and recommends that LPT would not be varied for 2015.  Discussed at length with CPG and discussed at Development Committee last Friday also.  Another briefing circulated today.

Also wants to put the decision into the context of the budget.  Has been worked on internally here for the last few months and the budget figures suppose a certain level of income and a certain level of expenditure.  If the LPT is not varied, the draft budget commits to additional expenditure.  So we would see 2014 service levels and increased delivery in some areas.  CE therefore recommending that LPT is not varied.

If members decide to vary the LPT, then we must also decide what areas of service are to be impacted.

2015 service level can be sustained without dipping into reserves.  Would be difficult to bring a budget to Council in November if a 15% reduction in LPT was agreed because we would then be proposing to dip into reserves again when the money was actually available and refused.

Reduction would potentially impact on:
–        community group support
–        roads own funding provision
–        housing non-pay expenditure
–        environmental cleanup and improvement provisions
–        libraries and arts funding
–        elimination of proposed Town Development Fund and/or Economic Development Fund

Cllr McGrath (FF):  Very unfair position.  CCC is receiving 20% of the LPT.  We are €8.3m better off because of the LPT.  The 80% line is not true.  It is a lie by government to say that we receving 80%.  Other grant funding from govertment is being cut.  That is why we see no benefit from LPT.

We discussed this before at full Council level and FF supported a conceptual 15% in LPT.  That was premature and not taken in the full knowledge of funds from government.

LPT was sold on the basis that it would be a new form of funding from government and t hat it would result in improved local services.  People deserve better services – we are providing minimial services and there needs to be improvement.  But should we be giving more money or drive improved efficiencies.  Think CCC can deliver improved efficiencies.

FF is proposing that we reduce the LPT by 10%.  We will not be in a deficit budget position, will not be reliant on reserves, will be giving €4.2m back to households and will be retaining services to the same level as 2014.  Also want to signal an intention to go to the full 15% in next year’s budget.

Also mindful of the burden that businesses have with regard to payment of commercial rates and will be proposing a reduction in these in November.  So will retain 5% of the LPT to allow this.

Cllr Murphy (FG):  Historic moment for the CCC.  Difficult decision for Council because our level of service has reduced over the last few years to what is an unacceptable service at this time.  Must also be conscious of level of reserves remaining and how this will affect the CCC into the future.  Cannot take this decision lightly.  WE have to ensure the Council will survive over 12 months and thereon afterwards.

Thinks what FF is proposing is a cop-out.  Have to be sure that the 80% that is collected will be passed back in full to the CCC.  That is what was proposed by government and that is what will happen.  By reducing the LPT by any percentage will have a detrimental effect on the services that can be provided by CCC.

Anyone who proposes a reduction needs to outline what services it is proposed to cut.  Asks Cllr McGrath to do this.  That is the acid test of where the LPT will benefit or have detrimental effect on our service level.  MDs have got to be financed properly.  The most deserving people of all will be the constituents we service.  The services we pass back are expected by constituents and it would be wrong to restrict these by reducing LPT.  This is where we as members of the CCC are answerable to our constituents for service delivery.

Cllr O’Grady (SF):  Formally propose a 15% reduction in LPT.  Believe there is a responsibility to provide relief to low income earners.  Electorate said there was a need for change.  LPT is an unfair regressive tax which takes no regard for income and impacts particularly on low and middle income earners.  Seek maximum reduction because it can help families throughout Cork.  Will also provide stimulus of 6.2m to local economy.  Most submissions made during the public consultation proposed a reduction of 15%.  We have a duty to listen to and support the people who elected us.  It was a positive move that councillors supported the SF motion in principle last June.  Disappointed to see tat both FF and FG have done a U-turn today.

Cllr K Murphy (FG) objects strongly to this.

Don’t know who said this: Now that they realise what the books look like is the same argument used by the FG/Lab government.  CCC can afford to reduce the LPT by 15% and will also have €2m left over to spend as it wishes.  This is a huge test of the Council’s credibility.  Give people on low and middle incomes a break.

Cllr O’Shea (Ind):  Thanks Liz Barry for the reports.  Very big decision for CCC in terms of how we fund our services for the coming year.  Unfair tax that has been put on people in this county.  All we can do is change the 15%, we can’t get rid of the tax.  Independent group are very concerned with easing the burden on the people of Cork.  Feel appropriate that some reduction is considered.  Also important that whatever decision is taken today in terms of property tax, it is vital that we continue to retain the same level of service.

Cllr Murphy (FF):  CCC householders pay €42m for local services and local initiatives.  €8.4m gone before we even get to see it.  Water charges are coming down the road next year.  People are under real hardship.  Need to give them some solace to help them make ends meet. Yet have to be mindful that we have to provide services, maintain roads.  Balancing all those things it is hugely important that we retain at least the level of service that we had in 2014.  Also want to be mindful of the ratepayer in the forthcoming budget and would like to be able to relieve the ratepayer.

Cllr McCarthy (Lab):  Know this is a difficult decision.  Personally totally against the property tax since it was introduced.  Think we do need a reduction in the LPT.  We are realistic and need to have the balance right.  The two Labour representatives haven’t yet put a figure on it, but will support a reduction.  Send out a message that this is a wrong tax.  It was meant to be spent locally but it has been spent anywhere but locally.

Cllr Lombard (FG):  Good day for local government because we are finally in charge of our own finances. What we do here today impacts on how we will be able to work into the future.  Will ask Cllr McGrath which roads, which houses will lose funding.  Because that is what it will boil down to.  €30m is going to be wiped away based on our decision today because whatever we decide will be there for 5 years.  SF’s and FF’s proposal makes sure that the person who has the greatest value house gets the biggest reduction off their LPT bill.  That makes no sense.  That doesn’t support middle and low income earners.  If we are to cut services here today, we are cutting the services to those who need it most.  This is a political game looking towards the election.  We are playing games with people’s lives here.

Cllr O’Flynn (FF):  Should take today seriously.  This is a decision on behalf of the people.  Our party didn’t bring it in.  LPT went to Irish Water last year.  We all know that families have suffered.  It is time for payback.  We did say we would cut it when we would.  Think the 10% reduction will allow us to retain a certain level of service whilst reducing burden on households.  When budget is introduced in November, we will be looking for a rates reduction.

Cllr A Moynihan (FF):  Pleased to support the proposal to reduce this unfair and regressive tax.  Waited until figures were available.  Thanks to Liz and the CE for the reports.  Would prefer to see it being reduced by 15% this year but have to go as far as we can.  10% Is a reasonable compromise.  Householders right around Cork are after paying this tax for the benefit of the local services.  But that’s not what is happening and we’re losing out on it.  Last year, householders paid and every cent went to Irish Water.  This year, a substantial amount is also being retained by government.  €18.5 m being held back by government.  Over 5 years, that’s €42m being retained by government that is being denied to services in Cork.  We should be looking for that money back.  We should be putting it to the minister that this was money raised in Cork and should be coming back to Cork.  Then we could reduce the burden on households and improve services.  Isn’t that what we would all want?

Cllr Murphy O’Mahony (FF):  Takes issue with Cllr Lombard.  We are not playing politics.  You are because you are holding the FG party line, not standing up for the people who elected you.  It is only a small ease of the burden but it is a help.  Works with Vincent de Paul.  People are genuinely struggling.  Canvassed on the promise that if given the chance, would vote for 15% cut.  Now she will.

Cllr O’Laoghaire (SF):  Our position is very clear for some time.  We’re not deciding anything for 5 years.  We’re deciding for 1 year.  FG and Labour designed this tax.  We were very critical of it from the get-go.  Takes no account of income.  15% of reduction was an afterthought by the government to try to address the underfunding of local government.  Will not address the underfunding of local government.  Services can be maintained at the level we’ve got.  Hopefully CCC will improve but it is open to us to reduce it by 15% and; maintain relatively ok finances in terms of tackling our deficit and maintaining services.  Government grant aids last year were at their lowest level last year for many many years.  Would be an act of vindictiveness on the part of national government if they were to reduce them any further.  If 55 people were brought in here at random to see what decision they would make, what would they do.  That’s how to answer the question.

Cllr O’Sullivan (FF):  Stands for the ordinary people of East Cork.  Have seen the pressures they are under.  This is an opportunity for the members to support them.  Made a commitment that he would reduce LPT by 15%.  He will stick to that.

Cllr G Murphy (FG):  We have gone through some of the hardest economic few years that people have ever borne.  FF now returning to pre-election rhetoric.  No doubt that FF is prone to this type of activity and will return us again to economic turmoil.  Greatest effect on low income families is cuts in services.  Nobody in Council houses will be paying property tax anyway.  The people I most represent will be saving €13/year.  Yet they are drastically dependent on Amenity grants, community grants, etc. from the CCC.  Grants like Christmas lighting, to keep community centres open, etc.  These are people working to improve the welfare of everyone in the community.  Is a disgrace that this CCC should at its first opportunity turn around with false promises and sacrificing of services.

Cllr T Collins (Ind):  Was at two assignments over the weekend.  People all asking for a reduction in property tax.  CE says that if we ask for a cut, he’ll be taking it off somewhere else.  I would suggest that the Minister who brought in this LPT in the first place should be made to compensate for what the Council is shortfalling.  Had a mind to ask for 15% but thinks the FF proposal of 10% might be more prudent and attain the full 15% next year.  The minister tells us the economy is in good shape so why shouldn’t we give a reduction to the people?

Cllr McCarthy (FG):  Everyone has made valid points.  Disingenuous to say that the LPT targets low to middle income earners.  People in social housing will not be paying this tax.  People in larger households will be paying the largest amounts so it’s natural that they would benefit the most.  For most people, we’re talking less than a €1/week.  If we are going to give this back, we’d want to be sure why we’re doing it.  Anything else is posturing and populist.  Cllr O’Laoghaire made some very good points, especially with people on low incomes living in large households.  Property boom was responsible for some of this but you can’t get into specifics like this.  Just wants to make the point that thinks FG is being more socialist than either SF or FF because we are trying to put the money back into services to the people of this county.  We’ve done this before and this is where we stand with our health services today.  It is not a good place to be.

Cllr O’Donovan (FG):  Welcomes that we are here to make a decision on the finances of the county.  Auction politics this morning.  The message I got on the doors was that people wanted to see value for money.  Asks the CE what is in our reserves at present.

Cllr K McCarthy (SF):  Lots of bluffers here.  Were they bluffing in June when they supported the SF motion for 15% reduction or are they bluffing today?  They money is there to deliver a 15% reduction.  Today we are told that we can’t fix lamp-posts.  The money for the household charge didn’t come back as promised.  Phil Hogan hung onto it.  Calling anyone with principle to support 15%.

Cllr Harris (Ind):  Thinks it is blackmail to say that services will be reduced if LPT is reduced.  This is sending out a bad signal about the CCC.  Lots of grandstanding about services being reduced.  We know services have already been reduced.  Are we better off accepting the reality of reduced services?  The power we have here is very limited.  The blame for reduced services falls to central government,not to us.

Cllr Buckley (SF):  We said that we would look for 15% reduction.  People that have been struggling deserve a break.  No more new public lighting because we have to cut carbon emissions to 2020.  Rates have to be harmonised.  Let’s give the people a break and see what happens.

Cllr Conway (Ind):  Thanks for the reports.  Lots of rhetoric today.  Agrees with Cllr Moynihan’s proposal that if we are collecting funds in this county, they need to be retained in this county.  Stood on an election platform that this tax would be eliminated.  Intends to comply with the wishes of the people who elected him and will vote for 15% reduction.

Cllr Doyle (FF):  Once elected to this Chamber, I represent everyone.  So assume everyone in the county is equal and am not comfortable with this talk about house size.  People are hard pressed.

Cllr Hayes (SF):  Thanks the CE for the report.  Makes it sound like the reduction would be very tiny.  But all charges have a cumulative effect.  Discussed a 15% reduction back in June and many shop closures since.  We are all hopeful that things will look up.   Commends people across the floor going against the party line.

Cllr Fitzgerald (FF):  We all want money brought back into our local authorities.  Government didn’t give us what we should have got.  We’ve got to hit a balance between giving back money to people and retaining the services.  We have an opportunity to be fair to the general public.  Down the road if we don’t put money into services, it will make the situation a great deal worse.  Support Cllr McGrath’s proposal.

Cllr R McCarthy (SF):  LPT was not necessary and not wanted.  It was a huge issue during canvass.  Public consultation was one ad on one newspaper.  Not sufficient.  Supports 15% reduction.

Cllr M Collins (Ind):  Did not state that I would look for a reduction in the LPT.  I spoke on the issues that were hurting people on the doorsteps.  But they spoke to me.  They asked me that I would support a cut if the opportunity would arise.  I didn’t see any verges cut in the past 12 months in my area.  So I think the money that is there has not been spent.  On that basis, I would support a cut.  A few months ago, we all supported a cut.

Cllr Mullane (SF):  It’s because of the SF motion we’re discussing this here today.  Would like to point out public submissions also.  People we represent are looking for maximum cut of 15%.

Cllr Cullinane (Ind):  Made no promises but was clear as to the mandate of this government – putting people first.  This is our directive.  Cllr Moynihan has made some very good points.  The Irish people and particularly Cork have been taxed twice.  Money went to Irish Water.  Needs to come back.  To Cllr Lombard – a little power is a very dangerous thing.  Do not use that power in such a way that it will impact on the people negatively.  People need a signal that politicians support them and that they have a role in their country’s future.  To deliver that message is down to us.   Agrees with Cllr McCarthy about public consultation.  That is something this Council needs to address.

Cllr Rasmussen (Lab):  Thinks we need to strike a balance.  Very easy to be popular.  But people have to take a decision on services.  Recognises that giving back is hardly worthwhile.

Cllr J Murphy (SF):  In favour of 15%.  This was the main topic of conversation at every door we went to during the election.  We’re already being told we’ve no money – so how can a 15% reduction impact on services.

Cllr Dawson (FG):  We did vote in favour of 15% but we’re looking at what the cost will be to the communities.

Cllr M Hegarty (FG):  Services will be at the level of 2014.  Were we happy with that?  Because I wasn’t.

Cllr Linehan-Foley (Ind):  Clarify 80 – 20% split.  Have to support a reduction.  People are crucified.  What will it be like when water charges come in?

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  Thanks the executive for the reports.  Feels very strongly that the LPT last year that was promised to Council went to the set up of Irish Water – an entity nobody wanted.  Feels equally strongly that, contrary to what Cllr Lombard says about having the power to take a decision on the country’s finances, we are being made fools of today.  We are debating this issue because a former Minister who wanted to devolve as much power from local government as possible and who got rid of Town Councils has placed us in this ridiculous situation where we have to choose between services and a reduction in LPT.  People need the reduction in LPT.  I committed to seeking a reduction when I was seeking election, but I did not specify a percent.  On the doorsteps people told me they did not mind paying for services as long as they were services delivered by the CCC, delivered well and effectively.  But they did mind paying property tax because that was a charge on their home that they worked every day to pay for and often paid back twice what it was worth because it was mortgaged from a bank.  But we need to provide services too.  Thinks crazy that have to take a decision on this without knowing what funding the government is going to deliver for 2015.  No-one can budget that way.  Services are essential and LPT reduction is essential.  So going to support the proposal for 10% reduction.

