Last Town Council? As part of an ongoing review of local government it is highly likely that this will be the last town council in Passage West & Monkstown. There are talks of replacing smaller town councils like ours with
Useful Contacts Ciaran Lynch TD 0214366200 ciaran.lynch@oir.ie Cllr Paula Desmond 0872328946 paula_desmond@hotmail.com Cllr Angela Murphy 0871357634 angmurphy@eircom.net Area Engineers Office 021 4371800
regional councils representing
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larger areas. I have mixed feelings about this as I can see the need for reforming local government. However it is widely acknowledged that the most effective form of local government is
County Council 021 4276891 Public Lighting 1850 372 772
one that is as close to the people as possible. I would be interested in hearing your opinions on this issue.
Local News
Websites www.corkcoco.ie www.citizensinformation.ie www.secad.ie
Contact Details Please don't hesitate to contact me on any issue which you think I could help you with. Email; daveobyrne@votelabour.ie Phone; 087 2626048 Twitter; @cllrdobyrne www.davidobyrne.ie
Cllr Dave O'Byrne Town councillor for Passage West, Glenbrook and Monkstown
Bonfire Free Zone Following an increasing number of incidents of anti social behaviour over the last few years the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) has joined forces with Cork County Council to make Passage West & Monkstown a bonfire free zone this year. Last year there were serious incidents of intimidation, damage to private property and littering as a result of bonfire night “celebrations.� We would ask all residents to support us in our efforts to make Passage West & Monkstown the county's first bonfire free zone. Please do not give anyone material that could be used for a bonfire in the days leading up to bonfire night. Please let me know if you see material for a bonfire being stockpiled. You can contact me on 087 2626048 or daveobyrne@votelabour.ie Help to organise an alternative event for families in your estate.
Upcoming Road Improvements
JPC Meetings – Garda Station – Community Watch I am currently serving as the chairman of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC). The JPC was set up to act as a forum for the community, politicians and An Garda Síochána to meet and share information.
I welcome the fact that over the summer months the centre of Passage West is to be resurfaced. This is a much needed and overdue project. The county council recently confirmed to me that there will be a delay in improvements to Church Hill at the junction with Maulbawn. These works were to improve safety at the junction. There is a lot more traffic passing through the junction now as a result of the relocation of Star of the Sea primary school. The safety work is badly needed and I have urged the Council to ensure that works take place this summer if at all possible. The council have also indicated that repairs will finally take place on the Rochestown Road at the bottom of Coach Hill where a number of trenches have been developing follow damage during the bad winter in 2010!
Funding and Training Opportunities SECAD is the South and East Cork Area Development partnership. They are responsible for delivering development and social inclusion programmes and community initiatives on behalf of the European Union and the Irish Government through the National Development Plan. If you have a community project or new enterprise SECAD could help you get funding or training. Check out their website www.secad.ie or contact me for more info.
Dave, with President Michael D. Higgins.
Jobsbridge / Spring board In the last month extra places have been announced for both Jobbridge internships and Springboard courses. The entry criteria have also been extended so more people qualify. Despite some negative reports in the media I think on the whole these programs have been successful. If you know of businesses abusing the Jobbridge program please ensure that you report it. www.jobbridge.ie www.springboardcourses.ie
So far the JPC has; Conducted a survey of how people in the town feel about crime Agreed fixed opening times for the local Garda Station Lobbied the Minister for Justice to retain the Garda station Sought support from Cork County Council to make Passage West &
Monkstown a bonfire free zone this summer. On foot of an increase in the number of break ins in recent weeks we hope to hold an information evening for residents who would like to start their own neighbourhood watch schemes in the autumn. th
Our next JPC meeting is on the 10 of September at 8pm in the Town Council meeting room, in the Library building. All of our meetings are open to the public and you are welcome to come along and contribute.
What's happening on the Town Council Many of you probably wonder what happens at our Town Council meetings. Well here is a taste of the topics which we are currently discussing and trying to make progress on; ?
Securing the old school for the community
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Developing the old tennis club site for a sport area
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A paint scheme to improve the appearance of the town centre
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Dereliction in the town- making derelict buildings safe
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Road surfaces, potholes, footpaths, litter and public lighting
If you would like to know more about any of these issues, or if you would like me to raise something on your behalf please don't hesitate to contact me.