r
Chair of Cork City Council’s Women’s Caucus, Cllr. Mary Rose Desmond which was launched on International Women’s Day, 8 th March 2021
C hief Executive’s Management Report March 2021
Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City
Contents Purpose of CE Report ................................................................................................ 2 Our Mission ............................................................................................................... 2 Our Vision.................................................................................................................. 2 Our High-Level Goals and Strategic Objectives .......................................................... 2 Our Values ................................................................................................................. 2
Roads Maintenance Programmes ............................................................................34
Transport................................................................................................................. 37 Pay Parking Income ..................................................................................................37 Park & Ride Vehicle Numbers...................................................................................37 Public Bike Scheme ..................................................................................................37 Enforcement ............................................................................................................37 Road Offence Breakdown.........................................................................................38 Road Offence Location .............................................................................................38 Litter Fines ...............................................................................................................39 Infrastructure Projects ............................................................................................. 39 Roads Capital Programme: TII Funded Projects: .......................................................39 Roads Capital Programme: NTA Funded Projects: ....................................................39 Roads Capital Programme: CCC Funded Projects: ....................................................41 Roads Capital Programme: DTTS & CCC Funded Projects: ........................................41 Roads Capital Programme: LIHAF Funded Projects: .................................................41 Urban Regeneration & Development Fund: .............................................................41 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation Projects: ...............................................................41 New Cycle Lanes: .....................................................................................................42 Environment ............................................................................................................ 42 Parks, Cemeteries & Recreation ...............................................................................42 Tree Works...............................................................................................................43 Waste Management.................................................................................................44 Monthly Waste Tonnage ..........................................................................................44
Contact Centre ...........................................................................................................3
Service Requests ........................................................................................................4 Roads Service Requests ............................................................................................. 4 Housing Maintenance Service Requests .................................................................... 4 Environment Service Requests .................................................................................. 5 Emergency Services & Building Control .......................................................................5 Fire Prevention .......................................................................................................... 6 Building Control......................................................................................................... 6 Library Service............................................................................................................7 Libraries Membership & Visits Level 5 Lockdown from January ............................... 9 Arts & Events ...........................................................................................................10 Cork St. Patrick’s Festival 2021 ................................................................................ 10 Creative Ireland ....................................................................................................... 11 Cruinniú na nÓg....................................................................................................... 11 Covid-Proofing Cultural Companions Pilot............................................................... 11 Outdoor Public Spaces Scheme ............................................................................... 11 Street Arts ............................................................................................................... 11 Placemaking ............................................................................................................ 12 Sport & Sustainability ...............................................................................................12 Sports Development Officer .................................................................................... 12 Old Cork Waterworks Experience (Lifetime Lab) ..................................................... 13 Sustainable Travel ................................................................................................... 14 Environmental Awareness Officer ........................................................................... 14 Community Content ................................................................................................ 14 Lifelong Learning ..................................................................................................... 15 Cork Celebrates Lifelong Learning Awards .................................................................15 Rapid Co-Ordinator ................................................................................................. 15 Development Management ......................................................................................16 Update on Strategic Housing Developments ........................................................... 16 Contact Volumes in Planning Development Management: ..................................... 17 Pre-Planning: ........................................................................................................... 17 Planning Applications: ............................................................................................. 18 Housing Directorate .................................................................................................19 Housing Progress Report March 2021 ..................................................................... 19 Capital Works .......................................................................................................... 21 Social Housing Stock/Rent Collected ....................................................................... 24 Voids ....................................................................................................................... 24 Vacant Dwellings - by Local Area ............................................................................. 25 Vacant Dwellings - Not on CCC Management Programme....................................... 25 Housing Allocations Report March 2021 ................................................................. 26 Housing Assistance Programme (HAP) .................................................................... 27 Applications............................................................................................................. 