Minutes of July Meeting of Tipperary-Cahir-Cashel Municipal District held in the Council Chamber, Civic Offices, Tipperary on Monday 27th July, 2O2O at llam Members Present: Councillor John Crosse, Cathaoirleach Councillor Michedl Anglim Councillor Tony Black Councillor Michael FitzGerald Councillor Mary Hanna-Hourigan Councillor Roger Kennedy Councillor Mdirin McGrath Councillor Andy Moloney Councillor Marie Murphy Councillor Annemarie Ryan (Shiner) Officials Present: Mr. Karl Cashen, Director of Services Mr. Anthony Coleman, District Administrator Mr. Paddy Crowley, District Engineer Mr. Paul Farrell, Executive Engineer Ms. Mairead Ryan, Staff Officer Ms. Margo Hayes, AO, Community & Economic Development Section Ms. Kathleen Prendergast, AO, Community & Economic Development Section Officials via Zoom: Mr. Damien Dullaghan, County Librarian Mr. Sean Lonergan, SEO, Housing Section Mr. lim Dillon, AO, Housing Section Ms. Nicola Keating, EE,Housing Section Mr. Padraig Ryan, Senior Social Worker Ms. Lindsay Cleary, Youth Work Ireland Mr. Fayiz Alsani, Youth Work Ireland Apologies: Mr. Pat Slattery, District Director Councillor Declan Burgess Mr. Anthony Coleman, District Administrator, commenced the meeting with the meeting prayer. 1.1 Disclosures/Conflicts of Interest There were no matters notified to the meetings administrator. 2.r Minutes of Annual Meeting of Tipperary-Cahir-Cashel Municipal District held on Mond ay 22"d June 2O2O Councillor Annemarie Ryan (Shiner) asked that the minutes be amended to reflect that that when she nominated herself she said that she had done so in the interest of fairness and that she would be happy if the position of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach was shared equally either between parties or between district areas. It was agreed that the minutes would be amended. The minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 22nd June were then adopted on the proposition of Councillor Tony Black, seconded by Councillor Roger Kennedy. 2.2 Minutes of July Meeting of Tipperary-Cahir-Cashel Municipal District held on 27th July 2O2O The minutes of the July Meeting of Tipperary-Cahir-Cashel Municipal District held on 22nd June 2020 were adopted on the proposition of Councillor Roger Kennedy, seconded by Councillor Michdal Anglim. 3,1 Housing Report including Presentation on the Tipperary Refugee Resettlement Programme The Cathaoirleach welcomed Mr Padraig Ryan, Senior Social Worker, Ms. Lynsay Cleary, Youth Work Ireland and Mr. Fayiz Alsani, Youth Work Ireland via Zoom to the meeting. Ms. Cleary referred to their presentation which was circulated with the agenda and updated the members under the following headings: . The Resettlement Team . Working with the families . Working with the community . Anti-racism and intercultural work . Next phase Councillor Michael Fitzgerald thanked Ms. Cleary for her presentation saying that this is a sensitive issue and it was the right decision to appoint Youth Work Ireland Tipperary as the lead group in this programme. Councillor Annemarie Ryan (Shiner) congratulated them on their work to-date and asked for an update of when the families will be coming to Tipperary Town. Councillor Roger Kennedy said as Chair of the Education and Training Board (ETB) that they are happy to be involved in this process and said they would receive their 100o/o cooperation. He asked how many families are coming and he also suggested that the Community Information session held via zoom would be held again. In response, MF. Ryan indicated that there are L2 families coming to Tipperary town; this is part of a total of 45 families coming to County Tipperary. He also indicated that there are three phases of the families moving in and they are currently awaiting a decision from the Department of Justice and Equality to progress. He agreed that another zoom information meeting is a good idea and agreed to look at this. The Cathaoirleach welcomed Mr. Sean Lonergan, SEO, Mr. Jim Dillon, AO and Ms. Nicola Keating, EE via Zoom to the meeting to give the Housing Report. Mr. Dillon and Ms Keating referred to their report circulated with the agenda and undated the members under the following headings: o Housing Construction . Housing Grant Allocations 2020 o House Purchases 2020 . Housing Loan Applications . RAS and Leasing 2020 . HAP 2020 . Housing Applicants and Vacant Houses . Approved Housing Applicants Councillor Annemarie Ryan (Shiner) expressed the view that the refusals rate is high and asked for some more information on this, She also said that there are 870 applicants on the waiting while there are 55 vacant houses and asked how the Council will deal with the housing waiting list. Councillor Mary Hanna Hourigan asked when the 28 houses in Knockanrawley are due to be