Cllr Ryan (FF):  What specific services are going to be affected?  I support 15% reduction.  I am asking the Executive to be specific about what services will be affected.  Difficulty in all this situation rests with central government.

Cllr Moynihan (FF):  What is the total figure that comes back to the CCC from the Household Tax?  Was in a house recently where they were deciding where to send their kids to drama, whether to pull their kids from swimming.  They are doing that in an effort to pay their mortgages, pay their car loans, etc.  The bank says to them – do they need TV, Sky, etc?  Very concerned about services.  Having considered the matter, will be supporting 10%.

Cllr Creed (FG):  Supports the query from Cllr Ryan.

Cllr G Murphy (FG):  We have no mandate to deal with the national budget.  What the Dept of Environment gives to this council is a matter for a budgetary situation.  FF agreed with the national budget.  If they want more to be given to local government, they should point out what additional taxes should be raised.

CE: Reserves – €11m at end 2013 which had reduced from a high of €19 – €20m.  By the end of this year, it is likely to be €6.5 – 7m.

NPPR comes directly to CCC.  Is budgeted for in existing budget.  Any surplus has been accounted for in our projecting into 2014.

€6.3m cut proposed or €4.2m proposed.  That removes the possibility for increased funding into any service into 2015.  Looks on this coldly – what service we can offer based on what funding.  Doesn’t debate equitability, or pros or cons.  Simply looks at what the LPT offers.  If that offer isn’t there, then it won’t be spent.

€2.1m extra does not allow for a 2014 level of service without recourse to further deficit budgeting.  If that’s the decision of Council, he will bring it to CPG.  If the LPT were not varied, €700,000 extra would go into housing.  Effectively the 15% reduction will reduce service levels for 2014.  The 10% reduction is €4.2m.  Will work the impact of this out with CPG.  Without any direction from Council, CE will indicate to CPG where the money should be taken out of.

Members are well aware of the pressures that you come under for roads, housing repair, cleanups, etc.  That falls onto our staff.  Comment about staff fobbing people off … They have to take decisions on a daily basis without adequate resources.  We have a number of items on our agenda today based solely on 2014 service levels.  No variation in LPT wouldn’t solve everything.  But it would help.  When we cannot meet demands, I will need members to respect the fact that members have made this decision in the chamber.

There is a misperception that we are not delivering value for money.  That is not the case.  We have nearly everything out to tender.  That is where value for money is delivered.  There are more local authority cuts required in the next couple of years at national level.

There is no guarantee that there will be community funding retained into in particular areas with former town councils, even with a 10% reduction.  A decision to retain LPT would have allowed improved funding to this.

Cllr Michael Hegarty (FG):  Very important decision.  Will the people who have elected us thank us for a savage reduction   Proposes an adjournment.

Adjourned for 20 minutes.

Members are to vote on three proposals:
Cllr McGrath proposal (FF):  Vary by 10% this year.
Cllr O’Grady proposal (SF): Amend the FF proposal to read full 15% reduction.
Cllr Murphy proposal (FG): Propose no change – 0% variation.

Vote on SF proposal: For – 18; Against – 36
Vote on FG proposal: For – 16; Against – 38
Vote on FF proposal: For – 38; Against – 16

Members have by majority decided to vary the LPT by 10% reduction.  Will communicate this to Revenue and to Department.

Mayor said that this decision will allow maintenance of 2014 service to continue.

CE: If 10% is agreed as a reduction, it will allow 2014 levels of service to continue.  But it will bring difficulties at MD level because discretionary spending at MD level will be much reduced.  In particular, it will raise difficulties with regard to Commmunity Funding, etc.

6.  Department of Health:

Letter dated 29^th August, 2014, in response to Council’s letter of 31^st July, 2014, regarding fluoridation of water.

Cllr N Collins (Ind): Despite the scientific research and its findings into the use of fertiliser-related contaminants in our water supply, Minister Varadkar is not for turning.  I have requested that we would use alternative compounds.  Minister gives us repeat prescription.  Minister is asking for people to raise an alternative compound to fluoride and for them to meet the expense.  If you take poison out of water, why is there need to replace it with anything.  Why if you take poison out of the water do you need to replace it with anything.  The fluoridation of our water supply is crazy.  The 1964 Act provides that health authorities arrange for the fluoridation of public water supplies and that local authorities arrange for this to be done.  As long as the HSE continues to request this, we must continue to do it.  The duty may pass to Irish Water and the local authorities as their agents will still be required to do it locally.  I now propose that we refer our original motion to the 4 Munster MEPs for deliberation at European level.

Cllr K Murphy (FG):  Responsibility has now passed from the Council to someone else.  Supports the proposal.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  Supports Cllr Collins’s proposal but proposes that we also write back one more time to the Minister.  In all the responses from him, he has never yet addressed the issue of choice and this is what the original motion was all about.  Suggest we write and remind him of that.

Cllr N Collins (Ind):  Agrees.

7.  Councillor Noel Collins:

“That this Council in the interest of social justice, reinstate the recruitment of Social Workers to its Housing Department.”

Contacted CCC for a vulnerable family to meet with social workers to help them.  Was told social workers no longer available.  The reason was not explained.  It is clear that the recession has left an indelible mark on our country.  Social workers are desperately needed, now more than ever.  Is called to deal with domestic violence and family disputes.  Thanks the guards and the liaison officer in County Hall for their help and efforts.  Social workers are a vital importance in helping CCC in these situations.  Sometimes highly sensitive issues are involved.  These need the input of trained professionals.  When I was elected in 1967, this Council had 4 social workers.  They did a splendid job and helped public representatives greatly.  In latter years, social workers were reduced to cater for travelling families only  This was a major mistake.  Whoever was responsible for that in the housing section of the CCC, please reconsider this decision.  The longer we neglect our communities, the greater the damage to all.

Cllr O’Grady (SF):  Seconds proposal.  CCC is now reduced to handing out the number of shelters to the homeless.  The homeless shelters are full and there is now a waiting list.  In the meantime we have taken no house from NAMA, we’re not constructing any social housing despite having a bank of land to build such houses.  We’re leaving social housing associations to do our job.  Right across the state there are 31 local authorities.  24 of those have social workers in their housing departments.  CCC is one of those that does not.  We are one of the biggest authorities in the state but we have no social workers.

Cllr R McCarthy (SF):  Supports the emotion.  Has a qualified social work degree.  While she was doing her training, there was a social worker in the housing department.  At the time, families were very grateful for what the social worker could offer to them.  Small things, like filling out forms, a point of contact.  Now we have a system with the HSE where social workers that are employed cannot cope with their work loads.  A referral can take weeks or months.

Cllr J Murphy (SF):  Supports the motion.  This is something that is very close to her heart.  Works with a lot of women in domestic violence situations.  One of the biggest issues they face is housing.  To have a social worker in the housing department would give them the courage to leave a domestic violence situation.  For them to try to get support around being rehoused – the Council would acknowledge their commitment to helping people in these situations to getting a house.  If you are forced to leave your home, you are homeless.  If you own your house with your partner and you have to leave because of your partner, you are in the same situation.  You have to find a new place, you won’t get rent allowance because you have given up your home.  A social worker could help in these situations, would know the challenges women in this situation face.

CE:  We’ve had three social workers employed in the past.  Two were under a scheme.  We cannot employ anyone else.

Cllr K Murphy (FG):  Could we employ a social worker on contract

CE:  We wouldn’t because it would be deemed to be a replacement of that post we got did away with.

Mayor:  What about skilling up some of our own staff?

CE:  Can you leave the training of the staff to the CE!

Cllr N Collins (Ind):  Not a bit happy and very disappointed with the Council.  Wants a report on it.  Where is personnel?  They should be here to answer this.  Can the CE give us an assurance that he will get a report from the personnel office.  CE does the hiring and firing.  Can he not make a commitment to this?

Cllr S McCarthy (FG):  Every single councillor has experienced this.  Especially with the RAS scheme.  Works for family resource centres at local, regional and national level.  Finds that she is doing the work of a social worker rather than a councillor.  Spending all day every day almost on housing.  Could someone within housing be assigned to a situation where RAS is not accepted and people are coming up against a brick wall.  Even if it wasn’t a qualified social worker, just someone who can follow up on.

Cllr Rasmussen (Lab):  We got it wrong to let employees take early retirement.  Because now we cannot take anyone one.  Can we make an exception?

CE:  Redundancy scheme came in in 2013.  Many staff saw voluntary redundancy.  Cannot revise that decision.  Under the scheme, they could be released if there wasn’t a business need for them.  We can revisit this issue with the Department but we will be told that we made our decision.  We are also under an embargo.  Support for housing department’s staff – hopes that we recognise that they are doing their best to offer advice to everyone in their different situation.  They are expert in housing issues generally, but they are not social workers.

Cllr N Collins (Ind):  Not happy.  Very essential service.  Wants social workers to be available to talk to people in poverty, misery and hardship.  CE has taken the advice of Dublin.  Should be taking needs on board here.

Cllr Murphy (FG):  This is the government’s fault, not the CE’s.

CE:  We did have 3 social workers in the past.  Acknowledges that.  If we are to look for them back, or even one of them back, we will have to justify the request to the Department.  Difficult, seeing as we said that we didn’t need them by letting them go.

Cllr McCarthy (FG):  Social workers have a very specific job.  Could there not be one person with a holistic view in the housing section?  Not even a social work basis, just a housing basis.

CE:  Detailed level of discussion on housing staff going on here.  This is not appropriate.  Staff in housing have a holistic view.  They will talk to any member.

(2 FF, 7 FG, 5 Ind, 8 SF in the Chamber now.)

Cllr N Collins (Ind):  Agrees that we have good staff in housing.  We need the professional social worker to advise tenants and travelling families.  We always had them.  We had 4 and now we’ve none.

CE:  Will take it up again with the Department.

8.  Councillor Des O’Grady

“That Cork County Council Housing Department will treat all Irish citizens born in the 32 counties of Ireland equally as is required under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and that Cork County Council will write to Minister Alan Kelly requesting a policy statement on this issue.”

Cllr O’Grady (SF):  Man from County Antrim, Irish citizen with Irish passport, spent first four years of his life in Antrim.  To qualify for social housing, he has to write to Land Registry in Belfast and get legal proof that he doesn’t own property in Northern Ireland.  CCC has a document for applicants’ assessment for social housing support.  It says that one has to confirm that one doesn’t own any property in one’s home country.  How does this sit against the Good Friday Agreement?  The Good Friday Agreement states that we have the right to freely choose place of residence, right to same economic opportunity.  There is a problem here with CCC interpretation.  CCC has no written policy on this.

If you are born in Australia or France, all you have to do is swear an affidavit to say that you don’t own property in your own country.  But because this man is born in Northern Ireland and lived for 4 years in County Antrim, he has to go through a lot of legal proof.

Wants the CCC to look at it and to get Minister Kelly’s opinion.

CE:  We have a duty to protect our own assets.  Have a duty to ensure housing goes to those in need.  Reference to home country is a country other than the Republic of Ireland.  In those circumstances, it is only right that the housing department would seek clarification as to whether the person is a property owner in that country.  This is normal practice of trying to establish the ownership rights of people who live outside the Irish Republic.

Cllr O’Grady (SF):  According to the document I got from the Housing Dept, if you are born in France, you just have to swear an affidavit.  But in the case of this young man, because he was born in Antrim, he has to swear an affidavit and get legal proof.  So he has two hoops to jump through.

CE:  Housing department has confirmed that anyone from any country outside of Ireland has to prove that they have no property outside of the country.

Maybe it is not possible in France to get the legal documentation but perhaps it is possible to get it in the North?  Maybe, not sure.

Cllr Murphy (FG):  Same situation with someone who had been living in Germany for a few years.  She had to go through endless hoops to prove that she didn’t own property in Germany even though she was an Irish citizen.

CE:  Person could be bequeathed a house.  Just because they were a child in another country, doesn’t mean they don’t have property there.  Will look into it.

9.  Councillor Marcia D’Alton:

“That in existing residential estates in which speed ramps have not been provided during the course of construction, should a majority of residents desire speed ramps and fund-raise a percentage of the cost of their installation, this County Council would provide support:
(i) financially, by contributing matching funding towards the cost of installing the speed ramps and
(ii) organisationally, by assisting residents in overcoming the planning requirements to permit installation of the speed ramps.”

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  Spoke on the motion – posted separately.

Cllr Forde (FG):  Supports the motion in principle.  This is an issue which has largely been ignored by Council.  About 15 years ago, she got permission for traffic calming in Shamrock Lawn.  Still hasn’t been delivered. There are many other issues and the director of Planning will be aware that she has been in contact with him in relation to several estates in Douglas and Rochestown where there is a real risk to life and limb.  Also an issue that some of these estates are with receivers and with NAMA.  Need to get our act together in relation to this very important issue.  Residents may not always have the resources to contribute to traffic calming.  Think we should be doing more.  Are there bonds left at Council level?  If so, we should be fast-tracking traffic calming using this.  Are ramps a good thing or a bad thing?  Would like this issue to be treated with urgency.  Did have a survey to introduce ramps in her estate but because the survey results were 49:51, a majority didn’t want them.

Also there is no traffic planning outside school in Grange.  No provision for proper traffic management.  Need to look at this too – a situation where a school is at the back of an estate.

Cllr McGrath (FF):  Supports strongly.  One of the most common requests we get is for traffic calming in estates.  There are many estates such as this in our MD. Very difficult to retrospectively address the issue.  The Area Engineer generally tries to facilitate residents where they can contribute maybe 50%.  Would like to formalise this.

Cllr K McCarthy (SF):  Doesn’t like residents to come up with financial support.  Thinks creating 2-tier society.  Not always organisation within social housing estates.  Doesn’t help the people that really need it.  If roads and streets are dangerous, the Council has a responsibility to come up with funds.  Supports spirit of motion.

Cllr Rasmussen (Lab):  Supports motion.  No price on life.  Suggests we should refer it back to the SPC.  Doesn’t want a 2-tier system.  There are rules and regulations.  Maybe we need to have a relook at policy on how we provide ramps.  Thinks SPC should come up with new policy.

Cllr Lombard (FG):  Supports the motion going forward.  Residents are desperate for traffic calming.  People who live there – that’s what they really request.  Real issue is to get it streamlined so that it actually can happen.

Cllr K Murphy (FG):  This should be with the MD, and should then be passed on to SPC.  Although he supports it.

Cllr Hayes (SF):  No problem with the motion.  Emergency services and engineers have input on ramps.  Need to take that into account as well.

Cllr R McCarthy (SF):  Thinks national policy coming on this which might feed into the SPC policy deliberations.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  Thanks the members for their support.  Is happy for the proposal to go to SPC for policy but we cannot wait too long for it to come.  Recognises Cllr McCarthy’s concerns about 2 tier society.  Thought about this when drafting motion but the motion is directed at those estates who are simply desperate for traffic calming.  Experience is that when people are that desperate, they will do anything to raise the money for ramps.

10.  Councillor Rachel McCarthy:

“That the Council notes the concerns raised collectively by the membership of the 3 no. Cork County Local Community Development Committees with respect to delays in the community development programme implementation process, and that the Council supports these concerns. That this Council call on the Government and the Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, to expedite the allocation of this essential community development funding under the Rural Development Programme (LEADER) and the proposed new Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP) at the earliest available opportunity. To highlight the fact that Cork County Council, Statutory Agencies, Local Development Companies, the Community & Voluntary Sector, and the National Social Partners have been working hard at developing excellent community and enterprise development relationships over the years and that all wish to further develop these relationships over time. To highlight the fact that the funding delays which are being experienced by communities throughout the county have the potential to present a serious negative impact on the delivery of frontline community and economic development initiatives. That the Council requests the Minister to provide information with regard to funding timescales, proposed delivery arrangements and support processes, and to provide clarification as to when the necessary funding is expected to be in place and available to local community and enterprise initiatives.”