27 Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) .................................................................... 28 Private Housing Grants ............................................................................................ 29 Housing Maintenance ............................................................................................. 30 Homeless Services ................................................................................................... 30 Emergency Accommodation.................................................................................... 30 Rough Sleepers........................................................................................................ 31 Bishopsgrove ........................................................................................................... 32 Cork Foyer ............................................................................................................... 32 Roads.......................................................................................................................33 Roadworks Programme ........................................................................................... 33 Public Liability Claim Reports................................................................................... 33 Pavement Surface Condition Index (km) ................................................................. 33 Regional Roads Grants (km Strengthened) .............................................................. 33
Licencing.................................................................................................................. 46
Strategic & Economic Development .......................................................................... 46
Planning Policy .........................................................................................................46 Conservation Unit ....................................................................................................46 Cork City Draft Heritage and Biodiversity Plan .........................................................46 Grants ......................................................................................................................46 Climate Action..........................................................................................................46 Local Enterprise Office (LEO) ....................................................................................47 Local Enterprise Week March 3 rd – 7 th ......................................................................47 Trading Online Voucher Scheme ..............................................................................47 Training and Webinars .............................................................................................47 Mentoring ................................................................................................................47 Other Programmes...................................................................................................47 Economic Development ...........................................................................................48 Corporate Services & International Relations ............................................................ 48 Chief Executive’s Office ............................................................................................48 Council Services .......................................................................................................48 Payments Processed ................................................................................................49 Franchise - Register of Electors ................................................................................49 Added to register .....................................................................................................49 Drinking Fines...........................................................................................................50 Communications ......................................................................................................50 Cork City Council’s Women’s Caucus ........................................................................50 Media Queries/Press Releases/Web Posts ...............................................................50 Social Media Engagements.......................................................................................52 FOI/GDPR/Reviews & Requests................................................................................53 Reception Desk Callers .............................................................................................53 Finance Directorate.................................................................................................. 54 Expenditure..............................................................................................................54 Income by Source.....................................................................................................55 Key Collection Levels ................................................................................................55 People & Organisation Development ........................................................................ 56 International Women’s Day .....................................................................................56 Breast Cancer Awareness Webinar ..........................................................................56 Climate Action Awareness Training ..........................................................................56 Appointments made and Competitions completed/advertised................................57
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Purpose of CE Report __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Every month, the Chief Executive of Cork City Council publishes a report with the latest updates, statistics and figures from around the organization. This Chief Executive ’s Management Report is part of the reporting structures within Cork City Council and aims to: assist the elected members to carry out their governance responsibilities; oversee the executive in the delivery of policy that has been decided by council; provide oversight of the Chief Executive’s discharge of her executive duties. Our Mission __________________________________________________________________________________________________ • We deliver excellent public services to the people of Cork by working collaboratively with our strategic partners. • We are a city of ambition, working with our neighbourhoods, communities and businesses to support economic development and facilitate investment. • We value our culture and heritage and ensure that Cork continues to be successful as an attractive place to live, study, visit and work.
Our Vision __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City.
Our High-Level Goals and Strategic Objectives __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Our Values __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Public Good
Trust & Integrity
Respect
People Centric Approach We engage with people in a fair, courteous and timely manner. We strive for continous improvement.
Responsibility
Innovation
We provide high quality services and address peoples’ needs in a manner that is both inclusive and equitable.
We act honestly, openly and fairly in all our dealings.
We treat all people equally with due regard for their needs and rights.
We are accountable and transparent and act responsibly in our dealings and decision making.
We continually seek progressive and creative approaches in the services we deliver.
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Contact Centre
021 4924000 line
Housing Maintenance
Other Housing
Other Services
Category
Litter/Waste
Roads
Total
Calls Served
6,871
522
654
3,857
11,904
Calls Abandoned Voicemails/ Dissuaded TOTAL Calls Received Calls Forwarded by agents
2,588
274
220
1,591
4,673
1,591 (981 vms)
882
117
59
533
10,341
913
933
5,981
18,168
Average calls served daily (22 working days in March)
4,275
542
Emails served by CSU agents in March
767
The Community Support help line operated 5 days a week from 9 until 5 for the month of March.
