MIONTUAIRISCI AN CHRUINNITHE DE COMHAIRLE BHAILE MHAINISTIR NA CORANN A TIONOLADH AR AN DE LUAN 13 LA DE EANAIR, 200 IN ARAS CUIMHNE AN PHIARSAIGH AG 7.00 T.N.

I LATHAIR: Councillor Ken Murray, Mayor of Midleton

 

Councillors: Collins O’Neill

Buckley Trundle

Murphy Wall

Woods Hennessy

 

Ag Freastal: Ms. Patricia Power, Town Manager

Mr. Joe McCarthy, Town Clerk

Ms. Janette Kenny, A/Town Engineer

1) Adoption of Minutes of Meeting of 15th December 2008

Ar moladh Cllr. Murphy, cuidithe ag Cllr.Hennessy, glacadh leis,

“That the Minutes of Monthly meeting of 15th December 2008 be adopted.”

 

1.1 Matters arising from the Minutes of Meeting of 15th December 2008

Gateway between Community Centre and Playground at Fr. Murphy Place

In reply to Cllr. O’Neill it was confirmed that this matter was being considered.

2. Town Clerk’s Report

None

2. Statutory Business

None

4. Planning Applications / Manager’s Orders/ Sympathy Conveyed

Details of Planning Applications/Manager's Orders lodged and made and of Sympathy conveyed since the last meeting of the Council had been circulated to the Members.

Details were given in reply to enquiries in relation to Manager’s Orders referred to at 4.2.5 and 4.2.7. Cllr. O’Neill stated that the issue of temporary accommodation provided at numerous schools needed to be addressed by the Council.

4. Motions and Information

5.1.1 Ar moladh Cllr. Collins, cuidithe ag Cllr. Wall, glacadh leis,

“Due to the crisis in the technology sector which shows little sign of ending, this Council request the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ensure the State continues to invest in education, research and development and the provision of broadband across the country, particularly in East Cork where many companies are cutting back or even facing closure.”

5.1.2 Ar moladh Cllr. Collins, cuidithe ag Cllr. Hennessy,

“That this Council, at the request of the 150 residents in St. Mary’s Road and adjoining areas, consider traffic calming measures on St. Mary’s Road, in the interest of road safety.”

The A/Town Engineer suggested that this issue be considered in the context of the Midleton and Carrigtwohill Traffic and Transportation Study.

The Town Clerk advised that it was proposed to present an Emerging Strategies Report in relation to the study to the Members. The Members agreed that the presentation of the report be made on Tuesday the 20th of January 2009 at 6.p.m.

5.2 Information

Cllr. Noel Collins

1. Public Lighting

The matter of additional public lighting at Youghal Road and Bailick Road would be referred to Cork County Council’s Public Lighting Section for consideration and such provision at St. Mary’s Terrace would be considered by the Town Engineer.

2. Roundabout, New Cork Road

The A/Town Engineer advised that this had been examined and was satisfactory.

6.) Correspondence

 

6. Resolutions received from other Local Authorities

6.1.1 Laois County Council

Ar moladh Cllr. Collins, cuidithe ag Cllr. Wall, glacadh leis,

“That as a consequence of the sharp fall in house prices and difficulties obtaining credit, the Members of this Council are calling on the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to bring forward a new scheme of affordable housing. The present scheme is no longer affordable for many people who should be able to use it to purchase a home.”

 

6.1.2 Tralee Town Council

Ar moladh Cllr. Hennessy, cuidithe ag Cllr. Trundle, glacadh leis,

“That this Council would request that the Minister for Health introduce a 24 hour 7 day social work service nationwide as soon as possible in line with the recommendations of the Committee of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.”

6.1.3 Killarney Town Council

Ar moladh Cllr. Trundle, cuidithe ag Cllr. Hennessy, glacadh leis,

“That this Council deplores the recent announcement by the Minister for Health of the cancellation of the proposed Cervical Cancer Vaccination Program for teenage girls and call for this program to be restored as the amount of monies involved is minimal compared with results that can be achieved.”

 

6.2 Correspondence Circulated with the Agenda

6.2.1 Letters received from Office of the Minister for Transport and the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism in connection with Cork-Swansea Ferry were noted.

6.3 Other Correspondence

6.3.1 Letter from Midleton and Area Chamber

A letter from Midleton and Area Chamber thanking the Council for their support of the Midleton Marketing Partnership Plan for Midleton had been circulated. The Mayor commented that people were very happy with the Christmas lighting and the marketing campaign.

7 Any Other Business

7.1.1 IBAL Litter Challenge

The Mayor and Members expressed serious concerns at the latest IBAL litter report and in particular at Midleton’s rating having slipped from second to 44th position. The Members deplored the negative effect of the unacceptable condition of approach roads. The Mayor praised the voluntary efforts of the Town Foreman and Nigel O’Callaghan on New Year’s Day in cleaning the litter from the Town Centre and was joined by the Members of the Council, the Manager and the Town Clerk in thanking them and praising them for their efforts and dedication.

7.1.2 Variation of the Development Plan – G.A.A. Site.

Cllr. O’Neill noted that a report would be made to the Members of the Council in relation to submissions/observations received and asked that this report be circulated to the Members before the February Meeting.

7.1.3 Young Scientists Exhibition

It was agreed, on the suggestion of Cllr. O’Neill, that a letter of congratulations be issued from the Council to Ann McCarthy (Nee Crowley) the mother of Liam McCarthy, one of the winning young scientists, who had been born in Knockgriffin, Midleton.

7.1.4 Town Development Management Process

Cllr. Murphy advised of having heard from a friend in County Hall of a proposal to replace Town Architects with Planning Officers who would visit the towns once a month to hold planning clinics and report on planning applications.

Cllr. Murphy praised and thanked the Town Architects for their services to Midleton over the years, which he described as brilliant, particularly with regard to their availability to discuss proposals on a weekly basis and their interest in and dedication and commitment to the town. He also praised the Town Architect’s willingness to discuss and advise developers in relation to proposals in a positive and pro-active manner. Cllr. Murphy expressed his opinion that planners do not do so.

Ar moladh Cllr. Murphy, cuidithe ag Cllr. Buckley, glacadh leis,

“That Midleton Town Council write to the County Manager expressing our concern that the proposed change in the Development Management Process in relation to the Midleton Town Council area, whereby a Planning Officer would replace the Town Architect, should not be proceeded with.”

The Members also expressed their appreciation and thanks to Alan Larsson, Town Architect, for his courtesy and assistance to people who had contacted him in relation to various proposals.

 

THIS CONCLUDED THE BUSINESS OF THE MEETING

MAYOR: ____________________________

DATE: ___________________________