MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING OF CORK CITY COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 10th OCTOBER 2016 PRESENT An Leas Ard-Mhéara Comhairleoir J. Kavanagh. NORTH EAST Comhairleoirí Stephen Cunningham, T. Tynan, T. Brosnan. NORTH CENTRAL Comhairleoirí T. Gould, F. Ryan, L. O’Donnell, J. Sheehan. NORTH WEST Comhairleoirí T. Fitzgerald, M. O’Sullivan, K. Collins. SOUTH EAST Comhairleoirí C. O’Leary, L. McGonigle, T. Shannon, N. O’Keeffe, S. O’Shea. SOUTH CENTRAL Comhairleoirí M. Finn, P. Dineen, T. O’Driscoll, S. Martin. SOUTH WEST Comhairleoirí J. Buttimer, H. Cremin, M. Shields, F. Dennehy, P.J. Hourican. APOLOGIES An tArd-Mhéara Comhairleoir D. Cahill, Comhairleoirí M. Nugent, K. McCarthy ALSO PRESENT Ms. A. Doherty, Chief Executive. Mr. J. G. O’Riordan, Meetings Administrator, Corporate & External Affairs. Ms. U. Ramsell, Staff Officer, Corporate & External Affairs. Mr. P. Ledwidge, Director of Services, Strategic Planning, Economic Development & Enterprise Directorate. Mr. P. Moynihan, Director of Services, Corporate & External Affairs. Mr. G. O’Beirne, Director of Services, Roads & Transportation Directorate. Mr. D. Joyce, Director of Services, Environment & Recreation Directorate. Ms. V. O’Sullivan, Director of Services, Housing & Community Directorate. Mr. J. Hallahan, Head of Finance. Mr. T. Watt, Senior Executive Planner, Strategic Planning, Economic Development & Enterprise Directorate. Mr. T. Duggan, City Architect. Comhairleoir J. Kavanagh chaired the meeting in the absence of tArd-Mhéara An Leas Ard-Mhéara recited the opening prayer. 1. VOTES OF SYMPATHY The O’Shea Family on the death of Norma O’Shea. The Owens Family on the death of Danny Owens. The Casey Family on the death of Liam Casey 1 2. VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS/BEST WISHES Sean O’Sullivan on the organisation of “Rolling back the Years” Concert in the Cork Opera House, on 9th October. Mr. Alf Smiddy on his appointment as Director of the ESB. The Chairman of the Glen Hurling and Football Club on winning the Cork County Senior Hurling Championship. 3. LORD MAYOR’S ITEMS 3.1 CORK CITY LOCAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY PLAN (LECP) 2016-2021 An Chomhairle noted the minutes of the Joint Meeting of the Local Community Development Committee and the Strategic Planning, Economic Development & Enterprise Strategic Policy Committee of the 5th October 2016. 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S ITEMS No items were raised. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS At the request of An Leas Ard-Mhéara, An Chomhairle agreed to suspend Standing Orders to discuss the Cork Local Government Review. An Chomhairle considered and noted the update on the current position regarding the Cork Local Government Review which was presented by the Chief Executive. 5. MINUTES On the proposal of C. O’Leary, seconded by Comhairleoir N. O’Keeffe, An Chomhairle considered and approved as correct record the Minutes of:- Ordinary Meeting of An Chomhairle held 26th September 2016. On the proposal of Comhairleoir S. Martin, seconded by Comhairleoir C. O’Leary, An Chomhairle considered and approved as correct record the Minutes of:- Special Meeting of An Chomhairle held 26th September 2016. On the proposal of Comhairleoir T. Fitzgerald, seconded by Comhairleoir C. O’Leary, An Chomhairle considered and approved as correct record the Minutes of :- Ordinary Meeting of An Chomhairle held 29th September 2016. 2 6. PROPOSED VARIATION NO. 3 (MAHON INDUSTRIAL ESTATE) OF THE CORK CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2015-2021 (Deferred from Ordinary Meeting of An Chomhairle held on 26th September 2016) An Chomhairle agreed to refer this item for consideration to a joint meeting of the Roads and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee and the Strategic Planning, Economic Development and Enterprise Strategic Policy Committee, on a date to be agreed. 7. QUESTION TIME 7.1 PUBLIC LIABILITY CLAIMS An Chomhairle agreed to defer the following question submitted by Comhairleoir T. Brosnan. In relation to Public Liability claims can the Chief Executive please advise Council the number of claims made, the average cost per claim and the total cost in respect of St. Patrick’s Street, Grand Parade/ Daunts Square, and Oliver Plunkett Street for each year from 2008 to 2015 and can the CE list reasons for the claims. (Cllr. Tim Brosnan) 7.2 HEDGEGROWS AND DITCHES ON UNCULTIVATED LAND In response to the following question submitted by Comhairleoir M. O’Sullivan a written reply was circulated as outlined below:- According to the Wildlife Act 1979, hedgerows and ditches on uncultivated land cannot be cut between March 1st and August 31st. Has the Council been cutting hedges between March 1st and August 31st in contravention with the Wildlife Act (Amendment 2000)? (Cllr. Marion O’Sullivan) REPLY Under Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 – 2010 the cutting or clearing of hedgerows is prohibited during the bird nesting season from 1st March to 31st August. Provision is made in Subsection (1) granting exemption for specific reasons including public health and safety. The City Council on occasion has to avail of this exemption during the period 1st March to 31st August to cut hedges encroaching onto public roads and footpaths in the interests of public health and safety. This work is kept to the minimum compatible with satisfying the health and safety requirements. David Joyce, Director of Services, Environment & Recreation. 