1800 222 226 line
Calls Served
75
Calls abandoned
11
Voicemail
0
TOTAL calls received
86
1 Total served by agents within system but excl. voicemails 1 Callers hang up when a recorded message from CCC is being played (system sees this as caller has received the information they were looking for and have hung up satisfied with the information) 1 Total calls reaching the options menu (IVR system). Note: the IVR does not accurately reflect the exact breakdown of calls as option 1 is used disproportionately by callers resulting in higher numbers for Housing. 1 This includes calls served + voicemails 1 Emails served by CSU agents includes all emails, submissions and SPAM
Roads & Traffic
Other Services
Calls Served
Calls Received
Litter/Waste
Calls Abandoned
Housing
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
3
Service Requests __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Roads Service Requests Service Requests Status of Roads Service Requests
700
700
600
600
500
500
400
343
309
183
400
Open
300
300
Closed
200
200
100
310
262
257
100
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
0
Emergency Routine Urgent
Jan
Feb
Mar
Roads Service Requests by Month/Year
900
800
700
600
2019
500
2020
400
2021
300
200
100
0
Jan
Feb Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Housing Maintenance Service Requests Service Requests Received
Service Requests Outstanding
Service Requests Closed
3,000
1600
2,000
1,800
1400
2,500
1,600
1200
1,400
2,000
1000
1,200
800
1,500
1,000
600
800
1,000
600
400
400
200
500
200
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
-
-
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2019
2020
2021
2019
2020
2021
2019
2020
2021
4
Housing Maintenance Call Breakdown
Environment Service Requests
1,821
1,802
2,000
1,768
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
165
128
121
200
12
-
5
5
Jan
Feb
Mar
Emergency
Routine
Urgent
Litter
Street Cleaning
Trees
350
500
100
300
80
400
250
60
300
200
40
150
200
100
20
100
50
0
0
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2019
2020
2021
2019
2020
2021
2019
2020
2021
Emergency Services & Building Control Fire Special Services
140
100 120 140 160 180
120
100
80
0 20 40 60 80
60
40
20
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2019
2020
2021
2019
2020
2021
False Alarm
Cardiac First Responder
80
35
70
30
60
25
50
40
20
30
15
20
10
10
5
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2019
2020
2021
2019
2020
2021
5
250
68, 11%
200
62
150
208, 34%
123, 20%
100
100
50
33
219, 35%
26
0
Mar
Cardiac First Responder
False Alarms
Fire Special Services
Cardiac First Responder
False Alarms
Fire
Special Services
Fire Prevention Fire Certs
Fire Licensing
Inspections
120
25
10 15 20 25 30 35 40
100
20
80
15
60
10
40
5
20
0 5
0
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2020
2021
2020
2021
2020
2021
Building Control
Month
Year
Total
March
2021
Building Control Site Inspections
0
March
2021
Commencement Notices
0
March
2021
Completion Certificates
71
March
2021
Dangerous Structures Complaints
10
March
2021
Disability Access Certificates
10
March
2021
% of Commencement Notice
0%
March
2021
New Building Inspections
0
Building Control Functions
100
3
80
Disability Access Certificates
Dangerous Structures Complaints
60
71
7 0
69
Completion Certificates
40
Commencement Notices
14
Building Control Site Inspections
20
22
19
14
0
0
0
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
6
Library Service Despite the pandemic March was a momentous month for Cork City Libraries with €400 million announced for the Cork City Docklands and Grand Parade Quarter under Ireland 2040’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) – the biggest investment by the public sector in Cork City in the history of the state. This regeneration within the very heart of the medieval city – alongside the old city walls at the Grand Parade Quarter will see the development of a 7,700 square foot library that can facilitate up to one million visits.
March also saw David O’Brien taking up his position as Cork City Librarian. Appointed on December 14, 2020, his post became effective from March 1, City Librarian and staff look forward to working on the detailed planning, design and delivery of this state-of-the-art library which will be central to progressing community, culture, economic development, tourism and placemaking aspects of the new city centre. However, the doors of all 10 Cork City Library service points continue to remain closed with staff working a blended roster working in the office and from home. Staff efforts have enabled Cork City Libraries online events to continue to expand. The Library eNewsletter is sent to over 8,500 people bimonthly and the daily Housebound Book Delivery Service to the elderly, those cocooning and those in residential care homes all continue to provide a vital link to the community with the delivery of almost 4000 books so far in 2021.
