Re: Cork City Council Finances:

At a Council meeting last evening (Monday 13th), the City Manager made public that the Council will have to cut E2 million for the budget this year in order to balance the books. This is not good for services in the city.  In terms of the financial cutbacks in housing, I called on the City Manager that a revised housing plan be implemented to reflect the forthcoming cutbacks.

I also raised the issue that the Council officially liase with the public viz-the local media and officially keep the public up to speed of any cut backs and to avoid unnecessary build up of over the top scaremongering.

Re: Draft Farranferris Local Area Plan:

I voted for the manager’s recommendations that the “top sports field be retained as a playing pitch for use by users of the site and the wider community especially those schools that are underprovided as regards active green space”. 

In support of my vote, I made my thoughts known to the Council. I have reservations with the wording, the use of the term playing pitch – it is a non active space – it is gated public wilderness with ponies and children hopping over boundary walls to pony ride frightening local residents.

Overall a proper green space strategy is needed within the city especially as Council owned green spaces are diminishing. As a councillor, I support the part of the draft plan that supports the development of facilities within the Farranferris building but have huge reservations about the re-development of a former playing pitch by developers. This would create a major precedent across the city for any developer to develop on green field playing spaces.

Re: Postponement of Closure of St. Mary’s Library:

I supported the motion “That this City Council postpone the closure of St. Mary’s Library until a proper and full consultation process with local residents, schools & community groups has been put in place and completed”. Lack of communication from the City Council departments seem to be a pressing issue. Hence I  asked the manager had there been a proper and full consultation process. He replied in the affirmative that Cork City Partnership, Cork VEC and Home School Liason officers were consulted with.