COMHAIRLE CONTAE CHORCAÍ
_________________________________________________________________________
Minutes of Proceedings at Meeting of Cork County Council held in the Council Chamber,
County Hall, Cork on 23rd November, 2015.
I LATHAIR
Comhairleoir J. Carroll, Leas-Mhéara Chontae
Comhairleoiri Mac Craith, Ó Laoghaire, Daltúin, Ní Fhúarthain, Ó Donnabhain, Ni
Dheasmhumhnaigh, Ó Cainte, M. Ó Murchú, Ó hEarchaí, R. Mhic Cárthaigh, Ó Colmáin, Lombard,
C. Ó Murchú, Ní Mhurchú-Uí Mhathúna, S. Ó Donnabháin, A. Ó Muimhneacháin, Críod, Ó Gráda, Ó
Luasaigh, Ó Riain Ó Conbhuí, P. Ó Suilleabháin, C. MacCárthaigh, Ó Ceocháin, Sheppard, De Barra,
Uí Chuileannáin, Rasmussen, N. Ó Coileán, A. Ó Suilleabháin, Ó Buachalla, Ó hEigeartaigh, S. Mhic
Cárthaigh, Léanacháin-Foghlú, N. MacCárthaigh, C. Ó Caoimh, Ó Floinn, Ó Dúghaill, MacGearailt,
G. Ó Murchú, B. Ó Muimhneacháin, Uí Mhaoláin, T. Ó Coileán, M. Ó Coileán, Ó Donnabháin, C. Ó
Suilleabháin, P.G. Ó Murchú, Uí hEigeartaigh, Ó hAodha, Ó hUrthuile.
PRESENT
Councillor J. Carroll, Deputy Mayor presided.
Councillors McGrath, Ó Laoghaire, D’Alton, Forde, Ó Donnabhain, Desmond,
Canty, M. Murphy, Harris, R. McCarthy, Coleman, Lombard, K. Murphy, Murphy O’Mahony, J.
O’Donovan, A. Moynihan, Creed, O’Grady, Lucey, Ryan, Conway, P. O’Sullivan, K. McCarthy,
Keohane, Sheppard, Barry, Cullinane, Rasmussen, N. Collins, A. O’Sullivan, Buckley, Ml. Hegarty,
S. McCarthy, Linehan-Foley, N. McCarthy, O’Keeffe, O’Flynn, Doyle, Fitzgerald, G. Murphy, B.
Moynihan, Mullane, T. Collins, M. Collins, N. O’Donovan, C. O’Sullivan, P.G. Murphy, Hegarty,
Hayes, Hurley.
Chief Executive, Senior Executive Officer.
Suspension of Standing Orders – Global Valuation.
Cllr. Kevin O’Keeffe proposed, seconded by Cllr. Aindrias Moynihan that Standing Orders would be
suspended to discuss issues concerning the global valuations of utility companies recently announced
by the Valuations Office.
The Deputy Mayor advised that the matter would be taken at 1.00 pm.
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
1(a)/11-2
Proposed by Councillor Declan Hurley.
Seconded by Councillor Noel McCarthy.
RESOLVED:
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“That the minutes of meeting of the Council held on 27th October, 2015, be confirmed and
signed by the Mayor.”
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
1(b)/11-2
Proposed by Councillor Paul Hayes.
Seconded by Councillor Timmy Collins.
RESOLVED:
“That the minutes of the Budget meeting of the Council held on 9th November, 2015,
be confirmed and signed by the Mayor.”
VOTES OF SYMPATHY
2/11-2
TO:
Anne Manning on the death of her husband Seán.
TO:
Marie Cronin on the death of her husband Finbarr.
TO:
Cllr. Aaron O’Sullivan on the death of his grandmother Mrs. Joy Bryan.
TO:
The families of those who died in the Paris, Beirut and Mali tragedies.
STATUTORY BUSINESS
The following disposal notices were noted by Members.
AMENDMENT TO DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY AT COPPERHILL, BROOMFIELD,
MIDLETON, CO. CORK
3(a)/11-2
AMENDMENT TO DISPOSAL OF 27A ELM GROVE, GORT AN OIR, CASTLEMARTYR,
CO.CORK.
3(b)/11-2
DISPOSAL OF No’s 9, 10, 21, & 22, CARRIG RUA, BALLINAGREE, CO.CORK
3(c)/11-2
DISPOSAL OF 57 INISHMORE PARK, COBH, CO.CORK.
3(d)/11-2
DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY AT DUNWORLEY, LAUREL HILL, RATHANAKER,
MONKSTOWN, CO.CORK.
3(e)/11-2
DISPOSAL OF LAND AT KNOCKNAGOWN, RYLAN, CO.CORK.
3(f)/11- 2
DISPOSAL OF FREEHOLD INTEREST AT HAWTHORN, EDEN HILL, GORTNAGROSS,
MALLOW, CO.CORK.
3(g)/11- 2
DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY AT 21 THE BEECHES, UPPER BALLYDAHEEN, MALLOW,
CO. CORK.
3(h)/11-2
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Section 37E(5) of the Planning & Development (Strategic Infrastructure ) Act, 2006:
4/11-2
Application by ESB Wind Development Limited to an Bord Pleanála for Construction of
Grousemount Wind Farm, comprising of 38 no. Wind Turbines and all associated works in
townlands in County Kerry and County Cork
Members noted the Report of the Chief Executive and made the following points:-.

