SPC 3 - Minutes
Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee 3 Planning, Community & Economic Development, Arts & Culture Meeting held on Wednesday 14th September 2022 at 11.30a.m. Venue: Council Chamber, City Hall and Virtually via Microsoft Teams
IN ATTENDANCE:
- Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady (Cathaoirleach)
- Councillor Arthur Gibbons
- Councillor Gerard Mullaney
REPRESENTATIVES:
- Mr Aidan Doyle, Business Pillar
IN ATTENDANCE:
- Ms Karen O’Hara, Trade Union Pillar (Virtually)
- Ms Sheila Scanlon, PPN Social Inclusion Seat (Virtually)
- Ms Corena Ward, PPN Community & Voluntary Sector Seat (Virtually)
APOLOGIES:
- Councillor Marie Casserly
- Councillor Tom Fox
- Councillor Tom MacSharry
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Ms Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
- Mr Frank Moylan, Senior Planner
- Ms Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer
- Mr John Reilly, LEO (Virtually)
- Ms Marie Whelan, Head of Finance
- Ms Patricia Guckian, A/Head of Finance
- Mr Ian Bailey, Senior Executive Planner
- Mr Mark Cummins, Senior Executive Engineer
- Ms Siobhán Gillen, Administrative Officer
Introduction
Cathaoirleach Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady welcomed all in attendance.
1.Confirmation of Minutes
The Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday 29th June 2022 were adopted and
Proposed by: Mr Aidan Doyle
Seconded by: Councillor Gerard Mullaney
2. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
3. Draft Rates Incentive Scheme (RIS) 2023 (Report circulated):
Ms Patricia Guckian updated the meeting on the circulated report.
Summary points:
- Sligo’s commercial vacancy is 20%, the highest in the country which has a national average of 14%.
- Sligo County Council are proposing the introduction of a RIS from 1st January 2023, aimed to help the SME Sector by providing an incentive to both landlords and entrepreneurs to occupy vacant units by removing and reducing business entry costs.
- Objectives: utilise vacant property, regenerate and revitalise town and villages, increase footfall, financial incentive for new businesses, job creation/retention, improve commercial/retail mix, increase attractiveness of towns/villages and to improve streetscapes.
- Two incentives are included in the scheme.
- 1st incentive is for the occupation of vacant properties, incentive offers a reduction in the rates liability over a five year period subject to certain conditions.
- 2nd incentive is a discount for the early payment of rates, incentive offers a discount of between 2.5% and 5% for early payment of rates subject to certain conditions.
- Incentive applicable to the occupation of existing rated commercial properties as at 31st December of the previous year and which has been vacant for a period of at least 12 months as at the date of application.
- Qualifying property and applicant conditions were also highlighted including qualifying uses and the application process.
- The ‘Displacement element’ of the scheme requires further discussion in advance of final approval which will be brought before the Members before year end.
The Scheme was welcomed, however, it was noted that these are difficult times with increasing energy costs, which may have an impact on the take up of this Scheme.
4. Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) (Report circulated):
Mr Ian Bailey updated the meeting on the circulated report.
Summary points:
- RZLT was detailed as an action in Housing for All and will replace the current Vacant Site Levy.
- Applicable to lands that are zoned in a Development Plan for ‘residential’ use and are serviced (i.e. access to roads, footpaths, lighting, water supply and wastewater infrastructure) or ‘mixed use’ and are also ‘vacant and idle’ (e.g. undeveloped or no longer occupied).
- Planning Authorities have been tasked with publishing Draft, Supplemental and Final maps identifying which lands zoned are ‘in scope’ or not.
- Draft maps must be published and will go on public display, for consultation purposes by 1st November 2022 for a period of two months.
- The Planning Authority must make a decision on any submission by 1st April 2023. There is an opportunity to appeal any decision to ABP.
- Supplemental maps will be published by 1st May 2023.
- Final maps will be published by 1st December 2023.
- A Review Map will be published annually (on 31st August) to take into consideration any changes during the calendar year.
- On completion of Final maps, this initiative will be transferred to the Revenue Commissioners which includes the undertaking of any liability, collection and enforcement action.
5.Croí Conaithe Town Fund (Vacant Home Refurbishment Grant) (Reports circulated):
Mr Mark Cummins updated the meeting on the circulated reports.
Summary points:
- The fund is focused on home ownership which aims to tackle the housing crisis, vacant properties and to combat dereliction.
- For eligible applicants (excluding undertakings/developers), a grant of up to €30k will be available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence. A top-up grant of €20k is also available where the property is confirmed to be derelict i.e. structurally unsound/dangerous, bringing the total grant available to a max of €50k
- Eligibility – prioritised on the following sliding scale:
- Applicants who are First Time Buyers or who qualify under the ‘Fresh Start’ principle.
- Applicants who have particular needs – specifically disabled or older people.
- Applicants who are moving from their current home which they are selling/have sold and want to live in a town/village.
- The Scheme is currently only available for towns and villages with an occupancy of over 400 people. Some smaller villages may be eligible where sufficient provision of services and amenities exist.
- Eligible applicants are expected to live in the property for a period of at least 5 years from the date of payment of the subsidy. If the property is sold within 10 years, there is a sliding clawback in place.
- Further information including the application form, FAQs and Circular are available on the Dept and Local Authority website.
- Progress to date:
- 44 logged enquiries of which half were in rural areas
- 8 applications received
- 3 inspections carried out to date
Comments:
- The new Grant Scheme was welcomed, however, there were a number of queries regarding possible extension of the scheme to rural areas at a later stage.
- It was queried whether applicants would be eligible for works under SEAI. It was outlined that all applicants would be eligible for SEAI funding, however, there cannot be an overlap for the same works.
- The possibility of converting derelict commercial properties to residential was also queried. It was outlined that this is possible, subject to other planning compliance issues and it being their principal private residence.
6. Update: Sligo 2030 Strategy:
Ms Margaret McConnell updated the meeting on the progress of the Draft Sligo 2030 Strategy.
Summary points:
- Stages 1 and 2 have been completed and adopted by the relevant committees.
- Stages 3 and 4 are now underway i.e. to develop the detailed objectives and actions with the relevant agencies in consultation with KPMG.
- Stage 3: Finalising of Objectives and Outcomes with LCDC, SPC3, SEF and Municipal Districts.
- Stage 4: Completion of overall framework plan and Implementation plan, which will require final sign off with full Council.
7. AOB:
Cathaoirleach Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady updated the meeting on the following:
- Ms Corena Ward, representing the PPN Community & Voluntary Seat will be going on maternity leave in October. Notification of her replacement will be received in due course.
- It is expected to have the vacant PPN Environment Seat filled by the Q4 meeting of SPC3.
It was agreed that the scheduled date for the Q4 meeting i.e. 30th November 2022 is subject to change to accommodate the final stages of the draft Sligo 2030 Strategy. Notification will be issued to the Members in due course.
Councillor O’Grady thanked all present for their time and contribution to the meeting. The meeting concluded at 12.10pm.
Meeting Date 14/09/2022