complete. Councillor Michael Fitzgerald welcomed the houses at Bansha, Donohill and Knockanrawley saying that these will help to address the waiting list. He asked if the houses for the refugee resettlement programme are included in the houses available for letting figures. He also asked for an update on the housing grant applications, Councillor Marie Murphy agreed that the refusal rate seemed very high and asked about the reasons for refusal. She also asked how many housing applicants are already in receipt of HAP and RAS, Councillor Andy Moloney said that New Inn was not included on the list and asked that it be included. Councillor Roger Kennedy referred to the €4,1m loan to repair voids and asked for the breakdown for each district. Councillor Mich6al Anglim said that it was good to hear that houses are being built again as this the first time the Council is building houses in a long time. In response, Mr. Lonergan indicated that 600/o of housing applicants are already in receipt of a housing support such as HAP, RAS and Leasing. He also said that the Council's Allocation Scheme is being reviewed with a view to introducing choice based letting scheme which will help address the refusal rate. He indicated that there are a variety of reasons for refusal such as applicants are happy where they are living, they want a house near family, they are unhappy with the neighbours, etc. He indicated that the Council intends to deliver 684 units over a three year period along with the increased void turnaround programme to address the housing waiting list. He indicated that the houses for the refugee families are included in the available for letting figure. Ms. Keating indicated that the houses in Knockanrawley are due to be completed in mid 202I. Mr, Dillon indicated that the Council has not yet gotten its' allocation for housing grants but it is due shortly. He told the meeting that the Council has spent 650lo of last year's allocation to-date. Regarding the housing loan for voids, he said that this has been submitted to the Housing Agency and the Council is awaiting its approval. 3.2 Community & Economic Development Report The Cathaoirleach welcomed Ms. Margo Hayes, AO and Ms. Kathleen Prendergast, AO to the meeting. Ms. Prendergast referred to the report circulated and indicated that she would take any questions regarding the Economic Development area of the report. Ms. Hayes indicated that she would take any questions on the other areas of the report. Councillor Ryan (Shiner) had a query regarding the wifi locations in Tipperary town saying that they do not appear to be working in some locations. Councillor Michael Fitzgerald complimented Simon Howe on all his work in the development of broadband in the area. Councillor Roger Kennedy enquired about the additional allocation of €500,000 from LEADER. Councillor Ryan (Shiner) asked for more information regarding the Tipperary Town Audit. She also asked if funding is still available in the biodiversity area. In response, the District Administrator indicated that a number of the public access points are live in Tipperary Town and work is continuing on the remaining points, work is due to be complete in September. Ms. Hayes indicated that the additional €500,000 received was for new projects and has now been allocated. She indicated that Tipperary Town Audit refers to the feasibility study for the Heritage Town Audit. She also indicated that there are some monies available for biodiversity projects. 3.3 Culture & Library Services Report The Cathaoirleach welcomed Mr. Damien Dullaghan, County Librarian to the meeting via zoom, Mr. Dullaghan referred to his report circulated with the agenda and indicated that he was available to take any questions from the members. Councillor Moloney asked for an update on the library moving to the Craft Granary building. Councillor Ryan (Shiner) asked for an update regarding My Open Library project for Tipperary Town. Councillor Kennedy referred to the County Heritage Committee set up in February and asked when they would be meeting. In response Mr. Dullaghan indicated that this project was progressing well and it is hoped to bring the part B for the project to the members in quarter 4. Regarding the My Open Library, he indicated that it is their intention to progress this project and the monies have to be spent by year end. He indicated that he would talk to the Heritage Officer regarding the County Heritage Committee and would ask her to reply directly. In addition he indicated that the library's online activities, storytelling and arts and crafts sessions, were particularly welcomed during and since the covid-19 crisis commenced. 3.4 Approval of Streetscape and Building Enhancement Scheme Grant 2O2O applicants The Streetscape and Building Enhancement Scheme