Questions to the City Manager:
At each full council meeting, City Councillors are allowed to submit one question to the City Manager for written reply, undearneath are my questions, submitted since I joined the council in 2007.
If wish to have a copy of any of the repsonses, please dont hesitate to drop me a line.
12/09/2011 – Street Lighting Oliver Plunkett Street
With regard to the ornate lighting columns on Oliver Plunkett street and surrounding areas, to ask the City Manager for details on:
- the original purchase price and installation cost of each unit
- the number of columns installed
- the number of times maintenance works have been carried out on the columns since they were installed
- the cost associated with these works and if it is covered by warranty or guarantee
- given that the lights are more often off than on – is there any permanent solution to ensure that they are always illuminated at night time.
30/05/2011 – Kinsale Road Landfill
Can the City Manager provide a full and complete update on the Kinsale landfill – what has progressed in the last twelve months, an update on the transfer station and how the Council’s long term plans are progressing
16/05/2011 – City Council Scheme of Priorities for Housing
Can the manager please furnish the council members with copy of the current City Council Scheme of Priorities for Housing? I would like to see the rules for inclusion on the Housing List and then for allocating houses. I am particularly interested in identifying and provisions applicable to previous tenants.
26/04/2011 – Graffiti
To ask the City Manager if he or the Environment Directorate have an action plan to combat the graffiti in the City, that has become increasing prevalent in recent times.
14/02/2011 – Rental Accomodation Scheme
To ask the City Manager in relation to the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS):
- how many families have been housed in each year over the last three years 2010, 2009 and 2008,
- the areas in which they were housed
- how a Cork City Council tenant can apply for the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS)
24/01/2011- CAPITAL PROJECTS REVIEW
To ask the City Manager if he will update the Members on his review of the City’s capital projects which he indicated he was undertaking last year. Can the Manager refer specially to the projects set out below, that have already been approved by council:
- Blackrock/Mahon Library
- The Lee Rowing Club Slipway
- The park/playground in Blackrock Village
Can the Manager indicate on each of the projects mentioned:
- if funding is available
- when the works will commence
- the total cost involved in each project
- estimated completion time
13/12/2010 – SKIDDY’S HOMES
To ask the City Manager
- The number of Skiddys homes vacant on both Pouladuff Road and Vicar’s Road
- How long these homes have been vacant
- When it is expected that they will be occupied
- The reason for the delay in finding tenants
- Is Cork City Council the landlord of these properties
- Who is in receipt of the rents payable
- Is there a manager / caretaker in charge of the properties and what is their function
06/12/2010 – LIBRARY FEES
To ask the City Manager what was the cost of adult membership of our City Libraries in each of the following years:
2008; 2009; 2010
Can the manager also inform the council the number of adult members in each of those years
2008; 2009; 2010
29/11/2010 – COSTING OF SOUTH MALL PODS.
Can the City Manager identify the individual cost associated with the construction of each of the Pods on South mall and Grand Parade and provide a breakdown of these costs.
11/10/2010 - POD ON THE SOUTH MALL
To ask the City Manager, if any progression has been made in securing a lease for the pod on South Mall. If so, can he provide us with the details of same.
If not, is it possible that in the interim the unit could be temporarily used to one of the Council departments, possibly the Arts Office, to promote events etc in the City Centre.
12/07/2010 – CLEAN UP PLAN – PAIRC UI CHAOIMH
To ask the City Manager, to outline the Council’s Cleansing plan that is implemented in the area surrounding Pairc Ui Caoimh and the Showgrounds following major sporting and entertainment events.
And if the provision of temporary bins could be used when such events are taking place.
28/06/2010 – CORK CITY COUNCIL SHAREHOLDINGS
Can the City Manager list all the shareholdings of Cork City Council?
14/06/2010 – SOUTH MALL POD.
To ask the City Manager, if any lease has been agreed on the pod on South Mall. If so, can he provide us with the details of same. If not, is he hopeful that one will be agreed in the near future.
24/05/2010 – BLACKROCK ROAD CLEANING.
