NEWSLETTER. The story so far... Threatening the delivery of essential services

Transcription

1 PPN NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2017 Cork County Public Participation Network News A review of Local Government arrangements in Cork has taken place. It now looks likely that the city boundary will be extended significantly. This will have profound implications for Cork County Council and the communities it serves. The story so far... Cork County PPN Secretariat met with the Cork Expert Advisory Group (the group charged with reporting on Local Government Arrangements in Cork) last February. Following that meeting, on 27 th February Cork County PPN made a submission to the Expert Advisory Group setting out the views of the Secretariat members. In our submission the PPN Secretariat stated: We are firmly opposed to any kind of boundary extension being given to the city. It is our view that a Unitary Authority would represent the best model for Cork County allowing communities to work together rather than divide. Existing relationships that have been developed across the PPN member groups would be damaged and/or lost in the event of a boundary extension. The existing support structures and programmes including Community Fund, Community Contracts, Community Development Initiative, Amenity Fund& LEADER provided to communities in rural areas could be destabalised or possibly discontinued. The Report of the Cork Expert Advisory Group was launched by Mr. Simon Coveney, then Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government on Friday 9th of June last. Following the launch, on June 19 th Cork County s Public Participation Network held a special meeting to discuss the content of the Report and the possible future implications for the PPN, and the communities that we represent. The initial reaction of the Group was one of both shock and amazement at the size of the proposed extension to the City boundary and the implications for the towns, villages and communities of Rural Cork arising from such an extension. Cork County PPN Secretariat considered the Report to be deeply flawed in both its thinking and direction, and considered that it would be wholly inappropriate to proceed with its implementation having undertaken no form of public consultation whatsoever. The proposals threaten the very heart of Rural Cork and the communities that we represent. The Group were shocked that the submission which the Group made to the Expert Advisory Group on the 27nd of February last, appears not to have been considered at all. Neither the submission nor the contents of same are referred to at any point in the entire document. One would ask the question why not? It appears from our viewpoint that the Report is politically driven from a City perspective at the expense of Rural Cork and the Communities we represent. Threatening the delivery of essential services Cork County PPN Secretariat feels that concerns for rural Cork were ignored and this boundary extension will be a death knell for rural Cork communities. The proposed boundary extension would be a retrograde step. It will spell disaster for the county, its income streams and the communities that it serves. Amenity services in the county will be hit- for example street cleaning may be curtailed, Greenways projects and development of parks will be halted and there will be less money available for developing and maintaining playgrounds. Areas including Ballincollig, Blarney, Glanmire, Little Island and Carrigtwohill will be particularly hard hit as in addition to losing County Council funding they will be denied access to LEADER and other Rural Development funding. Rural Cork cannot and will not live off the crumbs from the City table. Sense and reason needs to prevail. The MacKinnon report needs to be scrapped. Cork County PPN would call on communities to use whatever influence they have to lobby local T.D. s and councillors on the matter.

2 2 CORK COUNTY PPN Summer Newsletter Boundary Extension A Complete Disaster for Rural Communities If we have learned anything from the past it is surely, that drawing lines and creating ridiculous boundaries, is divisive and does nothing to harness the goodwill of communities and the thousands of volunteers they create, which are necessary to grow Cork as a county. It is clear that Rural communities will suffer serious neglect if the proposed Mackinnon boundary extension goes ahead. At the moment small communities are struggling for any kind of funding and if they lose support from Cork County Council in the form of Tidy Towns, Amenity Grants, Capital grants etc. together with the loss of LEADER funding it will prove to be a complete disaster, mark my words. Examples of wonderful community projects supported by Cork County Council and LEADER are Ballincollig Regional Park and Carrigtwohill Playground and Millennium Park, to name but two: Ballincollig is a 140 acre site in the heart of the town with support from the Council to date of almost 800,000 with an annual budget of 143,291 for the park. In addition, what will happen to the 250,000 next tranche of Capital Funding earmarked by the Council for this jewel of Ballincollig. This is now seriously in doubt, as are all other projects of a similar nature countywide. Anyone will tell you that the Carrigtwohill Playground and Millennium Park is the best thing that happened to the Carrigtwohill Community. It has a playground, pitch, walks etc. made possible by the 120,000 from Cork County Council and 150,000 through LEADER. Will these areas deteriorate to City Lee fields standards, where the only maintenance is grass cutting twice a year, as this boundary madness kicks off? Every community will tell you of the incredible support by the Council and LEADER for Tidy Towns groups, and how it will break their hearts to see it under threat. As well as funding, longstanding and trusting relationships have been built up between locals and the staff of the Council in their District Offices who know, and work, with the Community on a daily basis. We are proud of our County and our City and I urge the Minister to shelf the Mackinnon report and listen to the people who are speaking common sense, and ensure that whatever changes are made, they are in the best interests of both the City and County and not the City alone. You are assured of my clear and unwavering support and I would urge other politicians to listen carefully to what the people are saying and to speak up on behalf of the Communities of rural Cork. Declan Hurley Declan Hurley Mayor

