Budget Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Budget Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 9th January 2006 at 11.00am in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo.


MEMBERS PRESENT:

  • Baker,
  • Barrett,
  • Barry,
  • Bree,
  • Cawley,
  • Colleary,
  • Conmy,
  • Devins,
  • Fleming,
  • Fox,
  • Gormley,
  • Healy McGowan,
  • Henry,
  • Higgins,
  • Kilgannon,
  • Leonard,
  • Lundy,
  • Mac Manus,
  • McGarry,
  • McGrath,
  • McLoughlin,
  • Mullaney,
  • Murray,
  • Queenan,
  • Sherlock

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr H. Kearns, County Manager
  • Mr T. Kilfeather, Head of Finance
  • Mr S. Concannon, Director of Services
  • Mr P. Forkan, Director of Services
  • Mr T. Caffrey, Director of Services
  • Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer
  • Ms M. Mc Connell, Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr J. McHugh, Senior Engineer
  • Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer
  • Mr M. Lydon, Financial/Management Accountant
  • Ms M. Leydon, Financial/Management Accountant
  • Ms E. Garvin, Administrative Officer
  • Ms P. Hamilton, Administrative Officer
  • Mr J. Owens, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr F. Moylan, Senior Executive Planner
  • Mr P. Flanagan, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr J. Moran, Administrative Officer
  • Mr J. Walsh, Administrative Officer
  • Mr T. Brennan, Senior Engineer
  • Ms P. R Gallagher, Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr C. Colleary, Veterinary Surgeon
  • Mr G. Salter, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Ms M. McAuliffe, Arts Officer
  • Mr A. Skeffington, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr P. Doyle, Project Engineer
  • Mr D. Tinney, County Librarian
  • Ms M. Hegarty, Administrative Officer
  • Ms E. Concannon, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Ms B. Ronayne, Administrative Officer
  • Mr F. MacNabb, Administrative Officer
  • Mr C. McNamara, Staff Officer
  • Ms M. Collery, Clerical Officer

CATHAOIRLEACH:

  • The Cathaoirleach, Councillor P Barry presided.

Proposed by Cllr D Bree
Seconded by Cllr P Conmy

AND AGREED

“While welcoming the 9.6% increase from the Local Government Fund, and recognising that in excess of €865,000 of the increase is necessary to cover the costs of salary and pension increase arising from the ‘Benchmarking and Sustaining Progress agreements’, this Council calls on the Government and the Minister for the Environment to provide additional funding of €500,000 so as to allow the Council maintain and improve its services”.

ORDER OF BUSINESS:

It was agreed that each programme group would be discussed in turn and that all resolutions would be taken at the end of the meeting.

PROGRAMME GROUP 1; HOUSING AND BUILDING:

The members proceeded to consider programme group 1, Housing and Building.

Director Caffrey outlined the housing and building programme for 2006. In response to queries and concerns regarding the Differential Rent Scheme it was agreed that the matter be discussed at the next Housing SPC meeting. Director Caffrey stated that there were approx 100 houses to be provided with Central Heating and it is hoped to have this completed in the next 2 – 2½ years. The Traveller Liaison Officer had been appointed before Christmas. He expressed concern in relation to the Rental Assistance Scheme and the cost associated with it and stated that the Council had looked for 2 additional staff (Admin) to implement it. There was also a technical element to it.

It is hoped to progress to Phase 2 of Ballymote Housing in 2006 and while he accepted that Phase 1 was not entirely completed to the satisfaction of the Council he said lessons could be learned and he was confident of a satisfactory outcome. He also said that it was hoped that the regeneration of Connolly Park, Tubbercurry and work at Marist Convent, Tubbercurry would be proceeded with in 2006.

PROGRAMME GROUP 2; ROAD TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY:

The members proceeded to consider programme group 2, Road Transportation and Safety.