This is noted by Council.

Cllr Rasmussen (Lab):  On the South Cork LCDC.  Very difficult to get the information.  New statutory body.  Very hard to understand what’s going on.  Emphasise to government that we need as much information as we can get.

Cllr G Murphy (FG):  The more information we have, the better.  LCDC is progressing reasonably well in North Cork but the more information the better.

CE:  There is a lack of clarity from the Department in relation to the LEADER funding.  Recognises this.  SICAP is progressing a bit better now.  But there are communities who have no certainty with regard to LEADER.  Shares the concern that better clarity is needed.

11.  Councillor Melissa Mullane:

“That this Council provide a written report on Housing Maintenance Budgets of former Town Councils & Cork County Budget indicating as to how Cork County Council are currently in financial difficulty as early as August of 2014. This report should include how maintenance budgets are prepared and costed in proportion to the numbers of housing units under ownership of Cork County Council and include a Bill of quantities, Contingency sum and timeframe each job is given – Members were recently given written notification by Director of services that only emergency works will now be carried out to Council Housing stock. This council should now write to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government seeking emergency funding.”

Cllr Mullane: We have fewer than 5,300 social housing units in the county.  It is crazy to have little or no housing maintenance budget left at this time of year when we have only that number of houses.  In Mallow TC last year, we passed a budget which allowed for no housing maintenance at all.  Tenants now don’t even get an answer from a phone call.  CCC has an obligation to maintain all its properties.  Standards are required for properties under the RAS scheme but same standards are not required for our own.  Acknowledges that report was circulated today but there are still more questions.  Is there an event log?  A standard charge for particular jobs? Are overqualified people sent out?  Do we have preventative maintenance programme?  Do we have regular inspections?  To be handed assets of 5,300 housing units and to collect rent and yet not maintain them seems mesmerising.

CE says he has issued a written report.  Thinks level of detail additionally raised by Cllr Mullane should be raised at divisional level.  The fact is that housing maintenance budget is under pressure.  We have agreed today to reduce LPT by 10%.  We are short because of lack of funding and staff over the years.  Cannot get additional funds and cannot replace staff because of the embargo.

Cllr Mullane: Do we really know how much it costs to fix a house?  Thinks we just come up with a budget figure and then cut it every year.  Looking forward to going on the Housing SPC.

CE:  In South Cork, most of the work is contracted out.  In North Cork, our own staff do it.  We do what we can with what we’ve got.

Cllr R McCarthy (SF): If tenants are paying their rent, doesn’t see that we can say that we can’t do essential repairs.

Cllr Hayes (SF):  Goes back to joined up thinking.  Was dealing with a case where housing insulation was put in but they never followed up with windows and doors.  Tenant offered to fix the window that was hanging off the hinge.  CCC said no.  Rang his insurance company and they told him he wasn’t covered for theft because he couldn’t secure his own home.

Cllr Mullane (SF):  Have had people say they have things promised to them for years that were never delivered.  Doesn’t want to hear that 10% of a LPT reduction agreed.  This is what people on the ground wanted.  Anyway, she is talking about this year’s budget.  There was no housing maintenance budget in Mallow last year.  FG reps agreed but used the money to go on conferences.

Cllr N O’Donovan (FG):  Last three motions refer to looking for more money; yet we agreed a reduction in LPT.  Ironic.  Agrees that perhaps structures and efficiency might achieve better value but the bottom line is that €2 m was taken off Council budget today.

12.  Councillor Michael Collins:

“That the Clonakilty Mayoral chain and robe be returned to the new Clonakilty Community Mayoral Council. The Chain and robe is part of Clonakilty’s history and Cork County Council should be supportive of the new Community Mayoral Council in their efforts to have the Chain and Robe used for public occasions in the town.”

Cllr M Collins (Ind):  This is hugely important to the people of Clonakilty.  Knows what great work the community are doing and they need this support.  Could maybe put the chain and robe into a museum.  People put huge time and effort into the refurbishment of the chain.  Each former mayor paid for the rehabilitation of a single chain.  People also put money into the rehabilitation of the robe.  Thinks Clonakilty Mayor should have the chain and robe to use.  Is a small gesture to recognise the voluntary sector’s efforts.

Cllr Lombard (FG):  Issue that may arise – should districts have chains.  Unique situation.  Thinks elected members should come up with a policy on this.  Have other MDs with former Town Councils in their areas.  Maybe those will want the chair of the MD to wear a chain.  Maybe other towns with former Town Councils will want their chains back.  Need policy.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  Acknowledges that Cllr Lombard has a point but he speaks of a wider issue.  I seconded the motion considering the single issue of the request from Clonakilty only.  Clonakilty had put arrangements for the direct election of mayor in place months ago.  Would be simple way of acknowledging the work the voluntary sector in Clonakilty is doing.

Cllr G Murphy (FG):  Doesn’t think we have the right to allocate chains or positions of privilege to one town over another.  Is every town or village entitled to this?  Thinks Cllr Lombard’s suggestion is valid.

Cllr Hayes (SF):  There are talks of maybe Bantry or Skibbereen following suit.  Clonakilty has their own Mayoral Council election.  Ceremonial role.  Not an overlap or outdoing CCC.  We have a good working relationship with them.  They are a very active group.  Supports what Cllr D’Alton said and supports the motion.  Shame to have the chain and robe gathering dust in a museum or in County Hall.

Cllr Forde (FG):  Thinks while we’re deciding a policy on this, Clonakilty should be given the chain.  But we do need to consider deputy chains for each municipal district maybe?

Cllr O’Donovan (FG):  Lives in the area and was hoping for a compromise.  Had suggested at MD level that it would be given out maybe a few times a year.  Thinks the issue should go to SPC.

CE:  Decision is for the elected members.  All the chains, etc. are under the care of CCC.  Thinks Council needs to be careful that it doesn’t undermine the position of County Mayor or the MDs.  MDs must be highly recognised as being the leader of local government in the community.  Not happy with the word “returned” in the motion.  Chains and roles were representative of the statutory role of the towns.  That statute is no longer there.  Maybe by having them on display is the appropriate way to go.  Need to think through carefully how we deal with this issue.  This is not a simple issue.

Cllr K Murphy: Thinks that the fear it may reduce the role of the MD is very valid.  Occasions in the past where Members were bypassed in being invited to occasions organised by the voluntary groups who would be looking for chains like this.

(4 FF and 11 FG in chamber now)

Cllr Cullinane (Ind):  On the day of the election of the chair of the MD, I was told that there would be no mayoral functions involved.  I made my decision based on that information.  If we are now to get additional information on the role of the chair of the MD, then we should be given the right to revote on who should be the chair of the MD.  Different skills required for someone to take the committee through the transitional period and for someone to have a representative-type role.

Cllr Forde (FG): Thinks manager should give us a report on what the role of the MD is and we could then decide better on the chain and robe question.

Cllr M Collins (Ind):  Knows this would be an issue with a lot of areas but in reality Clon has set up a Mayoral Council.  We should commend them for that and consider returning the chain and the robe even if there is further discussion to be had.

13.  Councillor Mary Linehan-Foley:

“That Cork County Council put measures in place to allow plumbers /electricians etc, engaged by the former Town Councils to carry out repairs /maintenance to council houses in those local areas bearing in mind we will be keeping local knowledge and employment in our local areas.”

In Youghal, if there is a house in need of repairs (leak or electrical faults) they are prioritised.  These are regarded as emergency works.  There are other issues coming into housing repairs that wouldn’t be prioritised.   But there are plumbers and electricians travelling from Cork to Youghal to do the works.  In many cases these plumbers and electricians do not have local knowledge.  One plumber coming down had to ring the old Town Council’s plumber.  Have spoken to the MD on this.  Knew we were going to get teething problems and we have them.  They will work out but there are electricians and plumber from the Youghal area who are top of the range but there are people travelling from Cork City down to Youghal, costing more and taking work from local people.  Is there a policy in place and is there a particular reason for the way it is being run?

CE:  Some of the Town Councils were using local labour because the level of spend would not have exceeded public rules of procurement thresholds.  Now those houses that used to belong to Town Councils are transferred to CCC and the expenditure on mends is accumulative.  So we have to use the contractors that have come from the tenders.  Thinks people who used to do work for TCs are not on the list for tender.  There is a national policy being drawn up to assist local authorities on a national tendering process.  This will make it even more difficult for small local based contractors to do work like this.

Tendering requirement was set up before Town Councils were abolished – maybe 2013.

Cllr G Murphy (FG):  How do you frame a tender? Can you put a condition on it that the contractor would be an hour from where the work is to be done?

CE:  WE have discretion, but we have to accumulate your entire expenditure insofar as you can under one particular heading.  Would put in that you expect a service-response time for a service of a particular nature.

Cllr Linehan-Foley: So Town Council contractors wouldn’t be on tender list.   Can they join the tender list?

CE:  Framework will be in place for 2 and a half to 3 years.  Maybe will go back to tender in late 2015/early 2016.

Cllr Linehan-Foley (Ind): Local contractors will never be able to compete with the big boys anyway.  So local knowledge and local skills will go to waste.

The remainder of the meeting was adjourned.

• Community Funding
• Recreation and Amenity
• Derelict Sites

A comprehensive report was given to the Members on the above.

Cllr D’Alton asked if there was any way the Marmullane tennis club site in Passage West could be worked with by the County Council and the community together.  She said that although she appreciates that it is going to tender, the community could help in looking for funds to enable the project to go ahead.

Maurice Manning clarified that funding will be provided for the Marmullane site development to go ahead in the County Council’s 2015 Capital Works Programme :-))

b)  Update on Greenways
A greenway is a walking and cycling path.  Essentially a shared use path.  The concept is very well established in Europe and the US but has only recently been introduced to Ireland.  They tend to be developed along former railway lines or canal towpaths.  They tend to act for tourism, provide local amenity and facilitate commuting to work/school.

The benefits of greenways are that they are safe, provide for social interaction, and amenity.  They are best evidenced in Mayo where a 42 km greenway has been developed running from Westport to  Achill Island.  There have been many offshoot benefits of this development and it was these that inspired Cork County Council to look at greenways for our county.

In Cork, feasibility reports were undertaken.  The County Council looked at the West Cork railway network first.  Also looked at greenways in the context of the harbour and in particular linking up the Rochestown – Passage West cyclepath with the one between Carrigaline and Crosshaven.

For greenways to be really successful, they need route length.  They also need a branded entity so that people from abroad/Ireland will see Cork Harbour as a destination, rather than honing in on Passage West or Carrigaline as a discrete location.

The County Council is now looking at greenways in a more strategic way around the harbour.  Maybe it would be possible to link from Glenbrook to Cobh.  Links like this haven’t been thought about  before.  They would improve commuting and would help tourism.

The Glenbrook – Raffeen Bridge stretch doesn’t represent a full phase.  So the County Council is trying to look at the practicalities of developing out further from Raffeen Bridge to create a full phase.

Funding is an issue.  The County Council did apply for funding last year but were unsuccessful.  The Department gave a substantial amount of money to a small number of projects.  The y are trying to work on the reasons the funding application was not successful.  They are also trying to also look at alternative funding streams, such as Europe.

This is just a broad brush overview of where we are at the moment.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  Could the Glenbrook – Raffeen segment extend to Ringaskiddy to create a full phase?  As there are already footpaths and grass verges in place along the N28, it seems to be simpler to achieve than the link to Carrigaline.

Cllr McGrath (FF):  Asked whether the Ringaskiddy leg was included in the initial feasibility study.

Claire Cronin:  It is a very definite possibility that the link to Ringaskiddy could be considered as to create a full phase.  The feasibility study sought to link directly to Carrigaline.  There was just a piece included at the end of the document about potentially linking up to Ringaskiddy.  We need to see what the site specific issues are and whether the route is viable.  The County Council hope in the next couple of weeks to engage with the NRA and the NTA.   This will give a feel of their appetite for this Ringaskiddy link pending the N28 question.  So the County Council will have a clearer idea then.

Replies to Notices of Motion

1.  Douglas Pay Parking Bye Laws

Kevin O’Regan:  The report sent to the Members indicates the position.  The CPG decided to refer the motion to the SPC with a request that all-county parking bye-laws would be advanced rapidly to reach a conclusion by December.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  This is simply not good enough.  Douglas is a special case where no leniency is shown to those parking.  December is too late.  This means the Douglas traders will lose out on Christmas business.  Businesses will close and that is our responsibility.

Maurice Manning:  Appreciates that Members are very anxious to see this addressed but as the CPG has referred it to the SPC, there is nothing can be done at present.

Cllr O’Laoghaire:  Thinks it will be difficult to come up with a county-wide policy.  We must remember that the legislation says that if the SPC cannot agree on a policy, the issue will revert once again to the municipal district.

Cllr Harris:  We haven’t the luxury of time.  Committees like the SPC take months to draw up policy.  The businesses are just not happy.  We’re actually going to be penny wise and pound foolish.  Losses of rates from the businesses after they close will be well in excess of what the County Council is getting in pay parking.

Cllr Canty:  Cannot see how we will agree to a system of pay parking right across the county.  Towns like Macroom were getting a spin-back from their pay parking to Christmas lights or whatever in the Town Council days.  The traffic warden in Ballincollig also acts as a litter warden.  Cannot see that will change and he will be holding the line on that one.  But he agrees with what Douglas is saying.

Cllr McGrath:  This was my motion in July.  Wants to register serious disappointment that the CPG didn’t see fit to advance changes.  Is part of the CPG and was at the meeting.  The weight of argument put forward by the CE swayed the rest of the Members there.  Achieved a deadline that it would be reported back by December.  Appreciates it is too long for the businesses.  Unfortunately that is the position that we are in.  There wasn’t adequate support from the other Members in the face of the arguments put forward by the CE.  Thinks it is impossible to formulate a county-wide policy.  This all came about from a motion that Cllr Boyle and himself had some time ago.  That motion went into the SPC to buy time.  Local businesses seem to be coming more vocal on the issue and that is a good thing.  Also good that Members in the municipal district support a change in Douglas parking policy.

Cllr Desmond (FF):  Was very vocal on this issue the last time.  Very disappointed that it has been referred to the SPC.  Douglas is paying the price.  It’s taken 10 months to not have an answer.  If a decision isn’t made, how quickly can we take action at municipal district level?

Maurice Manning:  Wasn’t at the CPG meeting either.  If it is agreed that the SPC will report back in December, suggests we take a decision in January.  Agrees that it may not be possible to have a county-wide parking regime.  Even at the CPG there were disparate proposals for how pay parking might operate.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  How long do we leave it if we do not hear back by December?  We cannot have a situation such as we had before where it dragged on and on without a conclusion.

Cllr McGrath (FF):  Was positively a clear commitment from SPC to come back in December.  Won’t tolerate slippage on that.  Clear that changes won’t be in before Christmas even if the SPC does report back.  Suggests that there would be a relaxation of the pay parking rules around the Christmas period in Douglas as is done in the city if Members would be supportive.

