PROPOSAL TO FUND CIVIC AMENITY SITE WITH WASTE SERVICE SELL-OFF MONEY
The provision of a civic amenity site in the Fermoy – Mitchelstown area could, it is claimed, be part financed by money raised from the recent sale of the county council waste management service to a private operator.
Such a site once again emerged as an issue of contention at the recent meeting of the Northern Committee in Mallow. Cllr Pa O’Driscoll, who had proposed the motion as an agenda item, said that sites of this nature are either open or in the process of opening in Mallow, Kanturk and Millstreet.
He added, “Reference has been made on a number of occasions since I joined the council that everyone should be within 20km of a civic amenity site, yet this is obviously not the case for people living in the Fermoy and Mitchelstown area.”
SITE IDENTIFIED
A site had been identified a number of years ago and Cork County Council was on the verge of purchasing it but, due to a decision to review the policy on waste management, the contract was never signed.
Cllr O’Driscoll confirmed that the site in question is still available.
And, with Cork County Council having recently sold off the refuse collection service, he feels that, “it seems reasonable that some of the funds raised from this should be ring-fenced for waste management within the county, which would include the provision of a civic amenity site in the North East Cork area.”
TWO TOWNS
Cllr Frank O’Flynn was in agreement and said, “We will accept one site between the two towns. I see no reason why some of the funding can’t be used for a civic amenity site and I feel that this needs to be looked at.”
Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe concurred with his fellow councillors and added, “there is a vacuum and people shouldn’t have to travel. It’s important to have a shared service similar to other communities.”
Manager, Tom Stritch advised the councillors that he would raise the motion at county hall and report back.
Published:
Thursday 28th October 9:00pm