To ask the City Manager, if he will outline the City Councils cleansing and litter control policy for the Blackrock road and in particular the stretch from Church Rd to Blackrock Village.
26/04/2010 – GUS HEALY POOL, DOUGLAS.
To ask the City Manager if there are any possible routes that can be explored by Cork City Council in order to develop the Gus Healy pool in Douglas? Can the Manager outline these to the council.
12/04/2010 – BLACKROCK VILLAGE REGENERATION
To ask the City Manager for an update on the regeneration of Blackrock Village.
- Have the land ownership issues been finalised? At a meeting of the council in November 2008, the manager informed the council that a number of issues still remain to be resolved but it was hoped that substantial progress will be made in the coming months towards finalizing matters. Have these now concluded?
- Has final consultation with all stakeholders of the community centre now taken place and are plans finalised.
- Is there funding available for the construction of the newly designed Community Centre.
- When will construction of the Community Centre begin?
- Are the plans for Blackrock Park available? And if not when will they be available.
22/03/2010 – REPORT ON GO CARS
To ask the City Manager for a report on the Go Car scheme in the City, year on year since its inception.
- The revenue and costs generated each year
- The original outlay on the vehicles
- The number of subscribers / uers per year
22/02/2010 – DOG FOULING.
Can the City Manager outline the Council’s policy on dog fouling.
This issue has been raised a number of times in Council and numerous reports have been issued, but to little effect. The problem of dog fouling is City wide, and one that is not being tackled, given that no prosecutions or fines have ever been issue.
In his reply can the Manager, outline how it is policed and how many wardens are working in the suburbs.
08/02/2010 – FUTURE PLANNING ON FLOOD PLANES.
To ask the City Manager, in light of the recent flooding throughout the City, if the appropriate experts (i.e. Hydrographers) will now be consultuted during the planning process, when applications are made for flood planes.
25/01/2010 – COMPENSATION CLAIMS.
To ask the City manager, if any compensation claims have been lodged against City Council, either as a result of the flooding in November or during the more recent cold weather snap.
If so, can the manager outline the nature of the claims and the expected cost to the council.
And if no such claims have been received is there a provision for such payouts, in the event that they do arise.
11/01/2010 – GRITTING / SALTING OF ROADS AND FOOTPATHS
To ask the City Manager if he would make a statement to the Council on the recent icy conditions in the City and the City Council’s response in respect of salting /gritting.
In his answer could the manager refer to the following points:
- Did the embargo on overtime affect the Council ability to salt/grit effectively
- How much salt/grit was used
- Did Cork City Council run out of supplies of Salt/Grit at any stage during the cold weather spell
- What was the overall cost to the Council
14/12/2009 – CORK DOCKLANDS
In response to a recent Parlimentary Question on the recommendations of the Cork Docklands Forum, John Gormley, Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government stated that:
“Cork City Council is considering what enabling measures can be put in place to further progress the development of Cork Docklands having regard to existing budgetary constraints.”
To ask the Manager to outline these “enabling measures” and how he feels the development of the Docklands can be progressed given the budgetary constraints as mentioned.
07/12/2009 – STORM BARRAGE – PROTECT INLAND AREAS
Further to my question of 23/03/2009 regarding Professor Robert Devoy’s statement on the potential for flood disaster in Cork City and the recent statement from the IEA. Can the manager indicate when the findings from the Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (Lee CFRAMS) project will be brought forward for public consultation. (originally due in May 2009)
And if the manager will make available to this council the review commissioned of both riverine and tidal flooding for the river Lee and estuary, by Halcrow Engineering Consultants
23/11/2009 - TRAFFIC FROM THE WELL ROAD, DOUGLAS
Further to my question at the Council meeting on the 12th October 2009.
Could the manager identify what solutions he has to alleviate the traffic situation that has arisen owing to the removal of the roundabout in Douglas Village by Cork County Council. In his previous response the Manager outlined the reasons for the removal of the roundabout, but did not address the need for an alternative, for traffic originating from the Well Road direction, wishing to travel to the Douglas Road.
