User:rorynoonanDate:29/04/2013Time:08:30:22Edition:29/04/2013ACAllAboutCork290413Page:1Color:
AC - V1
ALL ABOUT CORK 1
(YHQLQJ (FKR Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 29
Grants scheme to save our past
Council offers funding to protect city’s historic sites
A GRANT scheme aimed at tackling vacant and derelict buildings from Barrack Street to Blackpool church has been announced. Cork City Council has given details of the Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) Grant Scheme 2013. This year the scheme area has been significantly enlarged to provide an incentive for people to invest in buildings along the whole of Cork’s historic city centre. This extension of the grant scheme area also follows on from the upgrade of Barrack Street by Cork City Council. The scheme area contains many buildings suffering from a lack of investment, vacancy and dereliction, which the city council is targeting over the next few years as part of its focus on improving the city centre.
It is also using the grant scheme to help raise awareness of good conservation practice and Cork’s 32 architectural conservation areas. Lord Mayor Cllr John Buttimer said he hoped building owners in the area would seize the day and invest in their buildings in 2013, and help make Cork’s city centre a place that the citizens of Cork can both enjoy and be proud of. The city council has allocated funds to assist the owners or occupiers of historic buildings to undertake works to conserve the buildings and their features. The level of funding available is up to 50% of the total cost of eligible works, and up to a maximum value of ₏10,000 per building. Details of the scheme and application forms are available on www.corkcity.ie, or by contacting the city council by post or phone.
CHURCHFIELD FAMILY CENTRE LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
Amyose Osagie-Alli and Jodie Lynch from the Before 5 Family Centre, with Lord Mayor Cllr John Buttimer at the launch of the centre’s website. Picture: Darragh Kane
Lord Mayor hails welcoming atmosphere of family centre
CHURCHFIELD’S Before 5 Family Centre has taken to the internet with the launch of their new website. The centre has been at the heart of Churchfield community for more than 35 years and has launched the website to make it easier for people in the community to find out about their services. June Hamill, centre co-ordinator, said the web was the first place young people go when they were looking for information, so they wanted to be in that space. “We are publicly funded so this has
been a big investment for our board of management — but one we believe was essential. The feedback on the site so far has been very positive,� she said. Lord Mayor Cllr John Buttimer was on hand to launch the website, www.before5familycentre.ie. Before 5 Family Centre opened its high quality Montessori pre-school in 1974 and its crèche operates the Highscope programme adapted to the needs of the young child. The Afterschool Club on Mondays to Thursdays supports children
with homework and their social and emotional wellbeing; the emphasis is on the children’s ownership and involvement. Speaking at the launch, the Lord Mayor said: “I have long been impressed with the work that Before 5 Family Centre is doing every day to support children and families in this area. “Immediately you walk in here, you feel the positive, welcoming atmosphere and know that there is great nurturing, care and support for all ages.�
Council offers free lick of paint CORK City Council has announced details of its Painting Grant Scheme 2013. The scheme is aimed at some of Cork’s finest historical areas and includes Gerald Griffin Street, Shandon Street, North Main Street, South Main Street and Barrack Street.
The scheme aims to provide a financial incentive to owners and occupiers to invest in the visual appearance and maintenance of their historic buildings. Grants are available up to a maximum of 50% of the total cost of the external painting works up to a maximum of e600. However,
should an owner wish to carry out the painting themselves, Cork City Council will meet 100% of the cost of materials up to a maximum of e300. The closing date for the receipt of applications is Friday, May 31. More info from planningpolicy@ corkcity.ie or (021) 4924086.