Cllr Canty (FG):  Could a letter be sent to the Chair of the SPC outlining our concerns?

Cllr D’Alton:  If support is being sought for Cllr McGrath’s suggestion then I support it fully and suggest that the relaxation would be in place for the month of December and at least from the 8^th December.

2.  Disused poles in Shanbally

Kevin O’Regan:  We did get response from Eircom but not from the ESB.  The response from Eircom was circulated to Members.

To consider the following Notices of Motion in the name of

Cllr D Forde:
The Council install a pedestrian crossing from the Chapel Steps to St Columba’s Church, Church Road, to facilitate the many residents who need safe access to and from church on this very busy road.

As Cllr Forde was not at the meeting, the Area Engineer will talk directly with her about this.

Cllr D Canty:
That a member of the National Transport authority or Bus Eireann attend this meeting in relation to the new bus service for Ballincollig/Carrigaline, Crosshaven.

Cllr Canty: The main reason he proposed this motion is that we are all looking for improved bus services but from what he can see, the bus service from Ballincollig/Carrigaline/Crosshaven is detrimental to everyone at the moment.  It was going into Parnell Place.  Now with the new orbital service, the bus from Ballincollig will go down the South Mall, it stops at the Imperial Hotel and have to walk to Parnell Place.  For the elderly or those who have luggage, that is not easy.  If you take the bus from Crosshaven, you get off at George’s Quay or the City Library.

Everyone was looking for an improved bus service and we thought we were getting one, but no.  Knows we have a later bus service at night, but the bus service during the day is on the hour and the half hour.  It is not working.  The bus service that used to go to the CUH now no longer does either.  You have to get off at the Rendezvous and walk to the CUH.

The bus coming down Carrigrohane is now defunct also.  It goes down the Model Farm Road stopping at every stop.

In the old days, the bus driver/CIE could tell if the bus was full and if a second was needed because all the buses left Parnell Square.  Now that is not possible.

Asking the NTA/Bus Eireann to outline to us who came up with this bold idea that buses will no longer go to Parnell Square.

Also on longer route bus services, priority is given to passengers travelling further away.  The Macroom bus no longer picks up people from Ballincollig; it furthers those going to further away, saying that the Ballincollig bus is for Ballincollig people.

In Dublin, they have 5 modes of public transport.

McGrath (FF):  Supports Cllr Canty’s motion.  There certainly are issues which have arisen arising from these changes.  Would appreciate if someone from Bus Eireann came to speak to us about it.  The Passage West bus also now stops at South Mall.

Kevin O’Regan:  Will write to the NTA and to the Regional Manager and ask them to attend the next meeting.

Cllr S McGrath:
i.  That the Engineer consider providing a safe Crossing near the entrance to Herons Wood, Carrigaline, in the vicinity of the northbound bus stop.

McGrath (FF):  It was brought to his attention since the schools started back that it is virtually impossible for children to try to cross the road at this location.  Wondering if some provision can be put in place to assist them.  Could we maybe do something in the shorter and longer term?  Knows a pedestrian crossing is expensive, but maybe signage or uncontrolled pedestrian crossing would be possible?

Madeline Healy:  One of the biggest problems is finding a suitable location between the house entrances.  Funding is also a problem.  Can look at dishing the kerbs if we can find a suitable location.

Cllr Canty:  Isn’t there a process where schools will go 50:50 on flashing lights to facilitate a safe crossing?  Parents committees would be very forthcoming to help in a situation such as this.

Madeline Healy:  This is a system that is in place for funding pedestrian crossings adjacent to schools.  But this is adjacent to a large housing estate where children take the bus at a stop beside head of the estate into the city to attend different schools.

ii.  That members receive a full report on the Maryborough Hill Green Route works and that an Engineer be present to answer members’ questions

Niall O’Callaghan attended and circulated a report.  He read through the report.

Cllr McGrath (FF):  Shame that the lane restriction wasn’t done in the summer months.  Very unfortunate that difficulties have arisen in the project and delays will be encountered at this time of year.  Doesn’t think traffic management will work.  Will be serious issues.  All buses on the Carrigaline to Ballincollig route go on Maryborough Hill.  Appreciates structural issues caused delay.

Cllr Desmond (FF):  Asks whether the existing bus lane could be opened to traffic – the bus route is half hourly.  Could this lane be used to alleviate the build up of traffic?

Niall O’Callaghan:  There are only two lanes on the section that needs to be worked on.  Piling will involve using one full lane.  Doesn’t think using the bus lane will be required to relieve the build up of traffic.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  Appreciates the report but doesn’t understand why these difficulties occurred in the middle of the project.  Would have thought it was normal practice to have undertaken ground investigations and sorted out CPO issues in advance of the works going to tender.  Why did the works have to be stopped mid-stream because of these issues?

Niall O’Callaghan:  When the contractor arrived on site and designed temporary works, the contractor found it difficult to construct the designed wall in a safe manner.  Possible solution couldn’t be found.  All avenues were exhausted.  Didn’t want to do traffic management.  But retaining wall had to be safe, so had to do contiguous pile solution.

CPO also unfortunate.  Due to administrative difficulty with landowner.  May have to go down CPO route in due course.

Cllr O’Laoghaire:  Administrative difficulty?

Niall O’Callaghan:  A banking issue was involved.  Contract documents were tied up.  It has been difficult to go beyond this.

iii. That members be fully updated on the Ballybrack Phase 2 project and proposed works at Cherrygarth / Bracken Court

Valerie Fenton:  CCC had had much correspondence in relation to this scheme. The background is that a proposal for a cycling strategy for the proposed Cork Metropolitan area was produced in 2013.  This strategy was complementary to the City Council’s cycling strategy and Douglas LUTS.  Its primary objective is to facilitate commuting cyclists.  Schemes are off-road so safe and suitable for school-going children.

The Scheme Part 8 started at Church Road and came out at Calderwood Road (1.5k).  Approval was granted in Sept 2013.

Phase 1 of the scheme has been open to the public since April 2014.  This started at Church Road and came out at the Maxol station on Donnybrook Hill.

Phase 2/3: 1k length 4 m wide shared surface.  Starts to the east of the Maxol station and runs on into Cherrygarth Estate.  Will include 2 new river crossing.  Is at detailed design stage at present.  To be complete by end 2014.  Need to get funding from NTA to advance construction of the project.

The open space design element of the project arose because over the years CCC had been told about illegal dumping on this open space.  During the course of discussing the Phased Use scheme, the issue of dumping was raised again.  So CCC thought that the address of the open space could be addressed at the same time and hopefully minimise the behaviour.

The open space element of the project was to clear the scrubland and weave a cycle route/pedestrian path through the clearing/public lighting for cycle route.  CCC wants to proceed with this scheme subject to approval from residents and members.  CCC is in contact with residents associations about the development and about maintenance.

Cllr McGrath:  Phase 1 is a fantastic job.  Concerned about Bracken Court and Cherrygarth.  Residents weren’t given the opportunity to take part in the design of the open space because there was no Part 8 for it.  Residents from Bracken Court are attending this meeting.  Some have serious concerns about it.  There were issues of anti-social behaviour in the past.  This has improved in recent times.  Residents are concerned that works may bring back anti-social behaviour.  Gardai say that there are issues of anti-social behaviour on the lower part of the Phased Use scheme and residents are concerned that there may be similar issues in Bracken Court.  Maintenance is also a problem.  Residents find it hard to maintain what they have already got.  Asks that there would be a formal structure put in place for consultation.  Funding won’t be allocated until next year anyway, so we have time on our hands.

Cllr O’Laoghaire:  Consultation is the key point.  Were ongoing issues with dumping over many years.  Always a concern that similar issues may become an issue again.  Also issue with resources for gardai.

Cllr Desmond:  Valerie very open to consultation on this project.  Thinks we should do more consultation.

Cllr Harris:  Aware of the benefits of Part 8 but also has its drawbacks.  Residents are often not aware of it.  Upsurge of antisocial behaviour.

Cllr D’Alton:  Agrees with Cllr Harris about Part 8.  It is ironic but often when a scheme goes for Part 8, it is considered that public consultation is done when the site notice goes up.  It is assumed that anyone who is interested will comment.  Often local residents don’t see the site notice.  It just becomes part of the furniture.  In this instance, there is no Part 8 but the Council is very interested in consulting directly.  This is to be welcomed and the more round-table consultation there can be, the better.

Valerie Fenton:  Is working with a few interested individuals in Bracken Court on consultation.  Very open to meeting Bracken Court representatives.  Already working well with Cherrygarth Residents Association.

It was agreed that residents of Bracken Court would meet with Valerie Fenton in an informal way.

Cllr O’Laoghaire:
That Cork County Council recognises the significant development which has occurred in the Lehenaghmore, Lehenaghbeg areas in the past 10-15 years, with significant numbers of new estates, and a corresponding increase in population;

That much of this development has taken place without the appropriate Local Infrastructure being in place prior to such development, that it is still absent, and that this has caused significant issues of Public Safety, for Pedestrians in particular, and also leading to accessibility issues;

That there are further lands in this vicinity zoned for Development, and that there is the possibility that even more Housing will be created there in coming years.

And therefore commits to ensuring that these infrastructural issues are resolved as a matter of priority, and in particular commits to addressing

• The absence of Street Lighting on Lehenaghmore, in particular from the City Bounds Bar uphill
• The almost complete absence of footpaths on the Lehenaghbeg side of the Hill, and the absence of Street lighting from key parts of it
• And seeking to resolve the absence of Public Transport Links in cooperation with Bus Éireann.

Cllr O’Laoghaire:  Large housing estates gone in in Lehanaghmore.  It is not possible to walk from these estates, despite the fact that an excellent new sports facility has gone in.  Kids walk from Togher up the hill – very unsafe.  Huge amounts of pedestrian use.  Some residents in Matthew Hill feel isolated.  Also issues of speeding on Lehenaghbeg side.  Is a massive issue for the residents living there because it is going on so long.  Been in contact with residents there who believed it was Council policy to have footpaths from Forge Hill up Lehanaghbeg.  Initially planning permission was refused to one of these estates because of the lack of infrastructure.  Several years later, plans were enhanced and planning was granted.  Residents cannot leave the car at home even to go to the pub.  These are built up areas close to not merely CCC but also to Cork City Council.  The Ballyphenane bus comes nearby and would probably be the easiest way to solve the bus problem.  This is an area where people feel isolated and left behind.  It is going on more than 10 – 15 years and is zoned for further development.  Many houses in Coolkellure have not yet been occupied.  The issue of this infrastructural deficit needs to be resolved as soon as possible.

Cllr McGrath:  Fully supports Cllr O’Laoghaire on this issue.  This is the one area in our constituency where there is an enormous infrastructural deficit.  Residents are quite rightly feeling very aggrieved.  Has been working on this over the years and a report on what is necessary has been prepared in the past.  Tom Stritch says funding is not in place to deal with the plan.  Very disappointing.  Very urgent need for the scheme to progress.  Much of the preparatory work has been done in relation to Lehanaghbeg.  Asks that Maurice Manning would try to secure funding.

Cllr Harris:  Supports motion.  Major health and safety issue here.

Cllr D’Alton:  Very strongly supports the motion.  Thinks Lehanaghmore represents the worst planning excesses of the Celtic Tiger era where houses were built without infrastructure.  The lack of infrastructure is also completely contrary so many policies of  CCC.   CCC says that it cannot build sufficient roads to accommodate all cars so it is encouraging people to walk, cycle and take the bus.  People in Lehanaghmore cannot go anywhere without taking the car.  It is essential that this is addressed.

Cllr Desmond:  This place has been completely overlooked.  Speaking to a lot of people there who have one car because of the recession.  You can’t get in and out of any of those estates without a car.  Speeding on the hill is a major issue.  Doing nothing is not an option for us.  It is no mans land.

Cllr Canty:  Won’t repeat everything that has been said but the buck stops here with the planning department.  We have raised it over years.  They get planning permission, build their footpaths to both sides of the entrance of the estate with no connectivity to existing footpaths.  Builders need to connect the footpath to existing footpaths.  Could have been development charges in that era.  Money could still be in the pot.  Development charges could play a huge role in putting this infrastructure in place.

Kevin O’Regan:  A scheme to address this has been drawn up by non-national roads design office.  It was costed at €2m and would involve CPO.  CCC does not have money to do this.

Maurice Manning:  There is an understanding that there is an issue here that needs to be resolved.  But there simply isn’t that sort of money there.  Would suggest that we look at the 2015 budget and see what capital budget is available.

Cllr O’Laoghaire:  Thanks the other councillors for their support and comments which added to the case.  Cllrs McGrath, Forde and Boyle all raised this in the local area in the past and he acknowledges this.  Understands there is a funding problem.  There is potential for further development in Lehanaghmore and it is a shame not to capitalise on this potential for a lack of essential infrastructure.  Also assumes it would not be costing €2m to put in street lighting.  Could this as a minimum be costed with a view to installation?

AOB

Cllr Canty: Thanks Peter O’Donoghue and Madeline Healy for removing the traffic lights from the main street of Ballincollig.

Cllr McGrath:
1.  Street sweeper comes during rush hour and afterwards in Carrigaline so cannot do its job properly.  Could it come in the earlier hours of the morning.  This was a request of Carrigaline Tidy Towns.

2.  Maryborough Hill – residents concerned that the edge of the road has become unsightly with weeds.

3.  Togher – lower part of Spur Hill.  Has had a request for a pedestrian crossing at the bottom of Spur Hill.  Was told previously there was no funding to do this.  Residents live on one side and facilities on the other.  Can we keep pushing for this or at least for an uncontrolled crossing.

Cllr Harris:  Traffic lights beyond Woollen Mills in Douglas going into town.  Traffic builds up there – lights are red a lot.  Could sequencing be looked at?  Traffic backs up Donnybrook Hill and the congestion seems to be originating at these traffic lights.

Madeline Healy:  There is nothing wrong with the lights.  Has been asked this many times.  Backup is due to just sheer volume of traffic.  Backs up all the way to Scart Cross.  Just the am peak.  For the restof the day, there is no problem.

Cllr O’Laoghaire has brought up this crossing with her also.  Funding is an issue here.  Road width is quite wide going up Spur Hill so you are looking at putting in a central median to slow traffic down.  Costs are large.  If you try to bring the crossing close to the roundabout, many think that it is not safe because the roundabout is small.  Also the locating of the spot for the crossing is tricky.  As in Heronswood, there is simply no available space.  So it is safer to push it back up to the wider section of the road but the costs are big.  Intends to get a proper design so that the project would be shovel-ready should funding become available.

With regard to weeds on Maryborough Hill, the maintenance budget will never be sufficient to deal with this.  In addition, kerb weed has been worse than ever this year because growth has been phenomenal.  We will work with the municipal district going forward to tackle these issues.  But what we have available to spend on maintenance will never be enough.

Cllr McGrath:  As some of the issue seems to be related to dirt on the side of the road, could the sweeper be sent up there?

Madeline Healy:  Agrees that would be possible.