3 7.3 HOMELESS FAMILIES ENTERING INTO EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION In response to the following question submitted by Comhairleoir F. Ryan a written reply was circulated as outlined below:- Can Cork City Council advise regarding the procedure for homeless families entering into emergency accommodation? Historically, families have been split up and advised to seek shelter in men’s and women’s emergency accommodation. (Cllr. Fiona Ryan) REPLY All presentations for emergency accommodation are to the Homeless Persons Unit which is run on behalf of Cork City Council by the Community Welfare Service, Department of Social Protection. Each case is considered on its own merits and the decisions are made as to what is appropriate to the individual or family presenting. Edel House accommodates women and children, Cork Simon Community provides emergency accommodation for men and women and St. Vincent de Paul accommodates single men. Private emergency accommodation can be made available in B&B’s and Hotels in instances where the hostels are full or in cases where this is considered most appropriate to meet the needs of the client presenting. V. O’Sullivan, Director of Services, Housing & Community Services. 7.4 DPG MAJOR WORKS In response to the following question submitted by Comhairleoir S. Martin a written reply was circulated as outlined below:- How many DPG major works are on file at the moment? How many are priority 1, how many are priority 2, how many are priority 3? What is the outstanding cost to Council for these works, listed by priority? (Cllr. Sean Martin) REPLY 1. There are 42 no. applications on file at the moment (including 3 no. overcrowding applications) 2. With regard to the DPG Applications, there are 34 Priority 1’s, 4 Priority 2’s and 1 Priority 3. 3. Funding available from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government (DHPCLG): €1,869,450 has been approved by the DHPCLG and this has been estimated to complete 38 units. The works are currently at tender stage so the funding required will be finalised with the DHPCLG at tender award stage. The 4 Council is confident that the necessary funding will be made available to carry out the necessary works to all 42 properties. V. O’Sullivan, Director of Services, Housing & Community Services. 7.5 REDEVELOPMENT OF BOYCES STREET In response to the following question submitted by Comhairleoir K. O’Flynn a written reply was circulated as outlined below:- Could the Chief Executive update the Council on the redevelopment of Boyces Street? (Cllr. Kenneth O’Flynn) REPLY The City Council is advancing proposals for the redevelopment of the Council owned flats at Boyces Street. A meeting will take place shortly with the Ward Councillors to discuss the plans and it is projected that the Part 8 planning process will commence in November of the current year. V. O’Sullivan, Director of Services, Housing & Community Services. 7.6 FIX THE DESTROYED FOOTPATHS IN GREENHILLS COURT, SOUTH DOUGLAS ROAD In response to the following question submitted by Comhairleoir S. O’Shea a written reply was circulated as outlined below:- Can the CE please give an update on the plans to fix the destroyed foothpaths in Greenhills Court South Douglas Road? In response to a motion sent in on the 18th February 2016, the director gave a commitment to ensure any required works would be completed as a matter of urgency. (Cllr. Shane O’Shea) REPLY Remedial works to footpaths in Greenhills Court will commence in current year. Gerry O’Beirne, Director of Services, Roads & Transportation. 5 7.7 PROPOSED ACTIONS AS A RESULT OF THE IBAL SURVEY In response to the following question submitted by Comhairleoir T. Fitzgerald a written reply was circulated as outlined below:- Following a public meeting organised by Farranree Community Association to ask the Chief Executive for an update on proposed actions as a result of the IBAL Survey. 1) The clean up of the areas graded D,C.B. 2) notify IBAL that the Farranree Community or Cork City Council is not responsible for the Recycle facility identified in the report. 3) As previously stated in Council that Cork City Council notifies IBAL that we no longer wish to participate in the City Surveys of IBAL. 4) Notifies the Department of Environment of our decision to no longer participate in the survey given the major upset its results have caused residents and the damaging label and image it has given to very vibrant communities. (Cllr. Tony Fitzgerald) REPLY Following the publication of the IBAL Survey on the 5th September 2016 a Litter Warden was assigned to investigate and address the issues highlighted in the survey : Lidl: Grade B.