The option of using the roundabout at Douglas Court Shopping Centre is not a viable one and only serves to increase traffic around Douglas Village itself.
12/10/2009 – ROUNDABOUT IN DOUGLAS VILLAGE
To ask the City Manager, what proposals Cork City Council has to alleviate the traffic situation that has arisen owing to the removal of the roundabout in Douglas Village by Cork County Council. This has resulted in the traffic that wished to travel on the Douglas road now being diverted through residential estates, causing huge incovenience and safety issues
28/09/2009 – WAKELY REPORT
To ask the City manager if and when he intends to publish the Wakely report, commissioned in 2006
11/05/2009 – RECYCLING REBATES
To ask the City Manager the amount Cork City Council has paid to Re-Gen Ltd for recycling services in the years 2006; 2007 and 2008.
And to detail the amounts, if any, that have been rebated to the Council against this expenditure during these years.
14/04/2009 – FUTURE MAINTENANCE OF THE JACK LYNCH TUNNEL
To ask the City Manager, if future maintenance of the Jack Lynch Tunnel could commence after the Mahon Point shops have closed.
Currently, works start before the retail outlets have closed and it it is having a negative impact on footfall in retailers stores.
23/03/2009 – STORM BARRAGE – PROTECT INLAND AREAS
With regard to Professor Robert Devoy (UCC’s Department of Geography and the Coastal and Marine Resources Centre) recent statement on the potential for flood disaster in Cork City.
Could the manager advise if Cork City Council intends to construct a Storm Barrage to protect inland areas from surges at sea. And if not, what he expects will protect the city from flooding
09/03/2009 – SMALL BUSINESSES – COMMERCIAL RATES
To ask the City Manager, if small businesses in the City would be allowed to defer payments on their commercial rates if they find that they are in serious financial difficulties.
Given that rates are one of the biggest single expenditures for any business, I would appeal to the Manager that an arrangement could be arrived at, where such businesses can defer their rates for a period of twelve months.
Ultimately no business in Cork should be forced to close its doors, because of rate arrears. In the same vain – businesses shouldn’t be forced to reduce employee hours or let staff go because of their liability to City Hall.
23/02/2009 – FORMER NEMO SITE – ACCESS SOUTH DOUGLAS ROAD
To ask The manager if he will outline the reasons why the developer of the former Nemo site was not required to utilise an access road provided under planning TP 03/27489 to facilitate access onto the South Douglas Rd, despite the fact that a traffic impact assessment demonstrated that the South Douglas rd junction could facilitate traffic from both sites ?
09/02/2009 – BLOCKING OF RIGHT-OF-WAY FROM THE SKEHARD ROAD TO CONVENT ROAD
To ask the City Manager if the barricade across the right-of-way from the Skehard Road to Convent Road will be removed.
This was originally erected when the social housing beside the Eden complex was been constructed, for safety reasons. These houses have now been completed, but the blockage of the path remains.
Can the manaher advise when it will be removed?
26/01/2009 – MUNSTER AGRICULTURAL SHOWGROUNDS
Can the City Manager confirm that the lands of the Munster Agricultural Showgrounds are now in the ownership of the Council. Can the manager also outline what are his short term and long term plans for the land bank.
12/01/2009 – ILLEGAL DUMPING – BLACKROCK
To ask the City Manager if there are any measures that City Council can take to combat the persistent problem of illegal dumping on the Marina, Blackrock.
As a regular occurrence, items such as white goods, general waste, carpets etc are being dumped all along the Marina and while the environment department are exellent in their removal of this waste when its reported, there must be measures that can be taken to prevent this dumping in the first place.
10/11/2008 – REDEVELOPMENT OF BLACKROCK VILLAGE
To ask the City Manager for an update on the redevelopment of Blackrock Village:
1. When does he envisage that the land ownership issues would be finalised?
2. Have the plans for the Community Centre been agreed and is there funding available for it’s construction?
3. When will consturction of the Community Centre begin?
4. What is the current situation of the playground/green on the marina which was the subject of a planning application last year?