Director Concannon outlined the road transportation and safety programme. In response to queries he stated that in relation to the N17 the route was adopted in 2002 and then put on hold. The Tubbercurry bypass (approx 10km) was advanced and this should be ready to go to EIS and CPO stage in 2006.

Director Concannon also stated that the opening of the Inner Relief Road was a major improvement however, he accepted that Hughes Bridge remained a cause for concern. He expected substantial funding for design and planning from the NRA and stated that he would also examine other possible ways of alleviating traffic congestion at this junction.

In relation to the Western Distributor road it is expected that a Part 8 would go to the Borough and Council in the coming year and Consultant Engineers have been asked to proceed with a design of the Eastern Bridge.

In response to queries regarding the Western Bypass, Director Concannon stated that it was an objective of Sligo and Environs Development Plans so it is important to select a route.

The County Manger stated that the Western Bypass was one of the key elements of Sligo’s aspiration to grow into a medium sized city of 60-100,000. Also as the Council will be taking over the Harbour it would be crucial to determine where this route is going to lie. In this regard he was confident that the NRA will fund a Feasibility Study on this.

Director Concannon said that there was no proposal to change LIS Scheme. In relation to various queries about road drainage and hedge cutting he said that this issue is clearly a problem and will be focused on strongly in the coming year.

He said that in relation to the N15 the route had been adopted in the Co Sligo section. He also said it is hoped to bring the N4 road from Castlebaldwin to Cloonamahon to CPO stage this year.

PROGRAMME GROUP NO. 3 - WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE:

The members proceeded to consider programme group 3, Water Supply and Sewerage.

Mr S. Concannon, Director of Services, outlined the proposed expenditure in the water supply and sewerage area. In response to Members’ queries he advised that Sligo Main Drainage Scheme is expected to commence shortly and this will facilitate development in Carraroe, Rosses Point, Teesan, Lisnalurg and adjoining areas of Sligo Town. He stated that Tenders were received last year but there had been difficulties with getting full documentation from Contractors, which meant the contact wasn’t signed yet, but he said that he was confident this would be sorted out very soon.

In relation to Dromore West it had gone through the planning process and while there was one objection he was confident that it would proceed shortly.

Mr K Larkin, Senior Engineer added that schemes in Ballygawley, Mullaghmore and Cliffoney were at preliminary report and procurement stage. In relation to Lough Talt this had changed somewhat from the original proposal in that a brand new treatment works were now being considered.

The County Manager also informed the Members that the operation costs of Sligo Main Drainage will be well in excess of €1m per year.

PROGRAMME GROUP NO. 4 - DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES AND CONTROL:

The members proceeded to consider programme group 4, Development Incentives and Control.

Mr P. Forkan, Director of Services outlined the proposed expenditure in the Development Incentives and Control programme. He said with the implementation of a new system for validations the process had been speeded up. There were also seminars with Agents which had improved the situation. In response to queries from the Members, Mr Forkan said he would look at the situation in relation to further information requests.

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. Mac Manus

AND AGREED

“That a sub-committee be established to work with the executive in bringing forward recommendations to the Council for the distribution of funding under the headings 4.3.6. (1) Tourist Development and Promotion; 4.5. Grants to Community and Voluntary Bodies; 6.4.3. (6)(a) Arts Programme Grants”.

PROGRAMME GROUP NO. 5 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT:

The members proceeded to consider programme group 5, Environmental Protection and Waste Management.

Mr P. Forkan, Director of Services outlined the proposed expenditure in the Environmental Protection and Waste Management programme. In response to queries regarding the allocation received by the Council of €37,000, Director Forkan stated that the Tubbercurry Civic Amenity site was not functional last year so operational costs could not be claimed for.

PROGRAMME GROUP NO. 6 - RECREATION AND AMENITY:

The members proceeded to consider programme group 6, Recreation and Amenity.