The libraries services providing eBooks, eAudio books, RBDigital, Universal Class and many more continue to remain very popular. The borrowing of eBooks and eAudiobooks saw an 86% increase when compared to March 2020 and an incredible 318% increase on March 2019 (12,835 borrowed 2021: 6891 borrowed 2020; 3068 borrowed 2019). Increased investment at a local and national level has been crucial to sustaining this vital service which has encouraged many people to look to the public libraries though they may not have done so prior to Covid-19 lockdowns.
As has been the pattern throughout the different levels of lockdown membership of Cork City Libraries continues to increase, with a 7% increase to year end this month on 2020 and 53% increase on 2019 (36,679, 2021: 34361, 2020: 24018, 2019). CCL network was extended from 7 service points to 10 as part of the extension of the city boundary. Staff have implemented many new initiatives and programmes in March. A collaboration with the St Patrick’s Festival team enabled Gaeilge on Glass; a selection of Irish language writing from established poets and writers based in Cork City were installed in 6 libraries throughout the city.
A combination of poems from national award-winning Irish language poets combined with new writing from young and old in our city. Two young poets from Coláiste Choilm saw their pieces installed in The City Library and Tory Top Library alongside published poets. This recognition of their work may be the catalyst that encourages them to continue writing and perhaps see writing as a career path. Older writers from the Irish language creative writing group Peann agus Pár also featured in the installations. This group has been facilitated by many of the established poets featured so this was a very important project for them to be involved in and a great recognition of their amazing writing. The installations worked well under Covid-19 restrictions as people out for a walk could engage with literature. The
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collaboration with St Patrick’s Festival supported the well -being of the public and poets alike. The installations are a testament to the vibrant literary life of our city, Cork a City of Writers, a City of readers. As part of the St Patrick’s Festival Hollyhill, Mayfield and Tory Top libraries were greened for the week as lighting was placed within the buildings brightening up the communities to celebrate our national holiday.
#dailydoseofgaeilge saw sayings, phrases and translations of placenames linked to our branch libraries posted every day as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge.
The national Spring into Storytime was presented online this year. Authors Debbie Thomas, Liz Weir and Carmel Uí Cheallaigh brought families together to celebrate reading throughout the city and beyond. A collaboration with Wicklow Willow Arts and crafts saw children throughout the city make giant shamrocks through foraging and creativity which were facilitated online through Cork City Li braries’ Facebook page. Continuing with the theme of commemoration, this year’s History Road Show in the City Library comprised three lectures followed by question-and-answer sessions. The three lectures, hosted by City Library staff were delivered online by well- known historians Myles Dungan and Sinead McCoole. The lectures included What Did You Do in The War of Independence, Grandad? In this lecture Myles Dungan detailed the bloody narrative of his extended family during the War of Independence and he explained, based on his own experience, how to research the revolutionary era activities of your own ancestors. The War in the Shadows explored the conduct of military intelligence operations on both sides in the Anglo-Irish conflict from 1919-1921. This fascinating lecture used the words of the intelligence operatives at the time taken from Witness Statements from the Military Archives. The Eyes & Ears - Women’s Role in the Campaign of Independence (Sinead McCoole) Focused on Cork and using the Military Pension Records. Sinead McCoole tells the riveting story of women’s involvement in the Campaign for Independence. Writer in Residence Tina Pisco continues to engage with the public on creativity and climate change through online workshops, blogs and podcasts, the online programming of her tenure has proved extremely popular and a wonderful contribution to Cork City Libraries online programming.