The local community is concerned about this development, especially the exempted part of the
development.

The community fund provision should be a significant amount to benefit the community living
close to the wind farm.

Other forms of renewable energy need to be considered, such as solar.

The flood study should be a 100 year study.

It is noted that the Heritage Officer indicates that insufficient information has been provided to
make an adequate assessment of potential impact on the environment.

The County Development Plan states that wind energy development must comply with the
Habitats, Birds and EIA Directives. The proposed development is not in compliance as it has
failed to provide adequate information and this contradicts the County Development Plan.
The Senior Planner informed members that if a temporary bridge is installed as part of method
statement/environmental assessment a 100 year flood study would be normal practice. The
Board is the competent authority in this application and it is up to them to decide whether the EIS is
adequate. He also stated the Council is not assessing the wind farm just the grid connection and one
possible delivery route.
The Director of Services – Planning, Mr. John O’Neill said the reports of the CE, the minutes, and the
recommendations outlined by Cllr. Moynihan will go to the Board.
Councillor Aindrias Moynihan proposed and Cllr. Bernard Moynihan seconded that the following
motion should go to the Board as part of the CE’s report.
“While recognising that there is planning permission in place for this site it is important to note that
increasingly rural communities generally are becoming unhappy with proliferation of wind farms,
especially where they are moving off the remote hillsides and in among communities. The record
number of objections to another planning application east of here is strong evidence of that
dissatisfaction. (Coppeen application is currently on its way to BP). A question arises as to whether
alternative options, such as solar energy or offshore wind farms should be examined into the future.
Many locals were unaware of the cable part of the development as it was planning exempt. They were
surprised at the need of a cable as there is infrastructure linking existing wind farms to the network,
also some surprise at it being exempt and not part of the application in view of the land mark high
court case just over the hill in Ré na nDoirí. There may be good reasons for the cable but it highlights
a gap in the system when it is not part of the planning application. The under-grounding of the cable is
a positive move.
We, Cork County Council, agree with the CE Report that the potential impact to habitats and flooding
by the proposed bridge should be requested by An Bord Pleanala and that the floods study should be
for 100 year flood. Finally, if An Bord Pleanala is minded to grant Planning Permission to the
application a realistic community fund should be put in place so that the local communities can share
in any potential profits.
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Section 221 of the Local Government Act 2001:
Annual Report 2014
5/11-2
On the proposal of Cllr. Frank O’Flynn, seconded by Cllr. Kevin Murphy the annual Report for 2014
was adopted by Council.
REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS OF COMMITTEES
Corporate Policy Group:

6/11-2
Members Approved Conference list.
On the proposal of Cllr. Michael Hegarty seconded by Cllr Kevin Murphy the Conferences list
approved by Corporate Policy Group at their meeting on the 3rd of November was approved by
Council.

Approval to Funding of €22,500 p.a. for 3 years for Foroige.
On the proposal of Cllr Des O’ Grady seconded by Cllr Mary Hegarty members approved funding of
€22,500 p.a. for 3 years for Foroige.
Housing SPC
7/11-2
Proposed by Cllr. Seamus McGrath and seconded by Cllr. Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire the proposed
Amendment to Appendix of the “Application to Cork County Council for Social Housing Supports”.
Social & Community SPC
8/11-2
On the proposal of Cllr Des O Grady and seconded by Cllr Marcia D’Alton the following were agreed
by members:
 Cork County Council Social Inclusion Statement.