Cllr D’Alton:  Firstly wants to thank the Area Office and Madeline in particular for having worked with us to seeing our Community Fund project in Passage West to completion.  We are extremely grateful and relieved that it is complete.  Also wants to note that the issue of kerb weed and its maintenance is something that residents associate very closely with CCC.  So it is important that we address it insofar as possible.  Years ago it used to be looked after by a contractor with a quad bike.  Doesn’t know whether this represents better value than having the Area Office crew address it.  But whichever, suggests that this municipal district would try to set aside a specific budget to ensure that this is addressed at least on the main roads next year.  Will bring this forward as an official motion to the next Municipal District meeting.

Madeline Healy:  If the Area Office has a budget for this, it will be done.

1. Confirmation of Minutes

Cllr S McCarthy (FG):  MyPlace project corrections.  Had noted that the money given to the project was from the Town Council and did not come from the County Council.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  Asked for figures for tonnages received at Civic Amenity Sites.  Hasn’t got them yet.  Also a commitment was given at last meeting for more detailed reporting on private wastewater treatment plants.  And there were questions about horses and their impounding at the last meeting; although answers could not be given by management, the queries should be noted.

2. Disposal of Property

(a) Disposal of freehold interest in property at 16 St. Mary’s Place, Carrigrohane to Gerald Weste.
(b) Disposal of land at 13 Mahon Terrace, Blackrock to Patrick O’Sullivan

Approved.

3.  Progress Reports on Water Services Schemes

Cllr A Moynihan (FF):  Ballingeary scheme not included in current report.  Is hugely important.  Is there any feedback on the business case that was being advanced for this.  Also Coachford sewerage scheme.  Again critical that the CCC was advancing and the project has been handed over to Irish Water.  Recently EPA discharge licensing was being renewed on that scheme.  Any update.

Cllr M Hegarty (FG):  Shanagarry/Ballycotton scheme.  Comments on this please.  Are we going to see commencement during the period before 2016?  Also disappointed that Saleen has not been mentioned.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  See manganese treatment being installed at the Inniscarra water treatment plant.  Went to see the concentrations of manganese in the water supply but find that the most recent water analysis from CCC through the Irish Water website relates to Nov/Dec 2013.  Would like to know the concentrations of manganese in the water supply.  Also if one wants details on the scheme designs, where does one get them from?  Is it Irish Water or CCC?

Cllr O’Grady (SF):  Wondering what manganese dioxide treatment means.  Have we a timescale on the completion of this?

Kevin Costello: Manganese gives a brown colour to the water.  Manganese dioxide is introduced at sand filter stage to neutralize the manganese.  To get rid of the colour, the mains have to be flushed.  The treatment plant has to be flushed also.  It can take a period to clear the colour.

The main issue with manganese is aesthetic.  There is no upper limit from the World Health Organisation.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  Believes the WHO says most treatment plant operators aim towards a concentration of 0.5 mg/l in water supply.

Kevin Costello will confirm and revert.

Cllr O’Grady (SF):  Will manganese continuously be added to the water now?

Kevin Costello:  The description of “construction” refers to the fact that there are people on site.  It doesn’t mean there is civil engineering going on.  Flushing of the mains is needed and that is why the problem won’t disappear overnight.

Dwain O’Brien: The treatment for manganese is a layer manganese dioxide going into the sand filters.  So it is not really construction work as such.  The new bed will last for 4 years or so.

The CCC is conscious of the Ballingeary scheme and will keep pushing it.  They are wary of listing it on the Capital Works schemes because it is not on the Irish Water list.

Kevin Costello:  The programme you see here is an Irish Water investment programme.  The responsibility for the capital investment programme is now with Irish Water.

Cllr Moynihan (FF): Not good enough.  Do we know how Irish Water might be prioritizing sewerage schemes?  As we know, they seem to be concentrating on metering.  How do we move this scheme along.

Dwain O’Brien:  We don’t know how they’re prioritizing but we do know that CCC is having lots of interaction with them and Irish Water is coming back with lots of queries.  The same applies to the Shanagarry/Garryvoe scheme.

Cllr Conway (Ind): Asks if councilors could have copy of capital investment programme from Irish Water.

Declan Daly: This is it!  It was circulated with the minutes.

Kevin Costello:  Irish Water has an interim investment programme from 2014 – 16.  The Coachford Sewerage Scheme is included in that.

Cllr. M Hegarty (FG):  High level of lime in the water schemes in and around Cloyne was raised here a few weeks ago.  Is there anything can be done to reduce the expense this is putting on people?

Kevin Costello:  Has not heard this issue to be a problem in Cloyne before.  Will put the issue to the drinking water engineer for this area and revert.

Declan Daly:  Will raise the issue of availability of results with Irish Water in their next meeting as queried by Cllr D’Alton.  Acknowledges that this query was raised at the July South Committee meeting also.

Will also talk to Irish Water about getting design of schemes to Members should they require them.

Flooding:

Cllr Andrais: Queries on the Lee – cutting away the branches and clearing part of the river has helped but we need to keep an eye on the bigger aspect of this, i.e. the overall flood defence scheme.  Is there any feedback from the OPW on the overall defence scheme for Ballingeary/Inchigeela?  Also on Ballyvourney, the preliminary design has been done for this.  Is there anything back from OPW?

Cllr McGrath (FF):  Glenbrook flooding scheme – the Southern Committee report has been giving the same update for the last number of meetings.  Where are we going with this project?  This year will be the 5^th anniversary of the flooding incident.  Extremely disappointing that the scheme has not been completed.  The OPW allocated funding merely within a matter of weeks of the incident occurring.  Cllr McGrath’s view is that the level of investment outlined in the report is not required.  Locals agree.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  Supports Cllr McGrath’s concerns about the failure of this scheme to advance.  Horrendous damage was done by the flooding incident and in the interim, local residents have had to put their own flood protection measures in place and endure premiums on house insurance.  Passed photos of the aftermath of the flooding incident to the Executive.  Asked if there was any kind of interaction the Members might have with the engineers/management to resolve this before this winter.

Kevin Costello:  In addition to the river cleaning works, the overall study may lead to flood relief schemes for Ballingeary/Inchigeela.

Cllr Moynihan (FF):  Hugely positive that minor works have been going ahead.  Also hugely positive that the scheme is with the OPW.  But is there any feedback yet?

Joan Dineen:  Confirmation and review of flooding events and maps is underway.  Then they will go through all the options for flood control in these locations.  There will be 2 public consultation days.  Once that is done, the option selection starts.  So the scheme is well advanced at the moment.

The Ballingeary Flood Relief Scheme is in Stage 1.  It is being designed in-house by the OPW.  They are at the option selection stage and then there will be public consultation.

Kevin Costello:  The Glen scheme is designed but there is a funding problem.  He is aware it is being said that the scheme is over-designed.

Joan Dineen:  We got the consultants to have a look at this scheme in detail.  There are 2 discrete parts of work involved.  The first is at Maulbaun.  The second and main portion of work is in the Glen.  One of the main issues is that the pipes that are going from the trash screen to the harbour are undersized.  So that pipework has to be replaced and that is where the shortfall comes into it.  Management has been looking into ways we can get funding for this work.  The design of it is ready to go.

Kevin Costello:  CCC is considering different options as to how to fund this scheme.

Declan Daly:  Only €110k available from the OPW.  Will have to be considered in the context of a capital programme for the year.  Sees that members are anxious to see this scheme included.  Cannot make any promises but will remember.

Cllr Creed (FG):  Welcomes progress made on Incigeelagh scheme.  Welcomes cleaning of the rivers in Inchigeelagh.  Small money would go a long way to do this type of clearance in other places and would pay dividends.

4.  Officials’ Reports

Declan Daly:  Some items in the financial report should not be there, e.g. pensions.  Will ensure these are removed next time round.

5.  Notices of Motion
(a)  By Councillor Noel Collins
(i) “With water maters installed and set to be in operation in 2015, Council seek a report from the HSE on a) the serious concerns of some consumers surrounding contamination from lead pipes and small amounts dissolving in the water supply and b) in such eventualities and on health grounds – with whom does responsibility rest?”

Cllr Collins (Ind):  Sought legal advice on this before raising the motion.  Irish Water will have a liability if the water supplied by it causes damage to a person or a person’s property.  Lead is a poison.  Asks for someone to second the motion.

Cllr Hegarty (FG) seconds the motion.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  Supports the motion strongly.  Would firstly like CCC to clarify whether there is any part of the public water network which still has lead piping.  Because it will be Irish Water’s responsibility now to replace this.  Secondly, acknowledges that Irish Water is not assuming responsibility for pipework in private houses beyond the stopcock.  This is where the highest incidence of lead piping is.  Suggests that we perhaps could support as a Committee the sending of a motion to the Department requesting that it would grant aid the replacement of lead pipework beyond the stopcock in private houses.

Cllr Collins (Ind):  Would like to agree that this would be an addendum to his motion.

O’Grady (SF):  CCC social housing has lead piping.  Does CCC have any plans to upgrade this?  Also social housing was sold off over the years to private individuals who bought their houses in good faith.  These have lead pipes.  Is there any grant available to help homeowners to upgrade this?

Cllr Moynihan (FF):  Often lead piping is on the householder’s side.  With Irish Water going around the country and installing meters, are they going to connect to a known dangerous pipe?  Can we get this clarification from Irish Water?

Cllr Conway (Ind):  Would like to support my addendum to the motion.  Also supports Cllr Moynihan’s question. Believes much of the pipework around Blarney is lead.

Declan Daly:  Report circulated from the Executive in advance of the meeting outlines the CCC response.  CCC would have no issue with the Committee’s writing to the Department asking for a grant to replace lead piping in private households.  Expects that Irish Water will not be replacing private piping on users side.  There are locations where there is lead piping left on the public side.  Expects that to be minimal at present.  The amount of lead in the water depends on the acidity of the water – there is more lead in the system if the water is acidic.  So the presence of lead pipes itself may not be an issue; it may the combination of the water type and the pipe/fittings.  In the last number of years, the EU limits applied to drinking water in relation to lead have reduced considerably.  Two or three years ago, Irish Water would have been in compliance; now they are not in compliance any more.

Cllr K McCarthy (SF):  Supports the motion.  Could we ask Irish Water will they come into people’s private property to install meters.  Some pipes go through people’s back gardens.

Declan Daly:  Will have to check up the exact situation with regard to the extent of lead piping in social housing.  Also an issue with terraced housing – supply comes in through the front door and through the house.  Makes it very difficult to replace lead piping.

Kevin Costello:  Irish Water has said that if there is a serious leak within the house or curtilage of the house, Irish Water will come in and repair the leak on a one-off basis.  As far as he is aware, that is the only circumstance under which they will work on private mains.  With regard to installation of meters in private property, we will have to check with Irish Water.

(ii)                  “Council report on what inspections, if any, are carried out on beach water for e.coli infection and if warning signs are warranted about bacteria in sea waters.”

Members acknowledged the report circulated by the Executive in advance of the meeting and the motion was passed.

6.  Any other business

None.

1. Confirmation of Minutes of full Council meeting held on 14th July 2014

Cllr R McCarthy (SF):  Question on Bandon not minuted and question on Kinsale Main Drainage not answered.

CE:  Kinsale Main Drainage should have been answered at committee level.

Tenders opened for several road works schemes.

2. Votes of Sympathy:

Two from Cllr K Murphy and Cllr Mary Hegarty

3.  Disposal of Property – Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001:

a)     Disposal of 14 Barry’s Terrace, Glanworth, Co. Cork.
b)    Disposal of Carrigabrick Viaduct, Fermoy, Co. Cork.
c)     Disposal of land at Stag Park, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, to Kevin King.
d)    Disposal of land at Carrigane, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.
e)    Disposal of land at Stag Park, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, to George Fenton.
f)     Disposal of land at Ballynamona, Shanagarry, Midleton, Co. Cork.
g)    Amendment to Disposal of Site No. 7 Cloughmacsimon Industrial Park, Bandon, by the substitution of “Site No. 7 including Right of Way “279-1” in lieu of “Site No. 7” being the situation of said site and the inclusion of “Property Ref: EST 10-3 SLD 09/14.”

 Proposed and seconded.

Cllr O’Grady (SF):  Glanworth property – sum of €45k received for this.  Would it have been suitable for social housing?

CE:  Money received will go into the social housing fund.

Cllr O’Grady (SF):  No names attached to the transfer of some property.  Why?

SO’C:  a) doesn’t say it is under the tenant purchase scheme.  If this was a social house that is being disposed of, the money has to be put back into social housing purposes.  Will check what the position was if it wasn’t a social house.

4.  Local Government Act, 2001:
a.     Section 85 Agreement with Waterford City and County Council – Munster Bridge Joint Replacement Contract 2014 – Contract 1

 b.     Section 85 Agreement with Limerick City and County Council – Munster Bridge Joint Replacement Contract 2014 – Contracts 2 & 3.

Agreed.

5.  Local Government Act 2001 (as amended by Section 59 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014) & Local Government (Audit Committee) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 244/2014):

In accordance with Regulation 4 of the Local Government (Audit Committee) Regulations 2014 the Corporate Policy Group nominates the following persons for appointment to the Council’s Audit Committee:

Mr. Larry O’Dwyer
Professor Ciaran Murphy
Ms. Edel Clancy
Ms. Eileen O’ Shea
Councillor Mary Rose Desmond
Councillor Susan McCarthy
Councillor Declan Hurley

 CE:  Those appointed will take the positions for the 5 years of this Council.  The Audit Committee comprises 4 external reps and 3 members of Council.  Also provision to have those agreed between the CE and the CPG.  The CPG is recommending the members above to the Audit Committee for the next 5 years.  Two of the external reps continue from the last Council for continuity.

Cllr Forde (FG):  The audit committee is a very high-powered committee.  Presume the members chosen have a certain expertise in this area.

Mayor:  All the legislation requires is gender balance.

Proposed and seconded.

6.  Establishment of 3 no. Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in Cork County

In accordance with the provisions of Section 36 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, and Sections 4(1) and 4(2) of SI No. 234 of 2014 in relation to the establishment of Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs):

 Regulation 4 (2) The list of recommended nominees to the Committee, to which section 128C(3)(a) of the Act relates, shall be submitted for resolution of the local authority no later than the first meeting of the local authority following the meeting at which the members of the local authority were nominated to the Committee.

SF nominates Cllr Rachel McCarthy instead of Cllr Paul Hayes to Western LCDC.

Udaras is active in both the South and West divisions so they will be represented on both LCDCs.

7.  Appointment of Members to the West Cork Development Partnership.

Joe Carroll (FF)
Mary Hegarty (FG)
Michael Collins (Ind)
Paul Hayes (SF)

All of the above proposed.  Using the grouping system, Cllr Carroll (FF) was elected.  A vote saw Cllr Collins (Ind) elected.  In second vote for the third place, FF proposed Cllr Murphy O’Mahony also.  When the vote was counted, Cllr Murphy O’Mahony was elected.

8.  Appointment of Members to the following Committees:-

Coastal Management Committee                  14
(From Cobh, East Cork, Bandon/Kinsale and West Cork MDs)
County Library Committee                                    8
European Affairs Committee                              12
Rural Water Monitoring Committee                8
(1 from each MD)
Traveller Consultative Committee                     8
(1 from each MD)
CASP Policy Committee                                    12                  (Ballincollig/Carrigaline – 2; Blarney/Macroom – 2; Cobh – 2; East Cork – 2; West Cork – 1; Bandon/Kinsale – 1; Kanturk/Mallow – 1; Fermoy – 1)
Southern Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force   1
County Cork Sports Partnership                                  3
Irish Public Bodies                                                                 1

Cllr D’Alton (Ind) asked why Ballincollig – Carrigaline which has 29 km of coastline was not represented on Coastal Management Committee.  Mayor says that it was decided at CPG.  Cllr McGrath said that he did not agree at CPG that Ballincollig – Carrigaline would not be represented on the Coastal Management Committee.  Mayor says the decision of the CPG can be overturned by the full Council.  Proposes to second my suggestion.