In response to queries from Members, Director Caffrey said that there was a substantial Museum facility proposed on the Mall site but that An Comhairle Leabharlann had decided not to support the library project on this site. It is now proposed to extend the Library on Stephen Street. He also stated that Architects had been engaged to draw a plan for Ballymote Library to include an Area office on the cinema site.

PROGRAMME GROUP NO’S 7, 8 AND 9 - AGRICULTURE/EDUCATION/MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPORT SERVICES:

The members proceeded to consider programme groups 7, 8 and 9, Agriculture, Education and Miscellaneous and the Support Services Programme.

RESOLUTIONS ARISING FROM BUDGET MEETING:

Proposed by Councillor J. McGarry
Seconded by Councillor S. Mac Manus

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council calls on the FF and PD Government to introduce a National Waiver Scheme for the people on low incomes to help with the payments of water charges.”

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor I. Henry

“To propose that the increase in local authority housing rent be deferred until it is discussed at the Housing SPC.

Following a discussion on the matter, it was agreed to withdraw the motion.

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor P. Conmy

“Under the heading Environmental Improvements that €30,000 be made available for work in estates. The increase to be allocated from planned maintenance programme”.

Following a discussion on the matter, it was agreed to withdraw the motion.

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor J. Devins

Sligo County Council Differential Rent Scheme 2006 Section 9 reads as follows:-

Assessable Income

€7 for first €120, multiplied by 25 cent per €1 thereafter.

I propose the following changes

€7 for the first €180, multiplied by 15 cent per €1 thereafter and tenants of Sligo County Council on State benefit that the rent increase for 2006 be no more that inflation for the past year of 2.6%

Following a discussion on the matter, it was agreed to withdraw the motion.

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor P. Conmy

“That the commercial rate increase by 3.5% for 2006 for Sligo County Council and that the reduction in income be met by reducing expenditure under matching funds by the following amounts Prog 2.8.3 Motor Tax €7,000 and Prog 7.1.4 Drainage of Land €4,000

Following a discussion on the matter, it was agreed to withdraw the motion.

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree

That the sum included in Programme 1.1.1 Maintenance and Improvement of Local Authority housing be increased to €552,000 and that the expenditure of €160,000 included in Programme 6.4.3. (5) matching funds, be reduced by €22,000.

As there was no seconder this motion fell.

At 5.35pm the meeting was adjourned for 5 minutes.

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council hereby adopts the Budget for the local financial year ending on 31st December 2006 as submitted by the County Manager.

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council hereby determines in accordance with the Budget for the local financial year ending on the 31st December 2006, as adopted at this meeting, the rateable valuation multiplier to be levied for the several purposes specified in such budgets as set out in tables B and C to be the rateable valuation multiplier to be levied for that year. The rateable valuation multiplier as determined being €61.93”.

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor S. Mac Manus

AND AGREED

“That the allowance for the Cathaoirleach be fixed at €34,400 per annum with effect from the 1st January 2006. This allowance is to be paid monthly in arrears to cover reasonable expenses incurred by the Cathaoirleach within County Sligo”.

Proposed by Councillor S. Mac Manus
Seconded by Councillor J. McGarry

AND AGREED

That the allowance for An Leas-Cathaoirleach be fixed at €8,600 per Annum with effect from the 1st January 2006. This allowance is to be paid in two instalments in arrears to cover reasonable expenses incurred by the Leas-Cathaoirleach”

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

AND AGREED

“That an amount of up to €5,100 be allowed to the Cathaoirleach in respect of vouched expenses at official rates for reasonable expenses incurred by the Cathaoirleach outside County Sligo”.

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor J. Sherlock

AND AGREED

“That an amount of up to €3,200 be allowed to the Cathaoirleach in respect of vouched expenses at official rates for reasonable expenses incurred by the Cathaoirleach abroad”.

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor M. Baker

AND AGREED

“To note the County Manager’s report on the proposed three year Capital Programme 2006 – 2008”.


The meeting ended at 5.50pm


Meeting Date 09/01/2006