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Libraries Membership & Visits Level 5 Lockdown from January Membership
Library Visits
37000
80000
70000
36000
60000
35000
50000
34000
40000
33000
30000
32000
20000
31000
10000
30000
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2020
2021
2020
2021
Items Borrowed
Online Library Visits
60000
30000
50000
25000
40000
20000
30000
15000
20000
10000
10000
5000
0
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2020
2021
2020
2021
eBooks/AudioBooks
Public PC Use
14000
7000
12000
6000
10000
5000
8000
4000
6000
3000
4000
2000
2000
1000
0
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Jan Feb Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
2020
2021
2019
2021
Online Event Promotion
Item Returns
60000
7000
50000
6000
40000
5000
30000
4000
3000
20000
2000
10000
1000
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2020
2021
2020
2021
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Arts & Events Cork St. Patrick’s Festival 2021
The festival was launched on March 3rd and took place from Saturday 13th to Wednesday 17th March. Due to COVID restrictions, the program was primarily online and featured the following: Greening of Buildings as part of an initiative with Fáilte Ireland. More than 50 buildings went green. Drone footage of many of the greened buildings was taken and made into the video shown online. The Irish proverb Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine” and in English “In the shelter of each other, we live” was projected onto R&H Hall. A pre-recorded video including the Lord Mayor and a compilation of past parades in recognition of our community parade participants was aired. A series of online instructional videos on how to make a St. Patrick’s puppet with Cork Puppetry Company, face painting with Cork Circus and costume making with Graffiti Theatre were broadcast in the lead-in to St. Patrick’s Day. From the Hearth: The White Horse, Ballincollig & Coughlan’s Live presented a bespoke Fireside Session for St. Patrick ’s Day. Performances included John Spillane, Caoimhín Ó Fearghail & Paddy Tutty, The Céilí Allstars, Johnny McCarthy & Eoin O Riabhaigh, Conor O’Sullivan & Barry Tierney, Tommie & Bláithín Cunniffe, Emerald On Ivory and Oisín Morrison & Eibhlís Ní Shúilleabháin. The performance was also broadcast in Cologne in Germany as well as in Boston in the US. Cork International Film Festival presented a special St. Patrick’s Festival program of Irish film shorts to watch online from 13th to 17th March. Creative Tradition, in partnership with Music Generation Cork City and Cork Academy of Music, invited young traditional musicians to perform or otherwise respond to the Liz Carroll tune, The Island of Woods, through guided listening. This was compiled into one big video/audio recording released on St Patrick's Day. Cork Community Art Link reflected on the legends around the goddess Clíodhna and her 3 brightly-coloured birds whose sweet songs soothe and heal the sick. An installation in Bishop Lucey Park was postponed until late in the year due to COVID. H owever, for St. Patrick’s Day, the CCAL hosted a gallery of images online documenting the creation of the installation, as well as an accompanying soundtrack which blended natural birdsong with voices reciting poetry relevant to these in these testing times.
‘Little Bird Babble’ artist Rachel Doolin created a video on how to make your own EARTHBIRD from garden materials.
Words on Windows vinyl series with the Cork City Libraries continues, with a series o f Irish Poetry displayed in the city’s libraries.
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The festival received extensive coverage with a value of €155,405 for Print, Radio and TV coverage received. Coverage included the RTE Six and Nine O’Clock news and Virgin Media Ireland AM. Print and onli ne coverage included the Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Irish Independent, the Echo, Cork Independent, RTE.ie, Cork Beo.ie and YayCork.ie. Red FM and Cork’s 96FM also featured several interviews.