Amendment to Letter of Offer for Grants under the Municipal District Amenity / Community
Fund Schemes.
Cobh Municipal District:
9/11-2
"Given the central importance of Little Island as a residential, industrial and employment hub could
Cork County Council please furnish the members with details of their general traffic management
plans, emergency plans, and efforts to alleviate daily congestion on the Island so that the area can
continue maintain its competitiveness and continue to attract corporate investment"
Members noted the following report from Mr. Peter O’Donoghue Senior Engineer Traffic and
Transport.
Access to/from Little Island:
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It is acknowledged that, primarily as a result of its significance as an employment location,
Little Island is affected by undesirable levels of traffic congestion during peak traffic periods.
Both access points to Little Island, via the Tunnel Management Slip Road and the N25
Interchange suffer from this traffic congestion. Access can also be gained to Little Island by
means of Little Island station on the Cork to Midleton and Cork to Cobh Rail lines.
The proposed Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade, which has Planning Permission, and which is
likely to go to construction in the near future, will provide an alternative access, to replace the
Tunnel Management Slip Road. It is anticipated that this new access arrangement to/from
Little Island will significantly alleviate the congestion problems currently being experience
with access to and egress from Little Island.
Access within Little Island:
Notwithstanding the traffic congestion on approaches to Little Island, the local road network
on Little Island itself suffers from congestion and a lack of pedestrian facilities.

Cork County Council has prepared a Traffic Management Study for Little Island, which was
completed in 2009. This study recommended the upgrade of 7 local junctions. Part 8 was
approved by Full Council in May 2006 for the upgrade of 6 of these junctions.

The Ballytrasna Junction on Little Island was signalised in accordance with the Part 8 in 2013
with funding from the National Transport Authority. This upgrade gave significantly improved
pedestrian crossing facilities at this heavy used junction, in addition to management of traffic
flows.

Funding was allocated by NTA for the upgrade of the Island Cross junction on Little Island in
2015. This project was dependent on land acquisition for the provision of the necessary space to
facilitate the junction upgrade, and sufficient progress has not been made with the acquisition to
permit this upgrade to proceed.

The Council’s priority on Little Island continues to be the acquisition of land to permit the Island
Cross upgrade to proceed and to continue to seek funding for this purpose.

Further progress with the implementation of the recommendations of the Traffic Management
Study is dependent on the availability of resources and there is no funding currently available for
the other junction upgrades.
In the follow on discussion Members made the following points:

Disappointed with aspects of the response provided.

In 2006, Part 8 was approved for improvement of 7 Junctions.

In 2009 Cork County Council prepared a traffic management study and in all this time only one
junction has been improved, no improvements on the other 6 junctions to date.

Businesses in Little Island pay substantial rates and get very little in return.

Residents of Little Island are sometimes forgotten they are left with a bad road structure.

Can the Council engage with the TII to find a resolution?
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
Little Island needs a third entrance, the problem is local traffic.

Traffic chaos is an impediment to future investment in Little Island.

There are no proposals to address an emergency in Little Island particularly in peak traffic times.

Can a breakdown be given of the amount of rates coming in from Little Island?
The CE said that the upgrade of the Dunkettle interchange will help to solve many of the issues. This
project will progress to tender stage. Funding for projects approved in 2006/2007 may be more easily
accessed over the coming years.
There is an inter- agency emergency plan in place for Little Island. The CE stated that this matter
should be discussed at Municipal District Level.
The CE informed members that the Council does not record specific rated collected from specific
areas. If the Council wished to reallocate the rates in income to enhance Little Island, it would also
have to be decided from what area services would be taken. The CE agreed that Little Island needed
special attention and suggested that Mr. Peter O’Donoghue Senior Engineer in Traffic could go to the
Municipal District Meetings if Members want further information on junctions.
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Development Committee:
10/11-2
On the proposal of Cllr Declan Hurley, seconded by Cllr Marcia D’Alton, the following Notice of
Motion from the Development Committee was agreed by the Council;“The members of Cork County Council call on the Minister for the Environment, Community
and Local Government to introduce as a matter of urgency legislation which would allow the
nine former Town Council Town Development Plans in Cork (Cobh, Clonakilty, Fermoy,
Kinsale, Macroom, Mallow, Midleton, Skibbereen and Youghal) to be superseded by Local
Area Plans and on such basis it is proposed to include the former Town Council
administrative areas within the Local Area Plan review which is currently underway”
REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS OF OFFICERS
11/11-2
Chief Executive’s Report on Submissions Received to the Proposed Amendment No. 2 to the
Midleton E.A. Local Area Plan 2011 – Carrigtwohill and Water-Rock Framework Masterplans
Members welcomed the report and made the following points:

Concerns whether the Masterplans will come to fruition and will meaningful action be seen
on the ground.

These plans have been there since 2005, within the Local Area Plan it is stated that additional
lands must be identified to allow expansion of our towns especially those on public
transportation corridors.


Concerns that the N25 upgrade has been put on the backburner and we are still proposing to
put 5,000 units into these two areas.
Concerns about flooding, it is proposed to bring more water down to Slatty Pond without any
remedial works being done.

Infrastructure will be in place prior to planning permission given.

Zoning is very important in this area.

