Budget Meeting Minutes
Minutes of Budget Meeting held on 9th January, 2014 at 10am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo
MEMBERS PRESENT:
- Councillor Baker,
- Councillor Barry,
- Councillor Bree,
- Councillor V. Cawley,
- Councillor Clarke,
- Councillor Collery,
- Councillor Devins,
- Councillor Fleming,
- Councillor Gormley,
- Councillor Keaney,
- Councillor Leonard,
- Councillor Lundy,
- Councillor Lyons,
- Councillor MacManus,
- Councillor McGrath,
- Councillor McLoughlin,
- Councillor Mullaney,
- Councillor Mulvey,
- Councillor O’Grady
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Mr Ciarán Hayes, County Manager
- Ms Marie Leydon, Head of Finance
- Ms Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
- Mr Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services
- Mr Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer
- Mr Seamus O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer
- Mr Fergus MacNabb, Meetings Administrator
- Ms Marian McGovern, Clerical Officer
APOLOGIES:
- Councillor M. Barrett,
- Councillor D. Healy McGowan,
- Councillor D. Cawley, J. McGarry,
- Councillor J. Queenan
CATHAOIRLEACH:
The Cathaoirleach, Councillor P. McGrath presided.
The Cathaoirleach, Councillor P. McGrath began the meeting by wishing staff and members a happy new year and welcomed the new County Manager, Ciarán Hayes to Sligo.
The members also extended their welcome to Mr Hayes and wished him well in his new job.
In response the County Manager, Mr Hayes stated that it was an honour and a privilege to manage a County and was looking forward to working with the members in developing the potential of Sligo as a major regional centre.
With the agreement of the meeting Mr Hayes outlined his agenda for the immediate future focusing on 4 key areas:
- Merging of the County and Borough Councils
- Transition of Water and Wastewater services to Irish Water
- Transfer of functions from County Enterprise Boards to the new Local Enterprise Office
- Priority on delivery of customer service.
Mr Hayes added that he was conscious that this body of work has to be carried out under financial constraints and in a period of staff reduction but it would signal significant changes within the organisation. The Manager indicated that the immediate priority was to deal with the financial issues and to restore the functioning of the Borough meetings.
The Cathaoirleach formally opens the meeting to deal with the draft budget.
At this point Councillor M. Fleming proposed that the meeting be adjourned as a mark of respect to the late Councillor Gerry Murray who passed away on Monday 6th January.
The members expressed their condolences to Councillor Murray’s family, wife Tish, daughters Geraldine, Martina and Tara, sons Con, Dom and Barry.
The members spoke of the loss of a dear friend and colleague, describing Councillor Murray as a true gentleman who represented the people in his area with honesty and sincerity.
Councillor Murray’s contribution to Irish music in Sligo was also acknowledged with his work in developing the Coleman Centre in Gurteen among other achievements, which were recognised in 2013 with a special presentation in New York by the Sligo Association for his contribution to the development of Irish music in America.
On his own behalf and on behalf of the staff the County Manager, Mr Hayes offered condolences to the Murray family.
The Cathaoirleach, Councillor McGrath extended his sympathies to the Murray family stating it had been an honour to serve with Councillor Murray on this Council.
The Cathaoirleach then read out the two motions to adjourn the meeting.
Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillors M. Gormley and J. Lundy
AND AGREED
“To propose a vote of sympathy to Tish Murray and family on the death of Councillor Gerry Murray. May he rest in peace.”
Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillors J. Lundy and M. Gormley
AND AGREED
“To propose that the Budget meeting be adjourned to Monday January 20th at 10.00am as a mark of respect to the late Councillor Gerry Murray.”
END OF MEETING:
The meeting ended at 11.10pm
Meeting Date 09/01/2014