Agreement to make 15 positions available.

Coastal Management Committee:
FF: O’Sullivan, Murphy, Coleman, Murphy O’Mahony, Carroll
FG: Mary Hegarty, Barry M Hegarty O’Donovan
SF: Hayes, K McCarthy
Ind: Cullinane, Collins, D’Alton

County Library Committee:
External positions are decided by the committee itself.
FF: McGrath, Fitzgerald, Doyle, N McCarthy …
(Missed the rest of this.)

European Affairs Committee
FF: O’Flynn, O’Keeffe, Coleman
SF:  R McCarthy, Frick Murphy
Ind: Joe Harris, JP O’Shea
FG: Dawson, Michael Hegarty
Labour:  N McCarthy

Rural Water Monitoring Committee
Need subs on this committee.
Ind: T Collins, Mary Linehan-Foley
SF:  O’Grady, Murphy, K McCarthy
FF: Moynihan, O’Keeffe, O’Donnabhain, Carroll
FG: Sheppard and 2 more

Mayor made sure that all areas of the county were covered.

Travellers Committee:
FF: Doyle, N McCarthy
SF: Mullane
Ind: Harris, (O’Shea sub)
FG:  J O’Donovan, Canty, Dawson and Lucey (subs)

CASP:
Geographically distributed
FF: McGrath, Fitzgerald, Desmond (Ryan and O’Sullivan subs)
SF: O’Laoghaire, Keohane (subs Mullane and Buckley)
Ind: Conway, D’Alton, Hurley (sub Cullinane)
FG: Collins, Forde, Barry (sub N O’Donovan, Lucey, Michael Hegarty)

Regional Drugs & Alcohol Task Forum:
Kevin O’Keeffe

Cork County Sports Partnership
FF: Ryan (sub Moynihan)
Ind: O’Shea
FG: Canty

IPB:
N McCarthy (FF) elected by vote.

Cobh Heritage Trust
Cullinane (Ind), Barry (FG) and K McCarthy (SF) proposed.  Lombard proposed that it should be at MDC level.  O’Shea (Ind) and McGrath (FF) disagreed.  Cllr Cullinane was elected by vote.

National Monuments Committee being reviewed.  Presumes decision will come at September CPG.

9.  Approval of Strategic Policy Committee Scheme.

Planning SPC
FF: McGrath, O’Sullivan, Ryan B Moynihan, O’Sullivan
SF: Frick, O’Grady
Ind: D’Alton, T Collins
FG: Lombard, M Hegarty, Forde, J O’Donovan
Lab: Rasmussen

Environment SPC
FF: O’Flynn, O’Keeffe, two Moynihans
SF: Mullane, Frick Murphy
Ind: Cullinane, D’Alton
FG: J O’Donovan, Barry, Dawson, Canty, K Murphy

Economic SPC
FF: O’Flynn, Doyle, Desmond, Fitzgerald, Ryan, O’Donnabhain
SF: Murphy, McCarthy
Ind: Harris, O’Shea
FG: Forde, Lombard, Hegarty, G Murphy

Tourism SPC
FF: Coleman, O’Sullivan, Carroll, O’Keeffe, ?
SF: K McCarthy, Hayes
Ind: Cullinane, Hurley, Conway
FG: S McCarthy, Sheppard, Canty, Mary Hegarty

Housing SPC
FF: McGrath, Fitzgerald, Murphy o’Mahony, G Murphy
SF: Mullane, O’Laoghaire, R McCarthy
Ind: M Collins, O’Shea
FG: S McCarthy, N O’Donovan, G Murphy, Sheppard
Lab: McCarthy

Transportation SPC
FF: C O’Sullivan, Murphy O’Mahony (+2)
SF: K McCarthy, Hayes
Ind: Hurley, T Collins
FG: Creed, Barry, K Murphy, Lucey

Social SPC
FF: Doyle, Desmond, O’Donnabhain
SF: Murphy, Buckley, O’Grady
Ind: O’Shea, Collins, N Collins, ?
FG: Creed, Dawson, J Collins

Arts SPC
FF: Moynihan, Carroll (?)
SF: Buckley, O’Laoghaire, Keohane
Ind: Linehan Foley, Harris, ?
FG: Mary Hegarty, N O’Donovan, Canty

10.  Reports under Section 179 Planning & Development Act, 2000:
a)     Conservation of Mitchell Gaol & Shell Store, Spike Island, Cobh, Co. Cork
b)    Improvement Works to the Pier, Spike Island, Cobh, Co. Cork
c)     The Café Toilet Block (Old Gymnasium), Spike Island, Cobh, Co. Cork

Cllr Fitzgerald (FF):  Mallow Castle and Buttevant Town Scheme – proposes to have these included.

SO’C: 3 items on agenda.  2 items added subsequently.

All agreed.

11.  Southern Committee:

Approval of Community Fund 2014.

Proposed and seconded.

12.  Department of Health:

Letter dated 9^th July, 2014, in response to Council’s letter of 11^th June, 2014, regarding water fluoridation.

Cllr N Collins (Ind):  Very disappointed that the government intends to continue this practice.  Has been fighting this over the past 40 years.  Have failed in this mission to date but will keep trying.  Fluoride is an industrial by-product added to our water supplies for almost 50 years.  We are the most heavily fluoridated country in the world.  Most countries have banned practice.  Linked with all sorts of health issues.  Dr. Malusi estimates that many deaths in the US annually are due to fluoride.  This should surely be good enough evidence for government.  Human life is sacred.  Request that we send back the letter and request alternative.

Cllr Hayes (SF):  Echoes Cllr Collins’ sentiments.  Vote in the Dail for stopping fluoridation was put forward by SF.  Is going to be followed up in the Dail again.  EU ambassadors visiting Dublin recently have been recommended not to use the tap water in Ireland and especially not to make bottled milk for babies not using tap water.  Amazing that government persists.

Cllr A Moynihan (FF):  Echoes frustration with this issue.  Department’s letter is in response to the letter which we sent.  Hasn’t addressed fundamental issue of choice.  People should have that choice.  FG said there would be an international dimension to the review board.  Twice the Minister has responded but there has been no mention of this international dimension.

Cllr O’Laoghaire (SF):  There are a number of issues relating to water.  People are out protesting in towns around the country against water meters.  People are under financial pressure.  SF position was always underinvestment from government to maintain the water supply.  Also SF held position on issues like this about water quality.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind): Department’s letter says that a report done by the European Community on Health and Environmental Risk has concluded there to be no health risk from fluoridation.  This is not what the report says.  What is actually says is:

“Water fluoridation as well as topical fluoride applications (e.g. fluoridated toothpaste or varnish) appears to prevent caries, primarily on permanent dentition. No obvious advantage appears in favour of water fluoridation compared with topical prevention. The effect of continued systemic exposure of fluoride from whatever source is questionable once the permanent teeth have erupted…

…The efficacy of population-based policies, e.g. drinking water, milk or salt fluoridation, as regards the reduction of oral-health social disparities, remains insufficiently substantiated…

…Water fluoridation as well as topical fluoride applications, e.g. fluoridated toothpaste or varnish, appears to prevent caries, primarily on permanent dentition, but topical application is the more efficient measure…

…In children, a very narrow margin exists between achieving the beneficial effects of fluoride in caries prevention and the adverse effects of dental fluorosis.

Asks that we send the letter back and draw the Department’s attention to what the report actually says.  The government is introducing water charges.  It cannot expect people to pay for medicated water.

Cllr Cullinane (Ind):  Has been working on this issue for 20 years.  Suggests we follow through what has been asked in this letter.  Give whatever proof we have against fluoridation.  Send it to the Dental Research Board and cc it to the Minister.  We have to keep pressure on.

Agreed to return the letter and say that we are not happy with it.

13.  Notice of Motion: Councillor Seamus McGrath:

“To request a written report from the CEO on the implementation of the ‘Adopt a Road Scheme’ across the County.  The report should outline the number of organisations participating in the scheme, an assessment of its success and to suggest ways of revamping the scheme to improve participation.”

Cllr McGrath (FF):  Supported the scheme when it was brought in in 2012.  The scheme has been a success overall.  Thinks the scheme supplements the Council’s role.  Important at a time of limited resources to use all the help that we can get out there and if it is a scheme like this is mutually beneficial then it is worth taking part in.  The scheme is to support iconic areas such as roundabouts.  Would like to see the scheme rolled out into roads as well.  Is put into practice at a local level.  Tidy Towns groups doing it at an informal level as well – have divided up areas between clubs, etc.  Asks that it be taken to SPC to see if we can enhance it further.

Cllr McCarthy (Lab):  Agrees.  Involvement in the scheme should be encouraged more.  People who are involved are happy with it.  When business people do get involved there should be more reference to the efforts they make.

Cllr Forde (FG):  Would like to commend Council for the efforts they are making in rolling out this scheme.  Thinks litter element could be extended.  When Council cuts hedgerows in rural areas, sometimes there is fly tipping there.  The machines cut the litter and make the problems worse.  Also think the airport roundabout should be included.  Pivotal roundabout.

Cllr Canty (FG):  Fantastic scheme.  Ballincollig was used as a benchmarking in relation to what can be done and should be done.  Good to see that businesses have adopted roundabouts around the area and it makes such a difference.  We give grants to local Tidy Towns groups.  Puts a lot of pressure on them to come up with the goods and to justify the money given.  They are undertaking work that is covering Council work and the aspects of H&S has to be considered, especially with cutting grass on roadside.   But overall thinks many more businesses would be interested in taking this scheme on.

Cllr Dawson (FG):  Because it is 2 year scheme we need to watch that the ongoing maintenance afterwards is at the same standard that it started out at.

O’Flynn (FF):  V beneficial scheme.  Thinks we should be giving this scheme more publicity.  Do a PR scheme.  Moorepark roundabout.  Kildorrery also.  Tremendous potential for other County towns and villages to get involved.

Lombard (FG):  Fantastic scheme.  Real  issue is participation.  Need to push it out maybe through the Chamber of Commerce and other business community organisations.  Are pivotal roundabouts throughout the entire county that could benefit from this scheme.

Cllr O’Laoghaire (SF):  Great value to the scheme but agrees with Cllr Canty – need to proceed carefully because it is not the role of the Council to outsource core work to the voluntary community sector.  So certainly a role for businesses and community groups, have to be careful of the burden we place on the community groups.

Cllr Mary Hegarty (FG):  Great scheme.  Someone complained about the island at the Crows Nest.  Maybe we could write to the City and ask them to maintain.

Cllr Harris (Ind):  Concerned about impact on morale of Council workers.  Thinks we should be trying to create extra Council jobs.  No substitute for proper full time work.  Plenty of people would do this job if they could.  Are we going down the road of cheap labour?

Cllr Conway (Ind):  Agrees that we should publicise the scheme more widely.  Wasn’t aware of it and knows much of this work is done by community groups.

Agreed to send motion to SPC to work on publicity.

14.  Notice of Motion: Councillor Joe Carroll:

“That this Council provide an office (section) dedicated entirely to our coast and staffed with people with marine experience.”

Cllr Carroll (FF):  Believes Cork County Council underestimates the value of the coastline.  If more harbours had better facilities, believes these places would sustain themselves and provide reasonable employment.  Gave example of Baltimore Harbour and the need for a breakwater.  Facilities are hopeless without shelter.  A planning application was to have been lodged in 2012.  To date it has not been lodged.  Simon Coveney said he was willing to help and support but we had no planning application ready.

Coastal Management and Flooding – reckons that any funding coming through here would go to flooding, not to coastal management.  Accepted in West Cork that Kerry County Council has a far more proactive approach to its coastline than we do.  Pontoon sitting in Skibb with the last 6 months.  No good.

Cllr K Murphy (FG):  Seconds the proposal that we provide a Coastal section within the County Council.  Disagrees though that progress is slow.  In his area, progress is good.  Think harbours better off as a result of County Council takeover.  But thinks we need to ensure that everyone who has a mooring must check it, be responsible for it, etc.   There are examples right across the county where a marine section within the County Council would have relevance and reap benefits.  Had experts in-house, they are no longer with us.  Would like to set up a committee within the Coastal Management Committee to work on this.  Huge responsibility now that we have taken over Kinsale and Baltimore.  Thinks Cork County Council needs to put one or two people with expertise in such a department.  Thinks expertise is already in house.

CE:  We have a coastal management unit in place under the remit of the County Engineer.  This Is combined with flooding so it gets quite a bit of capital investment.  Looks after piers and harbours, etc. and got a good bit of money after the flooding.  South and West Cork has significant investment in coastal areas.  That we have now taken over the harbours, we will make sure that there is no change for residents or those who use the harbours.  Cork County Council put considerable investment in showers, toilet facilities, etc. in Baltimore, including investment in the sailing club.  Will continue as we are and thinks Cork County Council is well structured to prioritise the coast.  Thinks Coastal Management Committee will be an active committee and should have a sub-committee if required.

County Engineer:  Thought there was synergy between coastal management and flooding.  So he has put the 2 together.  There are now 8 engineers (increased from 2).  Dealing a great deal with storm damage.  One of the contracts being opened at today’s meeting relates to Belvelly Bridge.  €5m to be spent over two years when Cork County Council took over Baltimore and Kinsale.  Deals only with capital works, not day to day maintenance.

The Baltimore breakwater happened as the take over was also happening.  That was unfortunate.  They have to go to An Bord Pleanala.

Cllr Carroll (FF):  Thanks for this.  Funding that was got when takeover happened was secured by Cllrs Murphy and J Carroll.  It was the sole intention that €2.5m would be used for providing breakwater but the Department wouldn’t allow it.  All the lovely work done in Baltimore is no use without a breakwater.  Yachts spend a fortune in Baltimore when they come in for a couple of nights.  The sooner shelter comes to Baltimore, the better for commerce in Baltimore.  The Baltimore breakwater is the backbone of his motion.

Cllr K Murphy (FG):  No database and no inventory of buoys, their safety, etc.  People are being charged a fortune to lay down buoys and then have no comeback.  Have to have a certain level of expertise to know what we talking about.

Cllr Carroll (FF):  It was recommended that a Harbour Forum would be established meeting a few times a year when this takeover happened.

15.  Notice of Motion: Councillor Melissa Mullane:

“That Cork County Council gives a report of the number of houses currently vacant in Cork County – that will be refurbished under the recent funding announced by Government of EUR 1,181,000 on the 8th of July 2014.”

Cllr Mullane (SF): €15 million put in place to pay for the refurbishment.  In Cork County Council 187 houses with €1.81m value being funded to Cork County Council.  When will they be provided?  Who will do the work?  Tender guidelines?  Is €13k enough for every house and if it is not, will we get more?

O’Laoghaire (SF):  Long running issue.  Creates frustration when people are wiating on houses for a long time.  Also very much affects morale of the community.  Thinks will make a dent in the houses that are needed but remains to be seen whether it will be sufficient to sort out this significant problem.