The co-operation of other service providers like the NRA, OPW, Irish Rail is required.
The CE stated that housing supply is one of the most critical issues facing Metropolitan Cork. No
other Local Authority is as well advanced, outside of Dublin, in terms of making the case that Cork
needs to be dealt with in a special way. Council Management are engaging with all of the national
agencies and is in consultation with the NTMA in relation to the strategic investment fund. The case
is being made that Cork is just as challenged as Dublin. Measures were announced recently by
government specifically mentioning the Metropolitan Cork region in relation to unlocking
development land.
The nine Masterplan areas are located in the nine areas that the Council considers are the most
important and the most capable of being serviced. The Council will be challenged to find alternative
sites that are more suitable. If they do not come on the market, the Council will have a problem that
will have to be tackled during the LAP process, which will conclude in July 2017. The CIF have been
asked to identify other lands if they think they are more appropriate for development. The private
equity funding model has still not been resolved so this is not just an issue about infrastructural
provision and we need to keep this matter high on our agenda during the LAP process.
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MANAGER’S REPORT UNDER SECTION 179, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT,
2000:
12/11-2
Proposed by Councillor Frank O’Flynn
Seconded by Councillor Kevin O’Keeffe
RESOLVED:
“Noting that in accordance with Article 179 of the Local Government (Planning and
Development) Act, 2000, notice of the proposed development was published, that 3 no.
submissions were received in respect of the proposal, approval pursuant to Article 179 of the
said Act is given for the Signalisation of Junction of R665, Kildorrery Road, George’s Street
and Church Street, Mitchelstown.
Quarterly Report of the Chief Executive on Corporate – Library, Fire & Building Control.
13/11-2
Proposed by Councillor Michael Hegarty.
Seconded by Councillor Gerard Murphy.
Members noted the quarterly report for Library, Fire & Building Control which outlined as follows:-
1.
LIBRARY SERVICE
Statistics:
Items loaned
July
159,208
August
130,368
September
143,811
Works:
Charleville Library
Works to repair the spire, roof and associated water damage at Charleville Library, commenced in
September, with the erection of scaffolding around the spire. The works, which involve the repointing
of stone work, the replacement of external louvers and the repair of the floor of the bell tower, will
ensure the conservation of this important Heritage building.
Every effort has been made to minimize disruption to the public during the works, with entrance being
provided through a door at the rear of the building while the front entrance is closed off. The new
entrance arrangements have been approved by the Health and Safety section of Cork County Council.
It is expected that works will be completed by the end of the year.
Development Plan:
Year of Light
Year of Light celebrations continued throughout the summer at Cork County Library branches, with a
wide variety of events, including exhibitions, talks and workshops.
The quarter began with the launch of the annual From the Well anthology. This year, the anthology
had a theme of Light, to tie in with the County Library’s Year of Light programme. See below for
more details.
Exhibition highlights during the summer included the Beyond the Bulb exhibition from the Tyndall
Institute, UCC, which was on display in Carrigaline Library in July and in Library HQ in September.
The exhibition, compiled in association with Harvard University, consisted of a selection of
MinNov2.15
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photographs of light in unusual contexts, such as lightbulbs in x-ray light, and earth lights from the
international space station.
The Summer Reading Scheme provided a perfect platform for participating children to decorate their
branch libraries, by putting yellow stickers with their names on the black background of a banner,
entitled “Light up your Library”, with libraries becoming more and more “lit up” as the summer
progressed. See below for more details.
A very interesting talk, sent our way by Cllr. Ian Doyle, was held in Charleville during Heritage Week
(see below). The talk was on the history of the Charleville Electric Company, a forerunner to the
ESB, and provided a seamless link between Heritage Week and the Year of Light.
These events meet a number of targets under Section 2.1, “Service Delivery”, Section 2.5, “Outreach
and Partnership”, Section 2.6, “Literature, Culture and the Arts” and Section 2.7, “Local History,
Genealogy and Cultural Heritage”.
Launch of annual short story publication
The annual From the Well anthology, the end result of the Cork County Library and Arts Service
short story competition, was launched on 1st July by the new Mayor, Cllr. John Paul O’Shea, with a
reception for the winning and shortlisted entries at Library HQ. All shortlisted authors were presented
with copies of the publication by the Mayor, and the winning author, Barbara Leahy, from Midleton,
read her story, The One-Eyed Fox. The 2015 competition was based on the theme of Light,
