Cork County Council 1

CORK COUNTY COUNCIL 1 My tenure as chair of Carrigaline Municipal District over the past year has been an interesting one. Starting with the Boundary Transition in June 2019, which saw significant geographical changes made in the Municipal District, and ending as the county emerges from the turbulent impact of Covid-19. Throughout the year, significant work was completed in the realms of recreation and amenity, road improvements, public realm improvements, pedestrian and cyclist facilities and enhancements to towns and villages across the Municipal District. As usual, our continued support was given to a range of community, voluntary and sporting groups, along with our Tidy Towns groups, in the form of Community funding. Following from the successes of 2019, the unprecedented and unanticipated impact of Covid-19 affected the activities of Cork County Council across the board, interrupting funding allocations and delaying works. However, I am delighted to say that as a local authority, we have adapted successfully to the challenges presented to us, supporting our communities through the Cork County Council Covid-19 Community Support Programme and our Community Support Hub structures. I was particularly pleased to chair the Project ACT (Activating County Towns) meetings for the Carrigaline and Passage West, tasked with supporting activities that will boost economic recovery, increase footfall, and facilitate social distancing to make our towns safer places for our elderly and vulnerable residents. I have been proud to serve as chair of this Municipal District over the past year, and wish to thank my fellow committee members and Cork County Council staff whom I have worked closely with over the past year. Also, all of our excellent community groups who, with enormous pride of place, continue to work to make our Municipal District a great place to live and visit. I look forward to supporting the incoming chair and continuing to work to deliver improved public services, facilities, and public realm enhancements for the residents of Carrigaline Municipal District. MESSAGE FROM CLLR SEAMUS MCGRATH, CAITHAOIRLEACH 2019/20 2 BOUNDARY ALTERATION Following the local elections of June 2019 and the boundary change with Cork City Council, several of Corks Municipal Districts went through alterations. The change, which represented one of the largest local authority boundary alterations in several decades, with some 85,000 citizens along with a range of services transferring to the jurisdiction of Cork City Council as of May 31st 2019. Cork County Council continues to be the second largest local authority in the state, with a population of 335,000 people. Carrigaline Municipal District's boundary was changed significantly by the boundary alteration with the city. The Municipal District (formally Ballincollig-Carrigaline) saw significant urban areas including Ballincollig, Douglas and Rochestown enter the City Council jurisdiction. The area was in turn expanded to include the villages of Crosshaven, Minane Bridge, Ballygarvan, and Ballinhassig and their environs. The population of Carrigaline Municipal District is estimated at just over 35,000. Thanks to the fantastic work of the boundary transition team at Cork County Council,, the process of the transfer of citizens and services and the changing of Municipal District boundaries had minimal impact. We look forward to working with our new communities in the Carrigaline Municipal District. 3 ELECTED MEMBERS The following Councillors represent the Carrigaline Municipal District: Cllr Seamus McGrath, Caithaoirleach, Fianna Fáil Cllr Audrey Buckley, Fianna Fáil Cllr Aidan Lombard, Fine Gael Cllr Liam O'Connor, Fine Gael Cllr Marcia D'Alton, Independent Cllr Ben Dalton O'Sullivan, Independent L-R: Cllrs Liam O'Connor, Marcia D'Alton, Seamus McGrath, Ben Dalton O'Sullivan, Aidan Lombard, Audrey Buckley 4 2019 ACTIVITIES RECREATION AND AMENITY CARRIGALINE OUTDOOR GYM Due to other items being acquired under budget as part of the Cork Harbour Greenway capital funding for signage and street furniture, Cork County Council had the opportunity to spend the surplus on the installation of some outdoor Calisthenics equipment for Carrigaline. The equipment was installed at the start of the Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway and provides an opportunity for people to engage in exercise outdoors. The works were completed in early 2019 at a cost of €29,500. 