Cllr McGrath (FF):  Has been a long-term critic of long term vacancies across county.  Voids are generally over 12 months.  Unacceptable.  Had been great work in bringing this issue to the fore heretofore.  Thinks funding is not enough from a cursory viewpoint.  Need to turn around faster.

Cllr Forde (FG):  Mary Ryan issued us with a list of houses approved under this scheme.  That was issued only this morning.  Have to keep finger on pulse to see what else we can do.

Cllr K Murphy (FG):  Although we might feel the funding is not enough, we should be grateful for it because it is more than we have seen for a long time.  Disappointed there is no report from management.

Cllr Hayes (SF):  Funding is only a drop in the ocean.  In Clonakilty, some places have been vacant for up to 10 years.  People crying on the phone to you.  We are at the coal-face.  So many houses that need work done.  If there is any hope that the Council could ease up on the refurbishment policy?  There are many people willing to do light work themselves.  Not talking about electricity, plumbing, etc.  Would ask the Council to relax its policy and permit light works to be done to speed up the process.

Cllr Conway (Ind):  Is the list we received from Mary Ryan this morning a complete list?  Also supports the motion.

CE:  Progressing as quickly as we can.  Likely that will be done by tender to get greatest efficiency.

Cllr Mullane (SF):  Tender or private contractor?

CE:  We don’t have staff to do this work.  €2.2m worh of funding there.  Will progress this by way of tender.

Cllr Mullane (SF):  Intend to draw down all funding by end of year?

CE: That is what we intend.

Cllr Mullane (SF):  Concerned that social inclusion aspect of the monies awarded is not being acted on.

Mayor:  We have to use the money before end Nov.  Couldn’t achieve that timescale if we were to take any route other than tender.

This budget is specifically for vacant schemes.

Can use contractors working in former Town Council areas.

Cllr K McCarthy (SF):  Can we get a commitment that the contractors in former Town Council areas actually WILL be used?  Received email from former contractor to Cobh Town Council and he is just thrown on the scrap heap.

Mayor:  Will be opened in new framework.  Whoever applies under that framework will have the same opportunity as everyone else.

Cllr O’Keeffe (FF):  How many houses are vacant?

Mayor: 155 vacant houses to be refurbished UNDER THIS SCHEME.  Report given.

Cllr Mullane (SF):  There are lots more houses needing refurbishment than just those to be refurbished under this scheme.

CE:  The way the numbers fall, the most urgent houses are looked after first.  If the list is there, the list is fixed based on the number of houses available.

16.  Notice of Motion: Councillor Paul Hayes:

“That this Council writes to Failte Ireland asking that the route of the Wild Atlantic Way be extended to include the coastal route from Timoleague to Clonakilty.”

Cllr Hayes (SF):  The Wild Atlantic Way by-passes a very obvious headland.  Courtmacsherry has had an annual festival running for an entire week.  It has a Storytelling Festival every September.  It will celebrate the Lusitantia sinking next year.  A racetrack is plotted out on the sand when the tide goes out.  It offers kayaking, sailing, fishing, etc., cycleways and walks.  It has amazing landscape and views.  It offers bars and restaurants, including a rated restaurant in Ring village.  It has shops, guesthouses and many other rate-paying businesses.  Failte Ireland appeared slightly concerned about roads on the headland but gave the impression that this was only a small concern.  People on the headland are very upset at not being included in the Wild Atlantic Way.  This area has already been affected by post office, pub and shop closures.  It is vital that it is not left behind.

Cllr M Collins (Ind):  Supports entirely.

Cllr Hurley (Ind):  Thinks good idea to get delegation down there to see what is on offer.  Is a hidden gem.  Supports entirely.

Cllr R McCarthy (Ind):  Courtmacsherry Rowing Club held rowing club all-Irelands 2 years ago.  One of the best run events she has ever been at.

Agreed to write to Bord Failte to get the headland included in the route of the Wild Atlantic Way.

17.  Notice of Motion: Councillor Noel Collins:

“That this Council call on the Government to introduce the necessary legislation to protect the interests of small businesses who are paid considerable sums by concerns who have gone into liquidation.”

Cllr N Collins:  Small businesses are having to act as unsecured creditors.  The law is not on their side.  The banks get personal guarantees, but small businesses are last on the list to be supported.  Revenue Collectors are preferential creditors.  There must be change in relation to trade creditors and limited liability.  Small business owners struggle with accessing loans, premises, rates, etc.  Asks the manager whether any progress has been made on rates reform at government level.

Agreed and seconded.

18.  Notice of Motion: Councillor Pat Buckley:

“That this Council write to Irish Water and request that a compensation scheme be put in place for householders living in hard water areas.”

Cllr Buckley (SF):  In the year 2000, the Water Framework Directive was passed to improve water quality.  There has been no improvement to date.  East Cork is suffering from bad water.  Water is so hard that in one house, 4 washing machines and 3 shower units have had to be replaced.  If it is causing this damage to appliances, what must it be doing to pipework.  It also reduces the efficiency of appliances because of scale build-up, so there are more costs on electricity.

Cllr N Collins (Ind):  Seconds and fully supports proposal.  Asks that we might also add for a compensation scheme for those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome.  It is proposed to reduce the size of the toilet cistern to 2.5 litres per flush.  Often with irritable bowel syndrome you have to flush again.

Cllr M Hegarty (FG):  Supports both proposals.  Hard water is a major problem.  Costs houseowners a lot of money in replacing appliances.  Believes some grant needs to be given to hosueholders to either replace appliances or to provide a filter.  Appropriate filters are not cheap.

Cllr Murphy O’Mahony (FF):  Own town of Belgooly is in a hard water area.  Applicances have to be replaced regularly.  Suggests that reduction in charges the way to go.  Rang Irish Water this morning and was told a report is coming and that people can make submissions.

Cllr B Moynihan (FF):  Wants to raise issue of water quality in Ballydesmond.  Supports motion.

Cllr K Murphy (FG):  Supports motion but thinks very hard to administer.  Should be looking and requesting Irish Water to grant aid Cork County Council a water softening plant.  Would be an absolute nightmare to try to do rebates on charges.  Much easier to make sure that water would be usable at source.

Cllr O’Keeffe (FF):  Prefers individual approach.  Supports Cllr Buckley’s motion.  Have written from N Cork many time about this issue.  Is there a grant system available in a related field which could be used here?

Cllr Lombard (FG):  Very important motion.  CER key to this.  We need to be corresponding with CER as a County Council.

Cllr Dawson (FG):  Has to disagree with Cllr Murphy.  Hard water needs to be treated in the house.  The problem Is when you heat the water, it releases deposits.  (Gave a really good explanation.) So treating it at source is not good enough.

Cllr Mullane (SF):  Mallow has two treatment plants.  One delivers hard water and one delivers soft.  At the moment, those on the soft water have been switched to hard and they are really noticing the difference.

Mayor: CER had a public consultation.  Thinks it would be good to write to Irish Water as well.

Cllr Buckley (SF):  We don’t have control over water or wastewater any more.  He has contacted Irish Water but cannot get a response to his questions.  They will not engage.  But they will talk all about the installation of water meters.

Agreed to write to Irish Water about the issue of hard water.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  There are two issues here.  Cllr Collins also raised the issue of those suffering from IBS.  People such as these were supposed to be a special category called vulnerable users – people who for medical reasons need more water than normal.  Those vulnerable users have never been defined.  So we need to also write and ask for definition of the medical conditions that categorise someone as being a vulnerable user and to include IBS in that category.

Agreed to write about this also.

19.  Notice of Motion: Councillor Michael Collins:

“That the Cork County Council call on the Minister for Transport to seek immediate funding for improvements to the N.71 from Cork to Glengarriff via Clonakilty/ Skibbereen/ Ballydehob for long over due improvements and also the R586 Bandon to Bantry Via Dunmanway for immediate improvements also.”

Cllr M Collins (Ind): People in West Cork pay their motor tax same as any other road in Ireland.  Would like to like to ask the Minister to come to see the condition of West Cork roads.  If he cannot come, we will send a delegation.

Cllr Carroll (FF):  Improvements to this road were debated well at the last meeting.  We agreed that a deputation would go to the Minister.  How are we with setting up the deputation?  Supported motion.

Cllr Murphy (FF):  Supporting motion.  Was given good airing at last meeting.  Serious underinvestment over many years.  Joke to call it a national route.

Cllr K Murphy (FG): Supports but thinks we should just include the whole of the N71 from the Bandon roundabout all the way to West Cork.   Gives very bad image coming out of the city.

Cllr Hurley (Ind):  Thinks we should get the minister down.  All very well to go to Dublin, but the Minister needs to see the condition of the roads in West Cork.  We are losing the battle for roads in West Cork.

Cllr Lombard (FG): Any update since the last meeting?  Also thinks County Engineer should have a list of infrastructural needs that we could bring if we were going to Dublin with that deputation.

Cllr Hayes (SF):  Supporting.

Cllr Mary Hegarty (FG):  Supporting.

Mayor also supporting.

Cllr R McCarthy (SF):  Wondering what the communication is between the NRA and the Cork County Council?

CE:  All the NRA works are done through the NRA design office which is based in Cork and staffed largely by Cork County Council personnel.  Can get someone to contact Cllr McCarthy on the issue she raised.

20.  Councillor Des O’Grady:

“That Cork County Council expresses its deep concern at the ongoing violence in Gaza, in particular, it’s anger at the disproportionate use of military force by the Israeli Government and the IDF against the people of Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 576 persons, the overwhelming majority of them Civilians, with more than 25% of them being children, and which have included atrocities such as the attack on the Al Aqsa Hospital.

Cork County Council therefore calls on the Irish Government to expel the Israeli Ambassador as an expression of the outrage felt by the Irish people.”

Cllr O’Grady (SF): Each life lost is as important as the next.  All death is a tragedy.  But we cannot excuse Iraeli actions.  They say they have a right to defend themselves.  Do the people of Gaza not have the same right?  The people of Gaza have been under assault in some way for the last 7 years.  Israel has put the people of Gaza under siege.  This is now supported by Egypt.  Placing the health of the Gaza people under severe pressure.  Palestinaian children in Gaza suffering horrendously.  Malnourishment, stunting, etc. Increasing.  Nutritional deficiencies in children, especially due to lack of clean water.  Anaemia big issue, including in pregnant women.  Anaemia contributes to 20% of all maternal deaths.

The media failed to note the uneven distribution of power and suffering.  There is a Palestinian narrative that must be given equal airing.  The Israeli Prime Minister claimed that the Gaza Palestinanians one of the great injustices of the modern era.  Many have lived in refugee camps all their lives.

1.65m people living in the Gaza strip.  Refugee camps have one of the highest population density in the world.  Population also young.  Soft target for the US army.  The UN Hugh Commissioner for Human Rights said that last week that Israel may be violating international law.  Urges all parties concerned to respect their obligations under this international law.

Ireland abstained in its vote last Wednesday.  Thinks our government is not defending the civilian popuation of Gaza.  Accepts to expel the Israeli asmbassador is an unusual step but  believes it essential to send message to Israeli government that its treatment of the Palestinians is totally unacceptable.

Cllr K McCarthy (SF):  State terrorism.  Israeli spokespeope say Hamas are shielded behind innocent people.  We can hope it will all go away or we can back it up.

Cllr Desmond (FF):  Condemns the government’s abstaining from the vote.  It wasn’t a one-sided thing – it was to have been balanced.  It is dialogue that is needed to solve this crises and so thinks expelling the ambassador is probably not a good thing to do.  Asks that the Minsiter would be asked to officially summon the ambassador to convey the feelings of the Irish people directly to the Gaza Minister.

Cllr O’Keeffe (FF):  Always two sides to every story.  Concerned about expelling.  Agree with sentiment but maybe the action is too heavy handed.

Cllr Harris (Ind):  Broadly in favour of the motion.  Wants to make sure we don’t come across as anti-Semitic.  So should be addendum that similar caution should be given to the Egyptian government.  Feels the responsibility is on Israel to exercise restraint because it is the stronger military force.  We have to include the Egyptian ambassador in that.

Cllr Doyle (FF):  Second Cllr Desmond’s proposal.  Thinks dialogue more important than sending people home.  All disgusted by atrocities.

Cllr Lombard (FG):  Very important motion.  One of the biggest worldwide issues.  1.7m people trapped into an area one eighth the size of Tipperary. Have to have great concern about it.  As a nation, we’ve seen how we can learn from the troubles in Northern Ireland.  We had the opportunity to learn from this.  Talks solved the problem.  We have always been suportive of the people in Gaza with aid, etc.  We should be talking – building bridges.  Expelling the ambassador will do nothing for the people in Gaza.

Cllr K Murphy (FG):  Sympathy to people in Gaza.  Outrageous what is happening at the moment.  So supports the first part of the motion.  But cannot support the second.  Cannot see any benefit to expelling the Israeli ambassador.

Cllr A Moynihan (FF):  Damning indictment of governemnt not to vote at UN last week.  Is tempting to expel the ambassador but thinks hugely important that people would be at the table to create dialogue.  Supports proposal on calling in both ambassadors.  Message is we want to keep the channel open.

Cllr Forde (FG):  Congratulates Member on putting down the motion.  Would have been more impressed if there had been an equal motion down about the atrocity in the Ukraine last week.  If we are going on a principle that we cherish and need to protect peace, is all for it.  The only way to move forward it through dialogue.  Need to give the people in Israel an opporunity to do that.  Hamas also has a responsibility here.  Hamas built those tunnels knowing there was going to be a response.

Cllr R McCarthy (SF):  Thinks we cannot support one part of the motion without the other.  Protest in Bandon last Saturday.  Some attendees were political, some were not.  Was well attended.  Is also a mass in Kinsale coming up in support of the people in Gaza.

Cllr O’Laoghaire (SF):  Very significiant action to expel an anbassador.  But onus on international community to lay down  a marker.  Israel has got major funding for arms and defences.  Yes we can assist in the facilitation of dialogue but that dialogue hasn’t happened.  We have an opporunity to show that their actions have consequences.  Context is that Israel has been acting against international laws and norms.

Cllr M Hegarty (FG):  Asking Cllr O’Grady to have a rethink on the text of the motion.

Cllr J Murphy (SF):  One of their own ministers said that they want to specifically target women and children.  Completely supports the motion.  Need to send clear message that Ireland will not tolerate slaughter of innocent children.

Cllr McGrath (FF):  Long running dispute which has reached critical stage.  Agrees that government stance last week was highly regrettable.  Thinks the national parliament, not the local authorities should be discussing this issue.  Will be calling for the Dail to reconvene to discuss this.  Is not the only atrocity in the world today.  Exclusion does not work.

Cllr Coleman (FF):  Shocked that the Minister completely missed the mood of the Irish public.  Negotiations and discussions always seem to back the Israel side.  High time Europeans adopted their own position – not the American position.  Hopes the Parliament is recalled this week and the situation is righted.  Thinks would be a strong step to ask for the expulsion of an ambassador.

Cllr O’Grady: Will not accept the amendment.  Appreciates that most agree with the first part of the motion and thanks them all for that.  This is the 3^rd time since 2007 that atrocities have arisen here.  What about Ireland having an indpendent foreign policy?  We used to.  It will not harm dialogue if the ambassador is expelled.

First part of motion agreed by everyone.  But Cllr Desmond’s amendment to the second part was voted on.  The amendment was agreed (28 – 11).