Creative Ireland Creativity in Older Age
The Culture and Creativity Team made an application to Creative Ireland under the Creativity in Older Age Scheme. €11,810 has been granted for Crafted Conversations - a participatory arts programme for older people led by the Cork Library Service. The programme contains two artist-led project strands, both of which centre on the act of making as a stimulus for conversation, storytelling and reminiscence. In each, the participants can also learn new skills and create tangible artistic works. Project Strand 1, ‘Tinned Stories’ , will involve one-on-one engagement with individual participants working from their own home while Project Strand 2, ‘Stitching the City’ employs a more dispersed, communal approach with groups in residential settings. In total the programme aims to engage 100 participants. Cruinniú na nÓg Planning for Cruinniú na nÓg began on the conclusion of the Cork St Patrick’s Day Festival. This year, a greater emphasis will be placed on youth informed and youth led activities that are interactive and delivered in ‘blended’ or ‘hybrid’ formats. To achieve this aim, free training will be provided both for youth workers to support their contribution/participation and for arts organisations to host engaging events using up to date tools. To facilitate this training and increased participation by young people, an additional €5000 has been committed, subject to availability from the Creative Ireland 2021 Fund to Cork City. Covid-Proofing Cultural Companions Pilot This pilot is ongoing. A new series of workshops hosted by Firkin Crane entitled ‘Tea and Ballet’ was launched early in the month and is proving tremendously popular. The project will be featured in an audio documentary on Lyric FM for which interviews are underway. Outdoor Public Spaces Scheme The Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021 was recently launched by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media. The scheme is: “a targeted and public realm capital improvement programme to fund local authorities to adapt, equip or otherwise improve outdoor public spaces for arts & culture events and also festivals, taking account of public health guidelines ”. While it is envisioned that the scheme will have multiple benefits, its primary objective is to support the recovery of the creative, cultural, entertainment and events sector. The scheme will pay for 90% of the project costs up to €250,000. Examples of the types of eligible expenditure include (but are not limited to) a stage, a pavilion, permanent weatherproof coverings, paving, permanent seating, and outdoor projector screens. The Arts Office will collaborate with Tourism and the City Centre Coordinator in the development of a proposal under the scheme. In March, 52 arts and events organisations were invited to submit responses to a questionnaire, designed to consult on the practical needs to be considered in any intervention under the scheme.
Street Arts Streets Ahead
Throughout March, the Arts Office continued to collaborate with Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network (ISACS) to develop the programme for ‘Streets Ahead’. Streets Ahead is a new street arts professional development programme which aims to connect its participants through the exchange of experiences, exploring of ideas and swapping of knowledge & skills via a series of online workshops with leading practitioners and experts in the art forms, taking place across April, May and June of 2021. Supported by Creative Ireland, this innovative programme has been designed to nurture and
11
develop a range of street artists and practitioners across varying stages of their careers. To this end, the programme is devised with three distinct target groups in mind: • Those who are experienced and established in making street arts. • Those who are emerging or new to creating street arts. • Community groups who wish to engage and connect with their local communities through street arts. • Registration for the programme will launch in early April. Placemaking In March, Cork City Arts Office hosted two set of knowledge sharing events to develop our understanding around best practice in the role of the arts in placemaking. The Intra-Local Authority Exchange was attended by representatives from Dublin City Arts Office, Carlow Arts Office and Cork City Council Arts Office. Each discussed recent experiences working on placemaking and public realm arts initiatives including the challenges encountered and approaches to problem solving. The Inter-Local Authority Exchange involved a two-part workshop facilitated by Placemaking Consultant Wessel Badenhorst. It was attended by 25 colleagues in Cork City Council. Together, we explored the potential of the arts as a placemaking tool to support the objectives of our various sections and work programmes. The outcomes will inform upcoming street art commissioning managed by Cork City Arts Office in 2021.
Sport & Sustainability Sports Development Officer
Youth Worker Training Series
We held an information session for the second course in our Youth Worker Training Series and registration was opened. There was a huge uptake for this course which will start at the end of April. It has been developed in collaboration with Kinsale OEC, Cork Sports Partnership and Cork ETB and will cover three models: Water Sports, Camp Craft Skills and Teambuilding to Promote Resilience in young people. This course will up skill youth workers on how to deliver outdoor activities, something that there has been a real demand for since Covid-19 Restrictions forced youth groups to operate outdoors. Kinsale OEC will come into Cork City to deliver their sessions across three venues; promoting our local parks and reminding youth workers of the free amenities they have on their doorstep.
Online Fitness Classes
Online fitness classes continued in March with several youth and community groups taking part. Wellsprings, JIGSAW, YMCA, Youth Work Ireland and Cork City Partnership all took part in a mixture of Yoga, Zumba and Pilates classes as part of our Keep Well, Move! Campaign.