complementing the Year of Light programme. Details of the 2016 competition were also revealed at
the launch. The 2016 competition and publication will be based on the theme of Revolution, feeding
into the Library’s 1916 commemoration programme but with a wide variety of interpretations
encouraged. The competition for 2016 was formally launched in September.
This meets a number of targets under Section 2.6, “Literature, Culture and the Arts”.
West Cork Literary Festival
The West Cork Literary Festival was launched on Sunday 12th July by author Carlo Gebler at Bantry
Library. This year’s festival, under artistic director Eimear O’Herlihy, was the most successful in its
entire history in terms of bookings, and all library events attracted capacity crowds. The programme
was particularly impressive for those interested in writing themselves, with a number of interesting
talks on the publishing industry, and from new and emerging Irish writers, such as Colin Barrett, Sara
Baume and Rob Doyle. The library service has been associated with the Festival from the start and
very proud of its long-standing partnership with organizers, West Cork Music.
This meets a specific target under Section 2.6, “Literature, Culture and the Arts”.
O’Donovan Rossa Exhibition
The O’Donovan Rossa exhibition, compiled by Reference and Local Studies staff and launched in
Skibbereen Library on the centenary of his death at the end of June, moved to Clonakilty Library
during July. The Skibbereen Library launch received coverage on RTE’s Six-One News on 31st July,
on the eve of the anniversary of his funeral in Dublin. The digitized library copy of the Souvenir
Funeral Pamphlet, published in 1915, was made accessible on the Library website prior to the
centenary of his funeral. A digital version of the exhibition was also made accessible online during the
third quarter.
In addition, a launch of the 3 Phoenix art installations, created by children during workshops at 3
West Cork Libraries in April, was held in Skibbereen Library in July. All the children involved
received a certificate of achievement from Justine Foster of the West Cork Arts Centre, who launched
the installations, and a party was held for the children and members of their families in what was a
light-hearted and fun event to commemorate the legacy of the West Cork patriot. Also in attendance
was artist Alison Cronin. Two of the exhibitions were moved later in the summer to the other 2
libraries involved, Dunmanway and Clonakilty.
These events meet targets under Section 2.1.3, “Service delivery: online”, Section 2.6, “Literature,
Culture and the Arts” and Section 2.7, “Local History, Genealogy and Cultural Heritage”.
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Summer Reading Scheme
The 2015 Summer Reading Scheme, entitled Summer Reading Adventure at your Library, had an
unprecedented participation rate, with 3,925 children registering on the scheme. At the end of the
summer, award events were held at libraries throughout the county, with all participants receiving
personalised certificates. In Bandon Library, the awards event was attended by the Chief Executive of
Cork County Council, Tim Lucey, who presented the participants with their certificates. The scheme
also celebrated the Year of Light, as children added yellow stickers with their names to a “Light up
your library” banner.
This is a specific target under Section 2.5, “Outreach and Partnership”, and also meets targets under
Section 2.1, “Service Delivery”.
Heritage Week
Over 20 events were held in 13 Cork County Library locations during Heritage Week, ranging from
lectures to exhibitions to one-to-one sessions. All events were well-attended and well-received, and
library staff were actively involved in a number of these events. Talks held at Library HQ and Blarney
library were delivered by library staff, while exhibitions on the Verolme Dockyard (Cobh Library),
O’Donovan Rossa (Skibbereen Library), and a local history photographic display (Glanmire Library),
were also curated by library staff.
The Spike Island Victorian Prison lectures delivered at Cobh and Carrigaline Libraries by Cal
McCarthy and Dr Barra O Donnabháin gave a taster of their book on the same subject, which is due to
be published by Cork County Library in the Spring of 2016.
Where the content of Heritage Week events was not actually delivered by staff, the events themselves
were, in almost all cases, organized locally by branch staff, and indeed made possible through their
local contacts, demonstrating the community spirit of branch libraries and the value of branch libraries
to their communities.
This meets targets under Section 2.5, “Outreach and Partnership” and Section 2.7, “Local History,
Genealogy and Cultural Heritage”.
GIS mapping
Following an intensive collaborative process, involving mobile library staff, library IT liaison staff
and the GIS team of the IT department, every mobile library stop in the county was mapped using GIS
mapping. This interactive tool is now accessible via the library website and gives users information
such as exact location of their stop, the date of the mobile library visit and the duration. It will also be
a useful reporting tool to inform the frequent modifications that are part and parcel of delivering a
mobile library service.