3 CORK COUNTY PPN Summer Newsletter 3 Article Page Student Design Competition 04 Cork Summer Show 05 Mayor s Community Awards Muintir na Tíre School Garden Awards Your Views 09 A Stolen Ringbuoy A Stolen Life 10 Cork County Community Facilities Scheme Stop Food Waste Challenge 12 Toastmasters 12 CONTACT ppn@corkcoco.ie Telephone: Website:

4 4 CORK COUNTY PPN Summer Newsletter Student Design Competition This year Cork County Council, in co-operation with the Cork Age Friendly Alliance, launched a Student Design Competition where second year students from the Cork Centre for Architectural Education (UCC) carried out a design project as part of their second year work programme. The students were asked to design an age friendly housing scheme specifically with the needs of older adults in mind. Architects from Cork County Council s Housing Directorate were invited to participate in critiquing assessments with the winners announced last May. The site selected for this theoretical exercise was located in Mitchelstown. Two prizes were awarded to the first and second placed winners. A summer internship within the Architects Department of Cork County Council went to Katie Hamilton as the first winner and a travel bursary of 500 went to Meegan Buckley as the second winner. Five book prizes were also given to projects that were commended. It is planned that the competition will be repeated again next year where a site in either South or West Cork will be selected. Aileen Hurley is the Cork County Age Friendly Co-Ordinator and is based in County Hall in Cork. Aileen can be contacted by at aileen.hurley@corkcoco.ie or

5 CORK COUNTY PPN Summer Newsletter 5 Cork Summer Show On Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th June PPN Secretariat members volunteered their time to attend Cork Summer Show where they held an information stand to promote Cork County PPN. A summer highlight in Cork for over 200 years the show featured all the traditional staples from breeds of cattle, showjumping and competitions to trade stands and machinery exhibits and everything in between! Cork County PPN was well represented at the show, thank you to those of you who stopped by to say hello and special thanks to the PPN Secretariat members who volunteered their time and contributed to the success of the event.

6 6 CORK COUNTY PPN Summer Newsletter Mayor s Community Awards 2017 The fifth annual Cork County Mayor s Community Awards Ceremony was held in County Hall on 10th May last. The Awards scheme was developed to acknowledge people who work on a voluntary basis to help others, to acknowledge publicly the work of volunteers and to recognise communities that work together. Nominations were made in April by the Elected Members of Cork County Council and members of the Secretariat of Cork County PPN. An incredible variety of community groups and individuals from across Cork County attended the evening s celebration. Cllr Seamus Mc Grath (then Mayor of the county of Cork) presented eleven awards on the night including three each from North Cork, South Cork and West Cork. Mayor McGrath awarded the following nominees within each Division. North Group Mitchelstown Community Council North Group Coolagown Development Group North Individual Denis Withers South Group Ballycotton Development Company South Group Carrigaline Community First Response Team South Individual Ursula Ennis West Group Leap Scarecrow Festival West Group Cancer Connect West Individual Robert Wilmot Robert Wilmot received the Overall Individual Award. Bandon man Robert is a member, and founder of many, voluntary organisations. Robert s contribution to these clubs supports an important social outlet for many people, particularly those living alone. The Overall Community and Voluntary Group Award was made to Cancer Connect. Nominated by Councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy, Cancer Connect offer a free and flexible transport service to Cork hospitals from West Cork for people receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy and related treatments. Cancer connect have recorded 18,600 journeys and have over 250 volunteers registered. They are also planning on extending their services to include a North Cork route. Speaking at the event, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Séamus McGrath commented An amazing 36 community groups and individuals were nominated, chosen for the superb contributions and improvements made to communities across Cork County. That is a magnificent indictment of the culture that we have in our County and one which I am delighted to be in a position to recognise, and celebrate, at the Mayors Awards. The Mayor went on to say I would like to see even more nominations for the Mayors Awards next year. I would like to see the ethos of volunteerism go forward and spread, to benefit each other and for the benefits to ourselves. Any litter that is picked, any time donated, any thought shared, all making our communities stronger and creating great places to live happily. And where someone takes that first step, another will follow. That is where we will find strength in our communities.