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Cork City Marathon
The contract to organise three full-scale Cork City Marathon events was signed with Davis Events Ltd in March. Davis Events are currently organising the Cork City Virtual Marathon, on behalf of Cork City Council, as a holding event for a return to a regular race on 5 th June 2022. Details on the virtual marathon and how to register can be found here:
http://www.corkcitymarathon.ie/virtual-run/
Preparations for next year will begin once there is more certainty about the situation regarding COVID-19.
Old Cork Waterworks Experience (Lifetime Lab) Explorers Mini Boat Project
Creative Ireland funding has been secured to deliver a children’s art competition. The competition is based around a mini boat which had been launched by a school in North Carolina and washed up in Ireland. School children will be asked to submit art that reflects Cork’s relationship with the ocean. A selection of entries will be used to design the mini boat prior to its return journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Participating schools will be able to track progress of the mini boat on its return journey. Project partners have joined the mini boat project with work underway on developing school information packs and concept graphics. The mini boat has also arrived at Old Cork Waterworks to enable progress on different components sail etc. to proceed. All Cork City primary schools (73) will be invited to submit artwork to be placed on the boat, feature as a
virtual exhibit and a print version will be provided to participating schools as a memento. This project is supported by the Creative Ireland Programme, an all-of-Government five-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022, which places creativity at the centre of public policy.
House of Circuits
A new classroom- based science workshop titled “House of Circuits” was offered to all Cor k City Primary schools in mid-March. Initial take up was very popular with 17 schools signed up for delivery in April, it is envisaged the demand will increase once schools return from the Eater Holidays. This project is supported by Science Foundation Ireland under the Discover Programme call 2020.
Science with Una
The series of short science at home science activities continued during March with the addition of Irish as a medium for Seachtain na Gaeilge and St. Patricks Day. The videos have received over and archived an audience reach of over 19000 with 8500 thru plays on the social media platforms of Old Cork Waterworks Experience. The videos also feature as a regular article on Cork City Council social media platforms and internal communication “The Daily Global”.
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Sustainable Travel
The focus of March was the TMF Mix your mode seminar, hosted by Cork City Council on an online platform. There was a variety of speakers discussing sustainable transport in a post Covid Ireland. It was a highly successful event and because it was an online event it allowed double the audience, over 180 attendees, from Cork and further afield.
Environmental Awareness Officer Waste Prevention Grant Scheme: The 2021 Waste Prevention Grants scheme has been launched with a closing date of 15 th April 2021. The scheme aims to assist groups and schools to implement waste prevention and reduction actions in the community and fulfils one of the objectives of the regional waste management plan.
Community Content Area Profile – Community Update
Our Community Section through Kieran O'Connell Social Inclusion Development Worker has nominated Togher’s Greenwood Residents Association for the Active Community Group Award Section of the Cork City Partnership Active Community Awards for 2021. This is in recognition of their cooperation and collaboration in Piloting each Sports on the Green pilots’ schemes which were then rolled out across the city with the FAI, Munster Rugby, Community Bikes, etc. We wish them well in this excellent awards scheme. Cork City Council staff from community section and Libraries attended the Festival of Place webinar on line over the week of the Monday 22 nd to Friday 26 th March 2021. This was an British based training and collaboration event on the potential of placemaking and looking at it from a number of important aspects. Attendance at this will assist our Placemaking Directorate to advance its plans for the Placemaking Tool Kit and the advancement of Placemaking more generally internally and externally.
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Lifelong Learning
Cork Celebrates Lifelong Learning Awards The awards launch event took place over a series of lunchtime Webinars from 22 nd – 26 th of March. As Cork’s internationally acclaimed, inspirational and inclusive festival, Cork Lifelong Learning Festival cannot unfortunately take place this year due to ongoing government restrictions. During the week we produced and hosted a series of lunchtime webinars which introduced our new Learning Cities Awards to celebrate learning across ten different categories including early years, primary and secondary school, further education, higher education, and adult education (community and workplace learning) as well as highlighting exceptional and inspirational learning.