This meets targets under Section 2.1.2, “Service Delivery: Mobile Libraries”.
Wifi extended
In 2013, wifi internet access was rolled out to 21 libraries across the county. Four libraries,
Ballincollig, Schull, Ballyvourney and Glanmire, that hadn’t been included in the original roll-out for
logisitical reasons, are now also providing wifi, the installations taking place between the second and
third quarters of 2015. The total number of libraries providing wifi access is now 25.
This meets targets under Section 2.1.3, “Service Delivery: Online”.
Be Visible, Look and Listen
Cork County Council and An Garda Siochana have launched a new road safety awareness campaign
MinNov2.15
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aimed at parents and guardians. It highlights the importance of safe and responsible parking around
schools when dropping off and collecting children, and basic tips on road safety in general. A board
game was also created to help children learn about road safety and this was launched at Midleton
Library on 22nd September 2015. It is now available at all local libraries.
This meets targets under Section 2.1, “Service Delivery” and Section 2.5, “Outreach and
Partnership”.
Library Partnership
The library partnership group, which took a break during the summer months, resumed business in
September, with the national library management system and national plans to roll out RFID selfservice facilities high on the agenda. The ongoing operation of the Saturday roster was also reviewed
with a view to renewing the scheme for a further 12 months.
This meets targets under Section 2.1.3, “Service Delivery: online” and Section 2.3, “Staff
Development”.
PMDS
Mid-year reviews of PDPs and Team Plans commenced in the summer months, with most being
completed by the end of the third quarter and objectives on target in the vast majority of cases.
This meets a specific target under Section 2.3, “Staff Development”.
Health and Safety
Office safety refresher training continued during the third quarter. Safety Tours of Inspection were
completed on target for the third quarter.
This meets targets under Section 2.1.1, “Service delivery: the branch network”.
2.
FIRE & BUILDING CONTROL DEPARTMENT
Fire Operations
Total number of turnouts to fires
Average of turnout times
Average of response times
% of calls with a response time of less than 10 minutes
% of calls with a response time of between 10 and 20 minutes
% of calls with a response time greater than 20 minutes
227
5 mins 25 secs
12 mins 44 secs
43.59%
47.18%
9.23%
Total number of turnouts to non-fire emergencies
Average of turnout times
Average of response times
% of calls with a response time of less than 10 minutes
% of calls with a response time of less than 20 minutes
% of calls with a response time greater than 20 minutes
162
5 mins 45 secs
19mins 46 secs
30.41%
46.62%
22.97%
Further to receiving approval from the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government
to invite tenders for the purchase of new fire appliances under a new joint procurement
programme Cork County Council Fire Department, as the Lead Authority, has sought tenders
for the supply of four appliances, one for Kerry County Council and three for Cork County
Council. Following an e-Tendering process five tenders were received and these are currently
being evaluated.
19 recruits from various locations throughout the county successfully completed their Recruit
Training at Bandon Fire Station. This was the first Recruit Training course within Cork
County to be undertaken in accordance with the new national syllabus for recruit training,
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which now takes three weeks to complete in comparison to the two week course previously
undertaken by recruits. The extra time reflects increasing demands in terms of skills and
competencies.
Fire Prevention
Number of Fire Safety Certificate applications received
98
Number of Fire Safety Certificate applications granted
79
The Fire and Building Control Department’s newly established Facebook page continues to attract a
lot of interest. During Quarter 3 of this year our Facebook page was used to provide valuable
Fire Safety advice and information on Building Control and Fire Prevention matters, as well
as providing an insight into the Operational side of the Fire Service.
In September the Fire Department resumed its programme of Community Fire Safety Presentations in
schools. It is proposed to recommence Community Fire Safety presentations in Day Care
Centres during the final quarter of this year.
The Fire Department continued to engage with local community groups, providing them with free
smoke alarms to be installed in the homes of the elderly/vulnerable living within their
communities where they do not already have working smoke alarms fitted in their homes.
Cork County Council Fire Department continued to play a leading role in the Cork Wildfire
Cooperative which included giving presentations to farming organisations.
Building Control
Number of valid commencement notice submissions received
Number of Disability Access Certificate applications received
Number of Disability Access Certificate applications granted
335
66
64
Major Emergency Management
Our Major Emergency Management Committee has put a full and comprehensive work programme in