5 PASSAGE WEST PONTOON Passage West benefited from funding under the Town and Village renewal scheme, including from the provision of a pontoon and public toilet/shower facilities, at a cost of approximately €85,000. The pontoon is accessible to a range of vessels, including canoes and kayaks, and it's proximity too and easy access from the village of Passage West ensures that the pontoon provides a valuable resource for both residents of and visitors to the village. Access to the pontoon is restricted and at the discretion of the Harbour Master, to ensure the health and safety of all users. Poor weather conditions towards the end of 2019 had hampered efforts to complete the final infrastructural works to the pontoon. However these are expected to be completed shortly. 6 CARRIGALINE TO CROSSHAVEN WALKWAY Earlier in 2019, an act of vandalism saw public lighting that had been installed on the Carrigigaline to Crosshaven Walkway rendered useless. This was extremely dissapointing as the walkway is a valuable resource to the community and public funds were invested to put in the lighting. In September 2019, the elected members agreed to reinstate lighting along a section of the walkway. The installation was completed Free Gratis by a lighting contractor in 2019. 7 TOWN AND VILLAGE IMPROVEMENTS RINGASKIDDY Approximately €40,000 worth of works were carried out in Ringaskiddy as part of the 2019 Village Enhancement Scheme. The main works carried out as part of this were the improvement of the footpath at Priests Avenue, improvements to the footpath connection between Yarra and Gobby Beach and gateway signage and flashing school warning signs near Ringaskiddy national school. In 2019 a number of meetings took place to progress plans for further Cork County Council funded village renewal works in Ringaskiddy and plans for the €1m Community Gain Fund arising out of the Port of Cork Planning Permission. Technical surveys have been carried out and MD staff are liaising with Council architects for progress enhancement plans, with further meetings and action planned for 2020. It is also hoped that works will be completed on the Community Centre to improve energy efficiency, improve accessibility, and upgrade the flooring/kitchen in the centre, to improve what is already a valued resource in the community. HALFWAY On October 25th 2019, Council Officials met with Halfway residents on site to walk through proposed public realm enhancements. The proposed works are to provide for pedestrian connectivity from An Bruach Housing Estate, along the L231 adjoining the Garda Station, the Ramble Inn, Gleann Bui Housing Estate and will finish at the entrance to Casán Dóire Housing Estate. The initiatives were supported by the Halfway residents and a contractor started on site earlier this year. ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS In 2019, a number of road improvement programmes were carried out, including safety improvements on the Shannon Park Roundabout, and the Road Surfacing Programme. 8 TIDY TOWNS Every year, our Tidy Towns groups go above and beyond to make our County towns and villages beautiful places to live, work and visit. Through our Community Contracts, Cork County Council supports the work of Carrigaline, Passage West and Ballinora/Waterfall Tidy Towns, with €18,000, €9,500 and €7,000 and allocated to the groups in 2019 respectively. Ballinora Tidy Towns worked to plant polinator friendly plants, following on from recommendations in the All Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020. Funding also facilitated the removal and replacement of trees, addressing safety issues and replacing dangerous trees with pollinator friendly varieties. 9 Funding awarded to Carrigaline Tidy Towns facilitated the enhancement of public areas. This included the installation of signage, enhancement of the otter area at the Owenabue Bridge, planting of shrubbery beds in the People's Park, planting rasied edible and garden beds at the Community Complex, as well as funds for usual works including litter picking and general maintenance. Funds were also utilised for the completion of a biodiversity report with the SECAD Local Development Company. 10 Passage West Tidy Towns Group used funding awarded as part of the Community Contract for footpath cleaning, flower planting in the Beech Road area, organising a community competition for 'Best Garden', 'Best Shop Window' and other categories. Other works included the removal and replacement of trees where necessary, rehabilitation works at Fr O'Flynn park, and the ongoing costs of purchasing bedding plants, composts, weed killers, tools etc. Activities aim to encourage more active community involvement in making Passage West an attractive place to work and live. As we navigate our way out of Covid-19, our Tidy Towns groups will be key in the plan to get our towns back up-and-running. Activities that make our towns and villages more attractive are more important than ever as we move forward to make our towns safer for doing business, shopping and socialising. 11 AMENITY GRANT SCHEME The Amenity Fund Scheme is intended to support community groups, sporting and local organisations

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