These awards are a celebration of how lifelong learning enables people to change their lives and how learning has become a way to improvement in life, work and community. The launch series was well attended with engaging visual examples of best practice provided by our Irish Network of Learning cities partners from Belfast, Derry, Dublin, Limerick and the learning city of Evry- Courcouronnes in France. Over the week 250+ attendees came together online including representatives from UNESCO, UCC, CIT, CETB, City Council, the Evening Echo and Cork Chamber to launch our Celebration of Lifelong Learning in Cork. Rapid Co-Ordinator Community wardens and the RAPID team supported the delivery of Play Packs for Older Adults to residents in Bishopscourt Nursing Home and Meals on Wheels Knocknaheeny. Photos attached.
A second iteration of the PlayPacks is in progress and scheduled for delivery during the month of May.
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The Traveller Inter-Agency Group continues to meet on a bi-monthly basis. The group will undertake Traveller Cultural Awareness Training in the coming weeks, as part of a unanimous commitment towards broadening understanding and capacity to work in support of the Traveller community.
P4Play. Community team is building on its experience in leading on the Playful Paradigm project by now becoming partners in the P4Play Marie Skłodowska -Curie Innovative Training Network project with UCC and stakeholders around Europe. As part of this work, Cork CC will host a PhD researcher to shadow the work of our team as we undertake placemaking and play centred initiatives in the city. Cork City has also been successfully named a n example of Best Practise under the URBACT National Practise Transfer Initiative, within which the City and its work as part of Playful Paradigm will provide a model for other Irish cities to follow Cork’s lead .
Development Management Update on Strategic Housing Developments
Applications made to An Bord Pleanála under section 4 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies, Act 2016 as amended.
SHD in Progress
Reference 308790-20
179 no. apartments at Ballinure.
11 th January 2021
Meeting with Councillors
5 th February 2021
CE Report submitted by CCC
Decision Due from ABP
May 2021. Oral Hearing with Limited Agenda to be held in April 2021.
SHD in Progress
Reference 308923-20
266 residential units at St Kevin’s.
28 th January 2021
Meeting with Councillors
19 th February 2021
CE Report submitted by CCC
Decision Due from ABP
April 2021
SHD in Progress
Reference 309059-20
1002 apartments on Former Ford Distribution Site, Centre Park Road.
15 th February 2021
Meeting with Councillors
25 th February 2021
CE Report submitted by CCC
Decision Due from ABP
April 2021
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SHD Information Q.1 2020
No of Chief Executive Reports
3
2
Tripartite Meeting
1
1 1
Opinions
2
Preplanning
1
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
March Feb Jan
Contact Volumes in Planning Development Management:
Since January there has been a decrease in the planning counter footfall as due to Covid restrictions, visits to the counter are by appointment only. However, email contact has increased in a similar fashion to the lockdown in November when a decrease in footfall was also measured and an increase in emails. Phone contact has remained relatively static throughout.
Development Management Contact Volumes
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Counter Footfall
199
103
200
45
38
56
Phone Volumes
250
252
272
260
228
208
Email Volumes
354
486
260
431
366
419
Pre-Planning: There was a slight reduction in the number of Preplanning Consultation requests received in March. Year over year the number of requests increased by 128.57% from 14 in March 2020 to 32 in March 2021.
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Planning Applications: In March, the number of Planning Applications received decreased slightly by 5.43% year over year (92 applications to 87 applications). The total number of planning applications granted or refused increased by 26% year over year (68 in 2021 and 54 in 2020).
Planning Application Information
0
Applications withdrawn
1
31
Further Information Requested
25
88
No of Submissions
35
7
Invalid Applications
6
56
Applications Granted
46
12
Applications Refused
8
87
Applications Received
92
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Mar-21 Mar-20
Planning Submissions
The number of submissions received increased 151.43% year over year. The number of submissions received monthly can vary significantly. The submissions received were spread across 24 planning applications.
Planning Enforcement
Planning Enforcement Cases
0
Mar
12
8
Feb
6
3
Jan
13
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Closed Cases New Cases
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