7 CORK COUNTY PPN Summer Newsletter 7

8 8 CORK COUNTY PPN Summer Newsletter Muintir na Tíre School Garden Awards 2017 Congratulations to St. Patricks Boys National School Skibbereen who won the Muintir na Tire Cork School Garden of the Year award at Cork County Hall on June 19th! The green-fingered children, from all classes of the school, have helped create a sensory path and garden, a zen garden, a living tunnel leading to its own willow dome, and a series of raised vegetable beds, one for each class in the school, which features everything from sweetcorn to onions and potatoes. Inside, their Geodome over two hundred boys grow everything from bananas and tea plants to avocado, melons, tomatoes, and squash, as well as a selection of colourful but deadly carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap and pitcher plant. Staff and pupils have worked very hard on their garden. Each class has its own vegetable bed, on which the children and their teacher grow a selection of vegetables, berries, and even flowers. Junior infants, for example cultivate sunflowers and strawberries, first-class pupils grow onions and shallots, while sixth-class pupils concentrate on potatoes. They have also planted an orchard and fruit bushes. Their garden has many other memorable elements other than food production, Biodiversity, Upcycling, Colour and Art fun and play as well as learning opportunities for each class. The garden also includes many features to encourage wildlife and biodiversity. The pupils are very mindful of the plight of all their tiny friends especially the bees and they developed a wild patch to help our tiny creatures. They have also developed a nature walk to encourage biodiversity. the garden and the garden offers many opportunities for fun and play. There is also natural amphitheatre, which doubles as an outdoor classroom. West Cork Schools did very well this year with Muinefliuch NS, Rusheen NS, Scoil na Buachaillí Clonakilty, Timoleague NS, Scoil Abán Naofa Ballyvourney and Scoil Mhuire Schull all winning Special Awards. Others in West Cork who did well were Scoil Phadraig Naofa Bandon, Aghabullogue Scoil Mhaoi Iosa Knockavilla, Scoil Mhuire Ballincollig, Ardfield NS Ballymoney NS, Ballyheada NS, Scoil Mhuire Rosscarbery, Rath NS Baltimore and Ballyheada NS. Top Gardens in South and East Cork included Scoil Clochair Mhuire Carrigtwohil, School Of the Divine Child Ballintemple, St Marys Special School Rochestown, St Columbus GNS Douglas and St John the Baptist NS Midleton. Other schools from South Cork included Cobh Mixed NS, Gaelscoil Ui Eigeartaig Cobh and Gaelscoil Uí Drisceoil Glanmire. North Cork was also among the winners with, Banteer NS Gaelscoil Thomás Daibhis Mallow, CBS MitchelstownScoil Ballyhooley NS, Conna NS all doing well while the following schools also did well Vicarstown NS, Scoil Chroí Iosa Blarney, Coachford NS, Ballygiblin NS, Rathduff NS. Mr Sean Holland of Muintir na Tire says the standard is getting better each year making it very difficult for the judges. Upcycling is also important here with composting and rainwater harvesting employed to great effect. Colour is achieved by reusing everyday items as sculpture and art in

9 CORK COUNTY PPN Summer Newsletter 9 Your Views On March 7th, 8th and 9th last, PPN Information Evenings were held and feedback was sought from attendees under the themes of the policy-making committees of Cork County Council. This information was compiled and communicated to the PPN Representatives who sit on these committees. Thank you to those who attended the Information Evenings and took the time to complete the feedback forms. Information sharing and communication is the heart of what PPN is all about. The PPN Reps sitting on the various policy-making committees have begun to feedback the information you provided and will seek to develop realistic policy proposals to address the issues raised. THANK YOU!

