Mulvihill’s Proposals To Town Council

At last Mondays meeting of Cobh Town Council I raised the following issues
1 – Cobh Garda Station
I have serious concerns about the possible down grading of the station. My understanding is that the decision is imminent. It has been speculated that it might result in the reduction of cover at night time, a situation I would be very concerned about as Cobh is one of the biggest town’s in the country. I have asked that the Council seek a meeting with the Garda commissioner to discuss his report that he will send to the minister. I feel it is very important we meet him as the minister if one is to look at previous reports he has received from the commissioner will accept and approve what ever findings are in the report. a request is gone into for a meeting asap.

2 – Situation in relation to busses parking outside the titanic experience.
A meeting was meant to take place with all stake holders involved with the Town Manager to come up with a solution to the traffic related issues and the congestion that has resulted from a number of busses double parking and the position our town train has been put in. I was disappointed to hear that a meeting had not place due to diary issues. I then went on to suggest that the town train be allocated the space which is used by the town bus as i understand that it does not run during the summer. I fully support the town train and saw this a temporary move to gets us through until a proper plan was put into place following the meeting i mentioned above. This option will be investigated.The manager committed to arrange the meeting in the coming days. I feel a solution is possible that will be acceptable to all involved and sort out the traffic management issues that currently are causing problems most notable how long busses are parked for.

3 – To consider the following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. John Mulvihill:
“That the Town Council take steps to clarify the ownership of the green area next to the Burma steps which is currently the site of anti social behaviour”

The situation in relation to drinking on the Burmah steps is going on for a long time. The situation has caused the residents in the area a lot of hardship. It has been brought up at JPC meetings and a open green area seems to be a problem area. I have requested that the council find out who owns it. If it belongs to the council we should clean it up, provide adequate lighting as recommended by the Gardai from the JPC meeting as this will detract people from congregating in the area. I await a report for the next meeting.

4 – (9) To consider the following Notice of Motion standing in the name of Cllr. John Mulvihill:
“That the Town manager (A) give a written report on level of litter fine income in the past three years (B) and the council re-establish the litter audit committee to monitor the issue of litter in the town and the level of enforcement of the litter laws” The motion was agreed and a committee will be set up in the coming few weeks.

5 – That Cobh Town Council establish a grant scheme titled “New Business
start up grant scheme 2012” to stimulate economic growth in the town of Cobh. Cllr John Mulvihill
.
As Councillors our main responsibility is to the people of Cobh. Each one of stood for election with one motive and purpose to make Cobh a better place to live and to ensure it meets its potential. I can remember as young councillor back in 2004 I had the impression that councillors had the power to make things happen in the town. It did not take long until I saw how restricted we were to change much as a result of the centralisation of power in Cork County Council and central government.

I sought to be imaginative in many aspects of the issues I raised from radon gasses, and a effort to raise the issue of high cancer rates in the town an issue I am still very concerned about and a issue I will
come back to in the future there are many more issues I could mention tonight but as I am sure we all could, but we would be here all night.

Cobh is a town with huge potential at town that can buck the trend in the current economic environment, the thousands of visitors that pass through the town every year ms a result of the huge investment by the
port of Cork in the liner terminal. A number of months ago Cobh was voted the most popular port of call in the world by the cruise liner companies this is a huge achievement but it would be wrong to sit on our laurels and glow in our success.

Recently I had the privilege of being invited on to the Ballmoral during its visit on the occasion of the titanic week. I saw this as an opportunity to try and pick the brains of its captain on his impression of Cobh. He told me of how impressed he was with Cobh the friendly atmosphere; the huge welcome liners receive some thing he said was not universal in other ports. He stated there was potential to develop the product of the town more. I have to say I agree with him here as I am sure we all do.

Many peoples impression in Cobh of the liner traffic and its benefit to Cobh, is its great but all the passengers are shipped out on busses to Blarnery, Killarney, Kenmare, Sneem to mention a few and there is
some justification in this. The break down of both crew and passengers is 33% stay on Board, 33% o on tours and 33% visit the town of the port. Many of the tours are half day tours come back at lunch time. The reason I have outlined this issue is that this is an opportunity and it is only one aspect of the town tourism industry but industry means Jobs.

The figures of people in Cobh seeking unemployment benefit are 1105. Our job as cllr is to help in any way we can to create an environment where employment can grow and give employment to all those. We have the tourist in the town as I have stated however there are many gaps in the town’s main street where tourists are met with empty premises.

During the last council we commissioned a report on the future of the town .Many of its points were futuristic and in the present economic environment unachievable but one point I took out of it is the
possibilities for the town. The fact is there are 40% of the business premises the town empty. Some might feel there is nothing we as Cllrs can do about that but lets use this stat as a opportunity of taking some of those off the live register By creating a opportunity for them to start up there own business and may be become the next Declan Moynihan, Pat O’ Shea.

I recognise there is only so much we as councillors can do but one aspect of this and a direct relations ship is a rates bill. As a new business the first engagement with the local authority is the rates bill. The average rates bill in Cobh is in the region of 1,500 this might not seem much but it could mean the difference between opening and closing.

We as a council have been hand strung in our efforts to bring in new systems to encourage business start ups. I had hoped that under the new government that would have changed however this seems to have been
not forthcoming to date. I await with anticipation the proposed changes to local government that I hope will give more powers to local council to implement schemes similar to what we have previously tried to introduce.

During the AMAI spring seminar which Cllr O Connor and I attended Minister Phil Hogan stated “there are need to define a clearer, more effective, and more explicit and consistent role for local government
in economic area. The reform programme will confer an enhanced role on local government in economic development.” I take minister Hogan at his word however I feel that Cobh has waited long enough and we should
come up with a plan that would endeavour to get around the requirement of ministerial approval under section 2(1) of the Local Government (Rates) Act 1970. With this in mind I am proposing that the rebate section of our last scheme be replace with a business start up grant scheme.

“New Business start up grant scheme 2012”

1. To qualify for the scheme premises must be closed but available for lease or sale for a period no less than two years.
2. A rate payer pays the rates in full and then applies for a grant
3. The scheme dose not cover situations where a business is closed and then reopens by a person connected with the owner with the intention of seeking a grant.
4.The grant can be drawn down once the first year’s rates are paid.
5.The grant payable to the start up business would the 100% of the rates payable in year one, in year two 75% of the rates payable and in year three 50% and 25% in year four.
6. Where the building is let out the landlord shall reduce the rent similar to the amount as the grant

Setting up a new business is a daunting task. And has its financial risk. The taught process in making that move is long. The importance of a correct business plan, the feasibility of the project, and the basic skills needed to run a business are immense. Many business fail because of lack of knowledge in some of these areas.

There are individuals living in Cobh who have experience in setting up business, who know the pitfalls and opportunities there are. Many of us have seen Fergal Quinn programme where he goes into a shop and gives advice from his many years of business and assist the business in turning around their business by changing a few small things. By harnessing the undoubted expertise we have in the town might make a huge difference to those starting up their own business for the first time. The importance of financial help in setting up a new business is also important. Each bank in Cobh has an official to assist people in
business start ups. They can see the viability of a project which is also essential.