place for implementation in 2015. The following is a brief synopsis of Major Emergency
Management work completed in this region during Q3 2015:
- External Emergency Plans were finalised and approved for the following sites:
o GlaxoSmithKline, Currabinny
o BASF, Little Island
o Phillips 66, Whitegate
- Post-Exercise meeting held & Exercise report prepared for Eli Lilly, Dunderrow, Kinsale
- Preparation and Exercise of revised External Emergency Plan for Calor, Tivoli on September
29th 2015
- Draft External Emergency Plan prepared/revised for MarinoChem, Cobh
- The Major Emergency Management Committee met on September 1st 2015
- A Crisis Management Team MEM Exercise has been scheduled for November 25th 2015
Civil Defence
The following activities were undertaken by the Cork North Civil Defence Unit during Q3 of 2015:
- Attended a meeting with Blackwater Sub Aqua Club in Fermoy on 07th July
- Participated in Search Exercise with Blackwater Sub Aqua Fermoy on 22nd July
- Attended Voluntary Emergency Services Meeting in Collins Barracks 02nd
September.
- Attended Information Day in Roscrea on 30th September.
- Provided First Aid/Ambulance support for the following events: Collect Chernobyl Kids
from Dublin Airport; Cycle Race, Blarney; Lee Swim, Cork; Show jumping, Millstreet; All
Ireland Vintage, Castletownroche; Walk, Doneraile Park; Road Race, Milford; Road Race,
Liscarroll; Pro-Drift, Fermoy; Pro-Drift, Fermoy; Road Race, Liscarroll; Road Race, Meelin;
Raft Run, Fermoy; Run, Doneraile Park; Cycle Events, Charleville; Races, Listowel; State
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Funeral, Castlelyons; Races, Listowel; Sports Event, Anglesborough; Autograss Event,
Kildorrery.
The following activities were undertaken by the Cork West Civil Defence Unit during Q3 of 2015:
- Baltimore Search - Cork West Civil Defence personnel were involved in the multi-agency
effort from July 1st -11th , and were tasked as shore based spotter teams, search boat crews and
search coordinators at the incident command unit. Search Responder Teams worked in
tandem with local Coastguard units, while the Civil Defence boat crew conducted sweep
searches of the incident area with crews from IRCG, Baltimore RNLI and Schull Inshore
Rescue. They also were tasked as scene controllers for dive operations on a number of
occasions. During the search and recovery phase a total of 95 volunteer duties were
completed, with an average duration of 8 hours, contributing a total of 760 volunteer hours
from Civil Defence members.
- Provided First Aid/Ambulance support for the following events: Ring of Kerry Cycle July 4th;
Emergency Services Cycle July 11th; Clonakilty Charity Cycle Sept 12th; All-Ireland Road
Bowling July 11-12th
- Provided Safety Boat duties at championship rowing events in Glandore, Union Hall,
Castletownshend and Schull.
- Provision of Occupational First Aid refresher training to CCC Lifeguard teams at Inchidoney
on Aug 4th.
- Civil Defence Aerial Search Drone demo to Garda Siochana and Coastguard Search
Managers at Tragumna on Aug 19th
- The Cork West Civil Defence unit skills camp was held on Bere Island on Sept 19th & 20th
and focused on the fundamental areas of Search Response, Radio Communications, First Aid
& Casualty, Navigation and Footdrill.
- Unit personnel briefed on Critical Incident Stress Management and Health & Safety issues.
- Radio refresher training conducted on Sept 10th.
- Inter-Agency Search training exercise with Castletownbere Coastguard unit on Sept 20th.
- Inter-Agency Emergency Medical Technician training with Red Cross on Sept 26th.
The following activities were undertaken by the Cork South Civil Defence Unit during Q3 of 2015:
- Provided assistance to a number of community events including The Kinsale Walking
Festival, Cobh triathlon and a number of boating events.
- Completed courses in Manual Handling, Occupational First Aid and Radio Communications
- Training exercises were also held to prepare volunteers to assist in emergencies or adverse
weather situations.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
Department of Education and Skills:
14/11-2
Members noted letter dated 21st October, 2015 from the Department of Education and Skills in
response to Council’s letter dated 14th September, 2015 regarding Cork Educate Together Secondary
School.
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Department of Environment, Community and Local Government:
15/11-2
Members noted letter dated 4th November, 2015 from the Department of Environment, Community,
and Local Government in response to Council’s letter dated 12th October, 2015, regarding the
additional funding for provision of sheltered housing, to non-profit Housing Association for the
elderly.
NOTICES OF MOTION
VALUATION AMENDMENT ACT 2015
16/11-2
Councillor Gerard Murphy Proposed and Seconded by Councillor Tim Lombard the following notice
of motion:“Considering the recent changes to the Valuation Amendment Act 2015 exempting
Community Childcare facilities from paying commercial rates and considering the Minister
recent reply to the topical issues on arrears, I am calling on the council to write off these
arrears as a gesture of good will acknowledging the tremendous work being done by these
community voluntary organisations.”
Members made the following points regarding this motion on the Valuation Amendment Act 2015.

