Minutes 2008
Minutes of the Budget Meeting of Sligo County Council Held on 21st January 2008 at 11.00am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- Baker,
- Barrett,
- Barry,
- Bree,
- Cawley,
- Colleary,
- Conmy,
- Gormley,
- Fleming,
- Healy McGowan,
- Henry,
- Higgins,
- Kilgannon,
- Leonard,
- Lundy,
- MacManus,
- McGarry,
- McGrath,
- McLoughlin,
- Mullaney,
- Murray,
- Queenan
- Sherlock.
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Mr H. Kearns, County Manager
- Mr T. Kilfeather, Head of Finance
- Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services
- Ms R. McNulty, Director of Services
- Mr J. O’Dwyer, A/Director of Services
- Mr J. Murphy, A/Director of Services
- Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer
- Mr J. McHugh, Senior Engineer
- Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer
- Mr P. Doyle, Senior Engineer
- Mr F. Moylan, A/Senior Planner
- Mr M. Ryan, Senior Executive Engineer
- Ms K. McDaniel, Senior Executive Engineer
- Ms M. McConnell, Senior Executive Officer
- Ms R. McGrath, Arts Officer
- Ms K. McTiernan, Administrative Officer
- Ms D. McDonagh, Administrative Officer
- Mr J. Burns, A/Administrative Officer
- Mr F. MacNabb, Administrative Officer
- Ms L. Conlon, Clerical Officer
- Ms S. Malone, Assistant Staff Officer
CATHAOIRLEACH:
The Cathaoirleach, Councillor S. Kilgannon presided.
The Cathaoirleach welcomed the students from Ballisodare Secondary School to the chamber.
VOTES OF SYMPATHY
Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor P. Conmy
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Cllr Michael Fleming on the death of his father in law, John P. Davey and that the meeting be adjourned for 15
minutes as a mark of respect.
Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor P. Conmy
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Kathleen Kane a staff member of Sligo Borough Council on the death of her mother, Bridie”.
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to John and Ann McCann on the tragic death of their daughter, Sheila”.
The County Manager asked to be associated with all the votes of sympathy.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
Meeting was adjourned for 15 Minutes.
Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor D. Healy McGowan
AND AGREED
“That no further motions will be voted on by the Council until such time as the entire budget has been considered in detail”.
PROGRAMME GROUP 1; HOUSING AND BUILDING:
The members proceeded to consider Programme Group 1 Housing and Building.
Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services outlined the housing and building programme for 2008. In response to queries and concerns regarding the New Grants Schemes it was agreed that the matter would be discussed at the next Housing SPC meeting. Members also requested that they be provided with a list of all houses bought on the open market. Some members expressed concerns regarding the delay in the Respond Housing Scheme at Strandhill. At the request of Cllr MacManus it was agreed that a full report in relation to Carney P.P.P Housing Scheme be provided to include details of site cost. Ms D. Clarke DOS also answered members queries in relation Connolly Park, Part V’s, housing for single applicants, housing list, housing at Kiernan Ave, and the Estate Enhancement Scheme.
PROGRAMME GROUP 2; ROAD TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY:
The members proceeded to consider programme group 2 Road Transportation and Safety.
Mr J O’Dwyer, A/Director of Services outlined the Road Transportation and Safety Programme. Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer answered Councillors queries relating to Non National Roads Ms K. McDaniel S.E answered members queries in relation to National Roads. The County Manager suggested that a study be carried out to examine the economic and social benefits of upgrading the N16. The members agreed that funding be provided to carry out this study.
PROGRAMME GROUP NO. 3 - WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE:
The members proceeded to consider programme group 3, Water and Sewerage.
Members queries in relation to a number of water and waste water schemes were answered. The County Manager informed the meeting that increase of
approx 3% was proposed for non domestic water charges in 2008. he stated that to produce treated water to the standards required was very expensive and that it was a requirement to recover the full cost from the consumer. He also stated that the fixing of the rate is an executive function.
PROGRAMME GROUP 4 DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES AND CONTROL;
The members proceeded to consider Programme Group 4 – Development Incentives and Control.
Mr J. Murphy, A/Director of Services, outlined the proposed expenditure in the Development Incentives and Control Programme. Members’ queries in relation to Sligo Harbour, various community grants, the Gateway Innovation Fund, development levies and village enhancement scheme were answered.
PROGRAMME GROUP 5 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION;
The members proceeded to consider Programme Group 5 – Environmental Protection.
Ms R. McNulty, Director of Services, outlined the proposed expenditure in the Environmental Protection Programme. Members queries in relation to burial ground fees, fire service, civic amenities and litter control were answered.
PROGRAMME GROUP 6 RECREATION AND AMENITY;
The members proceeded to consider Programme Group 6 – Recreation and Amenity.
Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services gave an update on the Library/Museum Project. Members queries in relation to community funding, library book fund, central library, swimming pool at Rosses Point and arts funding were answered.
PROGRAMME GROUP 7 AND 8 AGRICULTURE/EDUCATION AND MISCELLANOUS;
The members proceeded to consider programme groups 7 and 8, Agriculture, Education and Miscellaneous.