10 10 CORK COUNTY PPN Summer Newsletter A Stolen Ringbuoy A Stolen Life Together let s encourage a respectful attitude towards rescue equipment around our County. By Caroline Casey, Water Safety Development Officer, Cork County Council. Cork County Council and Irish Water Safety are pleading with the public to safeguard our nations Ringbuoys in order to help reduce drowning. Educational cut out stands are doing the rounds of the County in Schools and at events to get the message out there in County Cork to school children and their parents. We are hoping for an attitude change towards vandalising this lifesaving equipment. The picture above shows some children have fun with the Cut Out Stands recently at our Education Day on the Beaches. Lives will be lost unless the public assists the local authorities to ensure that ringbuoys are not interfered with or damaged. If you spot it, jot it and report it on ringbuoys.ie The placement of ringbuoys at many locations throughout Ireland has contributed to the saving of many lives. The Irish Water Safety Association introduced a specific colour code for the ring buoy, rope and box to enhance visibility and to reduce vulnerability to theft and abuse. It is compact and light in design, allowing it to be thrown to the casualty in the water, and if missed it can be quickly retrieved and re-thrown. Regrettably, there are still incidents of malicious damage and theft to these lifesaving appliances and there is a continuing need for the public to be made aware, in unambiguous terms, that damage or theft of such ringbuoys or the attached rope, could result in the loss of life. Ringbuoys have played an important role in reducing accidental drowning. Efforts continue to educate the public that A Stolen Ringbuoy can mean a Stolen Life. environment represents, and they are intended to be used to effect a life-saving rescue of any person who may find themselves in distress. Some irresponsible members of the public vandalise these lifesaving appliances. Some of the Local Authorities on their regular checks particularly in urban areas discover that they are either missing or have been vandalised. There is obviously a financial cost to this vandalism to be borne by the ratepayers and taxpayers, but the serious risk is to human life caused by the deliberate damage to this equipment. Cork Co. Council & Irish Water Safety are appealing to the public to assist in maintaining these vitally important lifesaving appliances in good condition at all times. Any person seen tampering with or in possession of these lifebelts should be reported to the Local Authorities and/or the Gardaí. Please report missing ringbuoys to the relevant Local Authority by clicking on Any person coming upon the Ringbuoy or ropes in unsatisfactory condition can assist in public safety by untangling the rope and replacing it in the boxes or hooks provided for the purpose. Please coil the ropes in a clockwise direction and place the coil of rope at the bottom of the box or on the hanging hook provided. The Gardai have been successful in convicting members of the public for interfering with and damaging lifesaving equipment but they require the public s continued assistance in successful prosecutions. The Local Authorities maintain Ringbuoys as lifesaving appliances nationwide. The purpose of these Ringbuoys is twofold: Firstly they act as a constant visible reminder of the danger that the Aquatic

11 CORK COUNTY PPN Summer Newsletter 11 Cork County Community Facilities Scheme 2017 Update Cork County Council recently invited applications under the Community Facilities Scheme (CFS). This scheme closed on 30 June The CFS is an opportunity for community groups to access small amounts of capital infrastructure funding, up to a maximum of 1000, in order to kick-start, advance or complete their projects. A large volume of applications were received from a wide range of community and voluntary groups across Cork County. It is noteworthy that the scheme was heavily over-subscribed The 2017 scheme is funded by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and local Government with support from the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and the Municipal Districts of Cork County Council. Applicants can be expected to be advised of the outcome to their applications by end October 2017.

12 Stop Food Waste Challenge The Stop Food Waste Challenge is a free 4-week programme to help householders to identify the food that they waste and the reasons why. Changing how we plan, shop, store, cook and serve our food can save us hundreds of Euro per year as well as having a huge environmental benefit. The Stop Food Waste Challenge may be of interest to Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, Tidy Towns groups or other community groups who wish to promote Sustainable Waste and Resource Management in their community. Stop Food Waste is interested in working with organisations who wish to organise a Challenge for a group of householders who will commit to attending a hour weekly session for 4 consecutive weeks. Participants must also be willing to be contacted by the facilitator between meetings and to do certain tasks at home relating to recording their own food waste and practising new ways of dealing with their food shopping and management. There will be a follow-on session a couple of months later, to assess longer term behavioural change as a result of the course. This session will also involve an interesting workshop or event that will have been agreed with course participants. If a group is interested in running this fun and interesting course they can contact Donal O Leary of the Stop Food Waste team at or mastercomposterireland@gmail.com. Toastmasters September is the usually the time of year when people start evening classes to try & improve their qualifications or start a new hobby. Rather than going to your nearest school that runs evening classes here s an alternative idea! Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. The world needs leaders. Leaders head families, coach teams, run businesses and mentor others. These leaders must not only accomplish, they must communicate. By regularly giving speeches, gaining feedback, leading teams and guiding others to achieve their goals in a supportive atmosphere, leaders emerge from the Toastmasters program. Every Toastmasters journey begins with a single speech. Better listening, better thinking & better speaking! ToastMasters is all about self improvement in public speaking, and personal help in developing leadership skills, all taking place amongst friends in a social club atmosphere. Visit a club! Most areas have a local club, usually based in a local hotel. You can always go along as a visitor to a club meeting to see what takes place. Each club has its own culture, so feel free to visit more than one to find the one that s right for you. Give it a go... it will improve your confidence and introduce you to new contacts. > For more information please go to: CONTACT US! E: ppn@corkcoco.ie T: Our website is currently under review. Please bear with us and check back soon for updates.