There was an amendment act passed recently exempting community childcare from paying
commercial rates and arrears question is an issue for each individual council.

Volunteers put tremendous work into establishing community childcare facilities and cost
must be kept low in order to ensure people can afford the services they are providing.

The rates arrears have built up and are quite worrying for the organisations.

Commends the Government for making this change. Propose we set up a national fund to
reimburse the community childcare facilities who have already paid their rates.
The CE stated that those who apply for and are granted the exemption will not be charged for 2015 or
2016 and if any of these have already paid for 2015 these will be refunded. Arrears pre 2015 will not
be written off and payment plans can be put in place with these.
Members welcome the fact that any childcare facility that has arrears will be dealt with
sympathetically.
CERTIFACTION SCHEME FOR RENTED PROPERTY
17/11-2
Councillor Noel Collins proposed, seconded by Councillor Mary Linehan Foley the following notice
of motion:“That this Council call on the Department of the Environment & Local Government, for the
establishment of a certification scheme under which landlords would have to prove their
compliance with basic quality and safety standards before a property be rented, rather than
depending on inspections by local authorities.”
During a discussion Members made the following points:
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
More than 1 in 5 properties inspected last year failed to meet the basic requirements and new
standards for rental accommodation in 2011 seemed to have changed nothing.

The small number of prosecutions taken by local authorities against landlords does not mirror
the extent of the problems and many young families continue to live in substandard
accommodation.

This was discussed at the AILG meeting recently and many of the Councillors were unhappy
with the roll out of HAP in their counties. The more complicated we make the HAP system
the more we will slow it down. Would like members to hold off until the HAP system is
working better.

Certification is very important but the timing may not be right for it as it may slow down the
HAP system and we don’t want to make it more difficult for people to find properties to rent.

Properties should be inspected before the tenant moves in and we should make sure the
landlord complies.

Some tenants don’t want inspectors to call around even though they were living in
substandard accommodation in case they might be evicted.
The CE stated that the motion could only be implemented by the Department if it funds local
authorities to do the inspection or establishes an independent agency to do so. This was noted by
members.
MODULAR HOUSING
18/11-2
Councillor Susan McCarthy proposed, seconded by Councillor Noel Collins.
"That this Council, in an effort to alleviate the serious lack of available local authority
housing in the short-term, investigate the possibility of installing modular housing at a
suitably identified site or sites, preferably in the areas of the county where the numbers on the
waiting list are most concentrated."
During a discussion on Modular housing, Members made the following points:

Modular houses are permanent structures, faster to build and are considered a form of green
building and have the same lifecycle as permanent homes.

They fulfil short term needs and deliver long term benefits.

What land would be used if Cork County were to put up modular housing?


Would modular housing applicants be considered adequately housed?
Modular houses should not be a replacement for building permanent houses.

Modular houses are high class and can be erected quickly and this should be part of the
overall housing strategy.

Cork County Council is paying €708 per week to house a family in emergency
accommodation so Modular houses would be better than this and would give families more
security.
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The CE stated that the Council will look at all aspects of housing to meet the targets through a range
of options using standard housing types and does not consider that it will be necessary to deliver
modular houses. However it will be kept on the agenda as an option if the Council does not deliver its
targets.
Members would like to notify the department of our interest in this.
Extension of time requested:
Proposed by Cllr. Frank O’Flynn
Seconded by Cllr. Kevin Murphy.
Suspension of Standing Orders:
To discuss the Global Valuation of Utilities undertaken by the Valuation Office.
Proposed by Cllr. Kevin O’Keeffe.
Seconded by Cllr. Seamus McGrath.
Members noted circular Fin 13/2015 regarding Global Valuation and made the following
points:
This valuation of utilities affects the value of assets of service providers and will have a major
impact on our income for the coming year.

We will have to raise more money to provide for our services.

We are now short €0.5million; the government should reform the whole system by which we
value our rates.

We need clarification on this, it is ridiculous that this level of rates reduction is being offered
to big companies at the expense of Local Authorities budgets.

The budget book did not indicate that we would be dealing with a shortfall and this should
have been made clear during the budgetary process.

Why are we not offering the same relief to smaller companies?

Valuations in small towns are totally outdated. We need to look at the whole valuation
process generally.
Propose we write to the Minister for Finance and Environment and request that the
adjustment be made on a phased basis.

The CE informed members that the Council expected a 5% to 6% reduction and this was budgeted
for. A 20% reduction was not envisaged. At the time of the budget meeting management was
confident that the government would pick up the shortfall. If the sum of €1,366,056 was not received
from the Department the executive would be back to council next year.
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VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS
25/11-2
TO:
Cork County GAA board on announcing the developing of Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
TO:
St. Finbarrs Hurlers on winning the Junior B hurling County Championship.
TO:
Bantry Blues Junior A ladies football team on reaching the All Ireland Final.
TO:
Mournabbey ladies footballers on winning the County Final.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
26/11-2
Opening of Tenders;
The following tenders were opened at the Meeting:
Civil Works consisting of repaving Barry’s Lane Youghal - 6 no.
It was agreed to defer the remaining items on the Agenda to the next Council Meeting on 14th
December, 2015.
This concluded the business of the Meeting
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