RIPPLE AGM RIPPLE A.G.M   SEPTEMBER 3RD 2007     Apologies Donna Mc Carthy Bryan Harris   Tim Looney Christy Thornhill Noel O’Driscoll   Before the AGM began, Chairperson Frank Fahy wished Good Luck to the people who were leaving the committee for other ventures. He wished Caroline (moving to Mullingar), Donna (expanding her law career in the Cayman Islands), Christy ( Additional business commitments), and Bryan (currently in Italy) the best wishes of the committee of RIPPLE.   Minutes    As it was the first AGM of the organisation, Caroline read out the report of the initial public meeting that started the organisation the previous September. She outlined the ideas, objectives and proposals of the organisation that were put forward that night and on which our ideals are now based. Some of these included: Providing the people of Skibbereen with local natural amenities Liaison with other groups in the town for this to be achieved namely, the council, local businesses and the various stakeholders on the river. Clean up of the Caol Stream Lobby politicians on the progression of the sewage scheme Restoration of the Steam Mill Quay, Long Quay and Chapel Quay as priorities. Timetable for the cleaning and deepening under the bridges Deepening and cleaning of the Caol   Chairperson’s address   Firstly the Chairperson Frank Fahy thanked all who attended and welcomed them to the meeting. He explained how he had a vision for a hardworking committee that would work for the benefit of the town by helping in the development of Skibbereen’s amenities. He explained how the many ideas of the committee had met with delaying tactics from politicians and officials of both councils. As frustrating as this is, some progress had been made and we are even more committed to development of the town especially when it had been said that our group would fade away after a while.   Frank then went on to give details of all the positive things that had happened because of RIPPLE. The feasibility study has been commissioned and completed with the help of LEADER, which embraces and enhances our ideals and presented them in a manner acceptable to the Councils. The Web site is up and running with a facility for input from townspeople and those abroad and also provided a Pay Pal system for subscription to RIPPLE West Cork Leader provided funding of 80% for both the study and the website There have been a number of meetings with the town council and we again have the Mayor’s office represented on the committee.     A presentation of our ideas and objectives was made to the Western Division of Cork County Council and they pledged their support in the future Assistant County Manager, Ms Teresa White, was advised of our ideas at a specially organised meeting in the past few months and she was very supportive and indicated that she would try to help out financially as well.       We as an organisation, have had many meetings with the town engineer over the year, which is a positive move Due to pressure from the group, the Levis quay area plan has been drawn up with the long awaited removal of the disused toilet as part of the plan There has been a temporary clean up of the Caol Stream over the last few months. Pest control has been in action on the banks of the Caol with much success. We were to finance the cleaning of the stream, but our offer was refused. There has been a removal of trolleys from the stream, but Frank spoke about the lack of action and civic spirit from the shop managers, regarding the introduction of coin trolleys for the town to alleviate the situation.   Obviously, Frank repeated, there have been many stumbling blocks to progress in the areas we wish to develop. One of these is the development of the Chapel Quay, which to the group ideals, could be developed now, but to which there has been a negative answer again from the powers that be. Frank finally thanked the hard working committee for their attendance and work over the last 30 meetings. He paid tribute to the people who have left and helped set up the committee and thanked the new people who have taken over.       Treasurers Report   Brendan Leahy read the treasurers report and stated that from the start we were advised to form a limited company, which is what we have done under the title RIPPLE SKIBBEREEN LTD.. The treasurer thanked the Fire Brigade for their contribution to the fund to set up the company. He also thanked Bryan Harris for his brilliant fundraising for the group with the 4-page feature on the Southern Star. We also opened an account with the Credit Union and they have provided the committee with a temporary loan to cover the costs of the Feasibility Study and Website until such time as West Cork Leader pays the grants. He also stated that we will have a company audit in December. He thanked all the local businesses for their support and to Theresa White of Cork County Council for her financial commitment to our ideas. And he welcomed the Pay Pal system on the web site and invited contributions to help finance our projects.   Proposal for Development of the Marsh (part of Adam Cronin’s report)   Frank then detailed many aspects of the Cronin report for the members present. He also stated that the complete report is now available on the website.                               Committee Election:   Brendan Leahy then chaired the election of officers and the following people were elected   Chairperson:                    Frank Fahy     Proposed by Caroline Maslin and 2nd by Liam Hazel   Secretary:                           Kay Quinn             Proposed by Brendan Leahy and 2nd by Finbarr Connolly    Treasurer:                         Finbarr Connolly, Proposed by Frank Fahy & 2nd by                                                 Tadhg O’Donovan   Assistant treasurer:            Liam Hazel,  Proposed by Brendan Leahy & 2nd by                                                 Frank Fahy   Vice Chairperson:            Brendan Leahy,  Proposed by Tadhg O’Donovan & 2nd by Frank Fahy   PRO:                                     Garry Minihane Proposed by Frank Fahy & 2nd by              Tadhg O’Donovan               COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Ina Jones, Brendan Mc Carthy, Liam Hazel, Tadhg O’Donovan, Donnacha O Shea, Paul Keane, Vincent O Farrell, Tim Looney, Noel O’Driscoll  and Bryan Harris if available   Hon. Secretary Kay Quinn Since the AGM, Mr. Adrian Birth, Mr. Jim Kennedy and Mr. Jose Ospina have been added to the committee and Mr. Finbarr Connolly has, due to work and other committments resigned as Treasurer and from the committee. Brendan Leahy has temporarily taken over the role of Treasurer.