5. Is the plan for the Blackrock Park available?
13/10/2008 – PROCESSING OF RECYCLING BAGS
To ask the City Manager how the City Council processes the recycling that is collected every second week. As there is no waste segregation and the bags are strongly compacted in the dump trucks, can he assure Council that all materials are correctly recycled and that none end up in a landfill or being incinerated.
22/09/2008 – AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEMES – TEMPORARY CONVENIENCE LETTING
The current Clawback period on Affordable Housing Schemes is ten years. As the Manager is aware, there are scheme across city where residents have signedTtemporary Letting Agreements in the understanding that it would only be for a matter of weeks, however due to no fault of the residents, protacted delays have meant that residents have now being paying rent for over two years, with contracts still left unsigned.
Can the City Manager indicate if this period when a ‘Temporary’ Letting Agreement was in place can be off-set aginst the clawback period?
08/09/2008 – LOCAL AUTHORITY SWIMMING POOL GRANT SCHEME
To ask the City Manager, given Minister Martin Cullen’s answer to a recent Parlimentary Question regarding the Local Authority Swimming Pool Grant Scheme, and that it it unlikely that a second round will be opened in the near future, could Cork City Council perhaps explore alternative methods of funding.
14/07/2008 – REPAIR WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT ON THE ATLANTIC POND
To ask the City Manager if repair works can be carried out on the Atlantic Pond, given that the side walls are now collapsing into the pond and there is a significant amount of physical debris at the western stream that feeds the pond
09/06/2008 – SNAG LIST FOR CASEY’S LAND NOT YET COMPLETED
Futher to my question of April 14th, to ask the Ciity Manager why the all snags in the affordable housing scheme in Casey’s Land havent been completed? Given that they were to be finalised within four weeks of my original question and eight weeks has now lapsed.
12/05/2008 – DIVERT HEAVY COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC FROM BOREENMANNA ROAD AREA
To ask the City Manager if the City Council have any plans to divert heavy commerical traffic taking short cuts through the Boreenmanna Road/Ballintemple area to/from Mahon/South Link Road.
28/04/2008 – GUS HEALY SWIMMING POOL
To ask the City Manager why there is only one hour a day available to the public at the Gus Healy Swimming pool
14/04/2008 – AFFORDABLE HOUSING – CASEY’S LAND
To ask the City Manager when he expects that all snags will be completed in the affordable housing scheme in Casey’s Land? I submitted on behalf of the residents, their outstanding snags to the Housing Department some six weeks ago – no works have been carried out since.
31/03/2008 – WATER CONSERVATION PROJECT
To ask the City Manager at what stage is the water conservation project and when does he envisage it will be implemented?
10/12/2007 – RESIDENTS NOT PENALISED IF THE LANDLORD REFUSES TO REGISTER THEIR TENANCY
To ask the Manager, if there are any steps Cork City Council will take to ensure that residents in rented accommodation are not penalised if the Landlord refuses to register their tenancy. In relation particularly to Resident’s Parking Permits.
12/11/2007 – DEVELOPMENT OF 3.2 ACRES ADJACENT TO THE BLACKASH PARK AND RIDE
To ask the manager if there are any plans to develop the 3.2 acres of land in Council ownership adjacent to the BlackAsh Park and Ride.
22/10/2007 – TRAFFIC LANE ON CAMDEN QUAY
To ask the Manager what consultation took place before the redesignation of the traffic lane on Camden Key to a contra flow bus corridor? And whether individual traders on the Quay were informed directly?
08/10/2007 – TRAFFIC AT SKEHARD/ CHURCH ROAD JUNCTION
To ask the Manager none of the proposals in Kevin Terry’s report (R.03/04 – 4.1) of the 26th February 2004, regarding the Management of Traffic at Skehard/Church Road junction have been implemented?
10/09/2007 – QUAY WALLS ALONG THE MARINA
To ask the City Manager why the Quay walls along the Marina and the roads and footpaths in this area are in such a poor state of repair and when will he be in a position to ensure they are reinstated ?