21.  VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS (if any)

Cllr O’Laoghaire (SF): – ?
Cllr Hayes (SF) – Model railway village celebrating 20 years of opening.
Cllr MF Murphy (SF) – Passage West Rowing Club on County Finals
Cllr K Murphy – Hurling

22.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr MF Murphy (SF):  Delighted to see planning notice put in for pontoon in Passage West.  Thinks down to the hard work of River Users Association.  Also doesn’t see the Passage West garda station listed in the Council Tenants Handbook.

Mayor: This is an issue for the Southern Division.

Cllr Carroll (FF):  Japanese Knotweed – Please provide a progress report with regard to its control.   It is going out of control.

Cllr Forde (FG):  Asks that the male members would not wear very strong deodorant.  Affecting her asthma and others with similar conditions.

Cllr O’Grady (SF):  CE said he would revert to the value of land – from last minutes of meeting.  Also NAMA housing.

CE:  LAG – €53 million worth of debt on books.    Still working on NAMA housing.

Cllr Linehan-Foley (Ind):  E Coli warning on Youghal beaches.  Shocking seeing as Youghal depends on tourism so heavily.  Is there any system in place in the summer months that water quality could be checked every 2- 3 days.  So that as soon as it clears it can be given the all clear?

CE:  As a result of a number of tests there were raised incidences of E Coli detection, Youghal being one of them.  Being tested again today.  Have 10 tests every 2 weeks for blue flag beaches.  Other beaches done 5 times in that period.  But today’s samples will go back for testing within 24 hours.

Cllr Linehan-Foley: What was the cause of the E Coli detection?

CE:  There is still raw sewage going into the harbour there, so it could possibly have come from that.

Cllr Mullane (SF):  Public submissions to motions on property tax.  Notice was published last Friday on Examiner.  Would management please get a copy of the advertisement circulated to all Members?

Present: Maurice Manning (Corporate Services), Declan Daly (Director of Services, Environment), Ted O’Leary (Senior Executive Officer)

Allocation of Community Fund 2014

Details of grants awarded under the Community Fund and Community Contracts were circulated to Members.   There were 46 applications in total, 16 of which were better for Amenity Fund scheme.  9 applications were not deemed appropriate.  There were 6 applications for community contracts.  All were successful.

The Amenity Grant Scheme will have a closing date of 30^th September.

Will circulate applicants who weren’t successful.  The primary reason for not providing funding to some groups is that they just don’t have sufficient matching funding.

In response to Cllr Harris: Douglas Hall – there is already significant funding in place to enable that project to take place.

In response to Cllr McCarthy (FG): The Midleton My Place project has had significant support from CCC and Midleton TC in the past so was not supported this time.  The fire station building was belonging to CCC originally.  Midleton TC gave the project €70k.  This was well in excess of what would normally be granted through community fund.  Cllr McCarthy agreed, but said they got this funding through TC.  Also pointed out that the My Place project had to purchase the fire station building from CCC.

Cllr Buckley (SF): Is it possible for Midleton My Place to go back in for funding next year?  Once the Town Council gave all its funding, the assets all fell back to CCC.

Maurice Manning:  Any project can apply any year.

Environment Directorate Report

Ted O’Leary read through the Environment Directorate Report.

There are 53,000 registered septic tanks in County Cork.  There are probably 58,000 in total.  CCC has been allocated only 99 inspections up to the end of June because the national programme is still in pilot project phase.  When it moves from pilot, the number of inspections required will likely jump.
Questions

Cllr O’Laoghaire (SF):  Wants specifics on air and noise non-compliances.  What about Slatty Bridge transfer to Irish Water?  Does CCC generate any renewable energy?

Cllr Moynihan (FF): Septic tank inspection programme.  The 61% failure rate is high.  The 15 systems with the major non-compliances almost mask the other problems, eg the roof water issues will need significant sorting out.  The fact that there is only 17% addressed at this stage suggests people are struggling with the scheme.  What figures are available for grants?  Will the CCC be involved in getting figures for that?

Dog licences – lifetime licence.  Cost will be an issue for many people.  What efforts are being made to promote this?

Cllr O’Grady (SF):  P5 – pH indicators telling us that there are exceedences.  In Crookstown there is lead piping from mains into the houses.  If acidic pH, this would make problems worse.

P 10 – 2 inspectors for septic tanks now.  How many more staff will be needed when the programme kicks in?  At risk areas within the zones.  Could we be informed as to where these are?

Macroom wwtp non compliances?  Talk about these.

Private wastewater treatment plant non-compliances – what about penalties?

Cllr Creed (FG): Quality of the water in Crookstown is abysmal.  Complaints come in all the time.  We have had reports saying safe but residents are still worried.  Is there any plan for putting in new system?

Septic tanks – There is a grant scheme in place for septic tanks that fail.  Fail rate may be 61% but once the desludging figures are taken out, the failure rate is much lower.  Thinks public wants to get on this scheme.

Cllr Canty (FG): People are on all the time about the taste of the water.  Trying to kill the taste with additives.  Has to be a fierce upgrading of Inniscarra.  With low level in the lake at present, you can see the growth of algae in the water.

How many crews do we have working on the ground at present in relation to repairs?  People were out for 3 days on the Model Farm Road with no available crew to sort them out.  Water will discolour when reconnected.  Are people going to have to pay for this discoloured water?

Fluoride issue has to be dealt with.

Dog licences – can something be done in the Regional Park in Ballincollig?  People open their doors and let the dogs out.  We have signs up but people are not obeying them.  Dog wardens were out there for a few mornings and then disappeared again.  People asking for permanent dog warden.

Welcomes Green Schools programme.

Cllr Harris (Ind): Domestic waste service handed to CountryClean.  The number of people falling through the cracks is getting worse and worse.  Any emergency service part of CountryClean contract?

Fluoride in water is indeed becoming a major issue.

Cllr Barry (FG): Littering and fines – are the rates the same as last year?

Horses – 53 trips where no horses were collected.  Why?  Notes €450 reimbursed from the Dept but the service is costing €710 per horse.

Cllr Conway (Ind): How often are inspections carried out in municipal wastewater treatment plants?

Cllr Forde (FG):  Clean up jobs – do we have a cost of those?  Knows very difficult to catch these dumpers so fines income not great in this area.  People need to be made aware of what this costs.  People who are dumping are costing each and every one of us money.

Public drinking water – fluoridation – review due before end of year.  Guidelines say that we MAY have fluoridation.  What is the current position in relation to CCC on that

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  In 2009 the DoE asked that all local authorities make water quality data available on their websites.  To be current to within a month.  Most recent on CCC website is Nov/Dec 2013.  Will this be a CCC responsibility going forward or will it be transferred to Irish Water?

Explain why 5 Blue Flags were lost on South Cork beaches last year, even though weather was good?

How does the CCC Agricultural Inspection Programme dovetail with that of the Department of Agriculture?

Private wastewater discharge licences – clear that not all visits involve sampling.  Also high % of non-compliances.  What parameters are generally non-compliant?

Civic amenity sites – would like figures for tonnages going back 12 years.  Believes charging structure at civic amenity site gates may have affected their popularity and is contributing to fly tipping.  Would like to investigate.

Horses – how many spaces do you have for horses in the pound?  How long are they kept alive?

Cllr Buckley (FG):  Al indicator in Midleton.  Al tastes bad.  How does Al get into the system?

Cllr McCarthy (FG): Recyclables – there are a few bring sites in the area that are run by CCC but Whitegate doesn’t appear to have those facilities.  Have tried to get in contact with Liam Singleton but he doesn’t seem to do the phone.  Maybe email?
Answers (Ted O’Leary)

David Keane (County Engineer) is in charge of water services directorate.  The environment directorate is involved in monitoring only.  So the questions on crews, fluoride, etc. must be answered by the water services directorate.

To Cllr O’Laoghaire: Noise and air pollution – licences issued under the Air Pollution Act relate to emissions from chimney stacks.  Also includes certain industries who are licensed for the purposes of noise.  Main involvement in relation to noise is generally responding to noise pollution complaints.

Doesn’t know if CCC generates electricity.  Will ask Pat Farrell, SEE of the Energy Unit to reply directly to Cllr O’Laoghaire.

To Cllr Moynihan: Non-compliances are not straightforward for householders to deal with but the timescale given to householders to address the problem is quite long.  Relatively early days – inspection programme started only in the latter half of last year.  Usually 12 months allowed to address issues raised.

Is grants scheme available to people who have been inspected and registered?  Yes, to a max of €4.5k.  CCC processes applications but doesn’t have data on what is awarded.  Will include this in reports going forward if required.

Dog licences – not aware that lifetime licence is promoted over the annual licence.

To Cllr O’Grady: Septic tanks – there are more than 2 staff doing inspections.  It is being undertaken by staff in agricultural team.  The director will have to see how many staff it will need when the full programme kicks in.  Currently we have had teams of 6 people going out.  It will be a slow and person-intensive process.  Takes on average half a day to do an inspection.

High risk zones – we are guided by EPA guidance documents.  This document is on public record.

Macroom wwtp – cannot comment on operational specifics.

Taste issues and repair crews – for David Keane.

In response to Cllr Canty: Dog fouling in Regional Park – dog wardens have been assigned to the area for periods in the past.  Will take it up with the veterinary dept to see can it be patrolled in the short-term.

In response to Cllr Harris: There was a transitionary waiver scheme in place in the initial phase of the tranfer of waste collection to County Clean.  That is no longer available.  The waste collection business was actually sold to Country Clean, not outsourced.  Company said that they would honour waivers for 2 years.  This is long gone.

In response to Cllr Barry: No information to hand on number of litter fines.

In response to Cllrs Barry and D’Alton on horses – vet safety dept who oversee this legislation.  Recession has had impact on horses collected.  Numbers this year are up over last year so remains a problem.

Number of spaces in horse pound – does not know but has sufficient capacity to deal with problem at present.  Finance does come into this because subvention from Dept of Agriculture does not cover.  Doesn’t know specific time period for keeping horses.  Relates to whether people reclaim them or rehome them.

In response to Cllr Forde: Clean up figures not to hand.

Declan Daly: Last Council passed a motion saying they didn’t want fluoridation.  Wrote to Dept of Health.  The Dept of Health wrote back saying that the national national position had not changed and so the CCC went on fluoridating.

CCC operates as agents to Irish Water.  If we get an instruction from Irish Water to add fluoride, we have to.

In response to Cllr D’Alton: 5 Blue Flags lost – criteria relating to beaches has tightened up.  Last year although the weather was good, the non-compliances were caused by heavy rainfall earlier in the year.  Some of the Blue Flags were lost because of municipal wastewater treatment plants in the area.  These issues take time to address.  Also need longer clean period now before you can requalify.  Need 12 months or more before you get Blue Flag status back.

Private wastewater treatment plants – sizes of commercial activity vary and parameters are specific to activity undertaken.  Monitor by reference to programme that we set out at the start of the year and communicate programme and results to the EPA.  LIcence holders frequently required to do their own monitoring as well.  Will give more details on private wwtps next time round.

Civic Amenity Sites – tonnage figures are available, although they have been somewhat effected by the economic downturn.

Irish Water will make information available about public water quality.  Not CCC any more.

In response to Cllr Buckley: Al is added in salt form to purify the water.  The coagulant settles out so this is where Al in the water may be coming from.
Supplementary Questions

Cllr O’Laoghaire (SF): Noise questions asked were specifically in relation to Ringaskiddy.  Also Slatty Bridge?

Cllr Moynihan (FF): Very low rate of 17% where people have been able to do work on their septic tanks.  These are surely the quick fix.  People are finding it difficult to find the several hundred euro to get the desludging done.  Why are we only getting a half year figure?  Rate of septic tank inspections seems to be going down, not up.

Cllr Barry (FG):  Litter fines – rates?

Cllr O’Grady (SF):  35 non-compliant samples – is there a penalty involved?

Cllr D’Alton (Ind):  Previous minutes indicated Guidance Document on Septic Tank National Inspection Plan was distributed to Members.  Can new members have this?  Also how long before septic tanks needing addressing are rechecked?

Also explain interaction between CCC Farm Inspection Programme and Dept of Agriculture programme?

Cllr Linehan-Foley (Ind):  How many litter wardens are in East Cork and County?  There are major issues with fly tipping.

Cllr Cullinane (Ind):  Confirms a letter went from this Council on fluoridation.  We made a decision to send that letter back again to say that we weren’t happy.  Understood from the water briefing that we still have role to play.  European Food Safety Authority is putting pressure on at moment.  Quality of Irish exported food is paramount.  It will be affected by fluoridation.  We need to keep the pressure on.   Need to clarify exactly what our role is as CCC.

Answers (Ted O’Leary)
In response to Cllr O’Laoghaire:  Have to check about Slatty Bridge with Pat Farrell.

In response to Cllr Moynihan:  Wasn’t suggesting that people didn’t find dealing with septic tank programme difficult but was showing that people are being given time to deal with any issues raised.

In response to Cllr Barry:  Rates of litter fines are set under the Litter Acts.  There is a range of minimum and maximum fines depending on the offence.

In response to Cllr O’Grady:  Non-compliant samples – don’t have specifics on the 35 non-compliances.  They are followed up by way of enforcement.  Will provide more detail on the nature of the non-compliances for the next report.

In response to Cllr D’Alton: Agricultural programme – there has been a lot of interaction between the Dept of Ag and the CCC to ensure sure that there is no duplication.  Is a protocol in place to ensure communications place between the two agencies.  Dept of Ag try to structure their programme to match that of CCC.  We had to reduce our Farm Inspection Programme to support the Septic Tank system.

In response to Cllr Linehan-Foley:  There are 3 litter wardens across the entire county.  But the old Town Councils would have had litter wardens who performed traffic warden duty also.  These personnel are being retained, although their jurisdictions have been expanded.  All the traffic wardens are assigned functions under the Litter Pollution Act.

In response to Cllr O’Laoghaire: Noise – By and large for staff resource reasons we stay out of residential to residential complaints.  That is in keeping with EPA guidance.  Predominantly complaints we deal with relate to commercial undertakings.  We try to leave enforcement as being the very last option.  We try to substantiate the claim.  Take it up with the alleged offender.  We find in general that the majority of offenders take steps to address/mitigate the issue.  Noise is a very subjective thing.  No specific limits.  The law of nuisance applies.  To prove a nuisance, you have to have a householder prepared to stand up in court.  Householders do not always want to do this.

In response to Cllr D’Alton: Environment Directorate has scientist with expertise in noise monitoring.  Have taken in consultants on occasion to do independent monitoring.  Didn’t check the Ringaskiddy record before we came out.  Haven’t had a significant number of complaints about noise from Ringaskiddy.

 

NOTICES OF MOTION
by Councillor Noel Collins

(i) “Council report on what powers, if any, are in place to take action where houses in residential areas are left unoccupied for years and cause and great nuisance and dampness to neighbours, in view of the fact that the derelict sites legislation cannot be currently used if the house is basically intact.”

(ii) “Resulting from the major increase in population figures in the Midleton region, Council report if the capacity of the Reservoir in Broomfield is adequate to meet the demand and what proposals, if any, are envisaged to expand the Reservoir. ”

Maurice Manning: In relation to motion 2, CCC recognises the importance of extending the water main to Midleton.  Determined to have this reincluded in the capital programme.  This will be required for Midleton development.  CCC has contacted Irish Water to make sure it goes on their programme.