In reply to Cllr Gormley, the County Manager informed the meeting that a request would be made to the O.P.W seeking funding for the drainage of the
Owenmore.
RESOLUTIONS ARISING FROM BUDGET MEETING;
Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan
AND
“Due to the fact that County Sligo was the first pilot County in Ireland to introduce water charges calculated by the use of meters. The introduction of meters has in some cases resulted in huge increases for the business community and the farming community in Sligo we now call on the Department of the Environment and Agriculture to nominate County Sligo as the first County in Ireland as a Pilot for water harvesting with grant aid of 60% towards the cost of construction of such harvesting measures.
Proposed by Councillor J. Leonard
Seconded by Councillor T. McLoughlin
AND AGREED
“That this Council reduce the proposal 2008 commercial rate by 1 and a half percent therefore reducing the rate increase for 4.8% to 3.3% to be taken from the overall increased Local Government Fund”.
Cllr D. Bree dissented from this decision
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor V. Cawley
AND AGREED
“Noting that last years 6.7% increase from the Local Government Fund was insufficient and further recognising this years percentage increase is less, this
Council wishes to highlight the fact that in excess of €940,000 of the increase is necessary to cover the costs of salary and pension increases arising from
centrally negotiated pay agreements, and further the Council calls on the Government and the Minister for the Environment to provide additional funding of €1,100,000 so as to allow the Council maintain and improve its services”.
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley
AND AGREED
“That the sum included in Program 1.1.1. Maintenance and Improvement of the Local Authority housing be increased to €727,600 and that the additional funding be taken from the funding provided by the Department of the Environment which is in excess of the County Managers expected increase.
Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming
AND AGREED
“That this Council calls on the Minister for Transport, Mr Noel Dempsey and the NRA to provide funding for the N17 by pass of Tubbercurry in the current year”.
Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney
AND AGREED
“To request additional funding from the Minister of Transport and the Environment, to carry out Improvements to regional roads in the County”.
Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor A. Colleary
AND AGREED
“That this Council calls on the Minister for the Environment to indicate the amount of funding provided to this Council in the Local Government Fund for domestic water supplies”.
Proposed by Councillor V. Cawley
Seconded by Councillor D. Healy McGowan
AND AGREED
“That Sligo County Council should be commended on the high quality of water that is provided throughout the County on both public and group water schemes”.
Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor A. Colleary
AND AGREED
“That the members of Sligo County Council agreed that we reduce the income from Programme 3 by €200,000 so as to help the rate at 2007 rate for water charges”.
This resolution was withdrawn with the agreement of the meeting.
Proposed by Councillor V. Cawley
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry
AND AGREED
“That Sligo County Council calls on the Department of the Environment to review the components that are included in the model used in assessing the costs of non domestic water charges. Before rolling out the pilot scheme which Sligo is a part of. Including the adding on of bad debts to the next years costs which will replace the current standard charge.
Proposed by Councillor D.Bree
Seoconded by Councillor S. MacManus
AND AGREED
“That the sum included in Programme 6.2.3. Purchase of Books, be increased to €275,000 and that the additional funding be taken from the funding provided by the Department of the Environment which is in excess of the County Managers expected increase”.
Proposed by Councillor A. Collleary
Seconded by Councillor A. Higgins
“That Sligo County Council hereby adopts the Budget of the local financial year ending on the 31st December, 2008 as submitted by the County Manager, and as amended at this meeting, set out in Tables A,B and C of the said Budget”.
Following a discussion on this item both members asked that their names be withdrawn from the proposal. The meeting agreed to this.
Proposed by Councillor J. Leonard
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon
AND AGREED
“That Sligo County Council hereby adopts the Budget of the local financial year ending on the 31st December, 2008 as submitted by the County Manager, and as amended at this meeting, set out in Tables A,B and C of the said Budget”.
As agreement could not be reached on this item the Cathaoirleach asked that a poll be taken.
For: Barrett, Conmy, Henry, Higgins, Kilgannon, Leonard, McGrath, McLoughlin, Mullaney and Murray
Against: Baker, Barry, Bree, Cawley, Colleary, Gormley, Healy McGowan, Lundy, MacManus, McGarry, Queenan and Sherlock
As the result was 10 for the motion and 12 against the motion was lost. As no agreement could be reached in relation to the budget the Meeting ended at 7.40pm
VOTES OF SYMPATHY;
Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor P. Conmy
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Kathleen Kane on the death of her mother, Bridie”.
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to John and Ann McCann and family on the death of their daughter, Sheila”.
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Steve Wimsey on the death of his wife, Mary”.
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Margaret Gormley
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Margarita Callaghan on the death of Tommy”.
Proposed by Councillor D. Healy McGowan
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Rory O’Connor on the death of Mai”.
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Michael Laffey on the death of Mary”.
Proposed by Councillor J. Lundy
Seconded by Councillor A. Colleary
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to John and Ann McCann on the death of their daughter, Sheila”.
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Kathleen Kane on the death of her mother, Bridie”.
Proposed by Councillor M. Barrett
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Carmel Foley on the death of her mother, Mary Laffey”.
Meeting Date 21/01/2008